We know it's going to be a difficult Budget; tax, spending and welfare all impacted. We also know local government continues to grapple with systemic financial failure, a ballooning funding gap, fewer than 25% of councils having published their draft accounts ahead of deadline.

Reflecting on events I've attended or spoken at since the General Election, I'm buoyed by the renewed appetite for, and focus on, devolution; the genuine will for a relationship reset between Whitehall and the local authority eco-system.