Agenda item

MATTER OF URGENCY

The Convener intimated that he had directed in terms of Section 50(B)(4)(b) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 and in accordance with Standing Orders, that an additional paper submitted by officers in connection with the following item be tabled, as it detailed the percentage of pupils receiving music tuition in each Associated School Group, which had been omitted from the original report.

            DECLARATION OF INTEREST

CouncillorBoulton and Councillor Kirsty West declared a personal interest during consideration of the following article but did not consider it necessary to withdraw from the meeting.

With reference to Article 4 of the Finance and Resources Committee minute of 10 December 2009, the Committee had before it an update report on the work of the Music Service.

The report outlined the work of the team of instrumental instructors in the city schools and advised that 39 instructors taught over 3,000 pupils every week.   It was noted that this equated to approximately 14% of the school pupil population and if the work of the vocal animateurs was included, this figure rose to over 20%, one of the highest in Scotland.   All secondary and primary schools received tuition from the instrumental instructors, although it was not possible to offer all schools the full range of instruments, due to the staffing implications.  The report advised that all secondary schools had access to the full range of instruments, with the exception of bagpipes, where one instructor offered tuition to the whole of Aberdeen on a part time basis.

It was noted that the work of the vocal animateurs had led to the formation of several area choirs.   Each choir in Kincorth, Torry, Cove, Northfield and Bridge of Don consisted of approximately 35 pupils.   In addition, the Youth Music Initiative (YMI) had allowed all pupils wishing to learn an instrument the opportunity to receive one year of tuition free of charge.   The report advised that the YMI was administered by Creative Scotland and was due to be reviewed at the end of 2010.

The report highlighted the large number of pupils who attended the Music Centre, noting that each week over 700 children attended.   The Centre was now based at Northfield Academy and it was hoped that this would lead to more children from Northfield taking up the opportunity to attend.   More pupils from Aberdeen attended National Youth Orchestra of Scotland courses than any other local authority.  

The report outlined that the Music Service generated an annual income of approximately £390,000 from fee charges, while the running costs of the Service were in the region of £1,200,000.   Parents on income support were not charged for their children taking up music tuition, and some reductions applied where siblings received tuition.

Finally, the report outlined the savings made by the Service, but noted that the numbers of pupils receiving tuition remained high due to the raised target numbers for each instructor to meet.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee note the report.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)         to amend the recommendation in the report to, “the Committee notes the report, congratulates the Music Service on its work to date and acknowledges it will have a vital role to play in the new Curriculum for Excellence”;

(ii)        to thank Ken McLeod and his team for the excellent work of the Music Service;  and

(iii)       to request that officers set the figures for music participation against the figures for other extra-curricular activities, and provide an update to members on what was being done to encourage extra-curricular activity.