The directors present the strategic report for the year ended 31 August 2023.
The group is a well-established provider of early years education, operating since 1992. The company manages several nurseries across London, Surrey, and Kent, offering a range of services designed to support the development and well-being of children from three months to five years old.
The group's philosophy centers on providing "the right start for under 5s," with a focus on fostering a stimulating and nurturing environment. Our curriculum is designed to enhance the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework and includes specialized programs such as STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) activities, art sessions inspired by famous artists, and physical education and linguistics coaching. The Group upalso emphasizes the importance of outdoor learning and environmental awareness, participating in initiatives like the Eco-Schools awards and the Farmer Time scheme.
The group has received several accolades, including being named "Nursery Group of the Year." Our nurseries are meticulously designed to support various stages of child development, incorporating features like sensory rooms for under 2s, which aid in sensory development and cognitive growth.
Strategy and Objectives
The group strategy is to expand its services to more children, families, and clients; ensure sustainable, safe, and high-quality care and education through a world-class workforce and leadership; and foster a socially responsible, innovative, and thriving organization.
To achieve future growth, the group aims to sustain and enhance the following business characteristics and strategic growth priorities:
Maintain and incrementally grow enrolment in mature and developing centres, managing costs in response to enrolment changes.
Attract and retain qualified early childhood educators to meet enrolment demand.
Implement effective pricing strategies, including tuition increases aligned with expected rises in personnel costs, such as wages and benefits, and other pricing actions to address higher operating costs and persistent inflation.
Expand service offerings and cross-sell services to clients.
Increase the usage and variety of back-up care services.
Successfully identify and integrate acquisitions and manage transitions of centre management. Improve and manage underperforming centres.
The group's goal is to continue growing through a combination of organic growth and site acquisitions, integrating these acquisitions and introducing best practices throughout the organization. Where suitable, rationalisation across disciplines is undertaken to achieve efficiencies and economies of scale without compromising standards.
The group is committed to investing in its workforce and leadership, ensuring they are highly engaged, appropriately qualified, and skilled, and fostering a culture with a strong purpose and clear values. Senior leadership places significant emphasis on employee wellbeing, reflected in high satisfaction scores, stable retention levels, and improved performance. Flexible and agile working practices, along with a family-friendly ethos supporting a diverse range of caring responsibilities, are central to the People strategy.
The group proactively ensures that its buildings and facilities are safe, fully compliant with legislation, and provide a stimulating and secure environment. A proactive approach to planned maintenance and continued investment in capital works ensures the property portfolio is maintained to a high standard, a policy that will continue into the future.
The group generated a loss for the period of £2,223,270 (2022 profit : £657,870) before tax. The operational profit (being Earnings Before Interest, Taxation, Depreciation and Amortisation (EBITDA)) was £1,618,436 for the period (2022: £2,031,340).
The group's key financial performance indicators during the period were as follows:
Year Year
2023 2022
Turnover £23,217,681 £18,546,135
EBITA £1,618,436 £2,031,340
The directors have identified the following as the key risks to which the group is exposed:
Regulatory risk
Every nursery is registered with and regulated by Ofsted in England or the Care Inspectorate in Scotland. Internal control procedures are in place to ensure that the relevant regulations are adhered to.
Liquidity risk
The group prepares regular forecasts of future cash and debt requirements and monitors cash flow on an ongoing basis.
Credit risk
The group's main financial asset is trade debtors. The group has implemented robust credit control systems and introduced financial software to allow continual monitoring of balances, allowing necessary action to be taken when debts remain unpaid.
Pricing risk
The group operates in a competitive sector with exposure to cost increases from regulatory driven inflation in the form of national living wage rate increases, business rates increases and the Modern Apprentice Levy. The group prepares estimates of costs increases and seeks to recover these through price increases whilst balancing the need to remain competitive in the marketplace.
Aside from normal inflationary increases, the entire sector continues to face challenges with a significant rise in labour costs arising from the National Living Wage increase each April. This cost increase inevitably results in fee increases at a rate higher than underlying inflation and the group makes every effort to balance fee increases with commercial pressures in a competitive market place to ensure that the group delivers a value service.
