JCA_CAPITAL_LIMITED - Accounts

The directors present the strategic report for the year ended 31 December 2020.

JCA Capital Limited acquired the Birkin Cleaning Services group in 2016 and a new Executive Board was

implemented. The group's core business has continued to grow significantly, and the new owners have invested

significantly in every aspect including technology, systems, processes and a new head office.

The group's trading subsidiary, Birkin Cleaning Services Ltd (Birkin), was incorporated in 1972, thus the year ended 31 December 2020 is the 49th year of operation that we have worked in the cleaning services industry. The company provides a service led commercial cleaning provision of all aspects of cleaning services, including specialist and high-level window cleaning. The company is London centric with national contracts such as Whitbread, Hyperion Insurance Group and L’Oreal. Our clients cover various sectors with a high percentage within the education sector.

Birkin takes great pride in its people led culture and integrating technology for the benefit of all internal and external stakeholders. We treat our employees and clients with dignity, respect and professionalism because our happy employees equal happy clients.

Our relationships are built on trust and with a long-term mindset – multiple clients have been held for over 20 years.

The group has a five-year business plan which is focused on established a recognised brand within the Central London market and, increasing the market share in the corporate and retail sectors. The strategy remains based on client retention and competing on our quality of service delivery. The investment in technology and quality people in was a critical aspect of building for the future and this financial year has validated the impact of having effective systems in place.

Birkin proudly remain a recognised Living Wage Foundation (LLW) employer and seek to pay the LLW wherever possible. Most of our Central London contracts are on LLW rate and believe that there are tangible benefits for all parties to adopt this policy.

We are continuing to be environmentally aware and have implemented a number of improvements as recognised as part of the ISO 45001:2015 certification process. Birkin genuinely seek to engage with our clients and employees in a sustainable way and innovate as the norm. We are working towards becoming carbon neutral and have a number of projects which are progressing, and these include continued reduction of single use plastics, introduction of electric and hybrid vehicles and paperless technology.

The principal risks are the large Facilities Management companies offering a total service solution which bundles together cleaning services amongst others such as engineering and security to name but a few.

Birkin mitigate these risks through continuing to offer a specialised cleaning services and ensure we add value and continually measure our client feedback. Birkin DNA is our culture and methodology for proactively monitoring and reporting client feedback to internally analyse. We use this data to validate our cloud-based audit scores by measuring our net promoter score.

Our strategy is to engage with larger Facilities Management and Property Management companies to widen our scope of client base and achieve footprint within a critical sector. A presence in the managing agent sector has been achieved at two key clients which is important to ensure the company secure a high level of large-scale contract in the Central London market. As the business seeks to expand, there are greater opportunities to do so with the typical multi-site contracts that are tendered by this type of client.

The COVID-19 pandemic presents uncertainties including the permanent closure of customer sites and potential bad debt as the downturn in economic activity impacts on our client’s businesses.

With 70% of your contracts in the public sector, the current government policy to keep schools open where possible has meant that the negative impact of the pandemic on the financial outlook of the business has been mitigated positively versus others in the cleaning sector. Whilst impacted by the shutdown in the private sector, we have seen an increase in specialist cleaning provision to combat the spread of the virus in those areas that have remained open.

Our year to 31 December 2020 demonstrated continued year on year positive progress. New members joining the finance team under the leadership of our Finance Director enhanced the visibility of key management reporting across all levels of the business. Strong inter-departmental working relationships between our operational, commercial and finance teams ensure effective communication and behaviour. Our systems generate real value and key support for the business on a day to day.

We now have over 290 contracts and employ over 1,300 people. We have retained several large contracts that were put out to tender during 2020 and won several new contracts high profile contracts during this year. We won several awards throughout this year, featured within the industry press, and we continue to have an exceptional health and safety record.

Birkin embrace technology and innovation and have a proven track record in successfully implementing systems to deliver tangible benefits. The digital time and attendance system, cloud-based auditing system, online workflow system, client feedback software and suite of Microsoft products such as Sharepoint have allowed Birkin to become a market leader in using technology to enhance our service offering. The leadership team actively support the adoption of using new ways of working to bring innovation to our employees and clients alike.

