Check urged for plans

Voluntary agencies in Wales are being urged to check the new
service delivery plans of the 22 unitary authorities which come
into operation in April 1996. Most councils have published draft
plans, and the Wales Council for Voluntary Action is warning that
agencies must examine them before the end of the year.

Deadlines for comments on the draft plans vary between
authorities but most closing off dates are in December.

Peter Bryant, WCVA national policy officer, said: ‘Voluntary
groups at a local level need to examine the plans in relation to
their own services and future funding. If plans include broad
statements of intent, they need to clarify exactly what they mean
for them. They must act now, there is no time to lose.’

It is understood that 14 out of the 22 new councils have
presented their draft plans to the Welsh Office.

The date for production of the plans was 1 November, but
councils were not formally required to let the Welsh Office have a
copy.

A number of the service delivery plans include provision for
cross-border services and this is one area where the voluntary
organisations are being urged to talk with social services
departments.