For some time now, there has been an unofficial 'watch list' of local authorities facing financial failure. A list of around 20 or so councils deemed likely to fail to meet their statutory duties due to their financial predicaments.

Now the LGA has put forward a list of 86 authorities where the finances are dire – or will be if they face the expected level of cuts. We all know we need a seismic shift in local government to survive, but this is still a shocking number.