§ Earl Ferrers rose to move, That the draft order laid before the House on 12th June be approved [23rd Report from the Joint Committee].
§ The noble Earl said: My Lords, I beg to move. This order gives effect to the Local Government Commission's recommendation that The Wrekin should become a unitary authority on its existing boundaries. The rest of Shropshire will retain the existing two-tier structure of local government.
§ The structural change will take effect on 1st April 1998. We shall be making separate provision for ceremonial arrangements, under which The Wrekin will be deemed to be part of Shropshire.
§ There will be all-out elections to The Wrekin Council in May 1997, after which the order provides for the district council to return to its regular electoral cycle.
§ Moved, That the draft order laid before the House on 12th June be approved [23rd Report from the Joint Committee].—(Earl Ferrers.)
§ On Question, Motion agreed to.