The group continues to focus on creating high quality environments and high quality educational services for its parents and children, which supports growth in revenue and occupancy. Management has a rolling investment programme for improving and upgrading its settings as well as ensuring compliance with health and safety requirements.
Section 172 of the Companies Act 2006 requires the Directors to consider the interests of stakeholders and other matters in their decision making.
The Directors of the company are fully aware of their duties under Section 172 of the Companies Act 2006. This statement explains how the Directors have fulfilled their obligations to promote the success of the nursery for the benefit of its members as a whole, considering the interests of stakeholders, including employees, parents, children, suppliers, and the community.
Decision-Making and Strategy
Our strategy is to provide high-quality early childhood education and care, ensuring that the needs and well-being of children are at the forefront of our decision-making processes. In all decisions, the Directors consider the impact on our stakeholders, aligning with our core values and long-term objectives.
Long-Term Impact
The Directors are committed to the long-term success of the nursery. We regularly review our policies and practices to ensure they align with our strategic goals and stakeholder interests. Investments in facilities, staff training, and educational resources are made with a focus on sustainable growth and continuous improvement.
Risk Management
The nursery has robust risk management processes in place to identify, assess, and mitigate potential risks. Regular audits, compliance checks, and safety drills are conducted to ensure a safe and secure environment for children, staff, and visitors.
Child Safety and Wellbeing
We cultivate and support each child’s potential, equipping them with the confidence, enthusiasm, and skills needed to begin school eagerly and thrive as lifelong learners.
The health, safety, and well-being of children, families, and staff are our highest priorities. We follow strict health, hygiene, and disinfection protocols developed in alignment with public health guidelines. Our dedicated health and safety personnel support our centers to ensure adherence to these standards and maintain excellence in all areas.
Our early education and child care centers implement various security measures, such as secure electronic access systems and thorough sign-in and sign-out procedures for children. Additionally, our trained teachers and clear sightline center designs further ensure the safety and security of the children. Our facilities are designed to minimize injury risks by featuring child-sized amenities, rounded furniture corners, age-appropriate toys and equipment, and cushioned areas around play structures.
Nutritional Health
We work closely with registered nutritionists to create our nursery menus which provide healthy, nutritionally balanced meals, that support a child’s needs as they grow, prepared fresh daily by our on-site Nursery Chefs. Fennies are accredited by the EYNP (Early Years Nutrition Partnership) who work to improve future health outcomes of young children.
ENGAGEMENT WITH EMPLOYEES
Our employees are vital to the nursery's success. We invest in their professional development, offer competitive compensation, and create a positive working environment. Regular staff meetings, training sessions, and feedback mechanisms ensure that employees are engaged and their voices are heard.
Information of matters of concern to employees is given through information bulletins and reports which seek to achieve a common awareness on the part of all employees of the financial and economic factors affecting the group's performance.
Disabled persons
Applications for employment by disabled persons are always fully considered, bearing in mind the aptitudes of the applicant concerned. In the event of members of staff becoming disabled, every effort is made to ensure that their employment within the company continues and that the appropriate training is arranged. It is the policy of the company that the training, career development and promotion of disabled persons should, as far as possible, be identical to that of other employees.
ENGAGEMENT WITH SUPPLIERS, CUSTOMERS AND OTHERS
Parents and Children: The trust of parents and the well-being of children are central to our operations. We maintain open communication channels with parents through regular meetings, feedback surveys, and parent-teacher conferences. Children's developme nt and happiness are monitored closely, and we adapt our services to meet their evolving needs.
Suppliers: We build strong relationships with our suppliers, ensuring that they share our commitment to quality and safety. Regular evaluations and feedback sessions help us maintain high standards and foster mutual growth.
The dedicated procurement function ensures that the company is prepared for supply chain disruptions
and external market risk. lt establishes an end to end value stream process and utilizes a customer centric tools and methods.
It is the group's policy to agree terms with its suppliers, terms of settlement which are appropriate for
The markets in which they operate, and to abide by such terms where suppliers have also met their obligations.
We continue to work hard with all our supply chain to reduce waste packaging, reduce food waste and eliminate products that are harmful to our environment, in addition to educating our children on the importance of behaviour and its impact on the environment.
