Commentary on Sections Strategic planning etc. Section 32 – Establishment of strategic planning group
90.Section 32 puts an obligation on integration authorities to establish a strategic planning group for each local authority area, for the purposes of preparing the strategic plan for that area.
91.Depending on the model of integration chosen, the group must involve members nominated by the local authority or the Health Board, or both, as set out in subsection (1)(a), (b) and (c). In effect, this provides for the bodies who prepared the integration scheme to be involved in the development of the strategic plan. In addition, the integration authority will be required by subsection (1)(d) and (e) to involve a range of relevant stakeholders, including representatives of groups prescribed by the Scottish Ministers by regulations under subsection (2).
92.Subsection (3) provides for the integration authority to determine the number of members in its strategic planning group and the process for the appointment, replacement and removal of members. Subsection (4) provides that the integration authority may appoint members of the strategic planning group from persons nominated under subsection (1), to remove persons from membership of the group and to appoint members in place of members who resign or are removed from membership of the group. Subsection (5) provides for a constituent authority to remove from its strategic planning group a member appointed to represent it and to nominate (under subsection (1)) another person in place of a member of the group appointed to represent it. Subsection (6) provides for a member of the strategic planning group to resign at any time. Subsections (7) to (9) provide for the views of localities to be taken into account by requiring the integration authority to identify the most appropriate person to represent each locality on the strategic planning group. This also provides for local flexibility, so that an individual can represent more than one locality. Subsection (10) provides that the integration authority’s ability to make decisions is not undermined by any vacancy in its membership.
93.Subsection (11) and (12) provide that the integration authority is to determine the procedure of the group, and may pay members of the group expenses and allowances.