Decision details

(1)  To agree that, in principle, the single service should be established as an independent organisation, outside of the three Councils, enabling the Service to be eligible to retain government funding, protect staff and develop a broader, more universal youth music education offer.

(2)  To delegate authority to the Director of Education and Safeguarding, Head of Legal Services and the Section 151 Officer to make the final decision on potential transfer and the terms thereof once transfer negotiations have progressed and proposed terms can be reported.

The proposals offer the best option to secure the future of the Music Service, protecting existing services and the workforce and enabling the Service to expand, better serving the children and young people in Bath and North East Somerset.

To apply for the new round of DfE funding as a single Local Authority Music Service.  The Council would be very unlikely to be eligible, and if eligible very unlikely to be successful.  Does not benefit from the existing partnership work which improves the universal music offer in North Somerset.  The Service would most likely need to close.

Redundancy and possible pension costs are likely to be in excess of £150k.