We continue to challenge all of our supply chain for the latest innovations and technological advances so our clients and our employees feel the benefit.

Birkin’s investment in the prior financial year has enable the business to dramatically improve on the EBITDA profitability which continue to deliver significant growth. The systems are being used to drive the business with clarity and ensure that informed decisions are made to further strengthen the development of Birkin. Our revenue growth for this year was inline with expectations and our plan for 2020. Our investment in overhead and technology over the last two years, not only has helped us to achieve our targets, but is key to helping grow our EBITDA.

Our key metrics to measure performance are revenue growth, gross margins on contracts and EBITDA.

Our growth was in line with our budgeted business plan for the year, however COVID has had an negative impact on our top line Turnover where the service could not be provided whilst our client premises where closed. Having a balanced portfolio of clients, and not being over-exposed to certain sectors has meant that the financial impact of COVID has been significantly less than other companies in our sector.

Birkin continue to grow organically and results from our excellent networks of contacts and clients within the corporate and education sector with a portfolio growth of 21% in year and £2.3m of revenue growth.

Gross margin has largely been maintained at 20.6%, which is slight improvement on the previous year due to a change in the sales mix for 2020, but in line with the previous two year rolling average. The restructure and investment in overheads in 2019 and early 2020 has meant overhead costs for 2020 have remained at 2019 levels, and with revenue growth of £2,313 is the main driver for the increase in PBT from 2019.

The adjusted EBITDA which takes account of the cleaning equipment lease cost that would otherwise have been depreciated was £1,696 for 2020.

The outlook for 2021 is positive. The senior leadership team continues to work very closely together, and this is driving a very productive working environment. The board have the motivation, experience and engagement levels to deliver further growth and improved profitability.

Our operational team and key systems operational are delivering value and our client satisfaction is forecast to go from strength to strength. Most of the large key accounts were successfully retained in 2020 and the focus for 2021 and beyond is to target further new business in the corporate sector and introduce further innovation into our existing client base.

Our investments in technology and systems have proven successful and combined with our engaged team, mean we have budgeted a improvement in EBITDA for the year end 2021. Our business is well placed to continue delivering sustainable growth and improved profitability.

On behalf of the board

The directors present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2020.

The principal activity of the company was a holding company whilst that of the group continued to be that of industrial and commercial cleaners.

The results for the year are set out on page 9.

Ordinary dividends were paid amounting to £237,600. The directors do not recommend payment of a further dividend.

The directors who held office during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were as follows:

The group's policy is to consult and discuss with employees, through unions, staff councils and at meetings, matters likely to affect employees' interests.

Information about matters of concern to employees is given through information bulletins and reports which seek to achieve a common awareness on the part of all employees of the financial and economic factors affecting the group's performance.

There is no employee share scheme at present, but the directors are considering the introduction of such a scheme as a means of further encouraging the involvement of employees in the company's performance.

In accordance with the company's articles, a resolution proposing that Taylor Viney & Marlow Limited be reappointed as auditor of the group will be put at a General Meeting.

The directors are responsible for preparing the Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations.

Company law requires the directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law the directors have elected to prepare the financial statements in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards and applicable law). Under company law the directors must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the group and company, and of the profit or loss of the group for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the directors are required to:

•     select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;

•     make judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;

•     state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;

•     prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the company will continue in business.

The directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the group’s and company’s transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the group and company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the group and company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

So far as each person who was a director at the date of approving this report is aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the auditor of the company is unaware. Additionally, the directors individually have taken all the necessary steps that they ought to have taken as directors in order to make themselves aware of all relevant audit information and to establish that the auditor of the company is aware of that information.

We have audited the financial statements of JCA Capital Limited (the 'parent company') and its subsidiaries (the 'group') for the year ended 31 December 2020 which comprise the group statement of income and retained earnings, the group balance sheet, the company balance sheet, the group statement of cash flows and notes to the financial statements, including significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including FRS 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

In our opinion the financial statements:

•     give a true and fair view of the state of the group's and the parent company's affairs as at 31 December 2020 and of the group's profit for the year then ended;

•     have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and

•     have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.

