Councillors have agreed behind closed doors to buy the Land Registry offices in Hawkenbury.

The Courier can exclusively reveal Tunbridge Wells Borough Council will borrow money and buy the Forest Road building, believed to have a price tag of £9million.

The public and the Courier were barred from the secret talks at the Town Hall last night.

As reported previously in the Courier, the borough council wanted to buy the Forest Road building and has investigated relocating its staff there, along with other public sector workers.

But a decision on relocation was denied this morning by the council, which said it was "categorically not true" and the public would be consulted ahead of any decision.

Council leader councillor Roy Bullock said: "The borough council is once again, demonstrating that it is willing to act proactively to improve services and reduce costs. Our submission to the Treasury projected savings in excess of £1 million across the public sector by working more flexibly and sharing facilities. Clearly the purchase will be subject to the usual negotiations and procedures but I am very optimistic that this acquisition will deliver savings and better customer service."

He added the Government's emergency budget required the council to deliver at least 25per cent savings.

He added: "Bringing public services under one roof has significant potential both to improve services and save money – for example by sharing facilities such as receptions, meeting and training rooms and other support costs."

The council added its business case demonstrated there was sufficient demand from other public, private and voluntary organisations to repay the investment regardless of whether the borough council moved in.