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REGISTERED NUMBER: 06314891 (England and Wales)


















FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

FOR

NW FIRECONTROL LTD

NW FIRECONTROL LTD (REGISTERED NUMBER: 06314891)






CONTENTS OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
for the Year Ended 31 March 2024




Page

Company Information 1

Statement of Financial Position 2

Notes to the Financial Statements 3


NW FIRECONTROL LTD

COMPANY INFORMATION
for the Year Ended 31 March 2024







DIRECTORS: Cllr D M O'Toole
Cllr J S C Shedwick
Cllr S Nelson
P J McCall
Cllr M A Johnson
Miss K Green
Cllr G L Lewis





SECRETARY: Ms S L Allen





REGISTERED OFFICE: North West Fire Control
Lingley Mere Business Park
Lingley Green Avenue
Warrington
Cheshire
WA5 3UZ





REGISTERED NUMBER: 06314891 (England and Wales)





AUDITORS: Fairhurst
Statutory Auditor
Chartered Accountants
Douglas Bank House
Wigan Lane
Wigan
Lancashire
WN1 2TB

NW FIRECONTROL LTD (REGISTERED NUMBER: 06314891)

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION
31 March 2024

2024 2023
Notes £    £    £    £   
FIXED ASSETS
Intangible assets 4 767,780 1,210,285
Tangible assets 5 55,096 87,125
822,876 1,297,410

CURRENT ASSETS
Debtors 6 948,454 768,705
Cash at bank 235,355 355,849
1,183,809 1,124,554
CREDITORS
Amounts falling due within one year 7 1,651,030 2,071,332
NET CURRENT LIABILITIES (467,221 ) (946,778 )
TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT
LIABILITIES

355,655

350,632

PENSION ASSET 11 - 287,100
NET ASSETS 355,655 637,732

RESERVES
Income and expenditure account 9 355,655 637,732
355,655 637,732

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

In accordance with Section 444 of the Companies Act 2006, the Statement of Comprehensive Income has not been delivered.

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors and authorised for issue on 25 September 2024 and were signed on its behalf by:





Cllr S Nelson - Director


NW FIRECONTROL LTD (REGISTERED NUMBER: 06314891)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
for the Year Ended 31 March 2024

1. STATUTORY INFORMATION

NW Firecontrol Ltd is a private company, limited by guarantee , registered in England and Wales. The company's registered number and registered office address can be found on the Company Information page.

2. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of preparing the financial statements
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Financial Reporting Standard 102 "The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland" including the provisions of Section 1A "Small Entities" and the Companies Act 2006. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.

Going Concern
The impact of disclosure requirements of the Retirement Benefits Scheme in the comparative year (2023) resulted in an increase in the pension cost included in the profit and loss account over the contribution paid which thus results in a deficit before actuarial gains . During the current year (2024) the pension cost was less than the contributions made resulting in a surplus before actuarial losses. The company has an agreement with each of the authorities (who jointly control the company) that contains obligations about the ongoing funding of the company, including pension contributions.

The company has net current liabilities of £467,221 (2023 £946,778), the directors do not consider this an indication of going concern issues as included in creditors amounts falling due within one year is a capital grant of £565,579 (2023 £1,131,157) relating to intangible fixed assets which is being released to the income and expenditure account in line with the depreciation of the asset.

After making enquiries and consideration of the points above, post balance sheet events and future developments the Directors have a reasonable expectation that the company has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future, being a period of twelve months after the date on which the report and financial statements are signed. For this reason, it continues to adopt the going concern basis in the financial statements.

Critical accounting judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty
The directors consider there to be no items in the financial statements where they have had to make significant judgements in the process of applying the group's accounting policies or key sources of estimations uncertainty, other than as stated below:

The present value of the defined benefit pension scheme liability depends on a number of factors that are determined on an actuarial basis using a variety of assumptions. The assumptions used in determining the net cost for pensions include the discount rate. Any changes in these assumptions, which are disclosed in note 12 will impact the carrying amount of the pension liability. Furthermore, a roll forward approach which projects results from the latest full actuarial valuations performed at 31 March 2022 has been used by the actuary in valuing the pensions liability at 31 March 2023. Any differences between the figures derived from the roll forward and approach and a full actuarial valuation would impact on the carrying amount of the pension asset/(liability).

Turnover
Turnover is measured at the fair value of the consideration received or receivable, excluding discounts, rebates, value added tax and other sales taxes.

