Many residents, parents and otherwise, will be aware of the outstanding reputation and work of the Bromley Youth Music Trust (BYMT).
However, as may will be aware, Bromley Council is facing some difficult decisions as they try to find some £60-70m savings over the next four years, and services such as BYMT, which the council is not required to provide by law, will come under scrutiny.
Currently the council makes a grant of £306,000 per annum to BYMT, in addition to a peppercorn rent at the Southborough Lane site which represents a further subsidy of some £150,000 p.a.. The Council are very keen to ensure that BYMT is able to become more financially secure by reducing its reliance on volatile council funding and diversifying its income sources. That is why they have been reducing, in a manageable way, the grant to BYMT over the last few years – in fact the direct grant to BYMT now represents less than 20% of its total income (compared to 45% four years ago) – while at the same time, crucially, the council is working with BYMT to source other funding streams.
One of these is a bid to the Arts Council, to become a hub for musical excellence in South East London. Also, the council is looking at other ways that it can support BYMT financially with the help that it already gives pupils from poorer backgrounds. The council is also encouraging BYMT to engage with other local authorities and schools, providing music services to a currently under-supplied market, as well as seeking more commercial sponsorship and support.
Bromley Council is very keen that it’s able to meet its own financial challenges but without leaving BYMT ‘high and dry’. As a jewel in Bromley’s crown we all want to see BYMT continue to go from strength to strength and the council is determined that its reputation is sustained even as its dependence on the council taxpayer continues to reduce.
Hayes & Coney Hall Conservative Councillors 
Dear Mr Reddin may I draw your attention to the comments made by Ed Vaizey,
“Questioned on the subject of funding for music following his speech, Vaizey called on councils to commit to supporting arts in their area.
“We want local authorities to continue to support local arts not just because we need their money, but because we need their commitment.
“It’s not just about writing a cheque. It’s about being committed to supporting arts in the local area.
“I’m sick and tired of local authorities stepping away from their responsibility for the arts.”
I am aware of Mr Vaizey’s comments. Unfortunately Mr Vaizey does not decide on local govenrment funding nor does he set the Council’s policy on the arts or budgetary planning. My colleagues and I will take his comments on board when taking the decision on BYMT’s funding. Fortunately Bromley has a thriving arts scene, most of which takes place without any input – or need of such – from the council.