A significant shake-up of children’s music lessons in Perth and Kinross is on the cards after councillors approved thousands of pounds in cuts.
Some of the savings will be made by withdrawing free lessons from S3 pupils.
And other belt-tightening will see a reduction in bus trips and full time nurse support on site removed.
The instrumental music service, which last year marked its 50th anniversary, has been facing uncertainty as Perth and Kinross Council seeks to make savings in its budget.
Around £75,000 in savings had previously been proposed, but some of where that came from was dramatically rejected earlier this year.
But last Wednesday’s lifelong learning committee saw agreement reached on a vote to slice off £58,000 and seek parents’ and users’ views on where else money could be saved.
A task force was set up to come up with a range of money-saving measures, with 5.8% of the music service’s full budget under threat.
PKC reportedly contributes £700,000 to IMS, topped up with £280,000 from the Youth Music Initiative. But PKC has stressed it is under no statutory obligation to provide the service in schools.
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Last week councillors moved to ensure that parents did get to have a say on the remaining cash savings.
Task force member Community School of Auchterarder headteacher Stuart Clyde introduced proposals for a 5.8% cut in spending on the service.
In terms of improvements, the IMS taskforce suggested getting a music technology specialist tutor to make use of recording studios at secondary schools which are under used because traditional music staff don’t have the training.
“Music technology offers real employment and there is big demand for this in schools which currently is under supplied, explained Mr Clyde. “This is an opportunity to be innovative.”
The IMS report also considered if enough tuition was available in bass and electric guitar, drum kit and voice as this was an area which could include and engage many young people currently being missed.
Lifelong learning convenor Bob Band was forced to take a step back after admitting the new proposals were about to be moved without parents or pupils being consulted.
“It was too unwieldy a beast to consult service users and parents. We did the next best thing and asked the teachers,” said headteacher Mr Clyde.
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But Councillor Willie Wilson suggested further input from mums and dads was needed.
“While I welcome the consideration of the task group, this is a different report with different proposals,” the LibDem member asserted. “It’s insulting for wider views to not be recognised in the report.”
After a recess, the point was adopted into Cllr Band’s motion to get the paper through.
The convenor altered his motion so that while the savings would go ahead, the director (education and children’s services would be instructed to take forward the suggestions for greater efficiencies and more inclusive delivery of IMS services “through a process of consultation”, with a new report out in a year’s time.