The provisional local government settlement is announced on 6 December and we are waiting to hear what is happening about the New Homes Bonus, business rates and negative Revenue Support Grant. The 2019/20 business rates pilots will also be announced with an update around a council tax referendum and the adult social care precept which will hopefully clarify those issues.

But all of this will only get us as far as 2019/20. What about that medium-term financial strategy? We know there is a Spending Review scheduled for 2019, just not when or what the outcome will be. Indications are there will be less for local authorities as the Government looks to support the NHS.