Explanatory note

This Order gives effect to recommendations made by the Local Government Commission for England in respect of the county of Hampshire (“Hampshire”) insofar as they relate to the structure of local government in the city of Portsmouth (“Portsmouth”) and the city of Southampton (“Southampton”).

Article 3 effects the structural change by providing for the transfer, on 1st April 1997, of the functions of Hampshire County Council in relation to Portsmouth and Southampton to the councils of those cities.

Articles 4 and 5 make provision in respect of the Hampshire police authority.

Article 6 makes provision for the purposes of subordinate legislation to be made under the Fire Services Act 1947 in respect of fire services in Hampshire.

Article 7 makes provision in relation to the Hampshire structure plan and to enable the local plan prepared by the Portsmouth Council and the Southampton Council to contain minerals and waste policies.

Article 8 provides for Portsmouth and Southampton to cease to form a part of Hampshire on 1st April 1997 and for new counties of Portsmouth and Southampton to be constituted on that date (but without a county council).

Article 9 amends the City of Portsmouth (Electoral Arrangements) Order 1979 to make provision for a whole council election in the City of Portsmouth in 1996 and for reversion to election by thirds in subsequent years.

Article 10 amends the City of Southampton (Electoral Arrangements) Order 1976 to make provision for a whole council election in the City of Southampton in 1996 and for reversion to election by thirds in subsequent years.

Article 11 provides for the retirement, on 1st April 1997, of existing councillors elected for county divisions included in Portsmouth and Southampton and for casual vacancies in the office of a councillor who, by virtue of the Order, would retire before the day they would regularly have retired.