Lancashire museum consultation 2016

Purpose	The county council continues to face an unprecedented financial challenge. Over the next five years to 2020/21 the council needs to make savings of £262m on top of those agreed within previous budget processes. This extremely difficult financial picture is the result of continued cuts in funding by Government, rising costs and rising demand for key services. Based on current spending and forecast demand for services, the council will not have sufficient financial resources to meet its statutory obligations by April 2018, even if we no longer continue to deliver any of the non-statutory services. The council will need to rely heavily on reserves in order to set a balanced budget for 2016/17 and 2017/18. Lancashire County Council (LCC) has provided a museum service for the communities of Lancashire and its visitors since the early 1970s. Lancashire County Council owns and manages the following museums: Judges Lodgings; Helmshore Mills Textile Museum (Whitaker's Mill); Queen Street Textile Museum; and the Museum of Lancashire. We also manage the Fleetwood Maritime Museum which is leased from Wyre Borough Council. And we operate Lancaster City Museum; the Cottage Museum; and Lancaster Maritime Museum on behalf of Lancaster City Council, Clitheroe Castle on behalf of Ribble Valley Borough Council, Gawthorpe Hall on behalf of the National Trust and tours of Lancaster Castle on behalf of the Duchy of Lancaster. There is a proposal that from 31 March 2016 we will close the following five museums: Fleetwood Museum; Helmshore Mills Textile Museum; Judges' Lodgings Museum; Museum of Lancashire; and Queen Street Mill Textile Museum. The museum service is not statutory but we are working with partners, other organisations and local people to explore a range of options in an effort to ensure that the county council's legacy of investment and commitment to the preservation of its heritage continues. These museums enable people to explore Lancashire's collections and buildings for inspiration, learning and enjoyment. Their most notable collections reflect 2,000 years of Lancashire's social, industrial and military history. Highlights include fine furniture-making, the county's important place in the industrial revolution and its significant maritime trade and fishing heritage. Many of the collections were generous donations from local individuals, communities and beyond, held in trust for future generations. They offer experiences for all ages from pre-school onwards, knowledgeable specialist staff, changing exhibitions and activities to suit a wide range of interests. We value your views about the museum service you want and encourage you to participate in this consultation.
Subject	Museums and the arts
Commissioned by	Lancashire Museum Service

Geographic area	All of Lancashire
Method	Questionnaire - online Questionnaire - postal
Consultation with	General public Service users
Date	15/02/2016 - 13/03/2016
Undertaken by	Business Intelligence

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Contact information

For more information about this research contact:

0300 123 6701
Email: haveyoursay@lancashire.gov.uk