Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Order)

This Order gives effect to recommendations by the Local Government Commission for England (“the Commission”) in respect of the structure of local government in the borough of Southend-on-Sea (“Southend”) and the borough of Thurrock (“Thurrock”), and recommendations in relation to boundaries and electoral arrangements in other districts in the county of Essex.

Article 3 effects the structural changes by providing for the transfer, on 1st April 1998, of the functions of Essex County Council in relation to Southend and Thurrock to their respective councils.

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 structure plan applying to Essex and to enable the local plan prepared by the council of Southend under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (“the 1990 Act”) to contain minerals and waste policies. It provides that the council of Thurrock, as local planning authority, shall prepare a unitary development plan for its area instead of separate structure and local plans, and makes consequential modifications of the 1990 Act.

Article 6 provides for Southend and Thurrock to cease to form part of Essex on 1st April 1998 and for new counties of Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock to be constituted on that date (but without county councils).

Article 7 makes provision for a whole council election in Southend in 1997 and for reversion to election by thirds in subsequent years.

Article 8 makes provision for a whole council election in Thurrock in 1997 and for reversion to election by thirds in subsequent years.

Article 9 provides for the retirement on 1st April 1998 of existing county councillors elected for divisions in Southend and Thurrock. It also provides in respect of casual vacancies in the office of a councillor who, by virtue of the Order, would retire before the day they would regularly have retired.

Article 10 implements recommendations of the Commission in respect of minor changes to the boundary between the borough of Colchester and the district of Tendring. The map forming part of this Note shows, as a general guide only, the areas which are transferred. Prints of the detailed map (described in article 2) may be inspected at all reasonable times at the offices of the county council, the borough council and the district council concerned and, additionally, at the offices of the Secretary of State for the Environment located at 2 Marsham Street, London SW1P 3EB.

Article 11 provides for additional councillors in two wards of the borough of Thurrock in any election on or after 1st May 1997.