The Berkshire (Structural Change) Order 1996

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Order)

This Order gives effect to recommendations by the Local Government Commission for England for the making of structural and electoral changes in the Royal County of Berkshire.

Article 3 effects the structural change by providing for the abolition of the county council of Berkshire on 1st April 1998 and the transfer of its functions, in relation to each district in the county, to the council of the district.

Article 4 makes provision for the purposes of subordinate legislation which may be made under the Fire Services Act 1947 in respect of fire services.

Article 5 makes provision in relation to the Berkshire structure plan and to enable the local plans prepared by the district councils under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 to contain minerals and waste policies.

Article 6 designates the council of the borough of Reading for the purposes of regulations relating to finance and the transfer of property, rights and liabilities, and the council of the district of Newbury for the purposes of regulations relating to certain employment liabilities.

Article 7 vests the county council’s superannuation fund in the council of the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead.

Article 8 makes provision in relation to the Berkshire Act 1986.

Article 9 and the Schedule make provision for electoral arrangements in Newbury, including provision for whole council elections in 1997, 2000 and 2003 and every fourth year after 2003. The new wards are shown on the 4 maps prepared by the Department of the Environment, marked “Maps of the Berkshire (Structural Change) Order 1996”. The map forming part of this Note indicates the areas of the new wards.

Article 10 provides for there to be an additional councillor for the Colnbrook and Poyle ward in the borough of Slough.

Article 11 makes provision for whole council elections in Bracknell Forest and Windsor and Maidenhead in 1997, 2000 and 2003 and every fourth year after 2003.

Articles 12, 13 and 14 make provision for elections in Reading, Slough and Wokingham, respectively, in 1997 and subsequent years.

Article 15 provides for the suspension of county council elections in 1997 and extends the term of office of county councillors until 1st April 1998. It also makes provision in respect of casual vacancies in the office of councillor of the local authorities affected by this Order.