The directors present the strategic report for the year ended 31 December 2023.
The group’s strategy during 2023 was to improve on performance and efficiency whilst providing a premium service to all care clients.
The group consisting of two nursing homes achieved and maintained the necessary quality stamp by achieving a ‘Good’ rating from the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
A programme of capital investment has continued to ensure quality of provision of care.
The group operates to a task-oriented doctrine to enable decision making at all levels to be decisive and swift. This is further complemented by a limited number of shareholders whose short, medium and long-term objectives are aligned and benchmark performance by year on year EBITDAM growth.
During this accounting year the group has achieved a profit on ordinary activities before taxation and fair value adjustments of £205,718 (2022: £768,184). As at 31 December 2023, the group had net assets of £4,211,037 (2022: £4,329,814).
The key challenges continue to be the recruitment of permanent nursing and care staff, a challenge faced by many operators in the sector. Going forward, the group continues to focus on meeting and exceeding CQC regulations in provision of care, recruitment of quality staff whilst achieving further revenue growth.
The increases in the cost of living, inflation and interest rises continue to pose the most significant challenge for the business over the coming year. Food prices, utilities, wages and interest rates continue to rise and although there is some hope of this levelling out there remains much uncertainty.
The uncertainty regarding the CQC inspection process continues to put pressure on our business and the staff team, but we work tirelessly to ensure that this does not affect the financial success of the business.
Whilst Covid restrictions & testing requirements have eased, reporting to local authorities, Public Health England and CQC continue to add a significant administrative strain on the business and we continue to look for ways to minimise the effect of this.
Key Metrics:
Revenue: £9.42m reflecting an 2.5% year-on-year growth.
Operational Costs: £0.78m increase due to increases in staffing costs and interest rates.
Profit before tax: £0.28m compared to £0.78m in the previous year
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 9.
Ordinary dividends were paid amounting to £250,000. The directors do not recommend payment of a further dividend.
The directors who held office during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were as follows:
The group operates a treasury function which is responsible for managing the liquidity, interest and foreign currency risks associated with the group’s activities.
The group’s principal financial instruments include derivative financial instruments, the purpose of which is to manage currency risks and interest rate risks arising from the group’s activities, and bank overdrafts, loans and corporate bonds, the main purpose of which is to raise finance for the group’s operations. In addition, the group has various other financial assets and liabilities such as trade debtors and trade creditors arising directly from its operations. Derivative transactions which the group enters into principally comprise forward exchange contracts. In accordance with group’s treasury policy, derivative instruments are not entered into for speculative purposes.
The group manages its cash and borrowing requirements in order to maximise interest income and minimise interest expense, whilst ensuring the group has sufficient liquid resources to meet the operating needs of the business.
The group is exposed to fair value interest rate risk on its fixed rate borrowings and cash flow interest rate risk on floating rate deposits, bank overdrafts and loans.
Investments of cash surpluses, borrowings and derivative instruments are made through banks and companies which must fulfil credit rating criteria approved by the Board.
All customers who wish to trade on credit terms are subject to credit verification procedures. Trade debtors are monitored on an ongoing basis and provision is made for doubtful debts where necessary.
On 20 March 2025, the company sold its shares in its subsidiaries, The Red House (Ashtead) Limited and Glebe Care Limited, for a combined value of £10m to the ultimate parent company Golden Years Holdings Ltd. This transaction was part of a group restructure ahead of the sale of the shares in Golden Years Holdings Ltd by the shareholders, Dr A Sivananthan and Mrs K Sivananthan. Contracts were exchanged in respect of the sale of those shares on 19 March 2025 and the transaction is due to complete on 24 March 2025.
On 21 March 2025, the company's entire issued share capital was acquired by Ashtam LL Ltd, a company controlled by the directors Dr A Sivananthan and Mrs K Sivananthan who remain as the ultimate controlling parties of Golden Years Ltd.
In addition to the above, as part of the group restructure, the company withdrew from the provision of residential care home facilities and, from 1 January 2025, the principal activity of the company is that of a property investment company.
The financial effect of the above is expected to be as follows:
- Repayment of bank borrowings of circa £4.6m
- Profit on disposal of subsidiaries of circa £4.6m
- Reduction in turnover of circa £9.4m
- Projected net assets of circa £0.2m on completion
The auditor, Morris Lane, is deemed to be reappointed under section 487(2) of the Companies Act 2006.
The directors are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the company website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.
We have audited the financial statements of Golden Years Limited (the 'parent company') and its subsidiaries (the 'group') for the year ended 31 December 2023 which comprise the group income statement, the group statement of comprehensive income, the group statement of financial position, the company statement of financial position, 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 FRS 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
Basis for 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
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.
Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud, is detailed below.
Identifying and assessing the risks of material misstatement due to irregularities, including fraud
We obtained an understanding of the legal and regulatory frameworks that are applicable to the group and company through discussion with the directors and from our general commercial experience. The identified laws and regulations were communicated to the audit team in order that they remained alert to any non-compliance throughout the audit.
The group and company are subject to laws and regulations which have a direct effect on the financial statements and the disclosures contained therein. These have been identified as: the financial reporting framework under which the group and company operates - Financial Reporting Standard 102; Statutory Instrument 2008/410 – The Large and Medium-sized Companies and Groups (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008; the Companies Act 2006 and taxation legislation including pay as you earn; value added tax; corporation tax and pensions legislation.
In addition to the above, the group and company are subject to other operational laws and regulations where non-compliance may have a material effect on the financial statements. Non-compliance of such laws and regulations may result in litigation, the imposition of fines or the closure of the business which could have a material impact on amounts or disclosures in the financial statements. We have identified the following laws and regulations which are more likely to have significant effect as: compliance with the Care Quality Commission regulations; food hygiene laws; health and safety laws; General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and employment law.
In order to identify risks of material misstatement due to fraud, we assessed events and conditions where opportunities and incentives may exist within the company for fraud to occur. Our risk assessment procedures included enquiring of directors as to any instances of fraud, their procedures to identify fraud and by using analytical procedures to identify any unusual or unexpected relationships. We identified the greatest potential for fraud in the following areas: recognition of income; diversion of income and ghost employees. As required by auditing standards, we are also required to perform specific procedures to respond to the risk of management override.
The identified risks of material misstatement due to fraud were communicated to the audit team in order that they remained alert to any non-compliance throughout the audit.
Audit procedures designed to respond to the risks of material misstatement due to irregularities, including fraud
As a result of performing our risk assessments as detailed above, we planned and performed our audit so as to identify non-compliance with such laws and regulations, including fraud by undertaking the following:
Reviewing the disclosures contained within the financial statements and testing to supporting documentation in order to assess compliance with provisions of relevant laws and regulations described as having a direct effect on the financial statements.
Enquiring of the directors concerning actual and potential non-compliance of laws and regulations.
Reviewing Care Quality Commission inspection reports in order to identify any potential non-compliance of laws and regulations.
Performing substantive testing with regard to employees to ensure that identification and employment contracts are on file, the pay as you earn system is operating correctly, pension deductions are made where appropriate and valid right to work documentation is available where required.
Performing analytical procedures to identify any unusual or unexpected relationships that may indicate risks of material misstatement due to fraud.
Revenue recognition was addressed by obtaining an understanding of relevant controls with regard to revenue recognition and undertaking substantive testing to ensure that revenue is recognised in line with the company’s accounting policy and in line with accounting standards.
In order to address the risks arising from the diversion of income, contracts with 3rd party service users were agreed to the amounts charged and therefore reflected in the financial statements of the company.
The risk relating to management override of controls was addressed by testing the appropriateness of journal entries and other adjustments, assessing whether accounting estimates are indicative of potential bias and evaluating the business rationale of any significant transactions that are considered unusual or outside the normal course of business.
Due to the inherent limitations of an audit, there is an unavoidable risk that, despite properly planning and performing our audit in accordance with auditing standards, some material misstatements may not have been detected.
Auditing standards limit the audit procedures required to identify non-compliance with other operational laws and regulations to enquiry of directors and management and inspection of any correspondence. If a breach of operational regulations is not evident from relevant correspondence or disclosed to us, an audit is unlikely to detect that breach. In addition, the further removed non-compliance with laws and regulations is from the events and transactions included in the financial statements, the less likely the inherently limited procedures required by auditing standards would identify it.
In addition, the risk of not detecting material misstatement from due to fraud is higher than the risk of one not being detected through error as fraud may involve deliberate concealment through collusion, forgery, misrepresentations and intentional omissions.
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.
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.
The income statement 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 income statement and related notes. The company’s profit for the year was £276,688 (2022: £670,699 profit).
Golden Years Ltd (“the company”) is a private company limited by shares domiciled and incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is 31/33 Commercial Road, Poole, Dorset BH14 0HU.
The group consists of Golden Years Ltd 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. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.
As permitted by s408 Companies Act 2006, the company has not presented its own income statement and related notes. The company’s profit for the year was £276,688 (2022: £670,699 profit).
The consolidated group financial statements consist of the financial statements of the parent company Golden Years 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 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.
