Last week's announcement of a snap General Election caught many by surprise, not least those in the county sphere already fighting or organising elections or, in the case of the County Councils' Network, preparing the ground for post-election member engagement and national advocacy.

The encroachment of the General Election on local ballots caused some disquiet, including concerns over costs and pressures faced by council officers. Others are worried that lower turnout for mayoral elections will leave these positions facing the same legitimacy questions which beset police and crime commissioners.