The Local Government Changes for England (Miscellaneous Provision) Regulations 1996

Preservation of rights and privileges of existing areas

4.—(1) Subject to any provision made by a grant under Her Majesty’s prerogative or any provision of a charter granted by Her Majesty under section 245 of the 1972 Act (status of certain districts etc), any privileges or rights belonging immediately before the reorganisation date to the inhabitants of any area by virtue of—

(a) the provisions of subsection (1) of section 246 of the 1972 Act (preservation of powers, privileges and rights of existing cities or boroughs); or

(b) any provision made under subsection (2)(b) of that section by a charter granted under section 245 of that Act,

shall, notwithstanding any boundary change effected by the order, belong on and after that date to the inhabitants of that area.

(2) Subsection (2) of section 246 of the 1972 Act shall apply in relation to a charter granted by Her Majesty under section 245 of that Act with respect to a new district as if—

(a) the reference in paragraph (a) of that subsection to any powers to appoint local officers of dignity exercisable as mentioned in that paragraph were a reference to any powers to appoint local officers of dignity exercisable immediately before the reorganisation date by the council of an existing district the whole or part of which becomes comprised in the area of the new district; and

(b) the reference in paragraph (b) of that subsection to any privileges or rights belonging as mentioned in that paragraph were a reference to any privileges or rights belonging immediately before the reorganisation date, by virtue of any such provision as is mentioned in paragraph (1) above, to the inhabitants of any area the whole or part of which becomes comprised in the area of the new district.