Basis for opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Conclusions relating to going concern

In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the directors' use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.

Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the group's and parent company’s ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.

Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the directors with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.

Other information

The other information comprises the information included in the annual report other than the financial statements and our auditor's report thereon. The directors are responsible for the other information contained within the annual report. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the course of the audit, or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.

We have nothing to report in this regard.

Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006

In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of our audit:

• the information given in the strategic report and the directors' report for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and

• the strategic report and the directors' report have been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.

In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the group and the parent company and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the strategic report and the directors' report.

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters where the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:

• adequate accounting records have not been kept by the parent company, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or

• the parent company financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or

• certain disclosures of directors' remuneration specified by law are not made; or

• we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit.

As explained more fully in the directors' responsibilities statement, the directors are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the directors determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. In preparing the financial statements, the directors are responsible for assessing the parent company's ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the directors either intend to liquidate the company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor's report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.

Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud, is detailed below.

We gained an understanding of the legal and regulatory framework applicable to the company and the industry in which it operates, and considered the risk of acts by the company that were contrary to applicable laws and regulations, including fraud. We designed audit procedures to respond to the risk, recognising that the risk of not detecting a material misstatement due to fraud is higher than the risk of not detecting one resulting from error, as fraud may involve deliberate concealment by, for example, forgery or intentional misrepresentations, or through collusion. Audit staff with sufficient knowledge and expertise to identify non-compliance with laws and regulations were deployed on the audit.

We focussed on laws and regulations which could give rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements, including, but not limited to, the Companies Act 2006 and UK tax legislation. Our tests included agreeing the financial statement disclosures to underlying supporting documentation and enquiries with management. There are inherent limitations in the audit procedures described above and, the further removed non-compliance with laws and regulations is from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, the less likely we would become aware of it. We did not identify any key audit matters relating to irregularities, including fraud. As in all our audits, we also addressed the risk of management override of internal controls, including testing journals and evaluating whether there was evidence of bias by the directors that represented a risk of material misstatement due to fraud.

A further description of our responsibilities is available on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: https://www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor's report.

Other matters which we are required to address

In the previous accounting period the directors of the company took advantage of audit exemption under s477 and s479 of the Companies Act. Therefore the prior period financial statements were not subject to audit.

Use of our report

This report is made solely to the company’s members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the company’s members those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the company and the company’s members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

As permitted by s408 Companies Act 2006, the company has not presented its own profit and loss account and related notes. The company’s profit for the period was £267,020 (2019 - £148,774 profit).

JCA Capital Limited (“the company”) is a private limited company domiciled and incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is Europa Park, London Road, Grays, Essex, RM20 4DB.

The group consists of JCA Capital Limited and all of its subsidiaries.

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with FRS 102 “The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland” (“FRS 102”) and the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.

The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the company. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.

The company is a qualifying entity for the purposes of FRS 102, being a member of a group where the parent of that group prepares publicly available consolidated financial statements, including this company, which are intended to give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and profit or loss of the group. The company has therefore taken advantage of exemptions from the following disclosure requirements for parent company information presented within the consolidated financial statements:

• Section 7 ‘Statement of Cash Flows’: Presentation of a statement of cash flow and related notes and disclosures;

• Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instrument Issues: The disclosure requirements of paragraphs 11.42, 11.44, 11.45, 11.47, 11.48(a)(iii), 11.48(a)(iv), 11.48(b), 11.48(c), 12.26, 12.27, 12.29(a), 12.29(b), and 12.29A;

• Section 26 ‘Share based Payment’: Share based payment arrangements required under FRS 102 paragraphs 26.18(b), 26.19 to 26.21 and 26.23;

• Section 33 ‘Related Party Disclosures’: Compensation for key management personnel.

