The provision of peripatetic music services in the heart of Wales may well be under threat following the news that Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council is set to consider ending the financial subsidise it currently provides.

Severe

The imposition of severe central government financial constraints has mean that the Council has to find £78 million of savings over the next three year period from an overall annual budget of £196 million — the result of which will see them having to consider a proposal to look at ending its half a million pound subsidy for peripatetic music services.

4BR understands that although the proposal does not remove the funding made available for schools to deliver musical instrumental lessons independently, the removal of the subsidy could well mean the possible outsourcing of service provision, with parents having to find the extra money to pay for their children to receive invaluable peripatetic teaching.

Difficult decisions

One parent told 4BR: "We know that the council is faced with difficult decisions over its annual budget. With certain parts ring-fenced it means that the cut backs fall on non statutory services such as music provision.

The decisions of the Treasury in London are being felt by the children of the Rhondda — and the outcome of this could be to deprive them of something which benefits them for life."

Considered

County Borough Councillor Eudine Hanagan, Cabinet Member for Education & Lifelong Learning stated: “The proposal which will be considered by Cabinet next week, proposes the removal of the subsidy we currently provide for our in-house music provision.

Good practice already exists across the County Borough, where schools use the funding we provide within their budgets to deliver instrumental music lessons independently of the Council.

Currently, only 28% of all schools use the service for curriculum teaching, whilst 66% use the service for instrumental and vocal lessons."

It saddens me deeply that it is seems unlikely we will be able to afford this subsidyCouncillor Eudine Hanagan, Cabinet Member for Education & Lifelong Learning

Different model

She added: "Music services are delivered in various ways by other local authorities in Wales and, by moving to a different model, schools in Rhondda Cynon Taf will be able to provide the range of music activities that best fit each student’s interests and talents.

The proposal before Cabinet next week does not — as it has been interpreted — mean the end of music education in RCT. Instead it ensures a future for this provision despite the austere public spending cuts we face.

It saddens me deeply that it is seems unlikely we will be able to afford this subsidy, however, when Cabinet considers this matter next week, my colleagues and I will want to be convinced that the proposal on the table does not disadvantage young people from developing their talents for music."