Cllr Munby said: “This is just mad. We are spending I don’t know how much [more than £100,000] on PR for the Shanghai Expo, and this is the worst PR we could get.
“The council is in denial, they are refusing to acknowledge that there is a problem.
“The current funding funds the youth orchestra, but the new package is not for that purpose, it’s completely different.
“This is a symptom of the council’s financial problems.” A council spokesman said: “The council has made available a pot of money to fund youth music projects across the city.
“Applications have been received from a wide range of organisations, including the Pagoda Youth Orchestra, and they will be considered in the near future by a panel which includes a group of young people.
“The council is very supportive of the work of the orchestra.”
