This Order gives effect to recommendations by the Local Government Commission for England in respect of the county of Bedfordshire insofar as they relate to the structure of local government in the borough of Luton (“Luton”).

Article 3 effects the structural change by providing for the transfer, on 1st April 1997 of the functions of Bedfordshire County Council in relation to Luton to the council of that borough.

Articles 4 and 5 make provision in respect of the Bedfordshire Police Authority.

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 Bedfordshire structure plan and to enable the local plan prepared by the council of Luton under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 to contain minerals and waste policies.

Article 8 provides for Luton to cease to form part of Bedfordshire on 1st April 1997 and for a new county of Luton to be constituted on that date (but without a county council).

Article 9 makes provision for a whole council election in Luton in 1996 and for the councillors so elected to retire in 1999.

Article 10 provides for the retirement, on 1st April 1997, of existing county councillors elected for divisions in Luton and for casual vacancies in the office of a councillor who, by virtue of the Order, would retire before the day they would regularly have retired.