Explanatory Note
(This note is not part of the Regulations)
Part II of the Local Government Act 1992 makes provision for local government changes in England. There are three types of change: a boundary change to a local government area; a structural change, where, instead of a two-tier system of a county council and a district council there is a single principal authority (which is either a district council with the additional functions of a county council or a county council with the additional functions of a district council); and an electoral change. The Local Government Commission for England conducts a review of a local government area and decides whether to make recommendations to the Secretary of State about such changes. Where recommendations for change are made, the Secretary of State may make an order giving effect to those recommendations with or without modifications.
These Regulations make incidental, consequential, transitional and supplementary provision of general application for the purposes of, and in consequence of such orders. They deal with continuity of certain general and local matters, and make arrangements with regard to elections of shadow authorities which are to prepare for a change and assume on the relevant reorganisation date the full powers and status of a local authority.
Specific provisions deal with relevant local matters, including town and country planning matters, charter trustees, fire service and police disciplinary matters, the registration service, sheriffs and coroners.
These Regulations apply subject to the provisions of the order itself or of another statutory instrument made pursuant to Part II of the Act.
Separate regulations will deal with finance matters, transfer of property matters, the setting-up of a residuary body and other necessary subjects.