Austerity and its challenges have now formed part of our everyday working lives for almost three years. Having attended the informative MJ Future Forum last week and listened intently to Paul Johnson from the Institute of Fiscal Studies (IFS) deliver a presentation setting out his economic and financial predictions, it is clear that while much progress has been achieved across local government to help narrow the gap, the sector and UK as a whole still has a long way to go before the books start to balance.

Despite such challenges, there was a sense of opportunity, innovation and determination evident throughout the event, a feeling that such qualities have now become synonymous with local government. However, one area that still requires further scrutiny in delivering such a brave new world is that of 'engagement'.