Community: The nursery is an integral part of the local community. We participate in community events, support local initiatives, and engage in partnerships that benefit the wider community. Our nursery also promotes environmental sustainability through various green initiatives and educational programs.
On behalf of the board
The directors present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 August 2023.
The results for the year are set out on page 11.
No ordinary dividends were paid.
The directors who held office during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were as follows:
Information relating to events since the end of the year is given in the notes to the financial statements.
The group has chosen in accordance with Companies Act 2006, S.414C(11) to set out in the company's strategic report information required by Large and Medium-sized Companies and Groups (Accounts and reports) Regulations 2008, Sch 7 to be contained in the directors' report. It has done so in respect of Future Developments.
The auditor, Bryden Johnson Limited, is deemed to be reappointed under section 487(2) of the Companies Act 2006.
The group actively monitors its energy usage as part of a comprehensive group wide strategy, aiming to reduce its environmental impact.
We have worked with Monarch Partnership since 2017 and in that time, we have implemented a green strategy focusing on three key areas:
Energy and water efficiency : Implementing energy and water efficiency measures and enhancing operational efficiencies at nurseries.
Travel and Transport: Reducing greenhouse gas emissions from business travel.
Waste: Minimizing food waste in nurseries and reducing the use of plastic packaging.
The Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting (SECR) details have been compiled with the help of an external energy consultant to assess the total energy use and associated emissions for the period. This assessment includes electricity, natural gas, and mandated transport, such as Company car usage and Grey Fleet Mileage.
The primary source of energy consumption data for electricity and natural gas is supplier invoices. When invoices do not align with the financial year, a pro rata calculation estimates the usage for the reporting period. If consumption data is unavailable for part of the year, estimates are based on the average monthly consumption for the available period. For sites without data, the annual consumption is estimated from the average annual consumption of accessible sites. Notably, our electricity contract is 100% renewable.
Company car usage is calculated either by mileage or expenses, with mileage costs based on the average diesel prices published by the AA. Where possible, we use electric vehicles in our fleet.
We have audited the financial statements of Albrin Subsidiary Limited (the 'parent company') and its subsidiaries (the 'group') for the year ended 31 August 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, the company 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.
Based on our understanding of the company and industry, we identified that the principal risks of non-compliance with laws and regulations related to UK taxation, and we considered the extent to which non-compliance might have a material effect on the financial statements. We also considered those laws and regulations that have a direct impact on the financial statements such as the Companies Act 2006. We evaluated management's incentives and opportunities for fraudulent manipulation of the financial statements (including the risk of override of controls), and determined that the principal risks were related to management override of controls. Audit procedures performed by the engagement team included:
- Reviewing minutes of meetings of those charged with governance;
- Enquiry of management and those charged with governance around actual and potential litigation and claims;
- Reviewing financial statement disclosures and testing to supporting documentation to assess compliance with applicable laws and regulations, and
- Auditing the risk of management override of controls, including through testing journal entries and other adjustments for appropriateness and testing accounting estimates (because of the risk of management bias).
There are inherent limitations in the audit procedures described above. We are less likely to become aware of instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations that are not closely related to events and transactions reflected in the financial statements. Also, 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 misrepresentation, or through collusion.
A further description of our responsibilities is available on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: https://www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor's 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.
The profit and loss account has been prepared on the basis that all operations are continuing operations.
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 0 (2022 - 0 profit).
Albrin Subsidiary Limited (“the company”) is a private limited company domiciled and incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is 2 Villiers Court, 40 Upper Mulgrave Road, Cheam, Sutton, Surrey, SM2 7AJ.
The group consists of Albrin Subsidiary Limited and all of its subsidiaries.
Albrin Subsidiary Ltd 'The Company' is the parent undertaking of Albrin Subsidiary Ltd and its subsidiaries (together 'the group'). The parent undertaking is the largest and the smallest group for which consolidated accounts have been prepared. Copies of these accounts can be obtained from Companies House, Crown Way, Cardiff CF14 3UZ.
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. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.
The consolidated group financial statements consist of the financial statements of the parent company Albrin Subsidiary Limited together with all entities controlled by the parent company (its subsidiaries) and the group’s share of its interests in joint ventures and associates.
