More than 70 councillors have taken out a letter in The Times criticising the government’s plans to provide free home care as flawed and unfunded. The councillors, from all three major political parties and across the nation, are the men and women charged with implementing Brown’s new pledge for personalised home care. The letter says: “It is wrong to raise expectations among many of the most vulnerable in our society and claim their families that they may be in a position to benefit from these proposals when the reality may be significantly different.”

A councillor in Swansea has said that keeping a tennis centre open could result in a hit on front-line services. Councillor Graham Thomas has endorsed the hugely unpopular decision to close the Swansea tennis centre as essential to plug a £17m funding gap. He said: “These are tough times when we have to prioritise some services over others.”

A second SNP councillor has defected in as many weeks — this time to join the Liberal Democrats. Senior Glasgow councillor Alex Dingwall, a member of the party for 31 years, has defected only a week after John McNamee left to join the Labour Party. Dingwall said: “I believe that Glasgow needs a change in how our city is run and a party that sets out a clear, credible alternative to the Labour administration.”

The man charged with taking over from shamed Lord Hanningfield as leader of Essex county council has paid tribute to his predecessor. Lord Hanningfield stepped down as the leader of the council after it was revealed he was to face legal prosecution for his role in the expenses scandal. But Peter Martin, the man due to replace him, praised his strong leadership and significant contribution. He claimed that Hanningfield had reduced bureaucracy and streamlined internal processes.