Funding to secure the future of music education to tens of thousands of children looks set to be scrapped under council-saving plans. 

In the year Redbridge Music Service would be celebrating its 50th anniversary, the Barkingside-based centre in Fencepiece Road faces uncertainty as it becomes the focus of Redbridge council's budget proposals to save £70 million by 2017/18. 

Under the proposals outlined at the full cabinet meeting on January 12, the centre of excellence which provides tuition to more than 10,000 children across the north east of London and Essex will see its funding reduced to zero.  

The council hopes to make savings of £370,000 by cutting £185,000 over a two year period, starting in April. 

Changes include effectively privatising the instrument loan and repair service by outsourcing the instrument centre and transferring full-time staff members, plus implementing a retirement-related recruitment freeze. 

The second wave of cuts proposed for 2016/17 suggests job losses are on the cards with plans for a 'management restructure and review of staff terms and conditions', plus suggestions of merging the music service with Redbridge Drama Centre under one roof.  

PTA group, the Friends of Redbridge Music Service have launched a campaign to fight off the "devastating cuts". 

Chairwoman Lynn Hammond, said: "We are very disappointed by the Labour council’s reaction.

"These decisions could sign the death warrant for music education in Redbridge.

"We should be celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2015 not fighting to keep it alive.

"They are assuming that music can continue with no financial support. They are under-estimating the importance of music education to our children. 

"And it does not reflect their statement of promising to 'provide services to help children and young people in the borough meet their aspirations'".  

Over 800 children attend groups and ensembles at the John Savage Centre and more than 200 children receive specialist instrument and vocal tuition.

Mother-of-two Helen Watson, 48, of Stanley Road in South Woodford, fears children will be priced out of learning an instrument.  

"Music schools across the UK look to Redbridge as being the best. 

"We don't expect the council to make savings out of privatising children's services. Who knows what these private companies are going to charge?

"Parents with lower-incomes will pull the plug on music tuition and the effect of changes to staff contracts means we will lose the most talented music teachers."

A Facebook page titled 'Hands off Redbridge Music Service, launched by the Friends of RMS yesterday, has already gathered over 350 'likes'. They have also set up the Twitter handle @HandsOffRMS. 

The PTA group will stage a protest outside of Ilford Town Hall to coincide with the full council meeting on March 5.