For Charlie Byard music is more than just a hobby.

The 14-year-old says ever since he first picked up a trumpet seven years ago it has helped him develop confidence, make friends and improve in the classroom.

But if Brighton and Hove City Council’s plans to end its £249,000 subsidy to the city’s music and arts service go ahead his reduce-priced weekly music lessons would end as his family can not afford them.

Charlie is one of about 2,500 children who currently use the music service each week, including 500 families from low-income backgrounds After a month of campaigning about 4,000 people have signed petitions against the proposal by the minority Green administration, which is part of wider plans to save about £35 million over the next two financial years.

Musicians protest

The strength of feeling was evident as almost 1,000 people showed their support for the service on Saturday, January 14.

About 80 youngsters picked up their instruments for a mass busking protest outside Churchill Square shopping centre in Brighton.

Now council chiefs have said they will look at the plans again and see if it can preserve some funding for the service, which has been rated “outstanding” for the last three years.

Charlie, a pupil of Blatchington Mill school in Nevill Avenue, Hove, said: "It has definitely helped me with confidence and it provides good background knowledge that you can use in other lessons.

“I know cuts have to be made but they must be able to make it somewhere else.”

No cash

The effect of the cuts on the £249,000 a year service combined with a reduction in Government funding of 33% will leave almost no cash available, according to campaigners.

Parent and campaigner Keith Turvey, who has had two children benefit from the music service, said: “Brighton and Hove is one of those places where there are plenty of people who can afford music lessons but there are also plenty of people who can’t.

“The point is that no-one should be deprived of the chance to learn a musical instrument."

The petition is due to be presented to the full council meeting in Hove Town Hall on January 26, when Dr Turvey will also speak to all 54 councillors in public.

Finance cabinet member Jason Kitcat said: “Our proposals were finalised before the Government had announced its own changes and reductions to funding for music and arts services.

“In light of that unexpected change from the Government we have reviewed our proposals and hope to announce revised funding for the service shortly.

“We value the role music and art play in schools and want to ensure it has a continuing place in our city."

Increased fees

The music service is part of the council's children’s services department which has been asked to find £2.75 million of savings in the next financial year.

One of its key roles is providing music and dance lessons to primary and secondary aged children in the city.

Along with the planned ending of the subsidy, budget papers say savings will be achieved by increasing fees for lessons, removing vacant posts along with charging and selling services to schools.

Labour group leader Gill Mitchell said: “Learning an instrument is an investment for life."

Andrew Wealls, Conservative group spokesman for children’s services, said: “These proposals will affect poorer families who will not be able to afford music lessons.”

Don’t miss tomorrow’s Argus for a report on budget proposals for roads maintenance.

Balance the Books

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The Argus has chosen ten key areas of the budget propsals to findout which ones out readers think should be treated as a priority in the budget.

Make your choice by filling in our online form at www.theargus.co.uk/news/balancebudget

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