Company registration number NI070500 (Northern Ireland)
BELFAST EDUCATIONAL SERVICES (DOWN & CONNOR) HOLDINGS LIMITED
ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
BELFAST EDUCATIONAL SERVICES (DOWN & CONNOR) HOLDINGS LIMITED
COMPANY INFORMATION
Directors
Mr Paul Hepburn
(Appointed 4 July 2023)
Mr Peter Johnstone
(Appointed 26 February 2024)
Secretary
Resolis Limited
Company number
NI070500
Registered office
The Soloist Building
1 Lanyon Place
Belfast
BT1 3LP
Auditor
Ernst & Young LLP
Bedford House
16 Bedford Street
Belfast
BT2 7DT
BELFAST EDUCATIONAL SERVICES (DOWN & CONNOR) HOLDINGS LIMITED
CONTENTS
Page
Directors' report
1 - 2
Independent auditor's report
3 - 5
Profit and loss account
6
Balance sheet
7
Statement of changes in equity
8
Notes to the financial statements
9 - 12
BELFAST EDUCATIONAL SERVICES (DOWN & CONNOR) HOLDINGS LIMITED
DIRECTORS' REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
- 1 -

The directors present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2024.

Principal activities

The principal activity of the company continued to be that of a Holding company.

Directors

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

Mr Patrick Duffy
(Resigned 4 July 2023)
Mr Eamon O'Hare
(Resigned 4 July 2023)
Mr Leo McKenna
(Resigned 31 May 2023)
Mr John McDonagh
(Appointed 31 May 2023 and resigned 26 February 2024)
Mr Paul Hepburn
(Appointed 4 July 2023)
Mr Peter Johnstone
(Appointed 26 February 2024)
Auditor

A resolution to reappoint Ernst & Young LLP as auditor will be put to the members at the Annual General Meeting.

Statement of directors' responsibilities

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 company and of the profit or loss of the company for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the directors are required to:

 

 

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 enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They 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.

 

Under applicable law and regulations, the directors are also responsible for preparing a Directors’ report, that complies with that law and those regulations.

BELFAST EDUCATIONAL SERVICES (DOWN & CONNOR) HOLDINGS LIMITED
DIRECTORS' REPORT (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
- 2 -
Statement of disclosure to auditor

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 company’s auditor 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 company’s auditor is aware of that information.

Going concern

The directors have considered the appropriateness of preparing the financial statements on a going concern basis.

 

The directors maintain a long-term financial model over the duration of the bank facility which demonstrates the company can service the debt requirements and meet the minimum financial ratios in the short to long term. In particular the company is expected to continue to be cash generative and meet its obligations as they fall due for at least 12 months from date of signing Financial statements. Consequently, the directors continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the company’s annual financial statements.

Small companies exemption

This report has been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies entitled to the small companies exemption.

On behalf of the board
Mr Paul Hepburn
Director
16 September 2024
BELFAST EDUCATIONAL SERVICES (DOWN & CONNOR) HOLDINGS LIMITED
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT
TO THE MEMBERS OF BELFAST EDUCATIONAL SERVICES (DOWN & CONNOR) HOLDINGS LIMITED
- 3 -
Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of Belfast Educational Services (Down & Connor) Holdings Limited (the 'company') for the year ended 31 March 2024 which comprise comprise the Statement of comprehensive income, the Balance sheet, the Statement of changes in equity and the related notes 1 to 8, 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 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:

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 company’s ability to continue as a going concern for the period of 12 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. 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.

 

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 this 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 the other information, we are required to report that fact.

 

We have nothing to report in this regard.

 

BELFAST EDUCATIONAL SERVICES (DOWN & CONNOR) HOLDINGS LIMITED
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT (CONTINUED)
TO THE MEMBERS OF BELFAST EDUCATIONAL SERVICES (DOWN & CONNOR) HOLDINGS LIMITED
- 4 -

Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006

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

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 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:

 

Responsibilities of directors

As explained more fully in the Directors’ responsibilities statement set out on page 3, 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.

Auditor's 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 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.

 

BELFAST EDUCATIONAL SERVICES (DOWN & CONNOR) HOLDINGS LIMITED
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT (CONTINUED)
TO THE MEMBERS OF BELFAST EDUCATIONAL SERVICES (DOWN & CONNOR) HOLDINGS LIMITED
- 5 -

Explanation as to what extent the audit was considered capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud

Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect irregularities, including fraud. 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. 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.

 

Our approach was as follows:

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

Mark Lawther
Senior statutory auditor
for and on behalf of Ernst & Young LLP, Statutory Auditor
Belfast
16 September 2024
BELFAST EDUCATIONAL SERVICES (DOWN & CONNOR) HOLDINGS LIMITED
PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
- 6 -
2024
2023
Notes
£
£
Interest receivable and similar income
3
684,011
500,000
Profit before taxation
684,011
500,000
Tax on profit
-
0
-
0
Profit for the financial year
684,011
500,000

The profit and loss account has been prepared on the basis that all operations are continuing operations.

BELFAST EDUCATIONAL SERVICES (DOWN & CONNOR) HOLDINGS LIMITED
BALANCE SHEET
AS AT
31 MARCH 2024
31 March 2024
- 7 -
2024
2023
Notes
£
£
£
£
Fixed assets
Investments
4
25,000
25,000
Current assets
Debtors
5
-
0
500,000
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
6
-
0
(500,000)
Net current assets
-
0
-
0
Net assets
25,000
25,000
Capital and reserves
-
-
Called up share capital
7
25,000
25,000

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime.

