Local government continues to face an unprecedented level of financial challenges to a level not experienced before, it is fighting to survive. At the recent Local Government Association conference there was a clear message that there is no light at the end of this long and dark tunnel – and I am normally optimistic!

So quite honestly local government could do with all the help it can get. But will this come in the form of a new but blunt ranking of council's ‘financial resilience' for our sector? As the consultation document is launched I thought I would offer a few thoughts on the debate.