All financial statements are made up to 31 August 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.
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.
Subsidiaries are consolidated in the group’s financial statements from the date that control commences until the date that control ceases.
Entities in which the group holds an interest and which are jointly controlled by the group and one or more other venturers under a contractual arrangement are treated as joint ventures. Entities other than subsidiary undertakings or joint ventures, in which the group has a participating interest and over whose operating and financial policies the group exercises a significant influence, are treated as associates.
Investments in joint ventures and associates are carried in the group balance sheet at cost plus post-acquisition changes in the group’s share of the net assets of the entity, less any impairment in value. The carrying values of investments in joint ventures and associates include acquired goodwill.
If the group’s share of losses in a joint venture or associate equals or exceeds its investment in the joint venture or associate, the group does not recognise further losses unless it has incurred obligations to do so or has made payments on behalf of the joint venture or associate.
Unrealised gains arising from transactions with joint ventures and associates are eliminated to the extent of the group’s interest in the entity.
The financial statements have been prepared on the going concern basis, which assumes that the Group will continue to trade for the foreseeable future, being a period of at least twelve months from the date of approval of these financial statements and will be able to meet its debts as they fall due.
As with any business, the Group relies upon the availability of working capital and generation of profits and cash in future to meet its liabilities as they fall due.
As a result of the Group's continuing growth plans and the delay of approval from Ofsted for the opening of new sites, the Group suffered significant losses in the year, compounded by the exceptional write off of an associated company balance in the year.
Despite this the Group is still continuing to focus on these growth plans with the expectation that without similar delays the results and outcome will be positive.
Since the year end, the directors have continued to work closely with the bank in order to ensure that existing banking facilities are maintained and as at the date of the signing of the accounts these have been renewed.
In addition to these facilities having been renewed, the Group is currently undertaking a refinancing exercise that on completion, will provide additional development funding and refinance the existing facilities with the incumbent bank by way of a club facility.
The directors believe that the Group will receive the ongoing support of the bank, which will enable the Group to continue to operate as a going concern and that it will continue for a period of at least twelve months from the date of the signing of the accounts.
Turnover is recognised at the fair value of the consideration received or receivable for services excluding discounts and rebates and represents fee income received and local authority funding for the provision of early years education and is recognised as the service is provided.
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.
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.
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.
Trade debtors, loans and other receivables that have fixed or determinable payments that are not quoted in an active market are classified as 'loans and receivables'. Loans and receivables are measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method, less any impairment.
Interest is recognised by applying the effective interest rate, except for short-term receivables when the recognition of interest would be immaterial. The effective interest method is a method of calculating the amortised cost of a debt instrument and of allocating the interest income over the relevant period. The effective interest rate is the rate that exactly discounts estimated future cash receipts through the expected life of the debt instrument to the net carrying amount on initial recognition.
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.
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.
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. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset if, and only if, there is 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.
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.
Leases are classified as finance leases whenever the terms of the lease transfer substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership to the lessees. All other leases are classified as operating leases.
Assets held under finance leases are recognised as assets at the lower of the assets fair value at the date of inception and the present value of the minimum lease payments. The related liability is included in the balance sheet as a finance lease obligation. Lease payments are treated as consisting of capital and interest elements. The interest is charged to profit or loss so as to produce a constant periodic rate of interest on the remaining balance of the liability.
Rentals payable under operating leases, including any lease incentives received, are charged to profit or loss on a straight line basis over the term of the relevant lease except where another more systematic basis is more representative of the time pattern in which economic benefits from the leased asset are consumed.
Government grants are recognised at the fair value of the asset received or receivable when there is reasonable assurance that the grant conditions will be met and the grants will be received.
A grant that specifies performance conditions is recognised in income when the performance conditions are met. Where a grant does not specify performance conditions it is recognised in income when the proceeds are received or receivable. A grant received before the recognition criteria are satisfied is recognised as a liability.
Transactions in currencies other than pounds sterling are recorded at the rates of exchange prevailing at the dates of the transactions. At each reporting end date, monetary assets and liabilities that are denominated in foreign currencies are retranslated at the rates prevailing on the reporting end date. Gains and losses arising on translation in the period are included in profit or loss.
