(This note is not part of the Order)
This Order gives effect to recommendations by the Local Government Commission for England for electoral changes in the borough of Bedford. The changes have effect in relation to local government elections to be held on and after 2nd May 2002.
Article 2 abolishes the existing wards of the borough and provides for the creation of 26 new wards. That article and Schedule 1 also make provision for the names and area of, and numbers of councillors for, the new wards.
Article 3 makes provision for a whole council election in 2002 and for reversion to elections by thirds in subsequent years. Schedule 2 regulates the order of retirement of councillors.
Articles 4 to 8 make electoral changes in the parishes of Eastcotts, Kempston, Kempston Rural, Renhold, Bromham and Elstow.
Article 9 makes changes to the arrangement for the parish elections for the borough.
Article 10 revokes the Borough of North Bedfordshire (Electoral Arrangements) Order 1979.
The areas of the new borough wards are demarcated on the map described in article 1(3). Prints of the map may be inspected at all reasonable times at the offices of Bedford Borough Council and at the offices of the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, 2nd Floor, Ashdown House, 123 Victoria Street, London SW1E 6DE.