Jeremy Hunt's announcement in his autumn statement that Norfolk was going to get mayor as part of a devolution deal has triggered a furious row.
The chancellor has been accused of "jumping the gun" by Andrew Proctor, leader of Norfolk County Council, who insists that no such agreement has been reached and that Mr Hunt was "incorrect".
The reference to the apparent deal in the chancellor's much-anticipated statement to parliament is understood to have prompted shock and anger at County Hall.
For months, senior councillors and officers have been negotiating with Whitehall on a possible deal, which would see Whitehall devolve powers to local councils.
But they insist that nothing has been finalised and were left frustrated by the announcement.
In Thursday's autumn statement, Mr Hunt said: "Today I can announce a new devolution deal that will bring an elected mayor to Suffolk, and deals to bring mayors to Cornwall, Norfolk and an area in the northeast to follow shortly."
There was particular anger at County Hall over the chancellor's use of the word 'mayor' in connection to Norfolk, as discussions with central government have focused on a directly-elected county council leader, not a mayor.
While the terms of a similar deal for Suffolk have been agreed, Norfolk's have not.
Mr Proctor said he welcomed the government's commitment to transfer significant funding and powers to counties.
But he added: "Although discussions on a Norfolk deal are well advanced, no final decision has been made, so the chancellor was incorrect in this regard."
Rather than a mayor heading up a combined authority - as is the case with Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham - the county council's negotiations have focused on investing powers in a directly-elected county council leader.
The legislation would have to change to allow that, rather than a mayor, and both Norfolk and Suffolk are understood to be pushing for that to happen.
Details of what the Norfolk deal could entail have yet to be revealed, but it is understood a figure of at least £20m a year for 30 years for an investment fund has been discussed.
The new mayor - or elected leader - could spend the money on projects like transport and adult learning.
Mr Proctor had always said, once a deal is offered, it would go to the full council for consideration, after which there would be "formal public engagement".
He said it would then come back to the county council, which would have the "final say" in the move to an elected leader at the end of next year, before the first election in 2024.
Government documents published alongside the statement make clear that, while a deal with Suffolk has been agreed, "good progress is also being made towards signing a deal with Norfolk County Council".
South Norfolk leader John Fuller has been critical of the negotiation process - which has taken place between the county council and government officers rather than with district councils.
He said alarm bells should ring over the government's lax use of language around the deal.
He said: "If the government is not clear if it is going to be a mayor or an elected leader, then you have to be very careful about what you are signing up to, because they are two completely different things. They are not interchangeable.
"A devolution deal led by an elected mayor would mean all of us district councils would have a seat at the top table, but a directly elected council leader would exclude the councils responsible for housing, planning and growth.
"These are not semantics, whether it's a mayor or an elected leader is a really important detail."
In terms of the other announcements made by Mr Hunt, including giving the county council the flexibility to increase its share of council tax by up to 5pc, Mr Proctor said it presented his authority with a "dilemma".
County Hall is looking to make £60m cuts and savings and Mr Proctor had previously written to prime minister Rishi Sunak calling for fairer funding for local councils.
Mr Proctor said: "We will study the details of how the statement impacts on our funding. But it is already clear that my council faces a dilemma.
“We need to balance our books but my administration does not want to add to people’s financial burden by raising council tax above acceptable levels.
"This means that my council faces extremely difficult decisions over the next few months."
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