It is traditional at this time of year for Government – central and local – to draw breath and step briefly away from the cares of office, sun-kissed beaches beckoning. Of course, this year is like no other, apart perhaps from the last one, although there is a sense that we have adjusted to living with COVID long-term thanks to the vaccines and can start planning a return to some normality.

Returning to work is like no other year either. Like hundreds of employers, local authorities are now grappling with how to manage their return to work policies as staff come back from summer holidays, and from 1 October furlough ends.