(1)Before the beginning of each financial year SOCA must issue a plan setting out how SOCA intends to exercise its functions during that year (“the annual plan”).
(2)The annual plan must (in particular) set out how SOCA intends to exercise its functions in Scotland and in Northern Ireland.
(3)The annual plan must also include a statement of—
(a)any priorities which SOCA has determined for that year,
(b)any current strategic priorities determined by the Secretary of State under section 9,
(c)any current performance targets established by SOCA, and
(d)the financial resources that are expected to be available to SOCA for that year.
(4)Any priorities within subsection (3)(a) may relate—
(a)to matters to which strategic priorities determined under section 9 also relate, or
(b)to other matters,
but in any event must be so framed as to be consistent with strategic priorities determined under that section.
(5)The annual plan must state, in relation to each priority within subsection (3)(a) or (b), how SOCA intends to give effect to that priority.
(6)SOCA must arrange for the annual plan to be published in such manner as it considers appropriate.
(7)SOCA must send a copy of the annual plan to—
(a)the Secretary of State,
(b)the Scottish Ministers,
[F1(ba)the Department of Justice in Northern Ireland,]
(c)the Commissioners,
(d)each police authority for an area in Great Britain, each joint police board and the Northern Ireland Policing Board,
(e)the chief officer of each police force in the United Kingdom, and
(f)such other persons as SOCA considers appropriate.
(8)In subsection (7)(d) the reference to a police authority for an area in Great Britain does not include a constituent authority in an amalgamation scheme approved under section 19(1) of the Police (Scotland) Act 1967 (c. 77).
(9)Before issuing its annual plan for any financial year, SOCA must—
(a)consult the Scottish Ministers and agree with them what provision the plan is to make for Scotland by virtue of subsection (2); F2...
[F3(aa)consult the Department of Justice in Northern Ireland and agree with the Department what provision the plan is to make for Northern Ireland by virtue of subsection (2); and]
(b)consult such other persons as it considers appropriate.
Textual Amendments
F1S. 6(7)(ba) inserted (12.4.2010) by The Northern Ireland Act 1998 (Devolution of Policing and Justice Functions) Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/976), art. 1(2), Sch. 15 para. 2(2) (with arts. 28-31)
F2Word in s. 6(9)(a) omitted (12.4.2010) by virtue of The Northern Ireland Act 1998 (Devolution of Policing and Justice Functions) Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/976), art. 1(2), Sch. 15 para. 2(3)(a) (with arts. 28-31)
F3S. 6(9)(aa) inserted (12.4.2010) by The Northern Ireland Act 1998 (Devolution of Policing and Justice Functions) Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/976), art. 1(2), Sch. 15 para. 2(3)(b) (with arts. 28-31)
Commencement Information
I1S. 6 in force at 1.3.2006 by S.I. 2006/378, art. 3(2)(a) (with art. 3(3)(4))