Agenda and draft minutes

The chair welcomed members of the committee.

Apologies were received from Councillor Nijhar.

There were none.

There were none.

There were none.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 2 May 2023.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 2 May 2023 were agreed as a true and correct record.

Russel Dyer, Head of Accountancy, shared a summary of the Leonardo Aggio Financial Trust Annual Meeting report. In summary, as of March 31, 2024, the restricted funds amounted to £90,791, while the unrestricted funds totalled £32,479. It was noted that the proposed commitments and awards (as detailed on page 8 of the agenda pack) could have been funded from the unrestricted funds if approved by the Trust at the meeting.

Additionally, Russel Dyer, had highlighted that the terms and conditions for the Leonardo Award had been sent for 2022-23, and the new direction of these awards focused on addressing inequality primarily. Leonardo Aggio aimed to assist individuals facing challenging financial circumstances, with a shift towards prioritizing this aspect, although it had been a consideration of the award before 2022, it was not the guiding principle.

RESOLVED:

That the committee noted the content from the Leonardo Aggio Financial Trust Annual Meeting report.

Alexandra Buckle, Deputy Head (Staff, Pupils, and Progression), introduced the 2022-23 and 2023-24 nominations report. She highlighted that in the first year, Awards were provided for children to continue music despite being barred from progressing due to family finances. This could have included the need for a new instrument, assistance with Cadenza attendance (Ealing Music Service’s ensembles), or support with lessons.

Alexandra Buckle summarised the Year 1 Recommendations:

       i.          A Year 10 student had previously held a London Mayor Fund scholarship but faced a funding gap until Year 11; however, the Leonardo Aggio award could have covered his ensemble expenses, crucial due to his family's financial strain, supported by endorsements of his talent from his ensemble leader and teacher, with his exceptional musical abilities featured in Around Ealing magazine, emphasizing his need for financial assistance to cover fees for Cadenza and Ealing Percussion Academy.

     ii.          An 11-year-old student had been playing drum kit and guitar informally at home and with a neighbour in year 7 and recently took lessons through Ealing Music Service, where he outpaced the mixed-ability group and sought individual lessons, though his single-parent family struggled financially, unable to afford them as they exceeded the cost of group lessons.

    iii.          Another student began learning viola at primary school with EMS's 'endangered species' program, displaying enthusiasm and quickly developing a love for playing. She earned an LMF music scholarship, which supported her for four years, but then faced funding challenges for her viola lessons and Cadenza fee as the scholarship had ended.

    iv.          Another student who began playing flute at 8, achieved an outstanding score of 143/150 in her Grade 7 ABRSM exam and was now gearing up for Grade 8; she participated in various ensembles but needed her own piccolo for practice and financial aid for ensemble fees, having received a bursary before.

In year 2 here there were 10 children that had been identified. There were currently few funding bodies that included singing as part of their awards process, yet music was highlighted as an area - nationally and in Ealing - in need of support and growth. The new National Plan for Music discussed the real need to get children singing – and keep them singing.

In Ealing, Leonardo A had made some great strides forward to increase children’s access to high-quality singing. Our new partnership with Tenebrae (a professional choir based in Ealing) had brought singing to children who otherwise might not have experienced it. So far, Tenebrae had taught at 3 primary schools. The children had access to this music for a year but then, sadly, the funding ended and so did their formal singing opportunities.

13 children from Clifton Primary had been identified as having terrific potential and engagement and we would have liked to use one year of LA funding to pay for these children to have singing lessons and continue their music. Tenebrae; the headteacher and governing body of Clifton and parents of the identified children were all very supportive of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

a.   Purpose of the award (will)

b.   Confirmation of singing inclusion

c.   Confirmation of teacher nomination rather than audition

RESOLVED:

That The committee approved the Leonardo Aggio Financial Trust Award

The next meeting was scheduled for 15 April 2025.

The next meeting is due to be held on 15 April 2025.