Issue - meetings

As detailed in the recommendation.

The Cabinet Member for Education introduced the proposed operating model to protect and develop the Flintshire Music Service, with a three year funding commitment by the Council from 2013/14-2015/16.

The purpose of the Flintshire Music Service was to enhance the quality of life for the people of Flintshire by working in partnership to increase the quality and range of music services offered within a safe environment.  All children and young people should be able to access music education that inspired, engaged, challenged and supported them within their communities.

The Director of Lifelong Learning explained that, as at present, the service would be available to low income families through a remissions policy for learners who qualified for free school meals.  Schools would be able to apply for remission funding through the County Council.

Schools would be offered a menu of services on a non-profit making basis, which would include:

·        Instrumental teaching to all school age ranges

·        Curriculum support on a commissioned basis and in partnership with GwE Regional School Effectiveness and Improvement Service

·        Provision of CountySchools’ Orchestras, Bands, Choirs and ensembles

·        Education concerts/workshops

·        Provision and maintenance of all types of instruments; and

·        Advice on all aspects of music education

Schools would select and control the range of services they wished to purchase on an annual basis.  They would be required to notify the Music Service about their detailed requests early in the preceding summer term in 2013 (and during the Spring term in future years), to enable appropriate staffing levels to be in place for September.

            The Chief Executive added that the commitment of the Council to protect and sustain the service for a three year period had to be matched by a commitment by the schools community both to fund the service as set out in the report and to work within the business model of advance pupil planning and support.

RESOLVED:

That the operating model for the Flintshire Music Service as set out be adopted subject to (1) effective implementation of the business model changes set out in 3.01 and (2) a matched commitment by the schools community.