The Dorset (Boroughs of Poole and Bournemouth)(Structural Change) Order 1995

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Order)

This Order gives effect to recommendations made by the Local Government Commission for England in respect of the county of Dorset (“Dorset”) insofar as they relate to the structure of local government in the boroughs of Bournemouth (“Bournemouth”) and Poole (“Poole”).

Article 3 effects the structural change by providing for the transfer on 1st April 1997, of the functions of Dorset County Council in relation to Bournemouth and Poole to the councils of those boroughs.

Articles 4 and 5 make provision in respect of the Dorset police authority.

Article 6 makes provision for the purposes of subordinate legislation to be made under the Fire Services Act 1947 in respect of fire services in Dorset.

Article 7 makes provision in relation to the Dorset structure plan and to enable the local plan prepared by the councils of Bournemouth and Poole to contain minerals and waste policies.

Article 8 provides for Bournemouth and Poole to cease to form a part of Dorset on 1st April 1997 and for new counties of Bournemouth and Poole to be constituted on that date (but without a county council).

Article 9 amends the Borough of Bournemouth (Electoral Arrangements) Order 1978 to make provision for a whole council election in the borough of Bournemouth in 1996 and for the councillors so elected to retire in 1999.

Article 10 amends the Borough of Poole (Electoral Arrangements) Order 1979 to make provision for a whole council election in the borough of Poole in 1996 and for the councillors so elected to retire in 1999.

Article 11 provides for the retirement, on 1st April 1997, of existing councillors elected for county divisions included in Bournemouth and Poole and for casual vacancies in the office of a councillor who, by virtue of the Order, would retire before the day they would regularly have retired.