Issue - meetings

This report asks the Executive Member to agree a new business model for the peripatetic Music Service in order to support the council’s commitment to a cultural entitlement for young people and to create a flexible business model that can adapt to changing funding from central government.

RESOLVED:That the new business model for the Music Service, set out as Option b in paragraphs 16 to 18 of the report be approved.

REASON:      To support the council’s commitment to a cultural entitlement for young people and to create a flexible business model that can adapt to changing funding from central government without council subsidy.

The Executive Member received a report that asked her to agree a new business model for the peripatetic Music Service in order to support the Council’s commitment to a cultural entitlement for young people and to create a flexible business model that could adapt to changing funding from central government.

The Executive Member was asked to consider the following options:

Option a:        To cease the service and distribute the Standards Fund grant to schools.  The funding would be ring fenced for the provision of whole class instrumental teaching.

Option b:        To move the core service to a whole class Wider Opportunities model and retain a restructured York Arts Academy.  In addition the council would maintain an approved teacher scheme, open to all freelance instrumental teachers to join, and providing quality assurance for pupils and schools and professional development opportunities for freelance teachers.

Officers gave details of the options that had been considered, as outlined in the report, and explained that the recommendation that Option b be approved was for the reasons detailed in paragraph 19 of the report. 

In response to the issues raised by the speaker, the Executive Member stated that she supported the request that had been put forward that the business support function of the music service should be seen in the wider context of the review of support staff for Communities and Neighbourhoods.  She also acknowledged the comments that had been made in respect of extended services and also the Me2 funding.

The Executive Member stated that she was pleased to confirm that the York Arts Academy would continue to provide the opportunity for enhanced musical learning. 

The Executive Member expressed her appreciation of the work that the peripatetic music teachers and other members of the arts team had carried out.

RESOLVED:That the new business model for the Music Service, set out as Option b in paragraphs 16 to 18 of the report be approved.

REASON:      To support the council’s commitment to a cultural entitlement for young people and to create a flexible business model that can adapt to changing funding from central government without council subsidy.