Tories propose more council power

The Tories say they would free councils from central government

Council chiefs should publish their pay and perks to make them more accountable to local people, the Tories say.

The party is due to publish proposals which it says would take more power from central government and give it to local authorities in England.

It also says it would issue new guidance to stop large payouts to sacked staff.

Caps on council tax rises would be scrapped, allowing people to veto excessive rises in local referendums.

The Conservatives will produce what they call their green paper on decentralisation on Tuesday - which includes plans to give people "real influence" over local councils.

Planning

It includes proposals to make councils publish detailed information on expenditure, including senior staff's pay and perks and guidance to stop "rewards for failure" for sacked workers.

The party also says it would scrap the controversial Infrastructure Planning Commission - set up by the government to take decisions on major projects like airports to streamline the planning process.

The Tories argue that the government plans to use it to "force through the environmentally damaging Heathrow expansion".

Other plans include allowing councils to benefit financially from building more houses and from encouraging new businesses in their area.

Regional Development Agencies would lose their planning and housing powers to local councils and the Tories say they would end Whitehall's ability to cap council tax rises - instead allowing local people to veto excessive rises using local referendums.

Tory leader David Cameron has previously described capping bills in England and Wales as "an old-fashioned idea straight out of the bureaucratic age".