Kay Mason Billig, leader of Norfolk County Council, has admitted discussions over the matter are likely to be "heated".

Norfolk County Council leader Kay Mason Billig (Image: Denise Bradley)

While Breckland Council leader Sam Chapman-Allen warned the tight time scale risked "sleepwalking" into "irreversible damage", with hefty council tax hikes.

The process for the biggest local government shake-up in 50 years was triggered when deputy prime minister Angela Rayner added Norfolk and Suffolk to the priority list for devolution.

That will lead to transfer of powers from Westminster to the regions - although it has yet to be announced exactly what that will involve.

It will also pave the way for councils to be abolished and replaced, the creation of a mayor and a combined authority covering the two counties, plus the controversial postponement of this summer's county council elections.

The current system of two tiers of councils, where Norfolk's eight councils - Norfolk County, Norwich City, Great Yarmouth, Breckland, Broadland, South Norfolk, North Norfolk and West Norfolk - provide........

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