The directors present the strategic report for the year ended 31 December 2023.
During the year the Group has continued to be a residential house builder operating under the brand name of McDermott Homes.
The Group trading results for the year are set out in the Consolidated Profit and Loss account on page 10 with the position of the group at the year end set out in the Consolidated Balance Sheet on page 12.
The results for the year show a profit before taxation of £15,760,757 (2022: £14,114,340) for the year and turnover of £42,336,685 (2022: £48,717,394). No dividend for the year has been paid or is proposed.
The Group Balance Sheet remains strong with net assets of £98,476,169 at the year-end (2022: £86,332,379), with no bank debt.
The directors have identified the following risks and uncertainties:
Changes in the general economic and political environment, which could adversely impact the UK housing market by affecting customer confidence and the availability of mortgage finance.
Increased energy costs resulting from the war in Ukraine, continuing inflationary pressures in the economy and the increase in interest rates are expected to have an adverse impact on the housing market.
The ability to source good quality land for future development at suitable profit margins and to obtain planning permissions in a timely manner.
Retaining and expanding our chain of suppliers and subcontractors whilst maintaining control of quality and costs.
Retaining and recruiting suitably skilled experienced personnel to support the Group’s growth.
Maintaining and improving build quality and customer care standards as the volume of completions increase over the coming years.
The Board and senior management constantly monitor and review the risks and uncertainties affecting the business and update existing strategies to ensure that the business can respond quickly and effectively to such events and challenges as they arise. Mitigating measures to an economic downturn would include restricting investment in land, slowing down construction on sites already in progress and reducing the overheads within the business. In particular, the directors carefully consider all risks and uncertainties when acquiring new land development sites and before starting construction works on new developments.
The McDermott Developments Group is a leading development, construction and investment Group in the North West region which depends on the trust and confidence of its stakeholders to operate sustainably in the long term. The Group is always looking to put its clients' interests first, to invest in its employees, to support the local community in which it is based and to strive to generate increasing profits to reinvest in future growth. The Directors' continued commitment to providing quality family homes in desirable locations underpins the Group’s approach and benefits all its stakeholders and customers.
The directors have acted in accordance with their duties codified in law, which include their duty to act in the way in which they consider, in good faith, will consistently promote the success of the group for the benefit of its members as a whole, having regard to the stakeholders and matters set in Section 172(1) of the Companies Act 2006.
Section 172 considerations are implemented in all the decision making undertaken at board level and the Board of directors believe that strong governance is essential to the Group.
The Group is financially well positioned to invest in larger development land sites, however, our ability to secure good quality land with planning permissions will continue to be our major challenge going forward.
On behalf of the board
The directors present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2023.
The results for the year are set out on page 10.
No dividends were paid in the year and the directors do not recommend the payment of a final dividend.
The directors who held office during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were as follows:
In accordance with the company's articles, a resolution proposing that Pierce C A Limited be reappointed as auditor of the group will be put at a General Meeting.
The greenhouse gas emissions and energy data for the year ended 31 December 2023 has been prepared in line with HM Government Environmental Reporting Guidelines dated March 2019 and have used the 2021 UK Government’s Conversion factors for company reporting.
The Group’s energy consumption includes head office electricity, site consumption of gas, electricity and gas oil and motor vehicle fuels.
Measures taken to improve energy efficiency includes the increased use of video conferencing facilities to reduce business travel. As part of a regular replacement cycle, we intend to update the plant fleet to newer more energy efficient models.
We have audited the financial statements of McDermott Developments Limited (the 'parent company') and its subsidiaries (the 'group') for the year ended 31 December 2023 which comprise the group profit and loss account, the group statement of comprehensive income, the group balance sheet, the company balance sheet, the group statement of changes in equity, the company statement of changes in equity, 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 Financial Reporting Standard 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
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 group and parent 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 their 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 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 parent 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.
The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud, is detailed below.
In identifying and assessing risks of material misstatement in respect of irregularities we considered the following:
The nature of the industry and the company’s control environment.
Results of our enquiries of management.
The company’s procedures and controls on compliance with laws and regulations and the risks of fraud.
Discussions among the audit engagement team concerning potential indicators of fraud.
We are also required to perform specific procedures to respond to the risk of management override.
As a result of our audit procedures we did not identify a material risk of fraud or other non-compliance with laws and regulations.
A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: http://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.
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 year was £11,551,171 (2022 - £10,882,630 profit).
McDermott Developments Limited (“the company”) is a private limited company domiciled and incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is Jupiter House, 1 Mercury Rise, Altham Business Park, Altham, Lancashire, BB5 5BY.