In the parent company financial statements, the cost of a business combination is the fair value at the acquisition date of the assets given, equity instruments issued and liabilities incurred or assumed, plus costs directly attributable to the business combination. The excess of the cost of a business combination over the fair value of the identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities acquired is recognised as goodwill. The cost of the combination includes the estimated amount of contingent consideration that is probable and can be measured reliably, and is adjusted for changes in contingent consideration after the acquisition date. Provisional fair values recognised for business combinations in previous periods are adjusted retrospectively for final fair values determined in the 12 months following the acquisition date. Investments in subsidiaries, joint ventures and associates are accounted for at cost less impairment.

Deferred tax is recognised on differences between the value of assets (other than goodwill) and liabilities recognised in a business combination accounted for using the purchase method and the amounts that can be deducted or assessed for tax, considering the manner in which the carrying amount of the asset or liability is expected to be recovered or settled. The deferred tax recognised is adjusted against goodwill or negative goodwill.

The consolidated group financial statements consist of the financial statements of the parent company JCA Capital Limited together with all entities controlled by the parent company (its subsidiaries) and the group’s share of its interests in joint ventures and associates.

All financial statements are made up to 31 December 2020. Where necessary, adjustments are made to the financial statements of subsidiaries to bring the accounting policies used into line with those used by other members of the group.

All intra-group transactions, balances and unrealised gains on transactions between group companies are eliminated on consolidation. Unrealised losses are also eliminated unless the transaction provides evidence of an impairment of the asset transferred.

At the time of approving the financial statements, the directors have a reasonable expectation that the group has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the directors continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.

Turnover is recognised at the fair value of the consideration received or receivable for goods and services provided in the normal course of business, and is shown net of VAT and other sales related taxes.

Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of acquisition of a business over the fair value of net assets acquired. It is initially recognised as an asset at cost and is subsequently measured at cost less accumulated amortisation and accumulated impairment losses. Goodwill is considered to have a finite useful life and is amortised on a systematic basis over its expected life, which is 10 years.

For the purposes of impairment testing, goodwill is allocated to the cash-generating units expected to benefit from the acquisition. Cash-generating units to which goodwill has been allocated are tested for impairment at least annually, or more frequently when there is an indication that the unit may be impaired. If the recoverable amount of the cash-generating unit is less than the carrying amount of the unit, the impairment loss is allocated first to reduce the carrying amount of any goodwill allocated to the unit and then to the other assets of the unit pro-rata on the basis of the carrying amount of each asset in the unit.

Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost or valuation, net of depreciation and any impairment losses.

Depreciation is recognised so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets less their residual values over their useful lives on the following bases:

The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset, and is recognised in the profit and loss account.

Equity investments are measured at fair value through profit or loss, except for those equity investments that are not publicly traded and whose fair value cannot otherwise be measured reliably, which are recognised at cost less impairment until a reliable measure of fair value becomes available.

In the parent company financial statements, investments in subsidiaries, associates and jointly controlled entities are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost less any accumulated impairment losses.

A subsidiary is an entity controlled by the group. Control is the power to govern the financial and operating policies of the entity so as to obtain benefits from its activities.

At each reporting period end date, the group reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible and intangible assets to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any). Where it is not possible to estimate the recoverable amount of an individual asset, the company estimates the recoverable amount of the cash-generating unit to which the asset belongs.

The carrying amount of the investments accounted for using the equity method is tested for impairment as a single asset. Any goodwill included in the carrying amount of the investment is not tested separately for impairment.

Recoverable amount is the higher of fair value less costs to sell and value in use. In assessing value in use, the estimated future cash flows are discounted to their present value using a pre-tax discount rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the asset for which the estimates of future cash flows have not been adjusted.

If the recoverable amount of an asset (or cash-generating unit) is estimated to be less than its carrying amount, the carrying amount of the asset (or cash-generating unit) is reduced to its recoverable amount. An impairment loss is recognised immediately in profit or loss, unless the relevant asset is carried at a revalued amount, in which case the impairment loss is treated as a revaluation decrease.