The financial statements were approved by the board of directors and authorised for issue on 16 September 2024 and are signed on its behalf by:
Mr Paul Hepburn
Director
Company registration number NI070500 (Northern Ireland)
BELFAST EDUCATIONAL SERVICES (DOWN & CONNOR) HOLDINGS LIMITED
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
- 8 -
Share capital
Profit and loss reserves
Total
Notes
£
£
£
Balance at 1 April 2022
25,000
-
0
25,000
Year ended 31 March 2023:
Profit and total comprehensive income
-
500,000
500,000
Dividends
-
(500,000)
(500,000)
Balance at 31 March 2023
25,000
-
0
25,000
Year ended 31 March 2024:
Profit and total comprehensive income
-
684,011
684,011
Dividends
-
(684,011)
(684,011)
Balance at 31 March 2024
25,000
-
0
25,000
BELFAST EDUCATIONAL SERVICES (DOWN & CONNOR) HOLDINGS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
- 9 -
1
Accounting policies
Company information

Belfast Educational Services (Down & Connor) Holdings Limited is a private company limited by shares incorporated in Northern Ireland. The registered office is The Soloist Building, 1 Lanyon Place, Belfast, BT1 3LP.

1.1
Accounting convention

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 as applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime. The disclosure requirements of section 1A of FRS 102 have been applied other than where additional disclosure is required to show a true and fair view.

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 has taken advantage of the exemption under section 399 of the Companies Act 2006 not to prepare consolidated accounts, on the basis that the group of which this is the parent qualifies as a small group. The financial statements present information about the company as an individual entity and not about its group.

1.2
Going concern

Cash flow forecasts are prepared for the underlying investment looking over the expected life of the asset andtrue so including the 12 month period from the date the financial statements are signed. In drawing up these forecasts, the directors have made assumptions based upon their view of the current and future economic conditions that will prevail over the forecast period. The Company's cash flows are dependent on the performance of its investment. After reviewing the performance of the investment, which is done on a regular basis, the directors have a reasonable expectation that the Company has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. In light of this, the directors continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing for the Company's annual financial statements.

1.3
Fixed asset investments

Interests in subsidiaries, associates and jointly controlled entities are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost less any accumulated impairment losses. The investments are assessed for impairment at each reporting date and any impairment losses or reversals of impairment losses are recognised immediately in profit or loss.

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

An associate is an entity, being neither a subsidiary nor a joint venture, in which the company holds a long-term interest and where the company has significant influence. The company considers that it has significant influence where it has the power to participate in the financial and operating decisions of the associate.

BELFAST EDUCATIONAL SERVICES (DOWN & CONNOR) HOLDINGS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
1
Accounting policies
(Continued)
- 10 -
1.4
Financial instruments

The company 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 company's balance sheet 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 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.

Classification of 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 deducting all of its liabilities.

Basic financial 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.

1.5
Equity instruments

Equity instruments issued by the company 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 company.

1.6
Taxation

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

Current 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 company’s liability for current tax is calculated using tax rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the reporting end date.

BELFAST EDUCATIONAL SERVICES (DOWN & CONNOR) HOLDINGS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
1
Accounting policies
(Continued)
- 11 -
Deferred tax

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 carrying amount of deferred tax assets is reviewed at each reporting end date and reduced to the extent that it is no longer probable that sufficient taxable profits will be available to allow all or part of the asset to be recovered. Deferred tax is calculated at the tax rates that are expected to apply in the period when the liability is settled or the asset is realised. Deferred tax is charged or credited in the profit and loss account, except when it relates to items charged or credited directly to equity, in which case the deferred tax is also dealt with in equity. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset when the company has a legally enforceable right to offset current tax assets and liabilities and the deferred tax assets and liabilities relate to taxes levied by the same tax authority.

2
Employees

The average number of employees of the Company was nil (2023: nil).

3
Interest receivable and similar income
2024
2023
£
£
Interest receivable and similar income includes the following:
Income from shares in group undertakings
684,011
500,000
4
Fixed asset investments
2024
2023
£
£
Shares in group undertakings and participating interests
25,000
25,000
5
Debtors
2024
2023
Amounts falling due within one year:
£
£
Amounts owed by group undertakings
-
0
500,000

Amounts due from group undertakings are unsecured, interest free and repayable on demand.

BELFAST EDUCATIONAL SERVICES (DOWN & CONNOR) HOLDINGS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
- 12 -
6
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
2024
2023
£
£
Amounts owed to group undertakings
-
0
500,000

Amounts due to group undertakings are unsecured, interest free and repayable on demand.

7
Called up share capital
2024
2023
2024
2023
Ordinary share capital
Number
Number
£
£
Issued and fully paid
Ordinary shares of £1 each
25,000
25,000
25,000
25,000
8
Parent company

The immediate parent undertaking is jointly BES PPP Limited and PFI 2005 Limited. Copies of the financial statements may be obtained from the Registrar of Companies, 32-38 Linenhall Street, Belfast.

 

The company's accounts are not incorporated into consolidated accounts of any other entity.

 

There is no ultimate controlling party.

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