HC Deb 26 April 1995 vol 258 c531W
Mr. David Atkinson

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his statement to the House on 21 March,Official Report, column 146, when he expects election to the new unitary authority of Bournemouth to take place; and what will be the period of service of those elected. [20819]

Mr. Robert B. Jones

Subject to Parliament approving the relevant order, the existing authority for Bournemouth will continue but with unitary powers from 1 April 1997. There will be elections on 2 May 1996 to elect a council with a fresh mandate; those elected will serve for three years until May 1999 when the normal four-year cycle will resume.

Mr. Berry

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many county councils there are in England; and how many he proposes to abolish in his reorganisation of local government structures. [20795]

Mr. Curry

[holding answer 25 April 1995]: There are at present 39 county councils in England. We have accepted the Local Government Commission's recommendations for four of these to be abolished—the county councils of Avon, Berkshire, Cleveland and Humberside.