A major review has drawn up a range of options to change the way leisure and cultural services are delivered across Perth and Kinross as part of a cost-cutting exercise.
The most radical proposal would lead to the dissolution of Live Active Leisure, which is working towards the creation of the flagship £25 million PH2O sports centre, and of Horsecross Arts, the body behind Perth Theatre.
That would leave the way clear for a new, single culture and leisure trust.
Though regarded as the most cost efficient option in the long term, council officers stress the move may have “sensitivities” and “potential” risks.
Council documents obtained through the Freedom of Information Act, reveal that, after Perth was awarded city status in 2012, a city development board established a small task group to focus on what it has to offer in terms of culture.
It found that Perth’s cultural attractions do not perform as well as those in Dundee, though the visitor market potential for the Fair City is deemed “extremely strong”.
The papers show that fewer than 93,000 people visited Perth and Museum and Art Gallery in 2012, compared to 171,000 at the McManus galleries in Dundee.
The document states: “Perth’s cultural assets are of major significance to Scotland’s wider story and a major opportunity exists to develop them and provide an exceptional cultural offer, well tailored to the current and potential visitor market.”
Various ideas have been mooted to support the development of Perth as a “major cultural” city. These include building a new visitor attraction, enhancing or improving existing attractions, such as Perth Museum, and developing new partnerships through temporary exhibitions.
It has been established that around £542,000 of savings need to be made by the council and five options have been put forward to meet this target.
Apart from the creation of a single new trust, these include a straightforward merger between Live Active Leisure and Horsecross Arts.
Culture services currently delivered by the council would then be commissioned from Horsecross Arts, and sports development and the active schools programme from Live Active Leisure.
The attraction of the proposal is the creation of a “single shared focus” on joint priorities.
However, because of the new Horsecross board’s current focus on strengthening its business model and the redevelopment of Perth Theatre, councillors have been told this option may not be the strongest at this stage.
A spokesperson for Perth and Kinross Council’s FOI team said: “The outcome of this options appraisal is not yet concluded.
“It is intended to provide further advice to elected members on this matter in the spring.
“The report was originally exempt from publication to allow staff and trade union engagement to take place.”
A spokesperson for Live Active Leisure said it had been working the council throughout the options appraisal “and will continue to contribute throughout the process”.
Gwilym Gibbons, pictured, chief executive of Horsecross Arts, added: “The council is keeping us informed about the ongoing review of the management of cultural services in Perth and Kinross.
“As the region’s main player in the creation and delivery of cultural and community events in our venues and across the area, we attract both locals and visitors from throughout Scotland and beyond.”