As the sector assembles in Birmingham for the LGA annual conference, local government is still reeling from the aftermath of the tragedy at Grenfell Tower. It seems there is no end in sight to the series of errors surrounding the fire.

In a speech that has sparked fury in some quarters – and resigned indifference in others – communities secretary Sajid Javid warned of a ‘crisis of confidence' in the sector and claimed the ties that bound councils to their communities have almost snapped.