News

Gwent Music - Covid-19

The Covid-19 crisis has required unprecedented change and a continuous review of our work. When schools closed and re-purposed as childcare hubs, the council initially agreed to provide funding for self-employed Gwent Music tutors.

This was at a cost of £25,000 per week and was based on the lack of a national announcement about financial help for self-employed individuals.

However, at the end of March the government addressed this by introducing the self-employment income support scheme, which allows self-employed tutors to submit a grant claim.

It also became clear that councils would not be able to claim back any additional costs from government, as Gwent Music is a discretionary, non-essential service.

Although this group of staff provide a service to at least four local authorities, they are not Newport City Council employees. The Directors of Education across the region have also confirmed their expectation that self-employed tutors who deliver lessons for Gwent Music should access their funding through this scheme.

Newport City Council is following the nationally established scheme, which will ensure fairness across all self-employed individuals working across all areas of the council.

The council has offered full support to all affected staff when submitting their claims.