As local authorities take on a wider role in the health agenda, David Walker claims there is a lot more that councils could be doing in the future – just don't mention the 'L' word.

By accident or design – and given the Cameron Government's record to date, more likely the former – local authorities have been given a grand opportunity to expand their influence. But there are two conditions. One is for councillors to show themselves to be able to move swiftly and tread lightly.