The merger of four councils in east Kent was initially hailed as a radical shake-up which would transform the local government landscape.

We were told the four were united in believing it was the only viable way forward, not least because of the relentless squeeze on their budgets at the same time as as they faced increased demand for services.

But when it came to the point at which the quartet were supposed to set in train the process, one of partners - Shepway - got cold feet.

Councillors there stumbled at the first hurdle and decided they couldn’t after all agree to a public consultation on the idea.

The argument seemed to be that councillors were unhappy with the format of the proposed consultation - which, it is worth pointing out, could easily have been changed.

At special meetings taking place at the same time, Dover and Thanet backed the plan.

But Canterbury - regarded as the cheerleader for the “super district” - didn’t even have a vote once they had heard Shepway had backed away.

So, we are back to the drawing board. What happens next?

The three councils left are to review their options but there seems to be little sign of enthusiasm for a three-way merger.

If the East Kent plan has taught councils anything, it is that collaborations and joint working arrangements are one thing.

But converting them into a formal partnership and creating entirely new councils are trickier to negotiate.

And we can’t overlook the fact that councillors were being asked to assume the role of town hall turkeys voting for Christmas, always a challenging proposition.

Meanwhile, over at County Hall, there will be some quiet satisfaction that this particular option has hit the buffers.

The Conservative leader Paul Carter was dead set against the idea and has been - behind the scenes - banging the drum for a county unitary, although that will be impossible to sell to the district and boroughs.

His greatest fear was the East Kent super district would eventually make the case for becoming a unitary council, which in time would lead to the break up of the two-tier system.

He was right in that analysis - the four's persistent denials weren't awfully convincing, especially when some leaders openly said it was their preferred option.

For now, the devolution agenda debate is on pause.

But it has not gone away completely.