A SHAKE-UP of how Hampshire’s museums and art galleries are run is being considered today.

The county council, Southampton and Winchester city councils are proposing to set up a charitable company to run them from 2013-14.

They say it is the best way to protect the service from cuts and enable it to flourish.

However, opponents claim it will place the management of the museum and arts service in the hands of an unelected and unaccountable board.

If it gets the go-ahead, the plan will directly impact some of the county’s top attractions, including Southampton City Art Gallery, Sea City Museum, Winchester Great Hall, Milestones and Basing House in Basingstoke.

The councils would still own its buildings and collections but existing staff would transfer to the new organisation with their pay and pensions protected.

Currently there are no proposals to close any county council-run museums or reduce opening hours.

But volunteers are to be recruited to run smaller venues including the Red House Museum in Fareham with initial support from paid staff.

Nine full-time posts will be shed as part of cost-cutting.

The three councils currently spend a combined total of £15m in this area.

A report from Janet Owen, head of arts and museums for the county council, said the benefits included raising the profile for Hampshire’s art and heritage, reducing costs, attracting new private funding and new commercial opportunities.

The cost of setting up the new organisation is estimated at £300,000, including consultants’ reports.

But Councillor Peter Chegwyn, opposition spokesman for recreation and heritage, said: “I recognise the museum service has a big financial black hole to fill but I fear the council is trying to get out of its responsibilities to run a properly-funded, countywide, professional museum service. It is almost going down the privatisation route.”