The creation of a new company to run Scotland's largest civic art collection and sports facilities was all but concluded yesterday, with one senior politician claiming history would prove it right.

Glasgow City Council's all-powerful Executive Committee voted 16-2 to endorse the transfer of its culture and leisure department to an arm's-length company with charitable status.

The recommendation will be rubber-stamped at a full council meeting next Thursday, with Culture and Sport Glasgow established as quickly as April 1.

In a passionate debate, council leader Steven Purcell said the scheme was part of a "great period of social change and cultural renaissance" which history would prove right.

He said it was also being driven by the reality of dwindling local authority financial resources.

However, opposition leaders said history would judge it to be a "tawdry exercise" which was bringing the curtain down on 200 years of democratic control.

When established, the charity will run all Glasgow's museums, including Kelvingrove and the Burrell; libraries, including the Mitchell; leisure centres, sports pitches, community halls, municipal golf courses and events such as the Hogmanay celebrations, the World Pipe Band Championships and the Great Scottish Run.

By becoming a trust, the council says it will be able to raise cash from funders, such as the Carnegie Foundation and the Lottery, which a local authority cannot, and would save millions in rates relief and VAT.

It would also offer flexibility for opportunities for sponsorship and developing partnerships.

At yesterday's meeting, which was preceded by a small protest by public sector union Unison, Mr Purcell moved to allay fears over pay and conditions for staff being transferred and said that "not one swimming pool tile" would move out of council ownership.

He said: "We have to take the big decisions which leadership demands. If we don't grow this service this renaissance will be threatened."

Culture and leisure convener John Lynch added that trusts had been in operation in the UK for 20 years and Glasgow itself was no stranger to the concept, having had the Royal Concert Hall and City Halls in control of arms-length operations for several years.

However, while accepting defeat was inevitable, Glasgow's opposition leaders put up equally spirited arguments against it.

Christopher Mason, of the Liberal Democrats, suggested that the money saved by the trust would make up the shortfall from the council's decision to freeze council tax again.

He added: "I find it totally remarkable that, in a week when the Casino Advisory Panel criticised the council for failing to consult in its casino bid, there is no mention of any consultation on this.

"There is no need to rush this through. We are bringing an end to 200 years of democratic control of these services and it's not a road we should go down."

John Mason, of the SNP, added: "Like seeing a smashed bus shelter, this leaves me more sad than angry. Part of this city is being sold off."