This Order establishes a new non-metropolitan district, East Suffolk, in the county of Suffolk; establishes East Suffolk Council as the district council for East Suffolk and abolishes Suffolk Coastal and Waveney districts and their district councils (articles 3 to 5).

The Order provides for the establishment of a shadow authority before East Suffolk Council takes on full responsibility for local government matters on 1st April 2019 with members appointed from the existing district councils; for the creation of a shadow executive and for the creation of a Central Implementation Team to support the executive. The shadow authority and shadow executive are tasked with making all necessary preparations in advance of 1st April 2019 (including preparing and keeping under review an implementation plan and appointment of key officers); the costs of the shadow authority and shadow executive are to be met by the existing district councils (articles 6 to 20).

Part 4 of the Order deals with electoral matters including provision that a whole council election of councillors of East Suffolk Council is to take place on the ordinary day of election in 2019 and in every fourth year thereafter (article 21).

Part 5 of the Order imposes general transitional duties on the existing district councils, in particular to co-operate with each other and the shadow authority and shadow executive (article 22).

The Schedule sets out the electoral divisions of East Suffolk.

A full regulatory impact assessment has not been prepared as this instrument will have no impact on the costs of business and the voluntary sector.