Explanatory Notes

Public Bodies (Joint Working) (Scotland) Act 2014

2014 asp 9

1 April 2014

Commentary on Sections

Part 1.Functions of Local Authorities and Health Boards

Strategic planning etc.

Section 29 – Requirement to prepare strategic plans

82.Section 29 requires the integration authority to prepare a strategic plan for the area of each local authority. This section sets out what a strategic plan is and the period the plan relates to. Section 59 defines the term “integration authority” by reference to the integration model adopted in the integration scheme.

83.The integration authority can include such material as it thinks fit in the strategic plan, however there are two mandatory elements:

84.Subsection (4) provides that the Health Board and local authority may choose to delegate the functions on a day that is earlier than the day prescribed by the Scottish Ministers under sections 9(3) or 15(2). Where this occurs, the integration authority must make clear in its first strategic plan the date when functions are to be delegated.

85.The first strategic plan of an integration authority must be prepared before the integration start date (subsection (5)), which is defined in subsection (6) as meaning either the date of delegation of functions set out in the strategic plan or the day prescribed by the Scottish Ministers under section 9(3) or 15 (2).