Commentary on Sections Strategic planning etc. Section 33 – Preparation of strategic plan
94.Section 33 sets out the process for the involvement of the strategic planning group in the development of the strategic plan by an integration authority, assuring the group’s engagement in the process from the start.
95.The integration authority is required to prepare proposals for the content of the strategic plan, to consult the strategic planning group on the proposals (subsection (2)) and then to prepare a first draft of the strategic plan, taking into account the views of the group expressed during the consultation. The integration authority must then consult the group on the draft (subsection (3)).
96.Taking account of the views in response to the consultation on the first draft, the integration authority is required to prepare a second draft of the strategic plan and send a copy of it for comment to persons mentioned in subsection (5), and any other persons the integration authority considers appropriate.
97.The persons mentioned in subsection (5) include the local authority and the Health Board or both (depending on the model of integration chosen) as well as representatives of any groups prescribed by the Scottish Ministers by regulations under subsection (6). The effect of this is to ensure that any others with an interest will have an opportunity to comment on the draft plan.
98.Subsection (7) requires the integration authority to take into account the views obtained through consultation on the second draft of the strategic plan when finalising the strategic plan.