The business plan sets out the specific objectives for the year ahead and, as far as it can, all the deliverables from the service by the end of the year. The deliverables range from regular annual reports and services (eg Better connected report on  council websites) to new 'one-off' projects dealing with current issues (not always identifiable at the time when the plan is produced (Sept to Oct of the preceding year).

The plan contains a summary of the performance for the year just ended and sets out key performance indicators (KPIs) for the year ahead.

Finally, the plan is supported by a financial plan with estimated income, expenditure and contribution back to Socitm.