As the dust settles on the local government finance settlement for another year and having had time to reflect on the changes, I cannot help recalling the words of a seasoned service director in the late 1990s who had just put forward a more radical restructure proposal than was necessary so he could be seen to row back from it following consultation.

Pointing out that he was proposing more savings than necessary, he turned to me, smiled and said: ‘Always remember, show them death and they'll accept pain!'