Agenda item

Councillors Judith Cooper and John Hensley attended the meeting as Ward Councillors.  Councillors George Cooper, Brian Crowe and Judy Kelly also attended the meeting. 

Concerns and suggestions raised by the petition organisers at the meeting included the following:

• Concern was expressed regarding the future of the Hillingdon Music Service;
• It was noted that the petitions received represented the views of adults, young people and children that used the Service and illustrated the strength of their concerns;
• Residents had been blessed with an outstanding Music Service which had supported thousands of individuals to improved their music making skills;
• A report produced by Susan  Hallam, Lynne Rogers and Andrea Creech in 2009 entitled ‘The Power of Music’ had indicated that music was a social activity that had a positive impact on an individual’s life skills, particularly with regard to increasing self-reliance, improving social adjustment, creating more positive attitudes, improving memory and mixing age and gender groups;
• Residents considered the Hillingdon Music Service to be a centre of excellent and a jewel in the Borough’s crown and noted that it was regularly utilised for civic events;
• The Music Service had provided opportunities for residents to work with likeminded people and had supported the work that been undertaken in schools;
• With regard to the work it had undertaken in primary schools, it was suggested that the Music Service had given some children the impetus to continue with music making after they had left school;
• Music was thought to be an extracurricular activity that appealed to those young people that were not interested in activities such as sport, scouts, etc;
• It was noted that music was not taught in all schools and was not always an exam / GCSE option for students;
• Residents acknowledged that the Service’s financial situation needed to be addressed and noted that the Leader of the Council had previously advised that one option that could be explored was with regard to growing the Service so that it could be offered to other councils that were unable to provide a similar facility;
• Residents were aware that the provision of premises could be a more complicated issue to resolve – but not impossible.  It was suggested that raising capital was relatively easy but that revenue funding was little more difficult and that sources of potential funding included the Government;
• As it included a wealth of expertise, it was noted that the Hillingdon Arts Association would be willing to help raise funds for the Hillingdon Music Service; and
• Petitioners were keen to ensure that music opportunities were open to everyone and that the experience was cultivated and not killed.

Councillor Simmonds listened to the concerns of the petitioners, thanked them for their presentations and responded to the points raised.  He advised that a Working Group had been set up to look at the future of the Hillingdon Music Service.  Petitioners were assured that the views expressed at the Petition Hearing would be passed on to the Members of the Working Group so that they could inform their deliberations.

Councillor Simmonds acknowledged that, whilst music was an extra curricular activity for some, there were many children in the Borough that were supported by the Music Service in preparation for music exams.  It was noted that a report on the Service would be considered by Cabinet on Thursday 14 April 2011 and Councillor Simmonds advised that he would be supporting the continuance of this exam support as an interim measure. 

With regard to the accessibility of the Service, Councillor Simmonds expressed concern that it was currently used by a concentrated number of residents in particular areas and therefore not open to all residents.  Although those individuals that used the Service were appreciative of it, he was anxious to ensure that the opportunity to get involved with the Music Service was available to all young people.  It was noted that the Working Group would look at how the Service could be made more accessible.

Councillor Simmonds was regretful that the situation had caused concern for users of the Service.  He noted that there was a significant amount of goodwill and good faith on all sides which would help to ensure that a sustainable solution was found. 

RESOLVED:  That the Cabinet Member for Education and Children’s Services:

1. Noted the petitions received and listened to the views of petitioners;

2. Forward the views of petitioners to the Working Group recently established to review support to music tuition in Hillingdon; and

3. Noted the Terms of Reference of the Working Group in Appendix A of the report, which stated that an interim report will be submitted to Cabinet to ensure the continuity of music tuition, particularly related to those pupils part way through an academic course.

REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATION

To receive, consider and listen to the views of petitioners.

ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED

None.