On the back of a squeeze for public finances which some local authorities reckon will reduce their budgets by 15% within three years, it is understood that Glasgow City Council may cut the cash it gives to the Citizens’ Theatre and that its entire funding to arts organisations is being reviewed.

Although it was previously known that several areas of savings and new revenue were being explored, the sheer scale of the options is now apparent.

As part of the giant exercise, the council is also investigating the removal of the subsidy to the SECC in relation to rates and deficit funding.

Although the Exhibition Centre’s board insists it can turn around its financial situation, one option being explored is placing the Armadillo section of the complex under the control of Culture and Sport Glasgow, the council’s arms-length agency running arts galleries, museums, libraries and sports facilities.

Council sources claim there are “hundreds” of areas where the authority could either begin charging or increase charges.

One of the more radical ideas being circulated could also have major implications for the criminal fraternity, with the arms-length agency tasked with tackling anti-social behaviour, Glasgow Community and Safety Services, moving into the security industry. GCSS believes it can capitalise on the lack of options for the public sector to employ security firms and could take on projects such as Commonwealth Games sites.

Cordia, another arms-length agency with a remit ranging from home care to running coffee shops, is hoping to secure an £8million contract for the catering and cleaning at the Games.

The ideas follow last week’s revelations that the city council was looking to reduce the size of its workforce within the next three to five years by several thousands.

The council has said it cannot comment on any of the specific areas uncovered by The Herald, but said that it was engaged in a process of “blue sky thinking”.

At a meeting of the council’s executive committee yesterday, head of service reform Stephen Curran said addressing the financial situation was “not just about the administration putting forward proposals, but about all parties getting interested and involved”, adding that “difficult decisions have to be taken in partnership with the workforce” while discussions had already taken place with the trades unions.

Speaking afterwards, he said: “We are looking at a whole series of issues, themes and areas of service across the council and the wider council family and are considering everything to make the savings required.”