Issue 14
January 2025
Welcome to the 14th issue of Perth & Kinross Music Foundation’s 6 monthly Newsletter. The Trustees hope that you and your families are all well and had a very enjoyable Festive Season?
In this issue, we bring you up to date with what we have been up to over the last 6 months and give you some information on our plans for the future.
What have we been up to over the last 6 months?
The Trustees have been very busy over the last 6 months campaigning to Perth & Kinross Councillors, as well as local MPs and MSPs about the Council’s decision to make staff cuts and reintroduce charges for some instrumental music service activities from August 2024. We have been part of a group of local organisations which have been lobbying the people who took that decision seeking their reversal, or at least deferral, when the Council meets in February 2025 to confirm its budget for 2025/26. A deferral would at least give the new Co-Ordinator, Lynsey Patterson the chance to carry out a review of all activities to make the service more efficient but still deliver efficiency savings without having to cut staff posts.
The charge for young musicians attending Central Groups has been set at £100 per academic year from August 2024 through to April 2025. The Trustees have already seen applications from families who simply cannot afford these charges and without the Foundation’s support, these young musicians would have to withdraw from the Central Groups that they attend….