ACCOUNTS - Final Accounts


Caseware UK (AP4) 2022.0.179 2022.0.179 2023-04-302023-04-3032022-05-01false3falsefalse 720226 2022-05-01 2023-04-30 720226 2021-05-01 2022-04-30 720226 2023-04-30 720226 2022-04-30 720226 2021-05-01 720226 5 2022-05-01 2023-04-30 720226 5 2021-05-01 2022-04-30 720226 d:CompanySecretary1 2022-05-01 2023-04-30 720226 d:Director1 2022-05-01 2023-04-30 720226 d:Director2 2022-05-01 2023-04-30 720226 d:Director3 2022-05-01 2023-04-30 720226 d:Director4 2022-05-01 2023-04-30 720226 d:RegisteredOffice 2022-05-01 2023-04-30 720226 e:CurrentFinancialInstruments 2023-04-30 720226 e:CurrentFinancialInstruments 2022-04-30 720226 e:CurrentFinancialInstruments e:WithinOneYear 2023-04-30 720226 e:CurrentFinancialInstruments e:WithinOneYear 2022-04-30 720226 e:UKTax 2022-05-01 2023-04-30 720226 e:UKTax 2021-05-01 2022-04-30 720226 e:ShareCapital 2022-05-01 2023-04-30 720226 e:ShareCapital 2023-04-30 720226 e:ShareCapital 2021-05-01 2022-04-30 720226 e:ShareCapital 2022-04-30 720226 e:ShareCapital 2021-05-01 720226 e:RetainedEarningsAccumulatedLosses 2022-05-01 2023-04-30 720226 e:RetainedEarningsAccumulatedLosses 2023-04-30 720226 e:RetainedEarningsAccumulatedLosses 2021-05-01 2022-04-30 720226 e:RetainedEarningsAccumulatedLosses 2022-04-30 720226 e:RetainedEarningsAccumulatedLosses 2021-05-01 720226 d:FRS102 2022-05-01 2023-04-30 720226 d:Audited 2022-05-01 2023-04-30 720226 d:FullAccounts 2022-05-01 2023-04-30 720226 d:PrivateLimitedCompanyLtd 2022-05-01 2023-04-30 720226 e:Subsidiary1 2022-05-01 2023-04-30 720226 e:Subsidiary1 1 2022-05-01 2023-04-30 720226 2 2022-05-01 2023-04-30 iso4217:GBP xbrli:pure

Registered number: 720226










ST ERMIN'S PROPERTY CO. LIMITED










ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2023
 


 
ST ERMIN'S PROPERTY CO. LIMITED
 

COMPANY INFORMATION


DIRECTORS
Mark Pears CBE 
Sir Trevor Pears CMG 
David Pears 
WPG Registrars Limited 




COMPANY SECRETARY
William Bennett



REGISTERED NUMBER
720226



REGISTERED OFFICE
Ground Floor
30 City Road

London

EC1Y 2AB




INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
Gravita II LLP
Chartered Accountants & Statutory Auditor

Ground Floor

30 City Road

London

EC1Y 2AB





 
ST ERMIN'S PROPERTY CO. LIMITED
 

CONTENTS



Page
Strategic Report
1
Directors' Report
2 - 3
Independent Auditors' Report
4 - 7
Statement of Comprehensive Income
8
Statement of Financial Position
9
Statement of Changes in Equity
10
Statement of Cash Flows
11
Analysis of Net Debt
12
Notes to the Financial Statements
13 - 21


 
ST ERMIN'S PROPERTY CO. LIMITED
 

STRATEGIC REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2023

INTRODUCTION
 
The directors present their report and the financial statements for the year ended 30 April 2023.

BUSINESS REVIEW
 
The market for property continues to prove challenging making it difficult to buy large numbers of quality properties at appropriate prices. However the directors will continue to make acquisitions of good quality properties where opportunities arise.
At the year end the book value of stock was £33,777,315 (2022 - £33,902,800).

PRINCIPAL RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES
 
The principal risk for the company is a significant fall in the value of properties owned which would reduce dealing profits.

FINANCIAL KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
 
The Company's key performance indicators during the year were as follows: 
Turnover                                    £12,976,853               (2022 - £10,438,625)
Profit after tax                            £10,156,878               (2022 - £ 6,443,303)
Equity shareholders' funds         £151,324,900              (2022 - £141,168,022)


This report was approved by the board on 15 December 2023 and signed on its behalf.



