Supplementary Agenda Document Pack - Corporate Committee - 14/06/2022
Moray Council · 14 June 2022
Back to Corporate Committee — 14 June 2022 and its agenda
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Corporate Committee Tuesday, 14 June 2022 The undernoted report has been added to the agenda for the meeting of Corporate Committee at 09:30, in terms of Section 50B (4)(b) of the Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985 by reason of special circumstances on the Chair accepting the report as urgent business. NOTE REFERRED TO:- Resolution Consider, and if so decide, adopt the following resolution: "That under Section 50A (4) and (5) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, as amended, the public and media representatives be excluded from the meeting for Item 16 of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information of the class described in the relevant Paragraphs of Part 1 of Schedule 7A of the Act.” 10a. Instrumental Music Tuition Funding Allocation Report by Depute Chief Executive (Economy, Environment and Finance) 3 - 6 Item(s) which the Committee may wish to consider with the Press and Public excluded 16. Restructure of Property Services and Building Services DLO • Information relating to staffing matters; Page 1
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REPORT TO: CORPORATE COMMITTEE ON 14 JUNE 2022 SUBJECT: INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC TUITION FUNDING ALLOCATION BY: DEPUTE CHIEF EXECUTIVE (ECONOMY, ENVIRONMENT AND FINANCE) 1. REASON FOR REPORT 1.1 To inform the Committee of additional funding available to the Council for 2022/23 for the Instrumental Music Tuition Programme. 1.2 This report is submitted to Committee in terms of Section III (B) (7) of the Council's Scheme of Administration relating to regulating and managing the finances of the Council in accordance with the policies determined by the Council and to preparing and reviewing from time to time such rules as may be necessary for the proper administration of the Council's financial affairs. 2. RECOMMENDATION 2.1 It is recommended that the Committee:- (i) agree, following Service Committee recommendation, to allocate the additional funding of £35,000 from the Scottish Government for Instrumental Music tuition programme expansion to utilise during academic year 2022/23. 3. BACKGROUND 3.1 In 2021, the Scottish Government agreed to remove fees for instrumental music tuition in schools for 2021/22. Ministers and COSLA Leaders agreed to the initial one-year removal of fees through supported funding from the Scottish Government to allow existing levels of provision to be maintained in the academic year. 3.2 The funding for each Local Authority was based on the school roll, however it was acknowledged that this approach could leave some authorities with an in- year budget deficit as they were expecting to charge for this tuition. To this end, it was agreed that certain authorities received ‘top up’ funding to ensure that no cost would be associated with any part of an individual’s music lesson. Item 10a. Page 3
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3.3 On 14 July 2021 the Council received confirmation from the Scottish Government of one year removal of fees. The funding for 2021-22 was intended to see the pre-pandemic level of provision in local authorities sustained at no cost to families. The funding did not allow for any expansion of the service either by increasing pupil numbers or by expanding the service offer. 3.4 On 15 February 2022 the Council received notification of funding for the continued removal of instrumental music tuition fees for the academic year 2022-23, while the Scottish Government continues to work with local authorities to develop a model for a long-term sustainable music tuition service, which includes sustainable funding arrangements. The funding allocated this year allows for some expansion of music services within local authorities in line with the overarching ambition for increased provision. In Moray there is £35,000 available for potential expansion. This additional funding will be paid as redetermination to the General Revenue Grant at the end of March 2023. As there is still work ongoing regarding the impact and broader implications of the free music tuition policy, it is currently assumed that this additional funding is for one year only. 3.5 At the meeting of Education, Children’s and Leisure Services Committee on 24 November 2021, the Committee agreed to consult with children/young people and their families/carers to determine the demand across a number of different instruments in regards to potential service expansion (para 13 of the minute refers). 3.6 Analysis of the consultation highlighted the demand for expansion opportunities across Moray, with the desire that we have a universal offer to all pupils. The most popular areas for expansion were in guitar, piano, bagpipes, drumming and voice. 3.7 At the meeting of Education, Children’s and Leisure Services Committee on 8 June 2022, the Committee agreed to recommend to Corporate Committee to allocate the £35,000 funding to the Music Instruction and Performance team to develop project based music opportunities that would enable the team to: - support the 149 children and young people currently on the music instruction waiting list by providing to opportunities to start learning a musical instrument; - focus these opportunities on new instruments for the team (piano, guitar (including ukulele), bagpipes, drumming and voice) in response to the demand that is evident through the consultation; - work with freelance practitioners to help deliver these project based opportunities; - develop wider collaborations with music making organisations in Moray and the wider region; - purchase more equipment and materials to enable more learners to become involved in music making. Page 4
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4. SUMMARY OF IMPLICATIONS (a) Corporate Plan and 10 Year Plan (Local Outcomes Improvement Plan (LOIP)) In relation to the LOIP, this report supports three of the main priority areas which are building a better future for our children and young people in Moray, empowering and connecting communities and improving the wellbeing of our population. In relation to the Corporate Plan, this report contributes to three of the main priority areas which are providing opportunities for people to be the best they can be throughout their lives with a strong and sustained focus on those individuals and groups in our society who experience the most disadvantage and discrimination, empower and support communities to build capacity and creating a sustainable council that provides valued services to our communities. (b) Policy and Legal Local Authorities have a legal duty to ensure adequate provision of support activities related to the development of recreation, sport, culture and social activities. Evidence demonstrates that music education can improve attainment for all learners particularly around numeracy, literacy and cognitive function. Music education also helps to develop life lessons such as social and personal development skills. (c) Financial implications Corporate Management Team Additional Expenditure Warning When the Council approved the budget for 2022/23 on 22 February 2022 (paragraph 3 of the Minute refers) it balanced only by using reserves and one-off financial flexibilities. The indicative 3 year budget showed a likely requirement to continue to make savings in the order of £20 million in the next two years. All financial decisions must be made in this context and only essential additional expenditure should be agreed in the course of the year. In making this determination the committee should consider whether the financial risk to the Council of incurring additional expenditure outweighs the risk to the Council of not incurring that expenditure, as set out in the risk section below and whether a decision on funding could reasonably be deferred until the budget for future years is approved. As per financial regulations 2.16 any additional funding from the Scottish Government from a redetermination of General Revenue Grant must be approved at Service Committee followed by Corporate Committee. The financial implications connected to this report are proposing that the additional funding is targeted at equipment/materials and project based activities rather than recruitment of additional staff to the team, therefore one-off spend as this funding is not ringfenced. Page 5
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(d) Risk Implications There are no risk implications connected to this report as the additional funding available directly from the Scottish Government will be utilised towards short term project based opportunities and therefore no long term financial commitment by the Council. (e) Staffing Implications There are no staffing implications arising directly from this report. (f) Property There are no property issues arising directly from this report. (g) Equalities/Socio Economic Impact An expansion of the Music service in line with our Corporate and LOIP priorities would enable the service to contribute to reducing inequalities of outcome caused by socioeconomic disadvantage. (h) Climate Change and Biodiversity Impacts No climate change or biodiversity implications have been determined for this policy/activity because the expansion plans will nether increase or decrease carbon emissions. (i) Consultations The Head of Education Resources and Communities, Chief Financial Officer, the Legal Services Manager, Lindsey Robinson, Committee Services Officer and the Equal Opportunities Officer have been consulted and the comments received have been incorporated into the report. 5. CONCLUSION 5.1 That the Committee agrees, following Service Committee recommendation, to allocate the additional funding for the Instrumental Music Tuition programme for project based activities. Author of Report: Kim Slater, Sport and Culture Service Manager Background Papers: Ref: SPMAN-9425411-13 Page 6