Eric Pickles speech at the County Councils Network conference carried a huge amount of weight – in that it went down like a lead balloon.

As the rather poorly secretary of state croaked his way through a speech on the virtues of joining up adult social care and health, delegates prepared for the attack when it came to questions.

It was never going to be a good gig for Mr Pickles, short of coming to the conference with a couple of extra billion in his back pocket to throw to the crowd.  The counties – along with the rest of local government – have had enough of the cuts and the criticisms and were never going to welcome the secretary of state with open arms.

And that is Mr Pickles' own party.

David Hodge, the new CCN chair, has unleashed a new vigour within the network and has a long list of what he wants from Government.  From a fairer funding settlement for counties, to an end to the council tax freeze, Cllr Hodge has finance firmly in his sights – but this is not a cash-strapped whinge.

Cllr Hodge is also calling for county deals and the recognition that the counties can drive economic growth – cities are not the only game in town.  The issues facing county chiefs came across loud and clear at conference.

Integrating health and social care is at the forefront – and scepticism over the care bill is rife – and the LEPs are also top of the agenda.

Since the coalition came to power, the counties have been on a back-burner.  Districts and LEPs have been in the driving seat for economic growth, at a two-tier level, while the cities had their deals.  There has been no deal for the counties – instead they have been left to grapple with adult social care conundrums.

And with the ever-present question of possible reorganisation in the future, the obvious answer of unitary counties has been usurped by the joining up of districts.

There is no longer a clean and clear answer.  But now they are fighting back. Watch out Eric.