NW FIRECONTROL LTD (REGISTERED NUMBER: 06314891)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued
for the Year Ended 31 March 2024

2. ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued

Intangible assets
Intangible assets are initially measured at cost. After initial recognition, intangible assets are measured at cost less any accumulated amortisation and any accumulated impairment losses.

Patents and Licences are being amortised evenly over their estimated useful life of five years.

Computer software is being amortised from 1 June 2014 as the software was brought into operation during May 2014. Computer software is being amortised evenly over its estimated useful life of seven years.

Tangible fixed assets
Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off the cost less estimated residual value of each asset over its estimated useful life.
Fixtures and fittings - 25% on cost and 4% on cost
Computer equipment - 20% on cost

Hire purchase and leasing commitments
Rentals paid under operating leases are charged to surplus or deficit on a straight line basis over the period of the lease.

Pension costs and other post-retirement benefits
Employees of NW Firecontrol Limited participate in the Cheshire Pension Fund which is a defined benefit pension scheme. The scheme is a Local Government Pensions Scheme managed by Cheshire West and Chester Borough Council. The assets of the scheme are invested and managed independently of the finances of the company.

The operating costs of providing retirement benefits to employees are recognised in the accounting periods in which the benefits are earned. The related finance costs, expected return on assets and any other changes in fair value of the assets and liabilities, are recognised in the accounting period in which they arise. The operating costs, finance costs and expected return on assets are recognised in the statement of comprehensive income with any other changes in fair value of assets and liabilities being recognised in other comprehensive income.

A pension scheme surplus is recognised as an asset in the balance sheet to the extent that the employer can recover a surplus through reduced contributions or refunds in accordance with paragraph 28.22 of FRS 102.

Financial instruments
The company only enters into basic financial instruments transactions that result in the recognition of financial assets and liabilities such as trade and other accounts receivable and payable. Basic financial instruments are recognised at cost.

3. EMPLOYEES AND DIRECTORS

The average number of employees during the year was 83 (2023 - 82 ) .

NW FIRECONTROL LTD (REGISTERED NUMBER: 06314891)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued
for the Year Ended 31 March 2024

4. INTANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS
Patents
and Computer
licences software Totals
£    £    £   
COST
At 1 April 2023 15,000 4,000,302 4,015,302
Additions - 159,003 159,003
At 31 March 2024 15,000 4,159,305 4,174,305
AMORTISATION
At 1 April 2023 15,000 2,790,017 2,805,017
Amortisation for year - 601,508 601,508
At 31 March 2024 15,000 3,391,525 3,406,525
NET BOOK VALUE
At 31 March 2024 - 767,780 767,780
At 31 March 2023 - 1,210,285 1,210,285

5. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS
Fixtures
and Computer
fittings equipment Totals
£    £    £   
COST
At 1 April 2023
and 31 March 2024 250,601 652,353 902,954
DEPRECIATION
At 1 April 2023 213,858 601,971 815,829
Charge for year 2,079 29,950 32,029
At 31 March 2024 215,937 631,921 847,858
NET BOOK VALUE
At 31 March 2024 34,664 20,432 55,096
At 31 March 2023 36,743 50,382 87,125

6. DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
2024 2023
£    £   
Trade debtors 168,930 21,418
Other debtors 779,524 747,287
948,454 768,705

NW FIRECONTROL LTD (REGISTERED NUMBER: 06314891)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued
for the Year Ended 31 March 2024

7. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
2024 2023
£    £   
Trade creditors 4,081 1,130
Taxation and social security 1,178 6,965
Other creditors 1,645,771 2,063,237
1,651,030 2,071,332

Amounts received in advance 20242023
£ £
Capital grants 257,298166,254
Contributions received in advance from Fire and Rescue Services (FRS)405,969278,803
Implementation funding (general purpose)--
FRS forward maintenance plan--
ESMCP Capital grant565,5781,131,157

1,228,8451,567,214
Included in other creditors are grants and contributions received in advance as detailed above, the remaining balance is accrued expenses.

8. LEASING AGREEMENTS

Minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases fall due as follows:
2024 2023
£    £   
Within one year 1,532,901 1,532,901
Between one and five years 6,131,605 6,131,605
In more than five years 7,940,824 9,473,726
15,605,330 17,138,232

The lease is for a term of 25 years with effect from 14 July 2008. The rent is subject to a review on each fifth year of the term when the rent will increase by a multiple of 1.025. The company currently pays rent of £432,397 per quarter.

