As you read this, we will be coming to the end of our annual conference in Bournemouth.

I know it will have been another fabulous opportunity for local government and our partners to come together. We will have acknowledged how well we have dealt with local, national and international pressures and debated a wide range of important issues about the future for our communities. It is always a great opportunity to tap into the knowledge and experiences of our members to ensure the Local Government Association's (LGA) work programme is focused on what matters most to councils.