D A Pears
Director

Page 1

 
ST ERMIN'S PROPERTY CO. LIMITED
 
 
DIRECTORS' REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2023

The directors present their report and the financial statements for the year ended 30 April 2023.

DIRECTORS' RESPONSIBILITIES STATEMENT

The directors are responsible for preparing the Strategic Report, the Directors' 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 applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice), including Financial Reporting Standard 102 ‘The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland'. 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 Company and of the profit or loss of the Company for that period.

 In preparing these financial statements, the directors are required to:


select suitable accounting policies for the Company's financial statements and then apply them consistently;

make judgments and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;

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 Company's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Company and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

PRINCIPAL ACTIVITY

The principal activity of the company is property dealing.

RESULTS AND DIVIDENDS

The profit for the year, after taxation, amounted to £10,156,878 (2022 - £6,443,303).

The company did not pay a dividend in the year under review.

DIRECTORS

The directors who served during the year were:

Mark Pears CBE 
Sir Trevor Pears CMG 
David Pears 
WPG Registrars Limited 

FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS

The directors consider the Company is well positioned for business in the future.

Page 2

 
ST ERMIN'S PROPERTY CO. LIMITED
 

DIRECTORS' REPORT (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2023

DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION TO AUDITORS

Each of the persons who are directors at the time when this Directors' Report is approved has confirmed that:
 
so far as the director is aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the Company's auditors are unaware, and

the director has taken all the steps that ought to have been taken as a director in order to be aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the Company's auditors are aware of that information.

This report was approved by the board on 15 December 2023 and signed on its behalf.
 





William Bennett
Secretary

Page 3

 
ST ERMIN'S PROPERTY CO. LIMITED
 
 
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF ST ERMIN'S PROPERTY CO. LIMITED
 


OPINION

We have audited the financial statements of St Ermin's Property Co. Limited (the 'Company') for the year ended 30 April 2023, which comprise the Statement of comprehensive income, the Statement of financial position, the Statement of changes in equity, the Statement of cash flows and the related notes, including a summary of significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 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 Company's affairs as at 30 April 2023 and of its 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 Auditors' 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 United Kingdom, including the Financial Reporting Council'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 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. However, because not all future events or conditions can be predicted this statement is not a guarantee as to the company's ability to continue as a going concern.

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 Auditors' 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.
Page 4

 
ST ERMIN'S PROPERTY CO. LIMITED
 

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF ST ERMIN'S PROPERTY CO. LIMITED (CONTINUED)

OPINIONS ON OTHER MATTERS PRESCRIBED BY THE COMPANIES ACT 2006

In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the 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 has been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.

MATTERS ON WHICH WE ARE REQUIRED TO REPORT BY EXCEPTION

In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the Company and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the Strategic report or the Directors' report.

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

adequate accounting records have not been kept, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or
the 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; or
the directors were not entitled to prepare the financial statements in accordance with the small companies regime and take advantage of the small companies' exemptions in preparing the Directors' report and from the requirement to prepare a Strategic report.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF DIRECTORS
 
As explained more fully in the Directors' responsibilities statement set out on page 2, 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 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.

AUDITORS' RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THE AUDIT OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

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 Auditors' 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. However, the primary responsibility for the prevention and detection of fraud rests with both those charged with governance of the entity and management.
Page 5

 
ST ERMIN'S PROPERTY CO. LIMITED
 

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF ST ERMIN'S PROPERTY CO. LIMITED (CONTINUED)

The extent to which the audit was considered capable of detecting irregularities including fraud

Our approach to identifying and assessing the risks of material misstatement in respect of irregularities, including fraud and non-compliance with laws and regulations, was as follows:

the engagement partner ensured that the engagement team collectively had the appropriate competence, capabilities and skills to identify or recognise non-compliance with applicable laws and regulations;
we identified the laws and regulations applicable to the company through discussions with directors and other management, and from our commercial knowledge and experience of the property sector;
we focused on specific laws and regulations which we considered may have a direct material effect on the financial statements or the operations of the company including, but not limited to, the Companies Act 2006,  and taxation legislation;
we assessed the extent of compliance with the laws and regulations identified above through making enquiries of management and inspecting correspondence; and
identified laws and regulations were communicated within the audit team regularly and the team remained alert to instances of non-compliance throughout the audit.

