Forward plan

What is the Forward Plan?

The Forward Plan lists the key decisions likely to be taken by the Cabinet and Council. The plan is updated monthly and is prepared on a rolling monthly basis to cover a period of approximately 4 months. It also identifies who, if anyone, will be consulted before the decision is taken.

What is in the Forward Plan?

Where the key decision to be taken by the Executive that decision must not be made until the document has been published which describes the following:

• the matter in respect of which a decision is to be made;
• where the decision maker is an individual, his/her name and title, if any and where the decision maker is a body its name and details of membership;
• the date on which, or the period within which, the decision will be taken;
• A list of documents that will be made available to the decision maker for consideration in relation to the matter in respect of which the key decision is to be made
• the procedure for requesting details of those documents if any as they become available

What is a key decision?

A key decision is one which:

• involves expenditure or savings of £50,000 or more, and/or
• is likely to be significant in terms of its effects on communities in two or more wards or electoral divisions, or one large ward or electoral division.

A key decision may not be taken unless:

• a document had been published on the matter in question at least 28 clear days before a key decision is made
• the document is made available for inspection by the public at the offices of the local authority and/or on the local authority's website; and
• where the decision is to be taken at a meeting of the Executive, appropriate notice of the meeting has been given in accordance with Legislative requirements

Exempt Cabinet Reports

Local authorities are required to specify 28 clear days in advance of a Cabinet meeting, reports that are likely to contain exempt information and result in the public and press being asked to leave the meeting for the consideration of that item or part of that item.

The law specifies the grounds upon which local authorities can exclude the press and public but these tend to be on matters about a person, information that would reveal their identity, contract matters that could reveal commercially sensitive information, consultations or negotiations relating to make relations, or information in connection with or preventing and detecting crime. The full list of exempt categories ease set out below.

1. Information relating to any individual
2. Information which is likely to reveal the identity of an individual
3. Information related to the financial or business affairs of a particular person (including the authority holding that information)
4. Information relating to any consultations or negotiations, in connection with any Labour relations matters arising between the authority or a Minister of the Crown and employees of all officeholders under the authority
5. Information in respect of which a claim to legal professional privilege could be maintained in legal proceedings
6. Information which reveals that the authority proposes to give under any enactment a notice under or by virtue of which requirements are imposed on a person; or to make an order or direction under any enactment
7. Information relating to any action taken or to be taken in connection with the prevention, investigation or prosecution of crime

Information falling within the above categories is exempt information if and so long as in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.
Any reports that are likely to fit into the above categories are listed at the end of this document. The list will specify the paragraph that will require the press and public to be excluded where relevant. Each report refers to the date on which it is expected to be considered by the Cabinet. It will be made clear where the date is not known.

If you wish to make representations in relation to parts of the meeting being held in private you can contact Democratic Services on 01562 732763 or email committee.section@wyreforestdc.gov.uk. At least five clear days before the meeting the Council will publish on its website details of any representations received about why the meeting should be open to the public and the statements of the Council’s response.

How to make representations or obtain relevant documents

Should you wish to make representations on any other of the issues contained in the Forward Plan please contact the Lead Officer whose contact details are specified against each item or Democratic Services on 01562 732763 or email committee.section@wyreforestdc.gov.uk

Can I see the Forward Plan and get a copy of it?

The Forward Plan is available for inspection, free of charge, from our offices. Alternatively, you can download a copy of the forward plan below. If you would like an earlier copy of the plan please contact the Democratic Services Office. You can also see and have a copy of any supporting document, referred to in the plan, (provided it does not contain exempt/confidential information) and you can ask to be kept informed of any more supporting documents as they become available.

How can I make my views known to the Cabinet about any proposed decision?

You can make your views known in writing up to the day of the meeting to the officer named in the plan as the contact for the item.

Councillors - Cabinet members

Our Cabinet members contact details can be found on our council democratic structure page.

Chief Officers

Our Chief Officer contact details can be located on our Chief Officers' information page.