Reviewing Swale's finances for 2016/17, I was amused by the inclusion of some ‘new burdens' funding for private sector smoke alarms – £835 – and the redress scheme for letting agencies – £761.

Of course, every penny coming our way is welcome, but these won't balance the budget, particularly when looking at the other side of the ledger which includes almost £200,000 for increases in NI employer contributions, £60,000 to meet the superannuation opt-in requirement and around £50,000 for the introduction of the minimum living wage by our external contractors – none of which are funded as a ‘new burden'.