Recognised impairment losses are reversed if, and only if, the reasons for the impairment loss have ceased to apply. Where an impairment loss subsequently reverses, the carrying amount of the asset (or cash-generating unit) is increased to the revised estimate of its recoverable amount, but so that the increased carrying amount does not exceed the carrying amount that would have been determined had no impairment loss been recognised for the asset (or cash-generating unit) in prior years. A reversal of an impairment loss is recognised immediately in profit or loss, unless the relevant asset is carried at a revalued amount, in which case the reversal of the impairment loss is treated as a revaluation increase.

Stocks are stated at the lower of cost and estimated selling price less costs to complete and sell. Cost comprises direct materials and, where applicable, direct labour costs and those overheads that have been incurred in bringing the stocks to their present location and condition.

Stocks cost is calculated at actual historic cost.

At each reporting date, an assessment is made for impairment. Any excess of the carrying amount of stocks over its estimated selling price less costs to complete and sell is recognised as an impairment loss in profit or loss. Reversals of impairment losses are also recognised in profit or loss.

Cash and cash equivalents are basic financial assets and include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities.

The group has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instruments Issues’ of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.

Financial instruments are recognised in the group's balance sheet when the group becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.

Financial assets and liabilities are offset and the net amounts presented in the financial statements when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.

Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.

Other financial assets, including investments in equity instruments which are not subsidiaries, associates or joint ventures, are initially measured at fair value, which is normally the transaction price. Such assets are subsequently carried at fair value and the changes in fair value are recognised in profit or loss, except that investments in equity instruments that are not publicly traded and whose fair values cannot be measured reliably are measured at cost less impairment.

Financial assets, other than those held at fair value through profit and loss, are assessed for indicators of impairment at each reporting end date.

Financial assets are impaired where there is objective evidence that, as a result of one or more events that occurred after the initial recognition of the financial asset, the estimated future cash flows have been affected. If an asset is impaired, the impairment loss is the difference between the carrying amount and the present value of the estimated cash flows discounted at the asset’s original effective interest rate. The impairment loss is recognised in profit or loss.

If there is a decrease in the impairment loss arising from an event occurring after the impairment was recognised, the impairment is reversed. The reversal is such that the current carrying amount does not exceed what the carrying amount would have been, had the impairment not previously been recognised. The impairment reversal is recognised in profit or loss.

Financial assets are derecognised only when the contractual rights to the cash flows from the asset expire or are settled, or when the group transfers the financial asset and substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership to another entity, or if some significant risks and rewards of ownership are retained but control of the asset has transferred to another party that is able to sell the asset in its entirety to an unrelated third party.

Financial liabilities and equity instruments are classified according to the substance of the contractual arrangements entered into. An equity instrument is any contract that evidences a residual interest in the assets of the group after deducting all of its liabilities.

Basic financial liabilities, including creditors, bank loans, loans from fellow group companies and preference shares that are classified as debt, are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised.

Debt instruments are subsequently carried at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method.

Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of business from suppliers. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trade creditors are recognised initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

Financial liabilities are derecognised when the group's contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.

Equity instruments issued by the group are recorded at the proceeds received, net of transaction costs. Dividends payable on equity instruments are recognised as liabilities once they are no longer at the discretion of the group.

The tax expense represents the sum of the tax currently payable and deferred tax.

The tax currently payable is based on taxable profit for the year. Taxable profit differs from net profit as reported in the profit and loss account because it excludes items of income or expense that are taxable or deductible in other years and it further excludes items that are never taxable or deductible. The group’s liability for current tax is calculated using tax rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the reporting end date.

Deferred tax liabilities are generally recognised for all timing differences and deferred tax assets are recognised to the extent that it is probable that they will be recovered against the reversal of deferred tax liabilities or other future taxable profits. Such assets and liabilities are not recognised if the timing difference arises from goodwill or from the initial recognition of other assets and liabilities in a transaction that affects neither the tax profit nor the accounting profit.

The costs of short-term employee benefits are recognised as a liability and an expense, unless those costs are required to be recognised as part of the cost of stock or fixed assets.

The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee’s services are received.

Termination benefits are recognised immediately as an expense when the company is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits.

Payments to defined contribution retirement benefit schemes are charged as an expense as they fall due.

