David Cameron has unveiled plans to hand more power to local people and develop social responsibility.

The Conservative leader published a sustainable communities bill on Friday, which proposes giving local authorities the power to decide how millions of pounds are spent.

If introduced it would allow local authorities, after consulting members of the community, to work out their own alternative local spending plan and to allocate that public spending in their area in a different way.

The bill has been drafted in conjunction with Local Works, a cross-party campaign
for stronger local democracy.

Cameron said: "Councils should be the collective instrument of local people, rather
than the local outposts of central government.

"Conservatives will give greater powers to local councils, by reducing the reach of Whitehall, unelected quangos, and the new regional bodies.

"We will also give councils greater control over the spending of money.

"This bill requires central government to make it clear how much money it spends on local services in each area, and gives councils and communities a far greater say in how this money is spent.

"Such a measure would significantly alter the balance of power in favour of local councils and local communities."

Cameron also published a pamphlet - 'The permissive state' - which maps out the Conservative commitment to nurturing social responsibility, and how the bill can achieve that.