Unique deal sees regeneration of education across the North East - 11 Jan 2008
Dickinson Dees has advised on a unique Building Schools for the Future scheme worth an estimated £142 million.
The deal will see thirteen schools across Gateshead and South Tyneside rebuilt, remodelled or refurbished over the next 4 years.
This is the first scheme of its kind in the UK as it involves three procuring authorities - one of which is a Primary Care Trust. In this unique move, South Tyneside Council and Gateshead Council and South Tyneside Primary Care Trust will work together to improve schools across their regions whilst the private sector partner will also deliver a new health centre for the Primary Care Trust.
Newcastle-based legal giant Dickinson Dees LLP provided comprehensive legal counsel across the board for the partnering arrangement – cementing its success. Expertise was drawn from the property, construction, banking and corporate practice areas in addition to the firm’s highly successful projects team, led by partner Tim Care.
The Dickinson Dees team ensured that negotiations between the three procuring authorities progressed smoothly, drawing up contractual agreements and overseeing the entire procurement process. The firm will continue its involvement throughout the scheme’s duration.
The scheme is one of the 7 BSF project Dickinson Dees has advised on, and is a flagship undertaking for the national programme. The team also has excellent experience of leading new procurement practices, having advised on the UK’s first batch PFI scheme for the NHS last year.
“It was imperative that we appointed a team with the expertise and knowledge to work with us successfully through such a unique project,” said Pram Nayak, project director at Gateshead Council. “Dickinson Dees’ national reputation and in-depth knowledge of public sector partnering arrangements ensured it stands out from the crowd. Extensive experience of BSF schemes both in the North East and beyond served to put the firm head and shoulders above the rest and represented good value for money to the public sector.”
“It is a privilege to be involved in such a pioneering scheme,” said Tim Care, partner at Dickinson Dees. “The joining together of three organisations to improve the standard of education across the North East and to provide new healthcare facilities should be applauded and it is through the perseverance and organisational ability of all involved that we have been able to ensure the long-term success of this programme.”