The times they are a changing, as Bob Dylan sang almost half a century ago.

But in terms of local government and services they are certainly not changing for the better.

That means we are all having to readjust our expectations too, make unpleasant choices and decide what the priorities really are in this harsher new world where, until the economy improves, it’s no longer going to be possible to enjoy the standards we have been used to.

Some might argue that there are radical (or what others would call extreme) measures that could be taken to save councils from many of the cuts they face but the reality is that in this country such steps won’t be taken.

The priorities in any sensible world should surely be to retain the services that support those least able to support themselves like the old, the young and those with disabilities. Add those caring services to education and a huge percentage of local government spending is accounted for.

In comparison complaints about overlong grass on a football pitch – which the council has been unable to trim because its cutting team has been reduced to four men for the borough of Blackburn with Darwen – doesn’t strike me as a huge issue. Neither does the build-up of silt in a paddling pool at Sunnyhurst Wood in Darwen.

Both are matters which can surely be addressed by a few locals getting together to do the job rather than shouting that the council should be doing it for them. In the case of the football pitch I note that it’s in the Ewood area of Blackburn... Isn’t there another organisation in that community with a fantastic array of equipment for keeping football pitches in trim?

The term ‘big society’ makes me feel deeply uneasy when uttered by a Conservative leader but there are things people can get together and do.

Last week I was in mid-Wales where a thriving ‘community garden’ had been planted behind some shops in a town centre. It looked great and is tended by locals on a rota. The public toilets operated on a similar basis.

Rather than huge price rises at day centres for people who are desperately trying to cope with caring for a severely dependant relative, wouldn’t it be great if a few people rolled their sleeves up and did some outdoor work in their spare time.

It’s certainly a better use of time than continually phoning council staff who no longer have the cash to tackle minor tasks.