(1)The Director General has (by virtue of the function of direction and control of the NCA) the power to decide—
(a)which particular operations are to be mounted by NCA officers, and
(b)how such operations are to be conducted.
(2)In exercising functions, the Director General must have regard to—
(a)any strategic priorities for the NCA (see section 3);
(b)the annual plan (see below); and
(c)the framework document (see Part 1 of Schedule 2).
(3)Before the beginning of each financial year, the Director General must issue a document (the “annual plan”) setting out how the Director General intends that NCA functions are to be exercised during that year (including how they are to be exercised in Scotland and Northern Ireland).
(4)The annual plan for a financial year must include—
(a)a statement of any strategic priorities for the NCA,
(b)a statement of the operational priorities for the NCA, and
(c)in relation to each of the strategic and operational priorities, an explanation of how the Director General intends that the priority will be given effect to.
(5)The Director General must determine operational priorities for the NCA; and those priorities may relate—
(a)to matters to which current strategic priorities also relate, or
(b)to other matters;
but operational priorities must, in any event, be framed so as to be consistent with the current strategic priorities.
(6)In preparing any annual plan, the Director General must consult—
(a)the strategic partners, and
(b)any other persons whom the Director General considers it is appropriate to consult.
(7)The Director General is required by subsection (6)(a)—
(a)to consult the Scottish Ministers about the annual plan only as it relates to activities in Scotland; and
(b)to consult the Department of Justice in Northern Ireland about the annual plan only as it relates to activities in Northern Ireland.
(8)Before issuing any annual plan, the Director General must obtain—
(a)the consent of the Secretary of State to the plan,
(b)the consent of the Scottish Ministers to the plan as it relates to activities in Scotland, and
(c)the consent of the Department of Justice in Northern Ireland as it relates to activities in Northern Ireland.
(9)The Director General must arrange for each annual plan to be published in the manner which the Director General considers appropriate.
(10)Schedule 2 (the framework document & annual report) has effect.