How would you like the new music service to operate?

A consultation has been launched at virtually the 12th hour seeking views on the future provision of music in Central Bedfordshire.

Bedfordshire Music is currently managed for the whole of Bedfordshire by Central Bedfordshire Council. From July 2011, Central Bedfordshire Council will be delivering a new music service.

The consultation, which ran until 9am on Monday 28 March, and provided an opportunity for parents, pupils, schools and other interested parties to contribute to the planning for the future provision of music services in Central Bedfordshire.

Through the recently announced Henley Review, the Government has given its commitment to support music education. The Government has advised that, from 2012 onwards, local music services should be provided in line with the National Plan for Music Education and music hubs based on local authority areas will be introduced.

The music hubs will deliver music services at a local level from April 2012 and will place partnership at the centre of a larger aspiration to provide all children with the music education they deserve. Feedback from the consultation will be used by Central Bedfordshire Council to support the bidding process for these music hubs.

To have your say on this consultation, please respond to the online consultation questionnaire at http://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/surveys/Music/service.htm

Hard copies of the consultation questionnaire are available on request from the Customer Service team on 0300 300 8102 and from the reception of the Council Offices in Dunstable and Chicksands.

While CBC asked for responses to this consultation to be received by 9am on Monday 28 March 2011, this was thoroughly unreasonable given that they didn't press release the launch until 20 March, so I urge anyone with a view to submit it ASAP, regardless.