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.
The directors have adopted the going concern basis in preparing these accounts after assessing the principal risks applicable to the group. These include rising inflation, rising interest rates, staff shortages as a result of Brexit, the increase in the National Living Wage for employees over the age of 21, the cost of living crisis and higher insurance premiums, together with the group's compliance with loan covenants. The directors consider the group to be able to meet its obligations as they fall due for a period of at least 12 months from the date of signing these financial statements, and to be well placed to manage its financing and business risks satisfactorily.
Following the group restructure that took place on 20 and 21 March 2025, the directors have considered the ability of the company to continue as a going concern for a period of at least 12 months from the date of the signing of the financial statements. The company continues to be reliant on its directors, other companies under the control of the directors and its bankers for ongoing support.
Overall, the directors do not consider there to be a cause for material uncertainty regarding the group and company’s going concern status as at the date of signing these financial statements.
Revenue is recognised at the fair value of the consideration received or receivable for goods and services provided in the normal course of business, and is shown net of VAT and other sales related taxes. The fair value of consideration takes into account trade discounts, settlement discounts and volume rebates.
When cash inflows are deferred and represent a financing arrangement, the fair value of the consideration is the present value of the future receipts. The difference between the fair value of the consideration and the nominal amount received is recognised as interest income.
Revenue from the supply of care services represents the value of services provided under contracts to the extent that there is a right to consideration and is recorded at the fair value of the consideration received or receivable. Where payments are received from customers in advance of services provided the amounts are recorded as deferred income and included as part of payables due within one year.
Research expenditure is written off against profits in the year in which it is incurred.
Freehold land is not depreciated.
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 income statement.
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.
An associate is an entity, being neither a subsidiary nor a joint venture, in which the company holds a long-term interest and where the company has significant influence. The group considers that it has significant influence where it has the power to participate in the financial and operating decisions of the associate.
Investments in associates are initially recognised at the transaction price (including transaction costs) and are subsequently adjusted to reflect the group’s share of the profit or loss, other comprehensive income and equity of the associate using the equity method. Any difference between the cost of acquisition and the share of the fair value of the net identifiable assets of the associate on acquisition is recognised as goodwill. Any unamortised balance of goodwill is included in the carrying value of the investment in associates.
Losses in excess of the carrying amount of an investment in an associate are recorded as a provision only when the company has incurred legal or constructive obligations or has made payments on behalf of the associate.
In the parent company financial statements, investments in associates are accounted for at cost less impairment.
Entities in which the group has a long term interest and shares control under a contractual arrangement are classified as jointly controlled entities.
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 statement of financial position 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 trade and other receivables 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 trade and other payables, 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 payables 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 payables 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 income statement 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 income statement, 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 non-current 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.
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.
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.
Credit risk
Investments of cash surpluses, borrowings and derivative instruments are made through banks and companies which fulfil credit rating criteria approved by the Board.
All customers who wish to trade on credit terms are subject to credit verification procedures. Trade debtors are monitored on an ongoing basis and provision is made for doubtful debts where necessary.
Liquidity risk
The group manages its cash and borrowing requirement in order to maximise interest income and minimise interest expense, whilst ensuring the group has sufficient liquid resources to meet the operating needs of the business.
Interest rate risk
The group is exposes to cash flow interest rate risk on floating rate deposits, bank overdrafts and loans.
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.
An analysis of the group's revenue is as follows:
Amortisation of intangible assets is included in administrative expenses.
Government grants received relate to various Covid -19 support schemes.
The average monthly number of persons (including directors) employed by the group and company during the year was:
Their aggregate remuneration comprised:
The number of directors for whom retirement benefits are accruing under defined contribution schemes amounted to 2 (2022: 2).
Investment income includes the following:
The applicable main rate of corporation tax in UK changed with effect from 1 April 2023 from 19% to 25%.
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:
In addition to the amount charged to the income statement, the following amounts relating to tax have been recognised directly in other comprehensive income:
Intangible fixed assets with a carrying amount of £967,242 (2022: £1,121,595) have been pledged to secure liabilities of the group.
Property, plant and equipment with a carrying amount of £8,834,968 (2022: £8,912,112) have been pledged to secure liabilities of the group.
The freehold land and buildings were revalued as at 1 January 2014 at open market value (MV1) based on the professional valuations undertaken by GVA Grimley RICS and Knight Frank RICS during 2014. The company has taken advantage of the transitional provisions available on the introduction of FRS 102 to carry those assets at that value less depreciation in subsequent years. Subsequent additions to freehold land and buildings are included at cost.