We assessed the susceptibility of the company’s financial statements to material misstatement, including obtaining an understanding of how fraud might occur, by:

understanding the business model as part of the control and business environment;
considering the internal controls in place to mitigate risks of fraud and non-compliance with laws and regulations and;
making enquiries of management as to where they considered there was susceptibility to fraud, their knowledge of actual, suspected and alleged fraud.

To address the risk of fraud through management bias and override of controls, we:

performed analytical procedures to identify any unusual or unexpected relationships;
tested journal entries to identify unusual transactions;
assessed whether judgements and assumptions made in determining the accounting estimates were indicative of potential bias; and
investigated the rationale behind significant or unusual transactions.

In response to the risk of irregularities and non-compliance with laws and regulations, we designed procedures which included, but were not limited to:

agreeing financial statement disclosures to underlying supporting documentation;
enquiring of management as to actual and potential litigation and claims;
reviewing correspondence and enquiring with the company of actual and potential non-compliance with laws and regulations; and
reading the minutes of meetings of those charged with governance.

There are inherent limitations in our audit procedures described above. The more removed that laws and regulations are from financial transactions, the less likely it is that we would become aware of non-compliance. Auditing standards also limit the audit procedures required to identify non-compliance with laws and regulations to enquiry of the directors and other management and the inspection of regulatory and legal correspondence, if any.

Material misstatements that arise due to fraud can be harder to detect than those that arise from error as they may involve deliberate concealment by for example forgery, or intentional misrepresentations or through collusion. Our audit procedures are designed to detect material misstatement. We are not responsible for preventing non-compliance or fraud and cannot be expected to detect non-compliance with all laws and regulations.
Page 6

 
ST ERMIN'S PROPERTY CO. LIMITED
 

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF ST ERMIN'S PROPERTY CO. LIMITED (CONTINUED)

A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council's website at: www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our Auditors' report.

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 Auditors' 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.





Ian Hughes ACA (Senior statutory auditor)
for and on behalf of
Gravita II LLP
Chartered Accountants
Statutory Auditor
Ground Floor
30 City Road
London
EC1Y 2AB
15 December 2023

Page 7

 
ST ERMIN'S PROPERTY CO. LIMITED
 

STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2023

2023
2022
Note
£
£

Turnover
     3
12,976,853
10,436,625

Cost of sales
     3
(3,756,842)
(3,117,904)

GROSS PROFIT
     3
9,220,011
7,318,721

Administrative expenses
  
(721,971)
(692,366)

OPERATING PROFIT
  
8,498,040
6,626,355

Interest receivable and similar income
  
4,067,310
1,304,029

PROFIT ON ORDINARY ACTIVITIES BEFORE TAXATION
  
12,565,350
7,930,384

Taxation on profit on ordinary activities
 6 
(2,408,472)
(1,487,081)

PROFIT FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR
  
10,156,878
6,443,303

TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME FOR THE YEAR
  
10,156,878
6,443,303

The notes on pages 13 to 21 form part of these financial statements.

Page 8

 
ST ERMIN'S PROPERTY CO. LIMITED
REGISTERED NUMBER:720226

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION
AS AT 30 APRIL 2023

2023
2022
Note
£
£

FIXED ASSETS
  

Investments
 7 
180
180

  
180
180

CURRENT ASSETS
  

Stocks
 8 
33,777,315
33,902,800

Debtors: amounts falling due within one year
 9 
122,359,671
111,045,590

Cash at bank and in hand
  
236,858
269,019

  
156,373,844
145,217,409

Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
 10 
(5,049,124)
(4,049,567)

NET CURRENT ASSETS
  
 
 
151,324,720
 
 
141,167,842

TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES
  
151,324,900
141,168,022

  

NET ASSETS
  
151,324,900
141,168,022


CAPITAL AND RESERVES
  

Called up share capital 
  
120
120

Profit and loss account
 11 
151,324,780
141,167,902

TOTAL EQUITY
  
151,324,900
141,168,022


The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the board and were signed on its behalf on 15 December 2023.






David Pears
Director


The notes on pages 13 to 21 form part of these financial statements.

Page 9

 
ST ERMIN'S PROPERTY CO. LIMITED
 

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2023


Called up share capital
Profit and loss account
Total equity

£
£
£

At 1 May 2022
120
141,167,902
141,168,022


COMPREHENSIVE INCOME FOR THE YEAR

Profit for the year
-
10,156,878
10,156,878
TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME FOR THE YEAR
-
10,156,878
10,156,878


AT 30 APRIL 2023
120
151,324,780
151,324,900



STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2022


Called up share capital
Profit and loss account
Total equity

£
£
£

At 1 May 2021
120
134,724,599
134,724,719


COMPREHENSIVE INCOME FOR THE YEAR

Profit for the year
-
6,443,303
6,443,303
TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME FOR THE YEAR
-
6,443,303
6,443,303


AT 30 APRIL 2022
120
141,167,902
141,168,022


The notes on pages 13 to 21 form part of these financial statements.

