The best-known cultural assets across Perth and Kinross including Perth Museum and Art Gallery, the AK Bell Library and Alyth Museum will be under new management by next month if councillors get behind the proposal.
Members of the strategic policy and resources committee will be asked to approve the transfer of management responsibilities for 17 cultural buildings to a new trust.
The changes were set in motion last July when the full council approved the establishment of a new trust, Culture Perth and Kinross, to deliver cultural services currently delivered by the council, with the exception of the instrumental music service.
With effect from April 1 the trust will manage 12 community libraries including four community campus libraries and other buildings, including the Fergusson Gallery and William Soutar House.
The committee will also be asked to transfer the management of two outdoor educations centres, at Kinloch Rannoch and Blackwater, to Live Active Leisure, which will bring considerable savings to the council.
“There will be a recurring saving to the council of approximately £322,000 from April 1 due to the cession of non-domestic rate changes attributable to the 17 culture and two sports venues,” notes the report by council senior depute chief executive John Fyffe.
Rents of £1 per annum would be agreed for the properties, in much the same way as they were for Perth Theatre and Perth Concert Hall which are run by Horsecross Arts.
Councillors feel the move will be beneficial on a number of fronts as they focus on securing a major cultural prize their bid for Perth to become UK City of Culture in 2021.
As part of that ambitious bid it is hoped Perth can offer a major new cultural attraction and what and where that might be is currently being considered by council officials.
It is hoped that if such a venture could be established it would enable Perth to capitalise on the influx of cultural tourism that is inevitable in the wake of the opening of the V&A in Dundee.
Charitable trusts such as Horsecross Arts, Live Active Leisure and now Culture Perth and Kinross enjoy some tax benefits and can access external funding that might not be available to the council.
“In approving these arrangements, the committee must be satisfied that the leasing of the buildings to Culture Perth and Kinross and Live Active Leisure will achieve best value in using public resources to deliver key community benefits,” cautions Mr Fyffe.