3 Accounting policies
Basis of preparation
The
financial statements
have been prepared on the historical cost basis, as modified by the revaluation of certain assets.
The
financial statements
are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the company.
Current tax
Current tax is recognised on taxable profit for the current and past periods. Current tax is measured at the amounts of tax expected to pay or recover using the tax rates and laws that have been enacted or substantively enacted at the reporting date.
Tangible assets
Tangible assets are initially measured at cost, and are subsequently measured at cost less any accumulated depreciation and accumulated impairment losses or at a revalued amount.
Any tangible assets carried at a revalued amount are recorded at the fair value at the date of revaluation less any subsequent accumulated depreciation and subsequent accumulated impairment losses.
An increase in the carrying amount of an asset as a result of a revaluation is recognised in other comprehensive income and accumulated in capital and reserves. However, the increase is recognised in profit or loss to the extent that it reverses a revaluation decrease of the same asset previously recognised in profit or loss. A decrease in the carrying amount of an asset as a result of revaluation is recognised in other comprehensive income to the extent of any previously recognised revaluation increase accumulated in capital and reserves. If a revaluation decrease exceeds the accumulated revaluation gains accumulated in capital and reserves in respect of that asset, the excess is recognised in profit or loss.
Investment properties
Investment property is measured initially at cost, which includes purchase price and any directly attributable expenditure. Investment property is revalued to its fair value at each reporting date and any changes in fair value are recognised in profit or loss.
Impairment
A review for indicators of impairment is carried out at each reporting date, with the recoverable amount being estimated where such indicators exist. Where the carrying value exceeds the recoverable amount, the asset is impaired accordingly. Prior impairments are also reviewed for possible reversal at each reporting date.
Financial instruments
A financial asset or a financial liability is recognised only when the entity becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.
Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at the transaction price and are subsequently measured as follows: Debt instruments are subsequently measured at amortised cost and commitments to receive a loan and to make a loan to another entity are subsequently measured at amortised cost. Where investments in non-convertible preference shares and non-puttable ordinary shares or preference shares are publicly traded or their fair value can otherwise be measured reliably, the investment is subsequently measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognised in profit or loss. All other such investments are subsequently measured at cost less impairment.
Financial assets that are measured at cost or amortised cost are reviewed for objective evidence of impairment at the end of each reporting date. If there is objective evidence of impairment, an impairment loss is recognised in immediately.Any reversals of impairment are recognised in immediately, to the extent that the reversal does not result in a carrying amount of the financial asset that exceeds what the carrying amount would have been had the impairment not previously been recognised. Defined contribution pension plan
Contributions to defined contribution plans are recognised as an expense in the period in which the related service is provided. Prepaid contributions are recognised as an asset to the extent that the prepayment will lead to a reduction in future payments or a cash refund.
Rents received
Rent is measured at the fair value of the consideration received or receivable, net of discounts and value added taxes. Income is derived from the rendering of property rental services.