Page 10

 
ST ERMIN'S PROPERTY CO. LIMITED
 

STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2023

2023
2022
£
£

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

Profit for the year
10,156,878
6,443,303

ADJUSTMENTS FOR:

Taxation charge
2,408,472
1,487,081

Decrease/(increase) in stocks
125,485
(387,476)

Increase in debtors
(11,314,081)
(6,774,986)

Increase in creditors
91,085
202,472

Corporation tax paid
(1,500,000)
(970,000)

NET CASH (ABSORBED)/GENERATED FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
(32,161)
394


(DECREASE)/INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
(32,161)
394


Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year

269,019
268,625

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT THE END OF THE YEAR
236,858
269,019


CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT THE END OF YEAR COMPRISE:

Cash at bank and in hand
236,858
269,019

236,858
269,019


The notes on pages 13 to 21 form part of these financial statements.

Page 11

 
ST ERMIN'S PROPERTY CO. LIMITED
 

ANALYSIS OF NET DEBT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2023




At 1 May 2022
Cash flows
At 30 April 2023
£

£

£

Cash at bank and in hand

269,019

(32,161)

236,858



269,019
(32,161)
236,858

The notes on pages 13 to 21 form part of these financial statements.

Page 12

 
ST ERMIN'S PROPERTY CO. LIMITED
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2023

1.


GENERAL INFORMATION

St Ermin's Property Co. Limited is a private company limited by shares incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is Ground Floor, 30 City Road, London, EC1Y 2AB. The principal place of business is Haskell House, 152 West End Lane, London, NW6 1SD.


2.ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 
2.1

BASIS OF PREPARATION OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention unless otherwise specified within these accounting policies and in accordance with Financial Reporting Standard 102, the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and the Republic of Ireland and the Companies Act 2006 other than where additional disclosure is required to show a true and fair view.

The company's functional and presentational currency is GBP and rounded to the nearest £1.
The company is the parent undertaking of a small sized group and as such the company is taking exemption from the requirement to prepare group accounts as required by the Companies Act 2006. These financial statements therefore present information about the company as an individual undertaking and not about its group.

The preparation of financial statements in compliance with FRS 102 requires the use of certain critical accounting estimates. It also requires management to exercise judgment in applying the Company's accounting policies.

The following principal accounting policies have been applied:

 
2.2

GOING CONCERN

At the time of approving the financial statements, the directors have a reasonable expectation that the company 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 these financial statements.

 
2.3

TURNOVER

Turnover is recognised to the extent that it is probable that the economic benefits will flow to the company and the revenue can be reliably measured. Turnover is measured as the fair value of the rents receivable and sales of property trading stock.

  
2.4
PROPERTY TRANSACTIONS

Purchases and sales of properties are included on the basis of completions occuring during the year.

Page 13

 
ST ERMIN'S PROPERTY CO. LIMITED
 

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2023

2.ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

 
2.5

STOCKS

Stocks of properties are valued at the lower of cost and estimated selling price less costs to complete and sell.
At each reporting date, stocks are assessed for impairment. If property is impaired, the carrying amount is reduced to its selling price less costs to complete and sell. The impairment loss is recognised immediately in Income statement.
All repairs, maintenance costs and renewals are written off as incurred.
Certain refurbishment costs which are part of major property refurbishment programmes may, depending on the nature of the works being undertaken, be capitalised in the Statement of financial position as part of property stock.

 
2.6

DEBTORS

Short-term debtors are measured at transaction price, less any impairment. Loans receivable are measured initially at fair value, net of transaction costs, and are measured subsequently at amortised cost using the effective interest method, less any impairment.

 
2.7

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

Cash is represented by cash in hand and deposits with financial institutions repayable without penalty on notice of not more than 24 hours. Cash equivalents are highly liquid investments that mature in no more than three months from the date of acquisition and that are readily convertible to known amounts of cash with insignificant risk of change in value.

In the Statement of Cash Flows, cash and cash equivalents are shown net of bank overdrafts that are repayable on demand and form an integral part of the Company's cash management.

