Norfolk and Suffolk councillors have 10 days to decide whether to back proposals published yesterday setting out plans for a two-county elected mayor.

A number of Conservative council leaders said they would be backing the blueprint which would give an elected mayor control over a £25m a year pot of cash and an extra £130m to pay for more houses.

Cambridgeshire councillors will separately decide whether to back a proposal for their own elected mayor in return for a £20m-a-year pot and £100m for housing.

A decision has to be made by the end of June and if councillors give it the green light a public consultation will begin on July 4.

It comes after months of behind-closed-doors negotiations and arguments after an earlier deal with one mayor for the three counties announced by the chancellor met resistance.

Communities secretary Greg Clark will not rubber-stamp the proposal until it has been given the backing of grassroots councillors.

If councillors agree to push forward with the plan it could pave the way for elections for the new political figure as early as May next year.

The original deal agreed by the chancellor for the three counties was £30m and an extra £175m for housing.

Adnams chief executive Andy Wood, who was chosen by leader to broker individual deals with the government, said the main focus of discussions had been to ensure they got the best possible settlement. 'I believe what is on the table is one of the best settlements in the country,' he said.

'Government has recognised the importance of East Anglia to the economy, and the different needs and opportunities of its town and cities. Through productive negotiations we have been able to secure more funding for East Anglia than was in the original deal,' he added.

Norfolk County Council will be the first to vote on the deal on Monday, June 27.