Jon Hanlon talks to two different councils about their experiences in using external advisers to help tackle budgetary and management challenges.
The global recession and banking crisis have left a gaping hole in council finances, and whichever party comes to power in May's general election, it will try to reduce this budget deficit by further cuts in public spending and tax increases.
The current, three-year spending plan ends in March 2011. Until now, most councils have been relatively insulated from the true impact of the recession, because the Government has honoured the three-year grant settlement up to 2010/11.
However, the real hammer blow is likely to be dealt soon, as government support for councils is re-set in the context of this generational squeeze on public expenditure. It may not seem like the most obvious time to call on external consultants, but judicious use of outside expertise is helping many councils find innovative ways of boosting efficiency, saving money and improving services.
