Local Conservatives have pledged to pilot a devolved decision-making committee for Kinross-shire.
The scheme, which was part of the Perth and Kinross Council budget passed earlier this week, will give Kinross-shire ward councillors more control over local decisions and budgets and will also seek to involve community councils and other local groups.
The scheme could consider taking local decisions on priorities such as local economic development, tourism, community transport, road safety, footpaths and local infrastructure projects. The initial pilot will not, however, cover quasi-judicial matters such as the determination of planning and licensing applications.
Plans to introduce a devolved decision-making committee have previously been backed by all six community councils that cover Kinross-shire.
Commenting, Kinross-shire Conservative Councillor, Callum Purves, said: “Despite becoming subsumed into Perth and Kinross Council a number of decades ago, Kinross-shire has retained its local identity. Often the priorities of local residents differ from those across Perth and Kinross and the decisions made in Perth.
“I am delighted to have been able to secure funding for this scheme, which is a first step towards restoring some of the powers that were lost when Kinross-shire ceased to be a county in its own right. It will put Kinross-shire residents back at the heart of local decisions.”
And Local Conservative MSP Liz Smith, who represents the Mid Scotland and Fife region, added: “The Scottish Conservatives are the party of localism. We believe that our local communities are best placed to make the decisions that most affect them. Kinross-shire has a rich history and a strong sense of community.
“This trial is a forward-thinking initiative from local Conservatives and one that will empower local residents.”
The county of Kinross was established in the 13th century with the parishes of Kinross and Orwell (Milnathort). An Act of Parliament in 1685 expanded it to include the parishes of Cleish, Portmoak and Tullibole (Fossoway). Kinross-shire formed a joint county council with Perthshire in 1929 before being amalgamated into the new Perth and Kinross District Council in 1975 and its modern-day successor from 1996.