What is the Forward Plan?

The Forward Plan contains details of the ‘Key Decisions’ which are to be taken by the Cabinet, Area Committees, individual Members of the Cabinet or Officers of the Council. It is prepared on a monthly basis. Included within the Forward Plan is the Cabinet's work programme which contains non key decisions to be taken by the Cabinet.

The Plan gives information about:

• What decisions are coming forward in the next four months
• Whether the decision is a key decision
• When those decisions are likely to be made
• Who will make those decisions
• What consultation will be undertaken
• Who you can make representations to, and how
• What documents can you ask for and who you can contact for further information

What is a Key Decision?

A decision taken by the Cabinet, an Area Committee or an Officer is a key decision if:

1. It is likely to result in expenditure or savings exceeding £100,000 or 10% of the gross budget for the service concerned (whichever is the smaller, and subject to a minimum value of £10,000)
   
   
2. It involves a transfer (virement) exceeding £50,000 or 10% (whichever is the smaller, and subject to a minimum value of £10,000) of the smaller budget
   
   
3. It involves the acquisition or disposal of a capital asset to the value of £250,000 or more
   
   
4. It increases fees or charges
   
   
5. It is likely to have a significant affect on communities (the people living or working in more than one Ward, or in just one Ward if the effects are sufficiently significant, eg, a school closure or traffic calming scheme)
   
   
6. It involves a proposal which can not be funded from within the Council's budget agreed by Council in March
   
   
7. It proposes a new version or to amend an existing Plan contained in the Policy Framework:
   
   
   • Adult Learning Development Plan
   • Annual Library Plan
   • Best Value Performance Plan
   • Children's Services Plan
   • Community Care Plan
   • Community Strategy
   • Corporate Plan
   • Crime and Disorder Reduction Strategy
   • Early Years Development Plan
   • Education Development Plan
   • Food Law Enforcement Programme
   • Housing Investment Programme
   • Local Agenda 21 Action Plan
   • Local Transport Plan
   • Quality Protects Action Management Plan
   • Unitary Development Plan
   • Youth Justice Plan

When is the Forward Plan published?

The Forward Plan will be published on the following dates:

• 16th May 2008 
• 16th June 2008
• 17th July 2008
• 15th August 2008
• 16th September 2008
• 17th October 2008
• 14th November 2008
• 18th December 2008
• 16th January 2009
• 13th February 2009
• 17th March 2009
• 16th April 2009

You can view the Forward Plan/Cabinet Work Programme online, and may also inspect a copy, free of charge, at the Council's main office (Town Hall, High Road, Ilford), First Stop Shop and at libraries.

In instances where a matter has not been included on the Forward Plan within the required timescale but requires a decision the chief officer will need to give written notice to the chairman of the relevant Scrutiny Committee, of the matter about which the decision is to be made.