New Website Design and Implementation for Richmondshire District Council

Richmondshire District Council wants to build a new, more modern website that will suit the needs of all its customers whilst also due to reductions in funding has been looking at its services to identify the efficiency savings required. As part of this programme, it has become apparent that the website could be better used - to improve the interaction between the council and its residents, visitors and businesses, as well as to improve the adherence to legal regulations. The Richmondshire district covers 509 square miles of North Yorkshire - one of the most sparsely populated district council areas in the country with its boundaries stretching from the River Tees to Cumbria. The area is predominantly rural in character and a large part is situated in the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Richmond is the largest town in the district with its Norman Castle, cobbled marketplace, famous Georgian Theatre Royal and elegant Georgian buildings. The district also boasts two other bustling market towns - Leyburn and Hawes, and many urban developments to the east - Catterick, Scotton, Hipswell, Colburn and Brompton on Swale. Reeth is also a service centre for the Upper Dales. Two main arterial roads - the A1 North/South and the A66 East/West five miles from Richmond - give easy nationwide access. Employment opportunities are good with light industry within and close to the district. It also contains the largest military establishment in the country, Catterick Garrison, which adds greatly to the economic wellbeing of the area. The area boasts good schools and health facilities and a range of excellent housing. The existing website richmondshire.gov.uk was developed almost three years ago and though it has served its purpose well it is now deemed to be out of date and have insufficient functionality. The domain name is owned by Richmondshire District Council. Internal research has shown that sections and customers would welcome improved functionality such as payment tools and interactive mapping systems from a new website. An intuitive content management system would assist in improving the customer experience when dealing with the council through the website. Richimondshire District Council are advertising this tender via YORtender and would require prospective supplier to submit any tenders via this portal. The contract will be initially for 3 years with an optional 2 x 12 months' extension at the Councils discretion.