However, take two very contrasting East Midlands local authorities - Derby City and Rutland County Council.

BBC: Pickles 'bargain' claim anger councils facing new cuts

There will also be important Opposition amendments to restrict the rights of corporate organisations to sue for defamation and seeking to extend the current restrictions on local councils suing for defamation (recent events at Rutland County Council were raised at committee stage) and also to extend them to any private company providing public services.

BBC: Week ahead

Interserve will run the services for NHS Leicestershire County and Rutland, and the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, from February.

BBC: Job losses 'not ruled out' in ?300m NHS contract