Explanatory note

This Order makes a scheme which combines the areas of the council of the borough of Thamesdown (which would otherwise become an individual fire authority on 1st April 1997 by virtue of the Local Government Act 1992) and the Wiltshire County Council 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 1997. The scheme establishes a fire authority for the combined area, to be known as the Wiltshire and Swindon Fire Authority, 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 Wiltshire Fire Brigade or by such other name as the Authority determines, 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. The scheme also provides for the transfer of staff, and certain property, rights and liabilities, directly from the Wiltshire County Council (the fire authority for the same area as the combined area prior to 1st April 1997) to the new combined authority.