The group consists of McDermott Developments 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, modified to include the revaluation of listed investments at fair value. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.
The consolidated financial statements incorporate those of McDermott Developments Limited and all of its subsidiaries (ie entities that the group controls through its power to govern the financial and operating policies so as to obtain economic benefits).
On 27 March 2009 the company acquired the entire share capital of Suncrest Properties Limited for a consideration of £100.
The 'acquisition' of Suncrest Properties Limited has been accounted for using the merger accounting method in the consolidation. The directors considered that the introduction of a new parent company, McDermott Developments Limited, did not alter the relative rights of the individual shareholders.
Allegro Corporation Limited and McDermott Homes Limited have been included in the group financial statements using the purchase method of accounting. The purchase consideration has been allocated to the assets and liabilities on the basis of fair value at the date of acquisition.
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.
All financial statements are made up to 31 December 2023. 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.
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. As a result the directors have continued to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements.
Turnover represents amounts receivable for goods and services net of VAT and trade discounts, where the sale of residential property is recognised on legal completion and the sale of development land and commercial property is recognised on exchange of unconditional contracts. Sales of part exchange houses are included in turnover.
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.
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.
Derivatives, including interest rate swaps and forward foreign exchange contracts, are not basic financial instruments. Derivatives are initially recognised at fair value on the date a derivative contract is entered into and are subsequently re-measured at their fair value. Changes in the fair value of derivatives are recognised in profit or loss in finance costs or finance income as appropriate, unless hedge accounting is applied and the hedge is a cash flow hedge.
Debt instruments that do not meet the conditions in FRS 102 paragraph 11.9 are subsequently measured at fair value through profit or loss. Debt instruments may be designated as being measured at fair value through profit or loss to eliminate or reduce an accounting mismatch or if the instruments are measured and their performance evaluated on a fair value basis in accordance with a documented risk management or investment strategy.
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 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.
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.
Rental income from operating leases is recognised on a straight line basis over the term of the relevant lease. Initial direct costs incurred in negotiating and arranging an operating lease are added to the carrying amount of the leased asset and recognised on a straight line basis over the lease term.
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:
The actual charge for the year can be reconciled to the expected charge for the year based on the profit or loss and the standard rate of tax as follows:
Negative goodwill relates to the purchase, in 1997, of 87.5% of the issued share capital of Allegro Corporation Limited and represents the excess of the fair value of the assets acquired over the consideration price. The full amount of the negative goodwill has been written back to profit in previous years.
Details of the company's subsidiaries at 31 December 2023 are as follows:
The registered office address of the above companies is:
Jupiter House
1 Mercury Rise
Altham Business Park
Altham
Lancashire
BB5 5BY
The individual company accounts for McDermott Homes Limited, company number 05856885, and Suncrest Properties Limited, company number 02984699, have not been subject to audit. Both companies are entitled to the exemption from audit under Section 479A of the Companies Act 2006 relating to subsidiary companies.
McDermott Developments Limited has guaranteed all the outstanding liabilities to which McDermott Homes Limited and Suncrest Properties Limited are subject to, at 31 December 2023, until such liabilities are satisfied in full. The amount of these liabilities at the balance sheet date was as follows:
McDermott Homes Limited £152,573
Suncrest Properties Limited £167,183
The group originally invested an amount of £10,756,475 in listed investments.
Proceeds from the realisation of stock disposals and the receipt of dividends and interest have been reinvested each year.
The total historic cost of the original portfolio and the subsequent reinvestment is £12,245,488 (2022: £11,901,049).
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 relates to the potential tax on fair value gains which are expected to crystallise as and when the group disposes of its listed investments.
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 A1, A2, B, C, D, E, F, H1 and H2 ordinary shares have equal rights with regards to voting at company meetings, on sharing surplus assets on a winding up or liquidation and rights to dividends, except that the directors may declare dividends of different amounts and at different times to each class of ordinary share and that a baseline value applies to the F ordinary shares on any capital exit.
In a winding up of the company the profits and assets available for distribution shall be applied in the following order:
i) In repayment to the holders of the ordinary shares of the capital paid or credited as paid up thereon.
ii) Any surplus shall be paid to the holders of the ordinary shares.
The remuneration of key management personnel, who are also the directors of McDermott Developments Limited, is as follows:
All of the directors of McDermott Developments Limited are considered to be key management personnel by virtue of their authority and responsibility for planning, directing and controlling the activities of the group.
Included in Other debtors are loans made by the group to its directors. No funds were advanced in the year and interest charged, at rates up to 2% over the bank base rate, was £12,760 (2022 - £6,303). The closing balance of the directors' loans outstanding was £197,997 (2022 - £185,237).