Reports earlier in the week that Eric Pickles has done a complete volte face over council cuts have turned out, it seems, to be somewhat exaggerated.

For those who believed he may have come riding in to rescue councils like the proverbial knight slaying George Osborne and his cuts, the fairytale is over, and we are back to the grim reality. If Eric has one key attribute to be admired, it would be consistency. His constant message that local government has to cut more, save more and increase its efficiency has been abiding throughout his term in office.