Rentals payable under operating leases, including any lease incentives received, are charged to profit or loss on a straight line basis over the term of the relevant lease except where another more systematic basis is more representative of the time pattern in which economic benefits from the leased asset are consumed.

Government grants are recognised at the fair value of the asset received or receivable when there is reasonable assurance that the grant conditions will be met and the grants will be received.

A grant that specifies performance conditions is recognised in income when the performance conditions are met. Where a grant does not specify performance conditions it is recognised in income when the proceeds are received or receivable. A grant received before the recognition criteria are satisfied is recognised as a liability.

Transactions in currencies other than pounds sterling are recorded at the rates of exchange prevailing at the dates of the transactions. At each reporting end date, monetary assets and liabilities that are denominated in foreign currencies are retranslated at the rates prevailing on the reporting end date. Gains and losses arising on translation in the period are included in profit or loss.

In the application of the group’s accounting policies, the directors are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods.

The average monthly number of persons (including directors) employed by the group and company during the year was:

Their aggregate remuneration comprised:

Directors of the parent company are remunerated by Birkin Cleaning Services Limited.

The actual charge/(credit) for the year can be reconciled to the expected charge/(credit) for the year based on the profit or loss and the standard rate of tax as follows:

The carrying amount of goodwill on consolidation at the balance sheet date was £1,587,219 (2019: £1,888,356) and the remaining amortisation period is 5.5 years.

The carrying amount of goodwill in the business of Clean Sweep Ltd at the balance sheet date was £78,838 (2019: £104,773) and the remaining amortisation period is 3 years.

Investments in subsidiaries with a carrying value of £2,895,852 have been pledged as security against the loan from John F Hunt Regeneration Ltd.

Details of the company's subsidiaries, all of which have been consolidated, at 31 December 2020 are as follows:

The investments in subsidiaries are all stated at cost.

The long-term loan of £784,307 from John F Hunt Regeneration Ltd is secured by a fixed charge over 4 Ordinary shares in Birkin Group Limited. The interest rate on the loans is 8% per annum and interest accrues daily.

Other long term loans of £649,960 from director shareholders of the company, are unsecured and interest free.

The long term loan of £524,960 from John F Hunt Group Limited is unsecured and interest free.

The invoice finance facility is secured by way of a fixed and floating charge over the company's debts to the benefit of RBS Invoice Finance Ltd. The amount secured a the balance sheet date was £380,089 (31 December 2019: £797,458).

The following are the major deferred tax liabilities and assets recognised by the group and company, and movements thereon:

The deferred tax liability set out above is expected to reverse within 12 months and relates to accelerated capital allowances that are expected to mature within the same period.

A defined contribution pension scheme is operated for all qualifying employees. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the group in an independently administered fund.

The company has five classes of ordinary shares which carry no right to fixed income.

At the reporting end date the group had outstanding commitments for future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases, which fall due as follows:

At the balance sheet date the company owed £784,307 (2019: £1,817,928 ) to Other related parties in the form of secured loans. During the period the company was charged interest of £106,458 (2019: £117,000) on the loans which are repayable in more than one year.

An amount of £524,960 (2019: £524,960) due to Other related parties was included in creditors at the balance sheet date. The loan is interest free and repayable in more than one year.

During the year the group received a short term loan of £140,000 from an entity with significant influence over the group. Interest of £3,644 was paid on the loan. The loan was fully repaid during the year.

At the balance sheet date an amount of £10,374 was due from other related parties in respect of services provided in the normal course of the group's main trade. An amount of £11,053 was due from other related parties in respect of services purchased during the normal course of the group's main trade.

During the year the group received short term loans totalling £140,000 from directors of the company. Interest of £3,548 was paid on the loans. The loans were fully repaid during the year.

An amount of £649,960 (2019: £649,960) was due to directors of JCA Capital Ltd at the balance sheet date. The loans are interest free and repayable in more than one year.

Dividends totalling £237,600 (2019 - £237,600) were paid in the year in respect of shares held by the company's directors and their close family members.

Interest free loans have been granted by the group to its directors as follows: