My wife and I recently holidayed in Italy. Having both spent many years working in local government, while we looked at the wonderful sights and enjoyed the delicious food, our discussion turned to the challenges facing the sector.

Italy has not avoided the impact of austerity. The general cleanliness and conditions of its streets showed a real need for investment. Wandering around in 95-degree heat, you could not help but notice the need for road repairs, not to mention the amount of graffiti and dog mess. At the same time, the need to improve air quality and get an integrated transport system which gives preference to cycle lanes is a challenge we all face. The beautiful buildings have existed for hundreds of years – hopefully they can be preserved – but without careful thought and investment I fear they will not be handed on to the next generation in good condition.