Northamptonshire County Council is proposing to cut £238,000 of funding from the Northamptonshire Music and Performing Arts Service (NMPAS) as part of its budget proposals for 2010/11.
This amount of money is basically the entire budget for the service and the Conservatives who control Northamptonshire County Council say they are looking to 'explore opportunities for further income generation, including the potential for full or partial trust status'.
NMPAS provides an invaluble service to about 15,000 children in Northamptonshire. Covering all ages who are involved through music lessons in their schools, private music lessons, to attending Saturday morning centres or the many music groups in the county.
This amount of money is basically the entire budget for the service and the Conservatives who control Northamptonshire County Council say they are looking to 'explore opportunities for further income generation, including the potential for full or partial trust status'.
NMPAS provides an invaluble service to about 15,000 children in Northamptonshire. Covering all ages who are involved through music lessons in their schools, private music lessons, to attending Saturday morning centres or the many music groups in the county.
Many young people in Northampton from all sorts of backgrounds have benefitted from tthe service provided by NMAPS.
The service has promoted Northamptonshire music such that 4 of the most senior groups - the County Youth Orchestra, County Youth Concert Band, the Brass Band and the Big Band - won the very top awards at the NAtional Festival of Music for Youth.
Andrew Simpson and Northamptonshire Liberal Democrats are campaigning to have the proposed cuts reversed.
"This is a vital and successful service that puts Northamptonshire on the map" said Andrew "It makes no sense whatsover to remove the funding to a service that provides such inspiration to our young people".
Liberal Democrat County Councillors, who are the Official Opposition on the Conservative run Council, will be putting forward alternative Budget proposals that save NMAPS.
The service has promoted Northamptonshire music such that 4 of the most senior groups - the County Youth Orchestra, County Youth Concert Band, the Brass Band and the Big Band - won the very top awards at the NAtional Festival of Music for Youth.
Andrew Simpson and Northamptonshire Liberal Democrats are campaigning to have the proposed cuts reversed.
"This is a vital and successful service that puts Northamptonshire on the map" said Andrew "It makes no sense whatsover to remove the funding to a service that provides such inspiration to our young people".
Liberal Democrat County Councillors, who are the Official Opposition on the Conservative run Council, will be putting forward alternative Budget proposals that save NMAPS.
The County Council will agree its final Budget for 2010/11 at a meeting on 25th February 2010. People have until then to urge the Conservatives to change their proposals and stop the cuts to NMAPS.
Over 2,300 people have signed the online petition so far. Please add your name by clicking the link below.