Issue - meetings

To receive a report from the Corporate Director, People.

Cllr Laura Mayes, Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Education and Skills, presented the report seeking delegated authority for officers to agree contract terms, final operational matters, procurement to tie in with the Arts Council and Department for Education timelines.

The Deputy Leader explained how music education currently functions in Wiltshire, and the role of Wiltshire Council in receiving and accounting for a grant from the Department for Education (DfE) via the Arts Council for England (ACE). The grant contributes towards a wider music education economy of over 130 freelance businesses and in the region of 24 music/cultural organisations in the county.

The Cabinet noted that a revised National Plan for Music Education was published in the summer of 2022, with the DfE and ACE setting out plans for a Music (Education) Hub Investment Programme. This will lead to a significant reduction in hub lead organisations from September 2024, down from 120 to about 40. The DfE and ACE have grouped Wiltshire with Swindon and Gloucestershire to work together towards a proposal for a partnership bid, and discussions between the authorities would be taking place to agree a lead authority to host the Hub Lead Organisation function and receive the grant.

Cllr Gordon King, Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, noted the bidding arrangements between Wiltshire Swindon and Gloucestershire and indicated his support for the proposals.

Resolved:

Cabinet approves:

To delegate authority to the Director of Education and Skills, after consultation with the Cabinet Member for Children, Education, and Skills, to agree contract terms, approve any final operational matters and facilitate timely procurement to tie in with the Arts Council and Department for Education timelines, in the event the council is successful in being offered the music education Hub Lead Organisation ‘contract’ by the Arts Council.

Reason for Decision:

·       This will give Wiltshire Council and Wiltshire Music Connect the opportunity to enter into funding agreements with The Arts Council in a timely manner.

·       It will also enable a swift transition to become the Hub Lead Organisation should Wiltshire be selected as the lead for Wiltshire, Swindon, and Gloucestershire from 1 September 2024.

·       This will facilitate timely procurement to tie in with the Arts Council timetable.