Whether we like it or not, the cumulative impact of recent government initiatives is likely to result in the biggest shake up in public service provision for more than 30 years.

The move to 100% business rate retention by the end of the current Parliament, coupled with grant cuts, completely re-writes the financial settlement with government – providing new freedoms but increasing the risk that some councils will ‘fail' or at least be forced to raid reserves and cut services to balance the books. The Government is already encouraging councils to reduce their reserves based on the four-year grant settlement, but how will councils rebuild financial security and make the most of the move towards financial self-sufficiency?