The current budget cuts in local authorities are having a considerable impact on the services they provide and councils are working extremely hard to shield frontline services from the 28% cut to the money they receive from Government.

Cash reserves saved over the years can only dampen the impact and provide brief respite. But they won't fill the gap, and with the rapid cost of providing adult social care there are growing concerns about how councils can continue to deliver and maintain the services demanded of them by local residents without receiving extra funding.