This Order is made in exercise of the powers conferred by sections 2 to 4 and 60 of the Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004(1).

It appears to the Secretary of State that, in the interests of economy, efficiency and effectiveness, there should be a single fire and rescue authority for the combined area of the Devon and Somerset fire and rescue authorities.

This Order is made to give effect to a draft scheme constituting a fire and rescue authority for that combined area which has been submitted to the Secretary of State by those authorities.

This Order also revokes the scheme made under the Devon Fire Services (Combination Scheme) Order 1997(2).

In accordance with section 4(5) of that Act, she has consulted with fire and rescue authorities, local authorities and other persons likely to be affected by the revocation of the scheme made under the 1997 Order.

Devon Fire Authority and its constituent authorities agree to the revocation of that scheme(3).