Provision of music related services to children, young people, and families

Description

Provision of music related services to children, young people, and families, to whom Norfolk County Council (NCC) has a responsibility. Norfolk & Suffolk Music Hub is a partnership of organisations which come together to provide the best possible music education for the children and young people of Norfolk and Suffolk. Music Hubs are funded by the Department for Education, administered by Arts Council England, to create more opportunities for children and young people to get involved in music making. The aims of the Music Hub partnership are to: Support schools to deliver high-quality music education. Support all children and young people to engage with a range of musical opportunities in and out of school. Support young people to develop their musical interests further, including in employment. On 19 November 2025, the Minister of State for Local Government and Homelessness made a written statement [UIN HCWS1071] saying that three proposals for unitary local government in Norfolk had been received - these could entail the creation of one, two or three unitary councils. The Minister announced a consultation exercise, which ended on 11 January 2026. The Minister stated that "once the consultations have concluded, the Government will assess the proposals against the criteria in the invitation and decide, subject to parliamentary approval, which, if any, proposals are to be implemented, with or without modification". The Government has confirmed that it is minded to create three unitary Councils, subject to parliamentary approval. On 4 December 2025, the Secretary of State for Local Government made a written statement [UIN HCWS1128] stating that the government intends to establish a Mayoral Strategic Authority for Norfolk and Suffolk as soon as possible, and that it is minded to hold inaugural mayoral elections in May 2028. Should these processes lead to unitary local government in Norfolk and/or to the establishment of a Mayoral Strategic Authority covering Norfolk (i) the contract may be transferred, assigned or novated to any successor authority(ies) to the council, or to any joint body incorporating or formed by any such successor and/or to any Mayoral Strategic Authority; and/or (ii) the council or a successor authority or joint body may order services on behalf of other local authorities serving any area within Norfolk's current geographical boundaries.