Explanatory note

This Order, which comes into force on 1999–

• changes the name of the Countryside Commission to the Countryside Agency on 1st April 1999 (article 3);

• transfers functions of the Development Commission to the Countryside Agency on 1st April 1999 (article 4);

• requires the Development Commission to make one or more schemes for the transfer to the Countryside Agency of such of the Development Commission’s property, rights and liabilities as appear to the Secretary of State to be appropriate (article 7). Schedule 2 to the Order provides for the transfer schemes;

• makes provision for the Development Commission and the Urban Regeneration Agency to have functions with respect to the provision of certain services to any regional development agency (established by Part I of the 1998 Act) (article 8); and

• contains supplementary, incidental, consequential and transitional provisions (articles 3, 5, 6, 8 and 9).