Members of Parliament may have downed tools for their summer recess, but not so in local government – particularly in Northamptonshire, where councillors, officers and commissioners face the mammoth task of balancing the books.

New chief executive Theresa Grant will begin work today and will stare straight into the financial black hole that has already led to the authority's demise. Latest estimates suggest the council faces a cash shortfall of £60m-£70m this year: around 15% of its current projected spend.