Scottish local elections: What are the parties promising?

Scotland's main parties have now published their manifestoes ahead of the local elections on 4 May. So, what are they promising?

Scottish Green Party

The party's national priorities include keeping class sizes down, cheaper and more frequent bus services, affordable low-carbon housing and better wages for social care workers.

• At-a-glance guide to the Green council manifesto

Scottish Liberal Democrats

The party's national priorities include mental health, education and enhanced powers for local communities and councils. It also underlines the party's backing for a reformed federal UK and "continued membership of the European Union", proposing a referendum on the terms of the Brexit deal.

• At-a-glance: Scottish Lib Dem council election manifesto

Scottish Labour Party

Labour put the NHS and social care front and centre in its manifesto, highlighting that the ageing population and financial cuts have left services "increasingly struggling to help those in need". It also reiterated its pledge to scrap the council tax and replace it with a system based on property value.

• At-a-glance: Scottish Labour council election manifesto

Scottish Conservative Party

While opposing independence is at the heart of the Tory campaign, local democracy takes top billing in the manifesto. The party wants directly elected provosts, more powers over planning, taxation and capital spending so councils can be "engines of growth" and council tax bills staying "as low as possible".

• At-a-glance: Scottish Conservative council manifesto

Scottish National Party

Nicola Sturgeon launched the SNP council manifesto characterising the contest as one between her party and the Tories. The manifesto itself focuses on investment in childcare and early years, support for local services, economic growth and devolution of "real power" to communities.

• At-a-glance: SNP council manifesto