The report on the future of local government produced by Alec Shelbrook MP, contains some interesting suggestions - US style directly elected county governors (mayors), salaried councillors and all-out five yearly elections for councillors – which should not be dismissed out of hand (although five years does seem a long time to re-connect to voters).

The worrying aspect of the paper is the certainty with which he confines district councils to the dustbin of history – with no analysis of, or recognition given to, the vital role district council have in keeping English local government close to local people.