Michael Gove talks about Norfolk's devolution deal

During a visit to the region this week, Mr Gove highlighted how important reaching an agreement was for the county, saying that Suffolk – which has not sought any significant amendments to its deal – had “taken the lead”.

He confirmed that he had been in talks with Norfolk County Council leader Kay Mason Billing over the terms of the deal – which will see a transfer of power from Whitehall to the county.

Mr Gove added: “I do not want Norfolk to be left behind. There are Norfolk issues which we need to iron out.

Local government secretary Michael Gove (Image: Press Association)

"I want to make sure I can continue to talk to Norfolk leaders to make sure we have absolutely the right deal that complements Suffolk's.

"But we need to recognise that Suffolk has taken the lead. We need to ensure that, if the deals need to be different, that they complement each other."

Norfolk County Council's County Hall headquarters (Image: Mike Page)

Although the previous County Council Leader Andrew Proctor had agreed to the principle of a deal, when she became County Hall leader in May, Mrs Mason Billig said she would push for more to be included in the deal - including elements which would help to improve power networks in Norfolk.

Mrs Mason Billig has been pushing for extra elements to be added to the deal currently on the table, which would see the council get an investment fund of £20m a year for 30 years and a directly-elected leader.

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

The deal would also include control of the £10m budget for adult education, and £7m for brownfield development.

Ultimately, the decision over whether to change the way the council operates - with a switch to a directly-elected leader - rests with the county council.