SCOTLAND must move forward from the independence referendum and hand more powers to cities and metropolitan areas, the leader of the country's largest council has claimed.

The comments by Frank McAveety, leader of Glasgow City Council, come as the heads of the UK's major cities use the first anniversary of the referendum to call for the devolution of more powers from London and Edinburgh.

The Core Cities Cabinet, which is made up of the elected city Leaders and Mayors of Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle, Nottingham and Sheffield, met in Cardiff where the call for further devolution was made.

Mr McAveety, who did not attend, said the new focus 12 months on should be on "rebalancing the British economy".

He said: “Glasgow is the powerhouse of the Scottish economy and should be given the power to decide more things locally.

“Devolving powers to the UK’s Core Cities will deliver better public services, recognising the different needs of communities and delivering services in a joined up way.

“Merely transferring powers between one parliament and another does not advance the cities agenda."

City of Cardiff Council leader Phil Bale said: “One year on from the Scottish independence referendum we want to clearly state that the best way to reboot our local economies, and rebalance the British economy, is to give more power and responsibility to cities and city-regions.

“But this is about more than just economic growth. Austerity has seen our ability to deliver services undermined. "Many ordinary people feel under assault. At the same time the idea of a Westminster government knowing what is best for everyone is being challenged."

The UK’s core cities account for 25% of the economy, although output per capita remains below the national and EU average in each city bar one.