Pleas to retain the post of cultural co-ordinator at Argyll and Bute Council have failed.
Giles Perring, a tutor with the Youth Music Initiative (YMI) in the area, was one of several who spoke out against the proposal to axe the post at a council meeting.
The budget proposal by the Strategic Opposition Partnership of councillors would also have saved the post, but the ruling Argyll, Lomond and the Islands Group’s budget succeeded by one vote.
The authority’s policy lead for education, and its executive director, have pledged to work to ensure the continuation of musical tuition in local schools.
The discussion took place at the full council meeting which set the budget last Thursday, with representations allowed to be made.
Mr Perring said: “Access to instrumental tuition is a postcode lottery and the Regional Musicians Union have had to mount a defence of children’s opportunity to make music.
“Fortunately, in recent days we have seen efforts to maintain this service in places like Midlothian.
“The council has identified head teachers as people who can pick up the work of the cultural co-ordinator, but this is not a role that schools generally carry out.
“In its own paper on the budget proposals, the council has highlighted the serious risks of cutting the post.”
Cllr Alastair Redman asked: “I have been copied into a number of representations, and it was raised with particular vigour at the last Jura Community Council meeting.
“I would be very keen to confirm whether cultural activities will continue after this saving is taken, if it is taken?”
Executive director Douglas Hendry responded: “The short answer is yes. In an ideal world, would we be looking at this? No, but savings have to be made.
“This is a non-statutory service and is not at the core in terms of day-to-day delivery to children and youth people.
“It is also worth making the point that the post up for consideration is not a full-time post, it is a part-time post.
“A lot of comments also relate to music – it is part of the post, but it is not the whole post. There are other elements to it.
“Questions have come in from members of the public about the detail of the proposal, and the education service is absolutely clear what will happen on the basis of this saving being accepted.”
Yvonne McNeilly, the council’s policy lead for education, then told the deputations: “Do any of us want to make any cuts today? The answer is no. As education convener, do I want to be doing this? No.
“I am passionate about the arts, but I have to say I think Mr Hendry has outlined that we are having to take a new approach, because of the circumstances we find ourselves in.
“I appreciate the comments being made, but I will give you my assurance that on my watch, we will be doing all we can, and I will be personally involved, to take this forward.
“I am confident that the team working with our head teachers can take on a new approach. It is difficult, but these are the circumstances we are in.
“We have to move forward and try to do it positively, and I can assure you I am happy to work with you to take us forward as best we can.”
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