Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Order)

This Order gives effect to recommendations by the Local Government Commission for England in respect of the structure of local government in the city of Peterborough (“Peterborough”).

Article 3 provides for Peterborough to cease to form part of Cambridgeshire on 1st April 1998 and for a new county of Peterborough to be constituted on that date (but without a county council).

Article 4 makes certain changes to the boundary between Peterborough and the district of Huntingdonshire on 1st April 1998. The map forming part of this Note shows, as a general guide only, the areas which are transferred. Prints of the detailed map (described in article 2) may be inspected at all reasonable times at the offices of the county council, the city council and the district council concerned and, additionally, at the offices of the Secretary of State for the Environment located at 2 Marsham Street, London SW1P 3EB.

Article 5 effects the structural change by providing for the transfer, on 1st April 1998, of the functions of Cambridgeshire County Council in relation to Peterborough to the council of that city.

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

Article 7 makes provision in relation to the Cambridgeshire structure plan and to enable the local plan prepared by the council of Peterborough under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 to contain minerals and waste policies.

Article 8 and the Schedule make provision for new electoral areas for Peterborough for the purposes of an election held on or after 1st May 1997.

Article 9 makes provision for a whole council election in Peterborough in 1997 and for reversion to election by thirds in subsequent years, including a transitional period during which elections will be held after three years instead of the usual four.

Article 10 makes further transitional provision about elections in 1997.

Article 11 makes provision for the suspension of county council elections in 1997 in electoral divisions in Peterborough and extends the term of office of councillors for such divisions until 1st April 1998. It also provides in respect of casual vacancies in the office of councillor of the Peterborough City Council and the electoral divisions of Cambridgeshire County Council affected by this Order.