From 1 April 2014 there is a grant in place from DCLG which will provide an ongoing contribution of 66% of the rental costs for the duration of the lease. The disclosures above are disclosed gross of the grant.

NW FIRECONTROL LTD (REGISTERED NUMBER: 06314891)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued
for the Year Ended 31 March 2024

9. RESERVES
Income
and
expenditure
account
£   

At 1 April 2023 637,732
Surplus for the year 84,023
Actuarial surplus/(deficit) (366,100 )
At 31 March 2024 355,655

10. DISCLOSURE UNDER SECTION 444(5B) OF THE COMPANIES ACT 2006

The Report of the Auditors was unqualified.

Louise Webster Bsc BFP ACA (Senior Statutory Auditor)
for and on behalf of Fairhurst

11. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT OBLIGATIONS

The Pension Scheme had a surplus at the balance sheet date of £1,267,100 (2023 £287,100). Due to the significant increase in the asset the directors have applied FRS 102 section 28.22 and assessed the maximum amount of asset that should be recognised to be equal to the discounted value of the economic benefit available as a reduction in future contributions, being £Nil (2023 no restriction).
These restrictions have resulted in a charge to other comprehensive income of £1,267,100 (2023 £Nil)

The amounts recognised in the balance sheet are as follows:

Defined benefit
pension plans
2024 2023
£    £   
Present value of funded obligations (13,010,900 ) (12,697,900 )
Fair value of plan assets 14,278,000 12,985,000
1,267,100 287,100
Present value of unfunded obligations - -
Effect of asset ceiling cap on net pension
scheme asset

(1,267,100

)

-
Surplus - 287,100
Net asset - 287,100

NW FIRECONTROL LTD (REGISTERED NUMBER: 06314891)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued
for the Year Ended 31 March 2024

11. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT OBLIGATIONS - continued

The amounts recognised in surplus or deficit are as follows:

Defined benefit
pension plans
2024 2023
£    £   
Current service cost 447,000 1,041,000
Net interest from net defined benefit
asset/liability

(15,000

)

150,000
Past service cost - -
432,000 1,191,000

Actual return on plan assets 628,000 401,000

Changes in the present value of the defined benefit obligation are as follows:

Defined benefit
pension plans
2024 2023
£    £   
Opening defined benefit obligation 12,697,900 19,536,900
Current service cost 447,000 1,041,000
Contributions by scheme participants 161,000 154,000
Interest cost 613,000 551,000
Benefits paid (207,000 ) (189,000 )
Remeasurements:
Actuarial (gains)/losses from changes in
demographic assumptions

(81,000

)

(339,000

)
Actuarial (gains)/losses from changes in
financial assumptions

(1,015,000

)

(9,412,000

)
Other experience remeasurement 395,000 1,355,000
13,010,900 12,697,900

NW FIRECONTROL LTD (REGISTERED NUMBER: 06314891)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued
for the Year Ended 31 March 2024

11. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT OBLIGATIONS - continued

Changes in the fair value of scheme assets are as follows:

Defined benefit
pension plans
2024 2023
£    £   
Opening fair value of scheme assets 12,985,000 14,352,000
Contributions by employer 511,000 527,000
Contributions by scheme participants 161,000 154,000
Expected return 628,000 401,000
Benefits paid (207,000 ) (189,000 )
Remeasurements:
Return on plan assets (excluding interest
income)

200,000

(1,708,000

)
Assets other remeasurement - (552,000 )
14,278,000 12,985,000

The amounts recognised in other comprehensive income are as follows:

Defined benefit
pension plans
2024 2023
£    £   
Actuarial (gains)/losses from changes in
demographic assumptions

81,000

339,000
Actuarial (gains)/losses from changes in
financial assumptions

1,015,000

9,412,000
Other experience remeasurement (395,000 ) (1,355,000 )
Return on plan assets (excluding interest
income)

200,000

(1,708,000

)
Assets other remeasurement - (552,000 )
Effect of asset ceiling on net pension scheme
asset

(1,267,100

)

-
(366,100 ) 6,136,000

The major categories of scheme assets as a percentage of total scheme assets are as follows:

Defined benefit
pension plans
2024 2023
Equities 50% 48%
Bonds 36% 36%
Property 12% 13%
Cash 2% 3%
100% 100%

NW FIRECONTROL LTD (REGISTERED NUMBER: 06314891)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued
for the Year Ended 31 March 2024

11. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT OBLIGATIONS - continued

