Due to a reduction to the Music Education Grant imposed by the Government, some major changes to the Isle of Wight Music Service are on the horizon, possibly resulting in compulsory redundancies for many staff.
A report, released today, that is due to go before the Children and Young People Scrutiny Panel next week sets out the challenges facing the Isle of Wight Music Service, as Government funding nationally is reduced from £75m (2012/13) to £58m (2014/15).
The Government have announced that they will not longer pay Music Education Grants directly to local authorities. Instead the funding will go through the Arts Council, who will be seeking bids from ‘Music Hubs’.
Radical restructure of music service
Whilst schools will still be responsible for the general music curriculum, the ‘hubs’ will be expected to deliver services similar to that which the Isle of Wight Music Service already does.
The core activities of each hub are: first access to class instrumental / vocal tuition (as in the current wider opportunities programme), enrichment ensembles (similar to the Saturday music centre) and singing support.
The council state that they have submitted a bid “to secure a hub on the Island led and co-ordinated by the music service” but due to the reduction in grant, a radical restructure of the service is anticipated.
Wholly commissioned model
Subject to a consultation with staff and service users, it’s proposed that the service move to a “wholly commissioned model”.
If the proposals go ahead for the music hub, the service would reduce from the current staffing of one senior officer and 22 peripatetic staff (13.43 full time equivalent) to one service lead, one senior teaching instructor and one administrator.
Tuition support would be commissioned on an ‘as and when’ basis.
All remaining staff would be subject to compulsory redundancy, the cost of which has yet to be calculated.
Recommendation
A number of options are being put to the panel for decision-making with the following recommended.
Option 2. This would be to continue with the bid but to reduce the direct employees in the service and move to a commissioning model.
Option 2 provides a way forward to retain a music service but with reduced overheads. It provides an opportunity for continuity with regard to the current offer and secure the Saturday music centre and its activities which are very valued and have provided the base for some pupils to gain places at the Royal Colleges of Music. However, there are risks such as former staff being able to offer better rates to schools (there is an inherent administrative cost associated with a commissioned service). Current staff also give time voluntarily to support the Saturday music centre events and this flexibility may also be lost.
The panel will make their decision on Wednesday 14th March.
Image: John Vetterli under CC BY 2.0
