CABE and the Design Council have confirmed they will merge from 1 April, following an agreement reached by the two bodies and government.

The new organisation will speak with one voice to support a broad spectrum of design, architecture and public space. It will be government's advisor on design in business innovation and the built environment.

It will provide a 'one stop shop' for design support and advice to industry, communities, central and local government encompassing a range of services already provided by both the Design Council and CABE.

The organisation will have a particular focus on achieving good design at a local level. The chair of CABE, Paul Finch, said it will place architecture "at the heart of the economy as a driver for competitive businesses and places".

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CABE's design review service, which provides expert advice to councils, developers and communities through reviews of major proposed projects, will continue at a national and local level. Promotion of the value of good building and spatial design to businesses and communities will continue. There will be a strong focus on securing good design in neighbourhood planning.

The merged organisation will continue to provide mentoring and advice to business and public services on the strategic use of design. High profile design challenges will develop innovative solutions to national issues in health, security and sustainability

Advice will be given direct to government on the value of design and support for the design sector via an expanded body of experts drawn from industry, design, architecture, public services and education.

The Design Council name and status as a Royal Charter charity will be unaffected, and it will cease to be a non-departmental public body (NDPB) from 1 April.

A new governance structure will be put in place to deliver the organisation's new broader remit. This will include a significantly expanded council drawn from a range of disciplines and specialisms in design, government, business and education.

The merger will save public money and provide scope for additional industry investment. The Design Council will continue to be financed through a combination of sources, including grants from the Department for Business Innovation and Skills (BIS) and the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG), confirmed until April 2013.

(CD)