What constitutes the ‘local' part of local government? It is very much a live debate as counties and districts weigh up their options for reorganisation, balancing economies of scale against community connections with one eye on local identity – and another on financial stability. 

But it is not just a reorganisation issue. Another debate is playing out: Are combined and strategic authorities ‘local government', or are they a new category – of sub-regional government – all on their own?