The council tax freeze should be scrapped to find “local solutions to local problems”, according to the Angus-based head of an expert group on rural affairs.
Land agent Hughie Campbell Adamson, who has served as chairman to both Brechin City FC and Inveresk Community Council, argued for the change in a report published on Monday.
It is one of 97 recommendations made by the Scottish Rural Commission, established by Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson to help inform party policy.
The Tories have argued for a council tax freeze since 2003 and supported the SNP in imposing the policy from 2007.
“Councillors, as democratically elected representatives, have effectively lost all revenue-raising powers following the introduction of the council tax freeze,” the commission’s report states.
“This loss of accountability and fiscal flexibility is a worrying development which serves to the detriment of local decision-making.”
The Tory election manifesto for 2011 conceded that the freeze cannot go on forever and suggested local people may be given the power to stop increases above inflation in future.
Mr Campbell Adamson told The Courier: “If you believe in local governance, as we do, you have to have local accountability. It is not surprising to me so few people are voting in local elections.
“If you take power and decision making away from people they will not be interested. It’s about local solutions to local problems.”
The commission took a year to put its findings together and split the recommendations into headings covering communities; agriculture, forestry and land tenure; wildlife resources; and rural tourism.
Spreading broadband connections across rural areas was identified by the commission as the top priority for politicians.
It also called for a looser planning system and better focus on tourism.
On land reform, it urges the rejection of absolute right to buy. The controversial policy, if implemented, would allow tenant farmers to buy out landowners even if they are unwilling to sell.