For me the biggest local government story last week happened north of the border. Readers of The MJ will remember when, back in June, the Scottish Government signed a new agreement with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) known as the Verity House agreement.

There is a lot to like about this. It places co-operation and communication between local and national Government on a formal footing. It recognises ‘a positive working relationship should be based on mutual trust and respect'. And it agrees ‘to consult and collaborate as early as possible in all policy areas where local government has a key interest'.