(This note is not part of the Order)
This Order makes a scheme which combines the areas of the councils of the boroughs of Bracknell Forest, Reading and Slough, the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, and the district councils of Newbury and Wokingham (which would otherwise become individual fire authorities on 1st April 1998 by virtue of the Local Government Act 1992), into a combined fire area. The scheme comes into force on the same day as the Order comes into force for the purpose of doing anything which is necessary to bring the scheme fully into operation on 1st April 1998. The scheme establishes a fire authority for the combined area, to be known as the Royal Berkshire Fire Authority, and provides for the appointment and terms of office of its members, and for meetings of the Authority. The scheme establishes a fire brigade for the combined area, to be known as the Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service or by such other name as the Authority determines, appoints its first chief officer, and provides for the submission of an establishment scheme to the Secretary of State. The scheme establishes a combined fire service fund and provides for the administration of the Authority’s finances. The scheme also provides for the transfer of staff, and certain property, rights and liabilities, directly from the Berkshire County Council (the fire authority for the same area as the combined area prior to 1st April 1998) to the new combined authority.