Children could have school lessons in gardening and allotment produce could be sold in local shops under local authority proposals to be considered by the Government.

The plans, put forward by councils across Sussex, have been submitted under the Sustainable Communities Act.

The radical law, introduced in 2007, allows councils to make proposals for changes in national legislation to improve the quality of life locally.

Brighton and Hove City Council - one of the more enthusiastic authorities - has made nine suggestions to the national list.

This includes local authorities having the power to offer discounted levels of business rates to small and medium firms.

It would also like allotment holders to sell their surplus product to local shops and for food growing to be introduced into the national curriculum.

The council suggested the government place legal responsibility on supermarkets to reduce their non-recyclable packaging material.

A change in legislation so local authorities can borrow against their council housing rents was also proposed.

Lewes District Council suggested the government give them, and other waste collecting authorities, the ability to charge residents for disposing of excess waste.

It also called for the creation of more parish councils and for it to be given the power to charge double council tax on properties in the district used second and holiday homes.

Adur District Council’s plan would see authorities able to keep 100% of rent received from council housing while Hastings Borough Council asked for the right to take control of street parking away from the Highways Authority.

Worthing Borough Council did not submit any proposals.

In total nearly 300 proposals from 90 different councils were made nationally.

The Local Government Association (LGA), a lobbying organisation which campaigns on behalf of councils, will submit a shortlist to Communities Secretary John Denham at the end of the year.

Mr Denham will have the final say on what plans are given the go ahead.

Keith Mitchell, the chairman of the LGA selector panel, said: “The proposals which have been submitted are practical responses to specific local conditions.

“It is great to see so much enthusiasm from councils, ready to expand their responsibilities to do everything they can to make life better for their residents and we would expect nothing less.”