Issue - meetings

Consideration has been given to proposals to restructure the Schools Music Service provision and staffing structure in response to changing needs from schools, to ensure the Music Service is sustainable and future-proofed for changes in funding, whilst delivering the priorities of the National Plan for Music Education to provide high quality music education to all children.

The alternative options to that being recommended, but which were discounted, included retaining the existing structure or increasing the number of staff on permanent contracts. 

RESOLVED -

(i)

That the proposal to restructure the Schools Music Service as set out in the report be approved.

(ii)

That the commencement of a redundancy consultation exercise with the existing workforce and engagement with school governing bodies to agree alternative arrangements for individual and small group tuition be approved.

The above decisions have been made for the following reasons:

(A)

To ensure the Council can provide an effective and efficient high-quality music service that offers value for money.

(B)

To ensure that music service offer is designed to be inclusive and offers fair access to all communities in the borough so making Gateshead a place where everyone can Thrive.