Angus Council has performed a U-turn on the “massive cuts” that threatened public museum and gallery services across the county.
Opening hours across seven council-run galleries and museums were to be reduced while “rationalising” frontline staffing levels.
This followed the recent move to close facilities on Mondays and was met with dismay among affected staff.
The axe was to fall on opening dates and hours after “activity analysis” and consultation with the public on visiting habits.
Communities committee convener Donald Morrison said “crucial budget savings” had been identified by the council and confirmed the exercise will not proceed.
Officers have found £42,000 in savings by deleting unfilled posts and “realigning” services.
Councillor David May said the prospect of reducing staff and hours has caused public concern as culture services are among the council’s most visible.
“I am delighted that the SNP administration has done a U-turn on massive cuts they had planned on museum jobs and hours,” he said.
“This change came about following a meeting with staff and has meant we have kept our frontline staff in post and the council have found the savings elsewhere.
“It’s a great pity this couldn’t have happened earlier to save them this distress.”
The council operates services in five Angus burghs, open 35 to 39 hours per week Tuesday to Saturday, with the William Lamb studio open for 18 hours in July and August alone. Services provided include permanent exhibitions and an average of 50 temporary exhibitions every year.
Guided tours for schools, community lectures, research facilities, collections and online services have all been looked at for possible savings.
The 2015-16 budget was to result in four museum assistants being made redundant one each in Arbroath, Brechin, Kirriemuir and Montrose.
Mr May said making funding applications and attracting visiting displays could be harmed with any further reduction in opening hours.
“I am personally well aware of the quality staff we have in our museum service across the county and in particular in Montrose through visiting their exhibitions,” he said.
“As I am now involved in planning the bicentenary exhibition of Montrose Academy, I am delighted that there will be no cut in the hours and staffing.
“Putting these exhibitions together is expensive and it would be more difficult to attract funding if the hours the museums are open are cut.”
In December, The Courier revealed Angus leisure and culture jobs and services will be transferred to a trust.
The local authority is pressing ahead with plans to put libraries and sports centres in the hands of a new independent trust, which will launch in December this year.
It was previously revealed any transfer would safeguard dozens of jobs as the council seeks to save £19 million in three years.
Unions are concerned proposals to transfer 520 Angus Council staff to a new contract with an arm’s length body will lead to them being “farmed out”, however.
All affected employees were informed of changes to the county’s leisure and culture departments at several large meetings.
The council added reduced opening hours and job cuts will come if the move is not completed, warning “if this route is not followed, both services and jobs will be under threat”.
Councils across Scotland including neighbouring Dundee run leisure centres, libraries and museums under similar arrangements to save money.