Explanatory note

This Order makes a scheme which combines the areas of the Dorset Fire Authority and the Wiltshire and Swindon Fire Authority into a combined fire and rescue area. The Scheme comes into force on 1st April 2015 for the purpose of doing anything which is necessary to bring the Scheme fully into operation on 1st April 2016. The Scheme establishes a fire and rescue authority for the combined area, to be known as the Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Authority, and provides for the appointment and terms of office of its members, and for meetings of the Authority. The Scheme also provides for the transfer of staff, and certain property, rights and liabilities, directly from the existing authorities to the new combined authority.

This Order also revokes the Dorset Fire Services (Combination Scheme) Order 1996 (S.I. 199/2920) and the Wiltshire and Swindon Fire Services (Combination Scheme) Order 1996 (S.I. 1996/2916).

An impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as no additional cost on the private, public or voluntary sectors is foreseen.