Next week's Conservative conference is likely to be dominated by two themes, namely Brexit and the economy. On neither subject are ministers especially keen to dwell; indeed party organisers hope the conference, while being an anointing of Saint Theresa, will generate minimal controversy since both Brexit and the economy are touchy subjects for party members.

We will doubtless hear lots of ‘Brexit means Brexit.' Less clear is the direction of travel for the economy, a subject of vital importance for local government which is about to embark on its biggest financial shake-up since the 1980s with dependence after 2020 on business rate revenue.