Statutory Instruments
Fire And Rescue Services, England
Made
2nd March 2015
Laid before Parliament
4th March 2015
Coming into force in accordance with article 1
The Secretary of State makes this Order in exercise of the powers conferred by sections 2, 3, 4 and 60(2) 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 Dorset Fire Authority and the Wiltshire and Swindon Fire Authority.
This Order is made to give effect to a draft Scheme submitted to the Secretary of State by the existing authorities in question and includes modifications to the draft Scheme which seem appropriate to the Secretary of State after consulting the existing authorities in question.
This Order also revokes the Schemes (“the existing Schemes”) given effect by the Dorset Fire Services (Combination) Scheme Order 1996(2) and the Wiltshire and Swindon Fire Services (Combination Scheme) Order 1996(3).
In accordance with section 4(5) of the Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004, before making the Order the Secretary of State consulted—
(a)the fire and rescue authorities which appear to him likely to be affected,
(b)any other authority which would, apart from the Order be a fire and rescue authority under section 1 of that Act and which appears to him likely to be affected,
(c)any local authority all or part of whose area forms part of the combined area, and
(d)any other persons he considers appropriate.
The Dorset Fire Authority and the Wiltshire and Swindon Fire Authority and any other authority which would apart from the existing Schemes be a fire and rescue authority under section 1 of the Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004, and which would be affected by the revocation of those Schemes, have agreed to the revocation(4).
2004 c. 21 (“the 2004 Act”). Section 4 of the 2004 Act applies to a scheme which was made under section 6 of the Fire Services Act 1947 (c. 41) which was in force immediately before the repeal of that section by the 2004 Act. By virtue of section 4(2) of the 2004 Act, a scheme to which section 4 applies continues to have effect despite that repeal. The power of the Secretary of State under section 2 and 4 is, in relation to Wales, exercisable by Welsh Ministers by virtue of section 62 of the 2004 Act and paragraph 30 of Schedule 11 to the Government of Wales Act 2006 (c. 32).
S.I. 1996/2920 amended by the Local Government Act 2003 (c. 26), Schedule 8.
S.I. 1996/2916 amended by the Local Government Act 2003, Schedule 8.
See section 4(7). The Secretary of State is, accordingly, not required to cause an inquiry to be held.