As a sign of the times – and for the first time - the new president of the Society of Local Authority Chief Executives, Terry Huggins, elected this week at the annual conference, is running two district councils. Michael Burton talks to him about his plans for the future which even include adding on a third council to his portfolio.

A little bit of history takes place in Edinburgh this week as chief executives gather for their annual get-together and it is not just because SOLACE is dubbing it a 'summit' rather than a conference. Nor is it because for the first time since 2004 the new president comes from a district council.