City council to bring museums back in-house

Lancaster City Council has agreed to issue notice to end the management agreement for Lancashire County Council to run its museums.

Currently the city council pays Lancashire County Council around £520k a year to run the City Museum, Maritime Museum and the Cottage Museum.

On Wednesday (September 27) city councillors unanimously agreed to end the partnership on September 30 2018 and bring the running of the museums back in-house.

Coun Darren Clifford, Cabinet member with responsibility for leisure, culture and tourism, said: “Arts and culture are prominent figures in the Lancaster district and it is essential that we continue to build and expand on the opportunities they offer as major drivers of the local economy.

“The museums are a key part of this and by exploiting their potential we have the opportunity to set this district apart from other towns and cities as an exceptional place to live, work, visit and do business.

“By bringing the museums back in-house we will be able to ensure that they play an enhanced role in both the cultural life of the city and the economy of the entire district.”

Last updated: 28 September 2017