Architectural Services Framework

FRAMEWORK AWARDED Bath and North East Somerset (B&NES) is a unitary authority created on 1 April 1996 following the abolition of the County of Avon. The Council has responsibility for almost all local government functions within the district, including planning, building control, local roads, council housing, environmental health, markets & fairs, refuse collection, recycling, cemeteries & crematoria, leisure services, parks, and tourism. It is also responsible for education, social services, libraries, main roads, public transport, trading standards, waste disposal and strategic planning. B&NES covers an area of 136 square miles (352 km2), of which two thirds is green belt. It stretches from the outskirts of Bristol, south into the Mendip Hills and east to the southern Cotswold Hills and border of Wiltshire. The city of Bath is the principal settlement in the district. Bath developed as a spa resort in Georgian times and remains a major cultural tourism centre having gained World Heritage City status. Following the success of the former B&NES Architectural Design Services Framework agreement (DN430695), Bath and North East Somerset Council wish to establish a succession Architectural Services Framework. The next generation of the Architectural Services Framework is proposed to complement the Council's existing Design Services Frameworks.