In the application of the group’s accounting policies, which are described in note 4, 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 following are the critical judgments, apart from those involving estimations, that the directors have made in the process of applying the group's accounting policies and that have the most significant effect on the amounts recognised in the consolidation financial statements:
- impairment of Goodwill
The assessment of impairment of goodwill requires the group to make subjective judgment to determine the identified cash-generating units, allocate the goodwill to relevant cash-generating units and estimate the recoverable amount of relevant cash-generating units. The level is monitored by management and is based on fair value and the estimate useful economic life of the assets to which the goodwill attaches.
An analysis of the group's turnover is as follows:
During the year the company received £40,500 (2022: £54,000) from the Department of Education and Skills under the apprenticeship scheme.
The grant income is recognised during the period to which it is intended to contribute. There are no unfulfilled conditions or other contingencies attaching to the grants that have not been recognised.
In 2022, grant income for the year also included £1,826 received via the Government's Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme. The scheme provides for the reimbursement of wages for employees who were placed on furlough leave.
Under the scheme the company applied for the reimbursement of up to 80% of employees' wage costs up to
£2,500 per month of wages payable from 1 March 2020, reducing as the scheme was phased out. The scheme was accessed by designating affected employees as furloughed or retained on paid leave of absence, notifying employees of these changes, submitting information about these employees and their earnings to HMRC.
The company also received £364,645 in management income from Origen Developments Ltd.
Exceptional expenditure relates to a write off of an amount owed by Origen Developments Ltd, an associated company which was placed into liquidation on 23rd January 2024. The amount written off was £1,182,234
The average monthly number of persons (including directors) employed by the group and company during the year was:
Their aggregate remuneration comprised:
The actual credit for the year can be reconciled to the expected (credit)/charge for the year based on the profit or loss and the standard rate of tax as follows:
The net book value of tangible fixed assets includes £1,259,981 (2022: £720,330), in respect of assets held under finance lease or hire purchase contracts. The depreciation charge in respect of such assets amounted to £249,798 (2022: £70,147) for the year.
These financial statements are separate company financial statements for Albrin Subsidiary Limited.
Details of the company's subsidiaries at 31 August 2023 are as follows:
Finance lease payments represent rentals payable by the company or group for certain items of plant and machinery. Leases include purchase options at the end of the lease period, and no restrictions are placed on the use of the assets. The average lease term is three to five years. All leases are on a fixed repayment basis and no arrangements have been entered into for contingent rental payments.
The bank overdraft with Cynergy bank is secured with a fixed and floating charge over all property and assets of the company and related parties.
The bank loan facility with Cynergy is secured with a fixed charge over the leasehold property acquired by the company.
Other loans include amounts payable to directors, due over one year.
The following are the major deferred tax liabilities and assets recognised by the group and company, and movements thereon:
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.
At the reporting end date the group had outstanding commitments for future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases, which fall due as follows:
There are no other post balance sheet events that have taken place between 31 August 2023 and the date of this report that are required to be brought to the attention of shareholders.
At the year end, the group owed balances to the directors of £103,067 (2022: £485,746). The sums are interest free.
The group leased property owned personally by the directors. The amounts payable during the period were £627,000 (2022: £627,000).
At the year end, the group was owed £919,749 (2022: £1,794,278) by Origen Developments Ltd, a company associated by virtue of common control. Origen Developments Ltd provided services to the group amounting to £2,985,469 (2022: £7,600,770).The group received £364,645 (2022: £nil) in management fee income from Origen Developments Limited in the year.
£5,792,245 (2022: £4,843,413) was owed by Albrin Capital Ltd, a company associated by virtue of common control. The company also owed Albrin Capital Ltd £439,500 (2022: £539,500) at the year end. During the year, the group paid rents to Albrin Capital Ltd amounting to £531,996 (2022: £531,996).
£117,712 (2022: £190,712) was owed by Woodham House Ltd, a company associated by virtue of common control. The group paid rents to Woodham House Ltd amounting to £192,000 (2021: £192,000).
Note 1 - Prior year adjustment in relation to amortisation of goodwill
Amortisation of negative goodwill was incorrectly accounted for in the previous period.