I imagine very few in local government will lament the demise of 2016, a year typified by political turmoil, cuts, financial fears and the increasing reality of the graph of doom.

We are a nation divided. Communities cleaved by race or religion, political extremes and Brexit allegiances. Separated by educational attainment – or lack of it – economic success or failure and the digital divide. A gaping chasm of complex social issues which need to be bridged.