Agenda item

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the Committee monitors the operating model for the Flintshire Music Service as set out subject to effective implementation of the business model changes set out in the report and a matched commitment by the school community; and

(b)       That a further report be submitted to a meeting of the Committee to be held in September 2013.

The Director of Lifelong Learning introduced a report to inform the Committee of the arrangements brokered with schools for an operating model to protect and develop the Flintshire Music Service, with a three year funding commitment by the Council from 2013/14 to 2015/16.  He provided background information and outlined the key considerations in the report. 

Councillor D.I. Mackie expressed concern that the report had already been submitted to a recent meeting of the Cabinet prior to submission to the Committee.  He raised further concerns around the delegated funding to schools which was based on a formula and asked if this meant that some schools would be getting more as a result.  He also commented on the wording in the first sentence of the report under the heading school responsibilities and said that it appeared that the onus was on the schools to continue to fulfil their role in service commissioning.

During discussion the Director of Lifelong Learning responded to the further concerns raised by Councillor Mackie around schools being responsible for raising invoices for music tuition, the number of pupils which signed up for music tuition and then dropped out, income received, and the net budget for 2013/14.  Councillor Mackie referred to the scope of the music service and the provision of progression and performance opportunities and stated his concerns that if some schools considered obtaining provision elsewhere the service would not be sustainable in the future.  The Director commented on the need for resilient operating arrangements to be in place for the new academic year and on discussions taking place with System Leader teams.

Councillor A.I. Dunbar referred to tuition for disabled pupils and raised the issue of provision during school holiday periods and difficulties experienced in gaining access to facilities. 

Mr. D. Hytch commented on the issue of delegation and said that delegated budgets came under the control of a school Governing Body and there was no guarantee that the funding would be used for the provision of a music service.   

Councillor C. Legg expressed a number of concerns around the pressures associated with accompaniment.

Mrs. R. Stark praised the service provided by the Authority and thanked Officers for their commitment.  She raised concerns about how schools would administer the proposed model and asked that guidance be given to assist them in the first year of administering the increase in fees.  She also referred to the issue of deprivation, cost of fees and discounts for sibling groups.   The Director responded to the matters raised and advised that some schools were planning to make provision from the School Deprivation Grant (SDG). 

Councillor N.M. Matthews commented on the Authority’s stock of musical instruments and the cost of future maintenance and replacement.  

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the Committee monitors the operating model for the Flintshire Music Service as set out subject to effective implementation of the business model changes set out in the report and a matched commitment by the school community; and

(b)       That a further report be submitted to a meeting of the Committee to be held in September 2013.