Explanatory note

This Order makes a scheme which combines the areas of the following new principal councils in South Wales, namely Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council, Bridgend County Borough Council, Caerphilly County Borough Council, Cardiff County Council, Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council, Monmouthshire County Council, Newport County Borough Council, Rhondda Cynon Taff County Borough Council, Torfaen County Borough Council and the Vale of Glamorgan County Borough Council (which would otherwise become individual fire authorities on 1st April 1996 by virtue of the Local Government (Wales) Act 1994) into a combined fire area. The scheme comes into force on the same day as the Order comes into force for the purpose of doing anything which is necessary to bring the scheme fully into operation on 1st April 1996. The scheme establishes a fire authority for the combined area, to be known as the South Wales Fire Authority or Awdurdod Tân De Cymru, and provides for the appointment and terms of office of its members, and for meetings of the Authority. The scheme establishes a fire brigade for the combined area, to be known as the South Wales Fire Service or Gwasanaeth Tân De Cymru, appoints its first chief officer, and provides for the submission of an establishment scheme to the Secretary of State. The scheme establishes a combined fire service fund and provides for the administration of the Authority’s finances (including payment of compensation). The scheme also provides for the transfer of staff, and certain property, rights and liabilities from Mid Glamorgan, South Glamorgan and Gwent county councils (the fire authorities for the area prior to 1st April 1996) to the new combined authority.