A senior councillor has called for the abandonment of controversial changes to the instrumental music service across Perth and Kinross.
Willie Wilson said some savings proposals “had merit” but others risked damaging the impressive reputation of the region’s tuition for young people.
He made an impassioned plea for the council to go back to the drawing board, calling for fresh consultation and engagement.
Mr Wilson indicated that he hoped to whip-up support that will see the already agreed money saving plans torn-up.
The elected member for Perth City South has urged the council’s director of education and children’s services to “take on fully and seriously the need to ensure that full consultation and engagement takes place” and ensure that “our vibrant, worthwhile instrumental music service continues in the future within Perth and Kinross”.
Councillors approved an overhaul of children’s music lessons in Perthshire, together with a £60,000 package of cuts, in November.
And there could yet be more changes to come, with consultation planned on music tutors and how they are funded.
The agreement followed an extensive review by senior teachers and the rejection of a larger, £75,000, package of cuts.
Many of the changes being made to staffing, music camps and free tuition have been attacked by critics as backwards steps, among them long-time music tutor and secretary of the Perform in Perth music festival, Michael Jamieson.
They have, however, been backed by senior administration councillors and in the wake of the November meeting, lifelong learning convener councillor Bob Band launched a staunch defence of the changes.
He is convinced the changes will safeguard services into the future and in fact open up music tuition to more people and has accused some critics of misinforming the public.
Mr Band said: “By ensuring that all aspects of the service comply with existing policies, we can find the savings we need while still providing a safe learning environment for pupils.
“The learners will not experience a reduction in time nor experience. In fact we aim to have more young people benefit from this service.
“There were and may continue to be financial savings to be made and the approach we are taking aims to allow us to still be able to provide these services rather than simply stopping them all together.”
Having taken time to consider the changes further, Mr Wilson said he was unconvinced by the administration stance.
He said: “I am totally in support of the work the Instrumental Music Service carries out and whilst every part of the organisation has to adapt and change, it is important that in the process of doing so we do not damage what we have already.
“Revised proposals for savings that were voted through at the last Lifelong Learning Committee may in part have some merit, but in my opinion others do not and would better to be abandoned now.”
He said the service had been successful for many years as a result of the “engagement and continued support of dedicated staff within the service and schools” and as a result of parental support.