MOST of Dorset council's supported leisure centres could be contracted to a single provider – although the process is likely to take more than two years.

In the short term, contracts with existing providers at Dorchester, Ferndown and Blandford are likely to be extended for two years, with an option of an extra year should it be necessary.

Centres at Bridport and Redlands, Weymouth are expected to be excluded from the process.

Dorset councillors are being told that there is sense in moving away from a range of different management models to a single contractor which could produce what a council report describes only as "significant" savings.

"A contracted leisure service with a single operator is also considered most likely to deliver key service and performance outcomes," says a report to councillors next week.

The same report says the authority needs time to develop a broader leisure strategy which also deals with how to replace and/or upgrade some ageing facilities.

Even the most up to date of the county's centres, at Dorchester, which opened in 2012 at a cost of £8million, needs significant equipment upgrades. Until recently it was managed by 1610, but now comes under Freedom Leisure.

Both Redlands in Weymouth and the Bridport centre are expected to be excluded from the process, the council having 27-years remaining on the Redlands lease where the centre in operated by Active Dorset. In Bridport the centre is not owned by the council, and neither does it own the land it occupies.

The majority of the report which will go to councillors at the December 9 Cabinet meeting is not available to the Press or public and is likely to be discussed in confidential business behind closed doors.