Eversheds advises on school building project

Apr 2 2008 by Peter McCusker, The Journal

THE Newcastle office of international law firm Eversheds has advised Sunderland City Council on its Building Schools for the Future project.

This has resulted in contracts worth a combined £74m being signed by Sunderland City Council, information and communication technology (ICT) provider RM and Balfour Beatty Construction.

The project will see three schools rebuilt or refurbished and the creation of three new academies to change the learning experience of the city’s children and young people.

A new ICT system will be implemented including a shared learning platform known as a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) and online professional development programmes.

A team of Eversheds lawyers, headed by Colin Crossman and Rebecca Carter, advised the council.

Mr Crossman said: “We supplied a multi-disciplinary team to provide expert advice and support to the council and its in-house legal team. Having been involved since the initial stages, we are pleased to see the scheme reach the milestone of contracts being signed.

“We’re looking forward to work beginning on sites around the city and seeing the transformation in the education experience for pupils in Sunderland.”

Other members of the Eversheds team included Phil Harris who provided advice on information and communication technology contracts; Michael Conroy-Harris and Chris Campbell who advised on the design and build contracts; Christine Wilson and Grainne McCormack focused on development agreements; David Wilkinson and Jill Weightman on transfer agreements; and Karen Lockwood provided advice on procurement.

Sunderland City Council will co-sponsor the three academies. Its leader Coun Bob Symonds said: “Reaching financial close is a major milestone for this pioneering programme and construction work will soon begin.

“The initiative is gathering real momentum and we will continue to consult and inform schools and local residents throughout the building programme.”