4BR has been informed that the officers and staff of the British Federation of Brass Bands (BFBB) have been busy during the past couple of months preparing their Arts Council bid for the National Portfolio Funding Programme (NPFP).

Funding bid

BFBB has funding in place from Arts Council England (ACE) until March 2012 through the Regularly Funded Organisation (RFO) scheme, but this is being replaced in April 2012 with the new NPFP scheme.

With budgets being slashed, ACE warns that 50% of RFO groups could lose their funding next year.

Successful decision

A decision on the BFBB application is due before 31st March. If successful, funding would then be secured until March 2015.

Proud of achievements

A spokesperson told 4BR: "The BFBB is proud of its achievements over the past years and looks forward with eager optimism to the next four years.

However, changes to BFBB’s organisational structures will be essential. Following recommendation by the Board of Trustees and in accordance with Arts Council England criteria for NPFP funding, BFBB will seek to become a Company Limited by Guarantee."

To reflect these fundamental changes the BFBB Board of Trustees will recommend to the next Annual General Meeting to restructure as the English Federation of Brass BandsBFBB

Devolution

They added: "The BFBB recognises that in recent years the growth of political devolution from national government has resulted in the cultural and voluntary arts sectors of the UK becoming more aligned along the national boundaries of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

To reflect these fundamental changes the BFBB Board of Trustees will recommend to the next Annual General Meeting to restructure as the English Federation of Brass Bands."

More clarity and cohesion

They concluded: "This in turn should lead to more clarity and cohesion when working across UK national boundaries throughout the brass band sector."

4bBR understands that the change, if agreed by member bands, will be implemented at the same time as incorporation.