The prospects of a devolution deal for Norfolk and Suffolk look increasingly bleak, with the leader of Norfolk County Council saying he is not confident his authority will back the move.

The prospect of a Suffolk-only devolution deal was not ruled out by a senior Treasury minister – although he said ministers would have to look carefully at its population size, but also warned the current proposed deal would be off if it was rejected.

Cliff Jordan, the Conservative leader of Norfolk County Council, said: 'The alliance in general and [former council leader] George Nobbs in particular have said they are against this deal. And there's a lot of twin-hatters on the county council.

'So there's district and city councillors who have already pre-determined that their own authorities do not support devolution with a mayor.

'I only got this through by six votes last time and I did promise we needed to give the public their say.

'We have done that, we have the information and every member, certainly on the Conservative side, will have a free vote.'

Steve Morphew, Labour councillor for Catton Grove, said he was in favour of devolution, but not the 'shambolic structure and unwanted and expensive mayor', while Conservative Tom Garrod, who represents Wroxham, said he could not see it getting through Norfolk County Council unless there was a late government U-turn over the insistence on a mayor.

There has also been speculation that West Norfolk Council could also refuse to back the deal.

But Brian Long, leader of West Norfolk Council, said: 'There are those within my group and within the council who do not like the idea of devolution, not least the directly elected mayor or what it could mean in terms of loss of powers for district councils.

'I don't see that myself and I think it would be wrong for West Norfolk to turn its back on these funds, but for some the price of a combined authority and mayor will be too much to pay.'

Questioned about the possibility of the proposed current deal being rejected by Norfolk County Council Treasury minister David Gauke said if the package offered to East Anglia was not agreed the 'deal is off'.

He said support for directly elected mayors and devolution would not be there if the region did not go down the route they had set out. 'I think if that money isn't spent then that will be returned to the exchequer, but obviously we will encourage local authorities to go this particular route,' he added.

Do you want to see devolution happen? Write, giving full contact details, to Letters Editor, Prospect House, Rouen Road, Norwich NR1 1RE or email EDPletters@archant.co.uk