Lie number 1 - it's about devolution
Devolving power down to local people is a good thing, right?
If it was it might be.
The money and policy is still controlled by Osbourne in London.
The group being told what to do by London are the leaders of the councils in the group and an appointed chair.
Their role is to take the blame for the cuts and dole out whatever's left.
There isn't any democratic check on them at all - so you could find things you need in your local area disappearing and there will be nobody to lobby or complain to. Your local councillor will shrug, because they can't do anything about it.
The chair is supposed to be elected, but I'm not aware of being asked to vote for anybody.
Lie number 2 - it's about protecting services
The cuts have already taken place. Osbourne has allocated a smaller amount of money, tied to doing whatever he asks.
We currently have a social care budget, that pays for services provided by the council. It has been slashed to the bone but councils still have a legal obligation to provide those services. This is typical Tory logic.
One of the things that will be happening is the social care and health services will be combined.
Social care is means tested, meaning you have to pay if you can afford it. Affording means you are so poor you can't afford electricity - it's pretty vicious.
So we're going to mix a free service (the NHS) with a paid for one (social care).
Suddenly cash strapped councils will be able to do things with the NHS budget. How long do you think it will be before the NHS becomes a paid for service through the back door?