This podcast was first published as a webTV programme in the summer break this year. Our invitation to Martin Reeves was triggered by his response, on behalf of SOLACE, to the Chancellor's spring Statement. We publish the podcast version now as the Budget (aka the Autumn Statement) looms on the horizon

Local government is on the ropes. The coffers are empty, the assets are sold, essential services are under threat, the promised geographical "rebalancing" has failed to materialise, infrastructure is crumbling, a radical restructuring including the reform of regressive local taxation is clearly needed and yet Westminster and Whitehall seem unable to even acknowledge there is a problem.