For reasons too dreary to go into, last Wednesday I was flicking through the jobs column in The Guardian when I came upon an advertisement for a “Liveability Theme Manager” at Oldham council, in the north of England.

Curious, I looked closer to see what this unusual position entailed. The council is searching for a “motivational leader with determination and stamina to successfully deliver our key strategic outcomes”. The ideal candidate must have “a good understanding of neighbourhood solutions”, and will earn up to £38,010 a year.