 
2.8

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

The Company has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 “Basic Financial Instruments” of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.

Financial instruments are recognised in the Company's Statement of Financial Position when the Company becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.

Financial assets and liabilities are offset, with 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

Basic financial assets, which include trade and other receivables, cash and bank balances, are initially measured at their transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at their amortised cost using the effective interest method, less any provision for impairment, 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.

Discounting is omitted where the effect of discounting is immaterial. The Company's cash and cash equivalents, trade and most other receivables due with the operating cycle fall into this category of financial instruments.
 
Page 14

 
ST ERMIN'S PROPERTY CO. LIMITED
 

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2023

2.ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)


2.8
FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (CONTINUED)


Other financial assets

Other financial assets, which includes investments in equity instruments which are not classified as subsidiaries, associates or joint ventures, are initially measured at fair value, which is normally the recognised transaction price. Such assets are subsequently measured at fair value with the changes in fair value being recognised in the profit or loss. Where other financial assets are not publicly traded, hence their fair value cannot be measured reliably, they are measured at cost less impairment.

Impairment of financial assets

Financial assets are assessed for indicators of impairment at each reporting date. 

Financial assets are impaired when events, subsequent to their initial recognition, indicate the estimated future cash flows derived from the financial asset(s) have been adversely impacted. The impairment loss will be the difference between the current carrying amount and the present value of the future cash flows at the asset(s) original effective interest rate.

If there is a favourable change in relation to the events surrounding the impairment loss then the impairment can be reviewed for possible reversal. The reversal will not cause the current carrying amount to exceed the original carrying amount had the impairment not been recognised. The impairment reversal is recognised in the profit or loss.

Financial liabilities

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 Company after the deduction of all its liabilities.

Basic financial liabilities, which include trade and other payables, bank loans and other loans are initially measured at their transaction price after transaction costs. When this constitutes a financing transaction, whereby the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Discounting is omitted where the effect of discounting is immaterial.

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

Trade payables are obligations to pay for goods and services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of business from suppliers. Trade payables are classified as current liabilities if the payment is due within one year. If not, they represent non-current liabilities. Trade payables are initially recognised at their transaction price and subsequently are measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method. Discounting is omitted where the effect of discounting is immaterial.

Other financial instruments

Derivatives, including forward exchange contracts, futures contracts and interest rate swaps, are not classified as basic financial instruments. These are initially recognised at fair value on the date the derivative contract is entered into, with costs being charged to the profit or loss. They are subsequently measured at fair value with changes in the profit or loss.

Debt instruments that do not meet the conditions as set out in FRS 102 paragraph 11.9 are subsequently measured at fair value through the profit or loss. This recognition and measurement would also apply to financial instruments where the performance is evaluated on a fair value basis
Page 15

 
ST ERMIN'S PROPERTY CO. LIMITED
 

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2023

2.ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)


2.8
FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (CONTINUED)

as with a documented risk management or investment strategy.

The Company only enters into basic financial instruments transactions that result in the recognition of financial assets and liabilities like trade and other debtors and creditors, and loans to related parties.

Derecognition of financial instruments

Derecognition of financial assets

Financial assets are derecognised when their contractual right to future cash flow expire, or are settled, or when the Company transfers the asset and substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership to another party. If significant risks and rewards of ownership are retained after the transfer to another party, then the Company will continue to recognise the value of the portion of the risks and rewards retained.

Derecognition of financial liabilities

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

 
2.9

CREDITORS

Short term creditors are measured at the transaction price.

 
2.10

INTEREST INCOME

Interest income is recognised in profit or loss using the effective interest method.

 
2.11

TAXATION

Tax is recognised in profit or loss except that a charge attributable to an item of income and expense recognised as other comprehensive income or to an item recognised directly in equity is also recognised in other comprehensive income or directly in equity respectively.

The current income tax charge is calculated on the basis of tax rates and laws that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the reporting date in the countries where the Company operates and generates income.

Page 16

 
ST ERMIN'S PROPERTY CO. LIMITED
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2023

3.


ANALYSIS OF TURNOVER

Turnover 2023
2022
Cost of sales
2023
2022
Gross profit 2023
2022
        £
        £
        £
        £
        £
        £

Sales of trading
properties

5,130,054

3,085,821

(2,925,318)
 
(2,372,150)
 
2,204,736

713,671

Rental income

7,846,799

7,350,804

(831,524)
 
(745,754)
 
7,015,275

6,605,050


12,976,853

10,436,625

(3,756,842)
 
(3,117,904)
 
9,220,011

7,318,721


Cost of sales of rental income comprises property outgoings.


