85.This section requires SOCA to produce an ‘annual plan’ before the beginning of each financial year, to be published as SOCA sees fit. The annual plan must include:
the priorities SOCA has set itself for the year (subsection (3)(a))
the strategic priorities set by the Secretary of State (subsection (3)(b))
any current performance targets established by the Agency (subsection (3)(c))
a statement of how SOCA intends to meet these priorities over the coming financial year (subsection (5))
a statement of the financial resources that will be available to SOCA over the course of that year (subsection (3)(d))
details of how SOCA intends to carry out its functions in Scotland and in Northern Ireland (subsection (2))
86.Any priorities set by SOCA in accordance with subsection (3)(a) must be consistent with the strategic priorities set by the Secretary of State under section 9, but may encompass other matters (subsection (4)). The element of the annual plan that relates to Scotland must be agreed with Scottish Ministers (subsection (9)(a)).
87.Before issuing the plan SOCA must consult such other persons as it thinks fit (subsection (9)(b)). Subsection (7) places a duty on SOCA to send a copy of the plan to specified persons. It is open to SOCA also to send copies to such other persons as it thinks fit.