Plan to merge High Life Highland and Inverness Leisure

Companies running museums, art galleries and leisure centres in the Highlands could be amalgamated.

High Life Highland and Inverness Leisure run services and sites on behalf of Highland Council.

A merger would save the council money in funding support and see a single management team run the services.

High Life Highland manages adult learning, archives and outdoor education. Inverness Leisure operates the Highlands largest swimming complex.

Meetings have already taken place between the council and senior staff and board members of the two companies.

Highland Council's education, children and adult services committee will be asked to agree that the firms begin a process towards a merger.

Committee chairman Drew Millar said an amalgamation made sense.

He said: "Both Inverness Leisure and High Life Highland are successful organisations and they are to be commended for having delivered, and often exceeded, the objectives set by the council.

"Unlike the local authority, both organisations operate in a more commercial environment and there are many benefits to be gained in the future by bringing the two organisations together.

"I am confident that they will work together proactively to design a new structure, which will provide value for public money and help to protect front line services from cuts."

He told BBC Radio Scotland that the move could result in a saving of between £200,000 to £250,000.

Ella MacRae, chairwoman of Inverness Leisure's board, said the meeting already held on a merger had been "very positive".

She said: "At the conclusions of our meeting we agreed to work with the council and look forward to seeing how these discussions develop over the forthcoming weeks and months.

"Ultimately, I am sure we will all be striving to continue offering excellent leisure and sporting facilities to the many residents and visitors across the Highlands, while at the same time protecting both services and our staff."

Donald McLachlan, chairman of High Life Highland, added: "At a time of reducing public funding, High Life Highland welcomes any opportunity to protect services through behind the scenes efficiencies, rather than having to reduce front line operations."

High Life Highland sites include Inverness Museum and Art Gallery and the Highland Folk Museum at Newtonmore.

Inverness Leisure runs a swimming complex of the same name.

Formerly known as the Aquadome, the site has a competition and a leisure pool, sports hall, climbing wall and a gym.