Conwy county taxpayers could be set to payback £137.9 million for the new council offices in Colwyn Bay.

The cost to build the offices has come to around £38m and now they are completed Conwy County Borough Council (CCBC) have entered into a mortgage-type arrangement, where it will rent the offices on a 40-year lease, with the option to buy it for £1 at the end.

Inflation rates could see council tax payers fork out £137.9m over the 40-year lease if rates reach the capped four per cent increase per annum.

However, if the UK Treasury’s target of 2 per cent for inflation is used, the total cost over the 40-year period would be £87.6m.

Council leader cllr Gareth Jones said: “Coed Pella is a big step forward for the way council services will be delivered in Conwy.

"It takes us away from having a workforce in a number of buildings and unites a range of services together in one location.

"This is better for the very people who need to access our help and support – the people of Conwy. With the majority of our services eventually under one roof, there will be a much more personal feel.

"Residents who prefer face-to-face support will be able to come in and get advice pretty much straight away.”

A CCBC spokesperson said the new Coed Pella offices, which will housemore thn 750 employees, was part of the council’s wider modernisation project which was aimed at streamlining their offices.

Iwan Davies, Conwy County Borough Council’s Chief Executive, said: “Staying as we were was not an option – we were occupying offices in drastic need of upgrading and also needed to relocate a number of our staff as we had been given notice to leave office space elsewhere.

"At the outset of the project, we occupied some 25 buildings but by streamlining and consolidating those we now have just three main sites.

"But this is not about buildings, it is about people. By bringing services and partners together in a welcoming environment, we can serve the people of Conwy in a space that is comfortable and pleasant for them to visit.

"We look after some of the most vulnerable people in our communities, so it is important we make it easier for them to access the help they need.”