A large number of policy commentators and think- tanks have recently published documents on what government should be doing to unlock the potential of local government, or what local government should be doing for national government. It is encouraging so many see local government as the most under-utilised and promising vehicle for national renewal.

A common theme seems to be the ‘dispersal of power' from the centre to local government. A phrase full of optimism, but on closer inspection a phrase devoid of meaning. What are these powers to be dispersed, and how would they work differently?