Impact of the challenges – music centres consultation 2025
Consultation closes: Sunday 30 March 2025
Consultation opened: Monday 3 March 2025
The challenges are impacting the provision of the services that Inspiring Music can offer.
Limited ability to deliver other projects
To cover the shortfall created by the music centres, significant financial resources are being redirected from other parts of the music service, which is limiting the service’s ability to deliver other projects.
As a result, they are unable to fully support projects that have previously benefited young carers, provide bespoke music education for children and young people with additional needs and support leavers' projects for students from special schools. Also affected are opportunities for advanced skill development, orchestral experiences, introductory programmes for beginners, specialist conferences and career development workshops.
Staffing issues
Members of staff are often not replaced due to lack of funds which limits the service’s ability to offer whole-class music lessons. This shortage of tutors reduces the service’s capacity to work with more schools in Central Bedfordshire, as required by Arts Council England.
Expanding the service’s offering
The limited budget has prevented Inspiring Music from investing in new instruments, opportunities and developing contemporary music activities.
Arts Council England funding requirements
As part of the grant conditions from Arts Council England and in response to the National Plan for Music Education, Inspiring Music is required to deliver certain activities and meet specific standards. Read more about the obligations in the government’s National Plan for Music Education.
The financial pressure caused by the current model means that the service is in danger of not being able to fulfil these statutory requirements, which could affect future funding and therefore the service’s ability to deliver quality music education.