Writing in The MJ last month, I was keen to weigh up the pros and cons of staying in the EU from a local government perspective.

Now we know the actual terms of the prime minister's EU council deal, those in the sector can begin to look forensically at the offer on the table. The commitments secured around deregulation, and in particular the promise of an annual EU Commission review of excessive red tape, are to be welcomed, but compared to much of the deal, lack detail. A useful cue for local government to make its views known.