The shortlisted Devolution Priority Programme submissions are in and under consideration. Planning in earnest for a new local government landscape in those areas and securing the greatest possible benefits for individuals, local communities, economies and places is well underway.

With no shortage of commentary and advice on ensuring success, it is timely to focus on some of the potential pitfalls, possible problems and practical predicaments that are likely to arise and will need to be addressed, if the benefits of reorganisation and devolution are to be secured and sustained. In no particular order, here are the ‘Challenging Cs':