In a week where the full details of the business rates localisation scheme finally emerged (if you haven't seen it, then you'll know when it arrives with a thud in your email box!) I hear the words of the communities secretary echo around my head when he recently told LGA conference delegates: ‘You need to have a little bit of courage in terms of demanding more'.

I am reminded of one of Aesop's fables The Fox without a Tail. For those of you not familiar with this fable let me share it with you briefly.