Local public servants will have their own individual views on the outcome of the general election, but collectively there is a common wish list of what we would like to see from an incoming government. First, a consistent medium term strategy. If expenditure needs to be cut then let’s plan a reduction over a decent time period, rather than indulge in a macho slash and burn exercise from day one. Second, see local government as a partner in both the planning and delivery of expenditure reductions. Local authorities are best placed to know how to deliver savings without destroying communities or decimating frontline services. Third, reduce the overseer class. There are too many expensive regulators examining local government. Some should remain, many should not. Fourth, keep pushing for joined up services between central government departments and local government. Call it total place if you like, but crucially there is still too much overlap and too many meetings, and both need to be reduced. Fifth and finally, stop knocking public employees at every level. In recessionary times public workers are part of the solution, not the problem. As the Institute for Leadership and Management put it this week “Policymakers need to recognise that public sector managers can be allies in this campaign and must not see them as a barrier to achieving their goals.” If I could place one thought into an incoming Cabinets mind, I think that would be it.