With just over a week to go until the General Election, local authorities will be assessing the manifestos and trying to forecast how the outcome could affect them. Based on what we know so far, could there be an opportunity to change local government for the better?

Manifestos are all about providing headline-hitting content that promises a lot and doesn't always deliver, so there is no need to rip up the current workbook just yet. However, a change in central government does provide an opportunity to shift focus and try new ways of doing things, so it makes sense to be prepared.