Senior managers' vision for the future of local government is laid bare in this week's survey by The MJ and Serco – and it seems few practitioners are under any illusions that the sector still has to adapt to the new economic environment. And fast.

In all, 80% of respondents recognised there would be a need to refocus authorities' work within the next three years. To some, this begs the question: What exactly do the remaining 20% feel needs doing if they can't see why this culture shift is necessary? But perhaps they are far along this revolutionary road already.