FIVE councils across Somerset are working together to create a Somerset Cultural Strategy to help raise the county's profile as a cultural destination and embed arts and culture within the. council’s services.

A consultation is taking place giving people the chance to say what they would like to see happening in your local area.

Somerset County Council, South Somerset District Council, Mendip District Council, Sedgemoor District Council and Somerset West and Taunton Council will be abolished and replaced by the new unitary Somerset Council next April.

The Somerset Cultural Strategy is being created to present an exciting vision for the role of culture within our county and the communities the council serves.

The project is led by the Arts and Entertainment Service of South Somerset District Council after the area was designated a Priority Place by Arts Council England and an area included within the government’s Levelling Up for Culture Places.

As part of the work, the councils want to understand what people's perceptions are of arts and culture in Somerset currently and what they would like to see in the future.

A survey is being carried out to inform the councils more about what people value the most and how Somerset can be promoted as a cultural destination to visitors.

You can have your say by visiting consultation.southsomerset.gov.uk/arts-entertainment/somerset-cultural-strategy/ and completing the survey which takes approximately five minutes.

Cllr Federica Smith-Roberts, Somerset County Council lead member for communities, which arts and culture sits under, said: “The Somerset Cultural Strategy will define how, as an organisation, the new Somerset Council will support cultural activities to enrich the lives of residents and enhance our communities.

“It’s important that people of Somerset have their say on what is valued the most and what the perceptions are of arts and culture in our county.

"What you tell us helps us write the strategy and better understand your wants and needs.

"I encourage everyone to complete the survey and have an input into helping Somerset become a cultural destination for now and the future.”

The survey will close on Sunday, November 20, and replies will be kept confidential, anonymous and only be used for research purposes.

The information you provide will be held by South Somerset District Council and shared with appointed consultants, The Fifth Sector.