Local Government (Wales) Act 1994

23 Fire services

(1) In section 4 of the [1947 c. 41.] Fire Services Act 1947 (fire authorities), after second “county” insert “or, in Wales, of every county or county borough”.

(2) A combination scheme may be made under section 5 or 6 of the Act of 1947, before 1st April 1996, with respect to two or more areas each of which is a new principal area.

(3) Where any such combination scheme is made before 1st April 1996, it shall not come into force until that date, except so far as it relates to—

(a) the constitution of an authority as the fire authority for the combined area constituted by the scheme, and

(b) the performance by that authority of any functions necessary for bringing the scheme into full operation on that date.

(4) Where the Secretary of State proposes to make such a combination scheme—

(a) subsection (2) of section 6 of the Act of 1947 shall until 1st April 1996 be taken to require him to give notice to—

(i) any existing fire authority whose area lies wholly or partly within the proposed combined area; and

(ii) each of the new principal councils concerned; and

(b) the requirement in that subsection with respect to public local inquiries shall not apply if—

(i) the proposed scheme relates only to new principal areas; and

(ii) the notice is given before 1st April 1996.

(5) Any such notice shall specify a period for making representations with respect to the proposed scheme.

(6) Where the Secretary of State has given notice of a proposed scheme, in a case to which subsection (4) applies, he shall consider any representations which are made to him before the end of the specified period by any body to whom notice was given.