Explanatory Note
(This note is not part of the Order)
This Order provides for the establishment, on 1st April 2020, of a single tier of local government in the county of Buckinghamshire. The area of the county remains unchanged. A new district is created, with the same area as the county.
The county council of Buckinghamshire and the district councils of Aylesbury Vale, Chiltern, South Bucks and Wycombe are abolished on 1st April 2020. A new district council, Buckinghamshire Council, is created for the new district. With effect from 1st April 2020 the new district council will be the sole principal authority for the district. There will be no county council for Buckinghamshire.
The term of office of councillors of Buckinghamshire County Council and the existing district councils will end on 1st April 2020.
Part 3 of the Order contains arrangements for Buckinghamshire Council to operate as a shadow authority, before the full local authority functions are transferred to the new district council on 1st April 2020. The members of the shadow authority are the councillors of Buckinghamshire County Council and the existing district councils. Article 6 provides for the creation of a shadow executive to discharge the functions of the shadow authority. Article 17 provides for the creation of an Implementation Team to support the shadow executive. The shadow authority and shadow executive are tasked with making all necessary arrangements in advance of 1st April 2020 (including preparing and keeping under review an implementation plan and appointment of key officers); the costs of the shadow authority and shadow executive are to be met by the existing county council and district councils (articles 6 to 17).
Part 4 of the Order deals with electoral matters. A whole council election will take place on the ordinary day of elections in 2020, 2025 and every fourth year thereafter. Elections for parish councillors in Buckinghamshire will take place on the same day as the elections to Buckinghamshire Council and follow the same cycle.
Part 5 of the Order imposes general transitional duties on the county council and the existing district councils, in particular to cooperate with each other and the shadow authority and shadow executive.
The schedule sets out the electoral wards of Buckinghamshire Council.
A full regulatory impact assessment has not been prepared as this instrument will have no impact on the costs of business and the voluntary sector.