The news about a fellow county council's issuance of a Section 114 notice reminds me of all of our journeys over the last 20 years and how close some of us have come to such an event. I have always taken the position that issuing a s114 notice is a bit of a failure in not being able to influence decision-makers about the seriousness of impending financial disaster.

I have been lucky to have worked with good politicians and officers who understand when it is serious and are able to work together to find solutions, therefore negating the need for a s114.