With the new look Conservative Party now in power, austerity measures will no doubt recommence in earnest. However, it's clear a salami slicing approach to cuts in public expenditure has outlived its usefulness.

According to Civica research with local public service decision-makers, 2015 has been earmarked for transformation as part of a wider admission that if the spending gap is not addressed by more radical thinking about how services are delivered in the future, the situation for many frontline services is likely to be bleak. In fact, the research shows that 63% of local authorities believe libraries, leisure facilities, youth centres and parks will suffer, 38% predict pest control and refuse collections will be reduced and 28% believe adult social care will be compromised if urgent action is not taken now.