After months of speculation and uncertainty about its contents, the local government White Paper has finally seen the light of day. The initial responses, both in parliament and in local government circles, have varied. But the broad thrust has been positive.

The White Paper offers several new opportunities for local government, and its direction of travel is devolutionary. So far so good. Of course, commentators tend to focus on those parts of the total package that most interest them – and their overall judgement is sometimes clouded by particular likes and dislikes. So opponents of mayoral systems of governance have tended to look askance at the measures that may encourage the emergence of a few more local mayors, arguing that the concept of leaders with fixed four-year terms is a recipe for mayors by the back door.