ASONE Perform CIC Withdraws as Hub Lead Organisation from August 2026

Dear colleagues,

Following careful consideration, ASONE Perform CIC (ASONE) has taken the difficult decision to withdraw as the Lead Hub Organisation (LHO) for the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Music Hub at the end of the current academic year.

When we took on the LHO role, we inherited a programme that required significant operational and organisational transformation. Over the period we have worked intensively to build stable systems and significantly widened participation whilst introducing transparency to grant claiming processes that ensures Cornwall’s Music Hub is operating in a way that is consistent, accessible, and accountable for young people and schools across the region.

During this time the programme has also faced considerable financial pressure. This has included rising delivery costs, recruitment, legal and restructuring costs associated with stabilising the organisation, and a reduction in Arts Council England (ACE) grant allocation from £677,891 in 2025-26 vs £694,206 in 2024-25, based on the number of eligible pupils in the local authority areas that the Music Hub serves. While evidenced delivery data demonstrates strong outcomes and impact for young people, the combination of these factors has made it increasingly difficult for ASONE to recover the deficit that emerged during this period.

While this has been a very difficult decision, we believe stepping down at this point allows the programme to move forward under new governance and leadership that can build on the stabilisation work now completed and take Cornwall’s Music Hub into its next phase.

ACE will be launching an open application process on 12th of March to appoint a new HLO for the county from September 2026 onwards. We would strongly encourage organisations across the region to consider forming collaborative proposals or consortium models where appropriate, as the hub model benefits from a broad partnership approach across the music education landscape.

We would also like to acknowledge the support of ACE and Cornwall Council, who have worked constructively with us as we have navigated the challenges facing the organisation and the programme during this period.

ASONE will continue delivering Music Hub activity through the remainder of the current academic year until 31st of August 2026. Our priority during this period is to manage the transition responsibly while maintaining delivery for children, young people, and schools wherever possible.

Given the financial position of the organisation, it may be necessary to make some adjustments to planned activity during the final summer term in order to ensure that the programme can be delivered in a financially responsible way. Any such changes will be communicated as early as possible.

We recognise that many of you are partners, suppliers, or individuals with existing contractual or financial relationships with ASONE Hub, and the team will ensure that there is an open line of communication during this period. Further communications can be expected over the coming weeks as we continue to update partners and respond to any questions.

We greatly appreciate the professionalism, patience and commitment shown by partners across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly during what has been a significant period of transformation for Cornwall’s Music Hub which now has a strong and well-balanced Strategic Advisory Group that has demonstrated a proactive and professional approach throughout this period of review and decision-making.

Further updates will be shared as the process progresses. In the meantime, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact me directly on [email protected] if you would like to discuss anything, or Hamish McMillan on [email protected], who can discuss any contractual arrangements and the potential impact of the wind-down on you or your organisation.

Thank you for your continued support of music education for young people across the county.

Kindest regards,