National BSF expert kick-start £150 million ‘future learning’ plan - 02 Apr 2008
A multi-million pound Building Schools for the Future (BSF) project has received a massive boost from one of the UK’s leading BSF legal experts, Dickinson Dees LLP.
The leading law firm has been appointed by Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council to provide full legal advice on all aspects of the £150 million scheme, which will deliver major improvements in learning across the borough.
The BSF programme dubbed ‘future learning’ will enable the building and renovating of educational facilities across Stockton Borough in two phases with a total of 16 schools set to benefit from the scheme.
Dickinson Dees has a wealth of experience on BSF projects, advising 9 local authorities on schemes worth £1.6 billion. Led by Kevin Robertson, partner and specialist in BSF projects, the firm’s 20-strong team includes experts in PFI, procurement, banking and construction.
As part of the BSF scheme, the Council is developing a borough-wide ICT strategy to deliver significant technological improvements in schools in order to boost performance and education standards. The Council’s aim is for such substantial investment to ensure that every child will be able to achieve their full potential.
"This project is yet another example of how the public and private sectors can work together to deliver tangible benefits for residents and communities,” said Kevin Robertson, partner at Dickinson Dees. “The Stockton scheme will fulfill the Council’s vision of creating technology-superior education facilities, giving children the best platform for learning now, and in the foreseeable future.”
“We are pleased to have Dickinson Dees working with us on the scheme. The firm’s cross-departmental expertise will prove invaluable in progressing the early stages of the project,” commented Lionel Danby, Stockton Council’s BSF Project Director. "The depth and breadth of advice offered by the firm highlights its extensive knowledge of BSF schemes and we have the best legal advice available to ensure a brighter future for children and young people in Stockton-on-Tees."