Purpose

Report detailing current position of service
and potential future options, following public and school
consultations conducted in June 2024.

Decision

RESOLVED:
 
That Cabinet:
 

1.    
Approved the implementation of option 2 (restructure/relaunch and
relocation of the Service).
 

2.    
Delegated the detailed implementation of the agreed actions to the
Assistant Director for Education and Achievement, in consultation
with the Portfolio Holder for Children and Education. This should
include the exploration of appropriate grant funding opportunities
that would allow for additional development of the artefact offer
with a view to further enhancing the cultural experiences of
children and young people in Shropshire. This may include
establishing a charitable arm of the Service.
 

3.    
Noted that school buy-in will be closely monitored by the Assistant
Director for Education and Achievement to inform whether school
buy-in is sufficient to enable the Service to be cost-neutral from
25/26 onwards. If it is determined that further action is required
to enable the Service to be cost-neutral from 25/26, this may
include exploring implementation of option 3, or if necessary,
option 1. Should option 1 need to be considered, a report to
Cabinet will be drafted setting out the position before any
decision is made.