Last week's King's Speech was delivered with such a strong dose of devolution, it is almost too good to be true. As the new Government's plans start to unfold, much of the agenda local government has been asking for seems to be taking shape. 

It's true, the detail of some of the plans are yet to emerge – and there have been plenty of stings in the tail for councils when the minutiae of policies of past governments have emerged – but if the new Government is true to its word, there is much to be hopeful for.