Principal actuarial assumptions at the balance sheet date (expressed as weighted averages):

2024 2023
Discount rate 4.85% 4.75%
Future salary increases 3.45% 3.65%
Future pension increases 2.75% 2.95%

12. CONTINGENT LIABILITIES

The Manchester Arena Public Inquiry in respect of the Manchester Arena attack commenced on 7th September 2020 . The Public Inquiry is an independent public inquiry, established on 22 October 2019 by the Home Secretary. Its purpose is to investigate the deaths of the victims of the 2017 Manchester Arena attack. There are currently no claims against NW Firecontrol Ltd in respect of this. The costs of legal representation has been met by the company and recharged to the Fire and Rescue Services on the same basis as other company costs.During the year NWFC provided the Inquiry with the necessary updates and a witness statements as recommended. The Inquiry was formally closed and handed over to the Secretary of State for the Home Department on 1st August 2023.

13. CAPITAL COMMITMENTS
2024 2023
£    £   
Contracted but not provided for in the
financial statements - 94,874

NW FIRECONTROL LTD (REGISTERED NUMBER: 06314891)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued
for the Year Ended 31 March 2024

14. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES

Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA)
Lead authority for North West Region

S31 Funding is provided by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) (Previously -Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG)) annually to cover 66% of the building lease. This is paid to GMCA from DLUHC as the lead authority for the North West region .In the period under review, the required grant was £1,112,700 (2023 £1,011,508) the company received £1,109,699 (2023 £1,011,718) leaving a cumulative balance owing of £4,789 (2023 £1,788).

Grant funding owed20242023
£ £
DCLG lease grant4,7891,788
Other grant funding--
4,7891,788




Greater Manchester Combined Authority
Subscriber member

During the year amounts were received and receivable from this subscriber member as follows:

2024 2023
£ £
Service charges3,059,7672,624,998
Use of facilities132-
Recharge of costs69,676129,338

3,129,575 2,754,336




20242023
£ £
Amount due from related party at the balance sheet date2,4422,442


Purchases of £478,339 (2023: £1,399,261) were made from this subscriber member.

20242023
£ £
Amount due to related party at the balance sheet date--

Cheshire Fire Authority

NW FIRECONTROL LTD (REGISTERED NUMBER: 06314891)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued
for the Year Ended 31 March 2024
Subscriber member

During the year amounts were received and receivable from this subscriber member as follows:

20242023
£ £
Service charges1,135,584974,226
Use of facilities8601,237
Project funding-13,752
ESMCP capital grant-126,697
Recharged costs25,85948,281
1,162,3031,164,193

20242023
£ £
Amount due from related party at the balance sheet date1,2293,554


Purchases of £Nil (2023: £Nil) were made from this subscriber member.

20242023
£ £
Amount due to related party at the balance sheet date-175

Lancashire Combined Authority
Subscriber member

During the year amounts were received and receivable from this subscriber member as follows:

20242023
£ £
Service charges1,608,7441,380,154
Use of facilities-81
Recharged costs 36,63475,836
1,645,3781,456,071

Purchases of £Nil (2022: £Nil) were made from this subscriber member.

20242023
£ £
Amount due from related party at the balance sheet date1,60211,522

Cumbria Commissioner Fire and Rescue Authority
Subscriber member

During the year amounts were received and receivable from this subscriber member as follows:

20242023

NW FIRECONTROL LTD (REGISTERED NUMBER: 06314891)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued
for the Year Ended 31 March 2024
£ £
Service charges504,704432,989
Use of facilities--
Recharged costs11,49320,779
516,197 453,768


Purchases of £Nil (2023: £Nil) were made from this subscriber member.
20242023
£ £
Amount due from related party at the balance sheet date158,9061,967

15. FRC ETHICAL STANDARD - PROVISIONS AVAILABLE FOR SMALL ENTITIES

In common with many other businesses of our size and nature we use our auditors to prepare and submit returns to the tax authorities and assist with the preparation of the financial statements.

16. ULTIMATE CONTROLLING PARTY

The controlling parties are the four subscriber members being Cheshire Fire Authority, Cumbria Commissioner Fire and Rescue Authority, Greater Manchester Combined Authority and Lancashire Combined Fire Authority each with 25% control and as such there is no singular ultimate controlling party.

17. LIMITED BY GUARANTEE

The Company is limited by guarantee and does not have any share capital. The liability of the four subscriber members is limited. Each member of the Company undertakes to contribute an amount not exceeding £1 in the event of a winding up.