The new leader of Norfolk County Council has revealed negotiations are under way with government officials over getting an "improved" devolution deal for the county.
Kay Mason Billig, who succeeded Andrew Proctor as Conservative leader at County Hall last month, told councillors fresh talks were happening over the county deal Mr Proctor agreed in principle in December.
That deal would see the council get an investment fund of £20m a year for 30 years and a directly-elected leader.
Results of public consultation over the scheme were discussed at a meeting of the council's scrutiny committee, where Mrs Mason Billig was asked what the latest situation was.
READ MORE: Kay Mason Billig voted new leader of Norfolk County Council
She said: "The door is always open. The deal that's on the table, we would always want to improve upon, and my aim is always to do that.
"Negotiations will continue. There is cordiality from the minister towards us and I think that is a positive thing.
"There are lots of other things we can ask for. We have asked for them and we are waiting to hear back.
Mrs Mason Billig said the council would be kept fully informed, but added: "I cannot do our negotiations in public".
READ MORE: Devolution deal consultation reveals mixed views on elected leader plans
She said: "At the end of it, if the deal is not good enough, this council will, no doubt, decide it's not worth the risk."
Officers said the consultation - which 1,211 people and organisations responded to - will be submitted to the government.
They said that will trigger the next phase of the process over the deal - the necessary legislation to allow it to happen.
Steve Morphew, chairman of the scrutiny committee and leader of the Labour group, said people who responded to the consultation would have thought they were feeding into the council's decision-making, rather than the government process.
But officers said the comments would also help inform the council's decision-making, with councillors having the final say on whether to switch to a directly-elected leader.
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