PLANS are underway to set up a new scheme to promote culture and attract investment to Lancashire.

The Lancashire Cultural Partnership will act as a ‘unified high level voice for culture’ and will play a role in the economy, health and wellbeing of the county.

In February 2016, Arts Council England gave £10,000 to Lancashire County Council to work with a consultant on the feasibility of developing a cultural board.

The consultation found a partnership is important to stakeholders across culture including arts, heritage, libraries, creative industries, higher education and tourism.

The scheme would have three core objectives - to hold a collective vision and cohesive voice for culture in Lancashire, to unlock major investment and to improve research and connections across the cultural sector.

The plans include setting up a host organisation to lead the plans by July and help set up a shadow cultural partnership by December.

The shadow partnership will function as a working party with representation from key organisations to agree membership and governance.

Once the structures are in place and members chosen the shadow partnership would develop into a a full partnership.