Norfolk's district councils could be scrapped to make way for up to three new-style councils as part of the biggest shake-up of local government since the 1970s.
Labour ministers are keen to combine transferring powers from Whitehall with a fresh attempt at local government reorganisation - and that could spell the end for some councils in Norfolk and Suffolk.
It could see the current two-tier system, of county councils and the city, borough and district authorities, abolished and replaced with at least two - or potentially up to six - unitary councils, which combine the roles currently filled by the two tiers.
The possibility of some of the new councils crossing borders - for instance a unitary authority taking in Great Yarmouth and also Lowestoft and part of Waveney - is also believed to be under consideration.
It is understood there are likely to be calls for Norwich to become a unitary authority on extended boundaries, taking in suburbs like Costessey and Sprowston currently covered by South Norfolk and Broadland district councils.
The remainder of Norfolk could be covered by another unitary council.
And there would be a new, shared, elected Norfolk and Suffolk mayor.
Like metro mayors such as Greater Manchester's Andy Burnham, the mayor would lead a combined authority made up of representatives from other councils, with power over major matters such as transport, economic development and infrastructure.
The government sees such changes as ways to save money and create more efficient councils, responsible for everything from collecting bins to care homes.
The Labour government has said no decisions have been made, but local government minister Jim McMahon has held talks with leaders at Norfolk and Suffolk councils.
It comes after the government pulled the plug on devolution deals the previous government offered to Norfolk and Suffolk - to the frustration of Norfolk County Council leader Kay Mason Billig.
Of the latest development, Mrs Mason Billig said: "Norfolk has always been a forward thinking and ambitious county and was ready to embrace a level three county devolution deal under the previous government.
"We will continue to look for ways in which we can engage with government to bring new powers and funding for our residents and ensure the county has the most efficient and effective form of local government.
"It is premature to speculate on what that could mean for the shape of local government in Norfolk, as a business case would need to be developed."
Tim Adams, leader of Liberal Democrat-controlled North Norfolk District Council, said: "I think we are all concerned to ensure that our communities are recognised and there is no 'one size fits all' approach to this.
"We can see there are benefits to a mayoral combined authority, but we would be concerned if things important to us, such as tourism and leisure centres, end up suffering because of the finances needed for adult social care and children's services."
Sue Holland, Lib Dem leader of Broadland Council, said: "There is always opportunity to improve the way we do things, but the last thing we need in Norfolk is for government to impose something based on a ‘one-size fits all’ model.
"District councils not only deliver many important services but also provide additional support for local residents and businesses."
She said any change had to be done in discussion with councils and "not just imposed from above".
Steve Morphew, leader of the opposition Labour group at County Hall, said: "If the idea is that we are looking at new councils based on a unitary principle, then that seems to be a modern way of running local government, cutting waste and duplication from a system which is 50 years old."
Mr Morphew said he would not want to see the "historic identity" of the county lost, but that there were merits in Norwich becoming a unitary council on extended boundaries.
Alistair Beales, independent leader of West Norfolk Council, said: "We are starting to hold proactive discussions with Norfolk's other districts to consider the potential implications of the forthcoming white paper and the issues and opportunities this may present for our communities, which will form the basis of future discussions with government on this matter.
"It is important this matter is fully considered across Norfolk. As ever, our focus is to seek to steer the best course for the communities of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk.
"Once ministers have published their proposals and set out their case, we will need to work through the issues and aspirations with government."
A spokesman for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said: "No decisions have been taken on council reorganisation. Our priority is to focus on the transfer of power from Westminster and work with councils to create structures that make sense for their local areas and work effectively for local people.
"We will set out further details in the upcoming English devolution white paper."
How does it currently work?
The current two-tier system, which means Norfolk has Norfolk County Council, Norwich City Council, Great Yarmouth Borough Council, Broadland District Council, South Norfolk Council, Breckland District Council, North Norfolk District Council and West Norfolk Council, was introduced in 1974.
At the moment, the county council is responsible for services such as adult social care, children's services, libraries, museums and running tips, while districts deal with housing, leisure centres and parks. Unitary authorities would run all those services.
In some areas where local government has been restructured, parish and town councils, which cover much smaller areas, have been strengthened further, but some areas with unitary authorities do not have any.
Why has this not happened before?
Previous attempts at local government reorganisation and the creation of a cross-border mayor caused deep divisions within the two counties.
In 2016, the government offered Norfolk and Suffolk a devolution deal which would brought in £750m of new funding for infrastructure and £130m for new homes.
But the government insisted the two counties must have a single elected mayor - which led to Norwich, Great Yarmouth, Breckland and North Norfolk councils withdrawing. Other councils voted against it and the deal was taken off the table.
In 2009, the Boundary Commission recommended a single unitary authority covering all of Norfolk - which would have seen district and borough councils disappear.
Supporters said it would save money but critics questioned that and said it would take decision making away from communities.
Norfolk County Council made a play to become a unitary authority, as did Norwich City Council, with the government announcing Norwich would become a unitary authority.
But shortly after the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats formed a coalition government in 2010, local government secretary Eric Pickles took steps to reverse that decision, so it never happened.
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