Sweeping cuts in our town halls
Events in the House of Commons wouldn't normally be required viewing in the Corporation Arms in Grimsby. But today was an exception as lunchtime drinkers watched the Chancellor's big speech in the pub, which lies in one the most deprived parts of the town.
In Grimsby, the number of people reliant on state benefits is higher than the national average, as is unemployment. Of the people who do work, many are on low wages.
The challenge for our local council leaders is how to continue delivering the services many have come to rely on - for less.
The Chief Executive of North East Lincolnshire Council has suggested that people in Grimsby may choose to sweep their own streets in future, so the local authority can prioritise frontline services. Tony Hunter told BBC Look North we need to be "more imaginative" when cutting costs, and asking for volunteers to do council work may be one answer.
So could this broad brush approach be a taster of things to come in our town halls?
I'm Tim Iredale, the BBC's Political Editor in Yorkshire and Lincolnshire and presenter of the regional Politics Show. This is strictly a "no-spin" zone where the political viewpoint is more Humber Bridge than Westminster Bridge. Your comments and observations are more than welcome. 
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