In 1996 Avon was split into 4 parts , which are now unitary authorities . People usually say that 2 of these parts ( named North Somerset and Bath and North East Somerset ) are part of Somerset , even though they have their own councils . The two administratively independent unitary authorities , which were established on 1 April 1996 following the break up of the county of Avon , are North Somerset and Bath and North East Somerset .