It is a good time to be a Conservative involved in local government.
It is particularly good time for those in Boston, Gloucester, Harrogate, Lewes, Mendip, Mid Devon, North Lincolnshire, North Norfolk, Northampton, Ryedale, Solihull, Teignbridge, Tendring, Tewkesbury, Vale of the White Horse, West Devon, West Somerset and Woking. These are the councils which the Conservatives gained last week.
In some ways the Government are giving councils more power – as Conservative and Lib Dem Ministers unite behind a bold and radical agenda of localism. In other respects it is a challenging time – transparency increases accountability, the growth of free schools threaten to force closure of poor Council-run schools. Then, of course, there is the reduction in central Government grant.
So there is a lot to talk about. Conservative Home is hosting a Local Government Conference in London next week with Council leaders and Ministers.
Ministers Eric Pickles and Greg Clark will discuss the Coalition's government programme for decentralisation and local government reform.
Leaders of Britain's most innovative Conservative councils – from Hammersmith and Fulham, Southampton, Trafford and Windsor and Maidenhead – will highlight what they are doing to deliver better services at reduced cost.
A revolution is taking place. Please come along and find out what it is all about. Tickets are just £99.