The Lyons inquiry should not just be looking at what councils ought to be doing, but how Whitehall could be doing less, says Dick Sorabji

The Lyons inquiry, the White Paper, and finally, the spending review in 2007, are being described as stepping stones to the possibility of major reform in relations between Whitehall and the town hall. Having heard this before, many will not hold their breath. Yet, when we look at future challenges to the local state, there are reasons to be more cheerful. Sir Michael Lyons is eager to future-proof his work.