The harsh environment in which local authorities are currently operating means there can be an understandable focus on the mounting funding and demand challenges at the expense of seeking to ensure our localities remain as resilient as possible to the strong headwinds of economic hardship and widening gaps between rich and poor.

Various independent reports have highlighted the levels of regional inequality in England across many metrics, from income and wealth to life expectancy, attributing much of this phenomenon to the culmination of disproportionately greater infrastructure investment in the South East compared to other parts of the country. The previous Government sought to address this with the levelling up agenda, however, the Public Accounts Committee found the last set of ministers were 'unable to provide any compelling examples of what levelling up funding has delivered so far'. The new administration promises to ‘transfer power out of Westminster' and deliver an ambitious programme of devolution to drive economic growth across the country. However, it remains to be seen whether these promises will amount to true and effective devolution, and whether any economic growth achieved will be balanced and inclusive across all regions.