Nathan Elvery has worked in every tier of local government. Here he warns the sector it risks being constrained by a focus on structural reforms

It is a little over six months since taking up my role as chief executive of West Sussex CC. I had previously been in the same role for a large unitary authority that sits within the M25 boundary.

Now I reflect on the differences, challenges and opportunities which lie ahead for our sector from perhaps the unique position of having worked within the many and varied structural models within local government.