Party conferences can be odd affairs for local government. Councils rarely get a look in once arch-politics and a bit of puffed-up posturing take centre stage for two or three weeks each autumn. But are we are beginning to see something a little different this year?

The Labour Party conference in Liverpool has seen a raft of new public policy plans which, should the party come to power, would have a huge impact on town halls.

Shadow chancellor John McDonnell’s keynote speech centred around his desire to renationalise utilities and bring PFI projects back in-house.