4.


AUDITORS' REMUNERATION

2023
2022
£
£



Fees payable to the Company's auditor and its associates for the audit of the Company's annual accounts
11,750
10,947


5.


EMPLOYEES




The average monthly number of employees, including the directors, during the year was as follows:


        2023
        2022
            No.
            No.







Directors
3
3

Page 17

 
ST ERMIN'S PROPERTY CO. LIMITED
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2023

6.


TAXATION


2023
2022
£
£

CORPORATION TAX


Current tax on profits for the year
2,408,472
1,487,081


2,408,472
1,487,081


TOTAL CURRENT TAX
2,408,472
1,487,081

FACTORS AFFECTING TAX CHARGE FOR THE YEAR

The tax assessed for the year is lower than (2022 - lower than) the standard rate of corporation tax in the UK of 19.5% (2022 -19%). The differences are explained below:

2023
2022
£
£


Profit on ordinary activities before tax
12,565,350
7,930,384


Profit on ordinary activities multiplied by standard rate of corporation tax in the UK of 19.5% (2022 -19%)
2,450,243
1,506,773

EFFECTS OF:


Short term timing difference leading to a decrease  in taxation
(41,771)
-

Group relief
-
(19,692)

TOTAL TAX CHARGE FOR THE YEAR
2,408,472
1,487,081


FACTORS THAT MAY AFFECT FUTURE TAX CHARGES

There were no factors that may affect future tax charges.

Page 18

 
ST ERMIN'S PROPERTY CO. LIMITED
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2023

7.


FIXED ASSET INVESTMENTS





Investments in subsidiary companies
Trade investments
Total

£
£
£



COST OR VALUATION


At 1 May 2022
100
80
180



At 30 April 2023
100
80
180




TRADE INVESTMENT

The company has an investment in the 5% participating preference shares in Victoria Square Property Company Limited (registered in England). The registered office is Ground Floor, 30 City Road, London, EC1Y 2AB.


SUBSIDIARY UNDERTAKING


The following was a subsidiary undertaking of the Company:

Name

Registered office

Principal activity

Class of shares

Holding

MTD Housing Limited
England
Provision of social housing
Ordinary
100%


8.


STOCKS

2023
2022
£
£

Freehold and leasehold property
33,777,315
33,902,800

33,777,315
33,902,800


Page 19

 
ST ERMIN'S PROPERTY CO. LIMITED
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2023

9.


DEBTORS

2023
2022
£
£


Sundry loan
118,271,595
108,364,502

Amounts owed by group undertakings
1,258,502
435,541

Other debtors
2,643,143
2,213,755

Prepayments and accrued income
186,431
31,792

122,359,671
111,045,590



10.


CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR

2023
2022
£
£

Corporation tax
1,879,780
971,308

Other taxation and social security
7,367
13,002

Other creditors
1,940,168
1,820,906

Accruals and deferred income
1,221,809
1,244,351

5,049,124
4,049,567



11.


RESERVES

Profit & loss account

The profit and loss account includes all current and prior year retained profit and losses.


12.


BANKING ARRANGEMENTS

The company, in common with certain family connected companies, participates in a group banking arrangement in respect of overdraft and loan facilities. Companies participating in this arrangement have a joint and several liability to the bank for the total group indebtedness. The total amount outstanding at 30 April 2023 was £Nil (2022 - £Nil) . The directors do not consider that the bank will ever need recourse to this company, each family connected company having ample resources to meet its own liabilities.

Page 20

 
ST ERMIN'S PROPERTY CO. LIMITED
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2023

13.


RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

During the year there were the following transactions with companies and entities in which the directors, Mark Pears CBE, Sir Trevor Pears CMG and David Pears have an interest.


2023
2022
£
£

Management fees payable
709,140
679,687
Loan interest receivable
4,034,186
1,301,866

At the year end there were the following balances with companies and entities in which the directors, Mark Pears CBE, Sir Trevor Pears CMG and David Pears have an interest.


2023
2022
£
£



Loan due from The William Pears Group of Companies Limited
118,271,595
108,364,502

Balance due from Hamways Limited
1,808,216
1,927,372

The company received estate agents services from a partnership in which the directors have an interest, the cost of which amounted to £60,164 (2022 - £57,860).

Page 21