Explanatory Note
(This note is not part of the Order)
This Order makes an amalgamation scheme amalgamating the police areas for the new local government areas of City of Edinburgh, East Lothian, Midlothian, West Lothian and Scottish Borders into the combined police area known as Lothian and Borders. The police force established and maintained for the existing Lothian and Borders police area continues in existence on and after 1st April 1996 by virtue of section 21B(1) of the Police (Scotland) Act 1967 and in terms of section 21B(3) of the Act of 1967 that police force shall be the police force for the new combined Lothian and Borders police area.
The scheme comes into effect on 1st April 1996 except in relation to those matters referred to in paragraph 1(2)(a) of the Scheme in respect of which it comes into operation on 31st October 1995.
The scheme provides for the constitution of a new joint police board to which the whole functions relating to police (except those mentioned in paragraph 11(1) of the scheme) of the relevant authorities (that is City of Edinburgh Council, East Lothian Council, Midlothian Council, West Lothian Council and Scottish Borders Council) are delegated. The scheme makes provision with respect to the members and officers of the board and its procedure, powers and duties.