The leader of the council will tell the Government to hand more power to local authorities in a speech this afternoon.

Councillor Ruth Dombey will speak at the Local Government Association conference in Manchester to tell delegates too much power is concentrated in national government.

She will argue local authorities have proven records of being innovative in the face of austerity and criticise the Government for how little the role of councils is valued or understood.

Coun Dombey said: "The fact of the matter is that local government is so much further ahead than central government.

"We are more efficient, more joined up and more trusted by our voters.

"In response to the recession and in response to the social care crisis, local government isn’t the problem, it’s actually the solution.

"It frustrates me that Whitehall only seems to believe in local administration. 

"After all, why does it insist on telling us how often we need to pick up the rubbish, how much council tax to charge and where and when our residents can build things?

"We’ve already proved we can cut across boundaries, irrespective of party politics, and improve outcomes, change lives and save loads of public money."

Coun Dombey will call on the Government to give local authorities funding for further education, skills and employment, the flexibility to drive economic growth, powers over house building and power to set local taxation and retain the proceeds.

Coun Dombey is due to speak at the conference at 2pm.

Do you think councils need more powers? Leave a comment below or send your thoughts in a letter to: letters@suttonguardian.co.uk.