Plans for the future of local government have been swept away by the Localism Bill and the finance settlement and replaced with a new era of innovation, says Simon Parker

The future for local government used to seem pretty straightforward. Councils were the democratic champions of outcomes for their local area, held responsible through central inspections for the health, wealth and wellbeing of their citizens. Over time, they would probably gain increasing influence over all public services in their area through Total Place and public service boards.