THERE are no plans to close Lancaster City Museum and both Litfest and Ludus will get their usual grant, it was claimed this week.

Following claims and counter-claims in council chambers over what exactly is proposed for the district's cultural services, the Independent group issued statements saying the museum was safe in their hands.

And the Greens have put together a five-point plan which they believe will ease the cash-strapped council's financial difficulties. The proposals this week received cross-party support.

Independent leader Cllr Tricia Heath said: "There are no plans to close the museum. Anyone who says there is, is guilty of scaremongering and unnecessarily damaging the reputation of the district. The Government asked us to do an asset management plan and that's what's being done. They also asked us to produce best value assessments which revealed some duplication in parts of some services ie. leisure, tourism, museums and arts and events. We want to ensure that, by careful management, the district's cultural services are enhanced and expanded."

The Litfest's £8,000 is to remain and Ludus will continue to get a £13,000 grant plus rent concessions of £7,000.

Green leader Cllr Jon Barry has been casting a keen eye over the city's finances and believes his ideas could keep them on track over the next financial year.

He said: "Our budget projections suggest that, with co-operation from all groups, we can set this year's budget without serious loss of services or large increases in Council Tax. However, it is absolutely vital that all political groups co-operate throughout the next year to make sure the council strengthens its financial position."

Cllr Barry has called for a finance monitoring committee to be set up and has called on town hall staff and the public to suggest income generating opportunities.