In recent years, local government conferences have been pretty miserable affairs, more akin to a support group for the financially ruined than a celebration of council achievements.

But this year's Local Government Association annual conference has seen a shift, with a stronger, more confident sector.

Perhaps a different venue helped. A change is, afterall, as good as a rest and the LGA had not been in Manchester since its inaugural conference in 1997.

Or maybe it was the fact that local government no longer has the threat of cuts hanging over its head – instead it has the reality. After three years of austerity, most local authorities are getting to grips with what they will need to do to make ends meet.

There is still the issue of local government transformation – or reform, as it seems it be called now. I'm not sure who re-branded it, but I suspect it was the DCLG. Reform sounds far more like the sector is being forced into much needed improvements. But even reform is starting to show some green shoots.

The one flat spot of the conference was probably the secretary of state's speech. The marmite figure of Eric Pickles is always worth a watch – for the quips and jokes if nothing else. He has been booed, cheered and jeered over past years, but always provoked a reaction.

This year, however, the audience was subdued – perhaps the ultimate disappointment to a politician who thrives on getting a reaction. Delivering a speech listing the authorities in the next round of community budgets is not his strong point. Mr Pickles shines when speaking off the cuff, and tub-thumping on political issues.

But for a sector buoyed by the LGA's latest vision for the sector, Rewiring Local Government – which was promptly panned by Mr Pickles – and no longer in fear of budget slashing, the communities secretary has very little stick with which to beat councils.

It would be good to see some more carrots coming from the DCLG instead, starting with the Government considering some of the plans set out by the LGA.