The comparable amounts for land and buildings under the historical cost convention are:
The fair value of the investment properties has been arrived at by the directors. The valuations were made on an open market value basis by reference to market evidence of transaction prices for similar properties.
Investment properties with a carrying amount of £2,110,000 (2022: £2,035,000) have been pledged as security for liabilities of the group.
Fixed asset investments with a carrying amount of £5,381,792 (2022: £5,381,792) have been pledged to secure liabilities of the company.
Details of the company's subsidiaries at 31 December 2023 are as follows:
The investments in subsidiaries are all stated at cost, less provision for impairment.
The registered office of each of the above subsidiaries is 31/33 Commercial Road, Poole BH14 0HU.
Further information relating to financial assets and financial liabilities can be found in notes 20, 21, 22 and 23.
The carrying amount of inventories includes £5,450 (2022: £5,450) pledged as security for liabilities.
The carrying amount of trade and other receivables includes £1,042,106 (2022: £5,931,847) pledged as security for liabilities.
As at 31 December 2023, bank borrowings of £5,888,106 (2022: £6,215,997) were secured by way of:
a fixed charge over property owned by Golden Years Ltd, The Red House (Ashtead) Limited, Glebe Care Ltd, The Grange (Chertsey) 2002 Ltd, Culham Limited and Seabrooke Manor LL Ltd.
a fixed and floating charge over all other property, assets and rights owned by Golden Years Ltd, The Red House (Ashtead) Limited, Glebe Care Ltd, Serene LL Ltd, The Grange (Chertsey) 2002 Ltd, Trinity LL Ltd, Culham Limited, Aspray House Ltd, Seabrooke Manor Ltd and Seabrooke Manor LL Ltd.
a composite guarantee between Golden Years Ltd, The Red House (Ashtead) Limited, Glebe Care Ltd, Serene LL Ltd, The Grange (Chertsey) 2002 Ltd, Trinity LL Ltd, Culham Limited, Aspray House Ltd, Seabrooke Manor Ltd and Seabrooke Manor LL Ltd limited to £27,000,000 (2022: £27,000,000);
the directors have provided personal guarantees totalling £550,000 (2022: £550,000) in respect of the group's borrowings.
As at the 31 December 2023, the group had variable rate loans of £809,372 (2022: £1,086,795) at an interest rate of 2.0% (2022: 2.0%) over the bank base rate. This loan is due to mature in July 2026.
As at 31 December 2023, the group had a variable rate loan of £1,039,196 (2022: £1,090,827) at an interest rate of 2.0% (2022: 2.0%) over the bank base rate. The loan is due to mature in November 2026.
As at the 31 December 2023, the group had interest only loans of £4,039,538 (2022: £4,035,488) at an interest rate of 2.0% (2022: 2.0%) over the bank base rate. The loan is due to mature in July 2026 when full payment of the loan will be due.
During the previous financial year, group companies included within the banking group had incurred exceptional expenditure in respect of the acquisition of freehold property, refurbishment of freehold property and other non-recurring costs in connection with the trade. As a consequence of this expenditure, the company and the group were in breach of the covenants laid down by its bankers in respect of its bank loans totalling £6,213,109. As a result, the liability became payable on demand and the loan was therefore included in the financial statements as being due within one year on the basis that the company and the group had no unconditional right to defer its settlement for at least 12 months after that date. The bank have issued covenant waivers in this respect and the relationship of the company and the group with its bankers is excellent and the facilities have been conducted on the basis that there have been no breaches. There have been no further breaches since and therefore £5,555,792 of the liability has been reclassified as due after more than one year.
The loans from group undertakings and other related parties are interest free and repayable on demand.
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset where the group or company has a legally enforceable right to do so. The following is the analysis of the deferred tax balances (after offset) for financial reporting purposes:
Of the deferred tax liability set out above, an amount of £8,973 is expected to reverse within 12 months and relates to accelerated capital allowances and an amount of £19,975 is expected to reverse within 12 months and relates to revaluation gains.
Included in the above amount in respect of accelerated capital allowances, £78 relates to the company.
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 year end the group had contributions outstanding of £3,809 (2022: £9,781) shown in other creditors and accruals.
Included in the above amount: charge to profit or loss in respect of defined contribution schemes is £84,696 (2022: £85,510) which relates to the company. There are £nil (2022: £nil) contributions outstanding at the year end in respect of the company.
Ordinary shares carry voting rights but have no right to fixed income or repayment of capital.
The revaluation reserve relates to the unrealised profit on the remeasurement of freehold properties at open market value under the transitional provisions available on the introduction of FRS102 together with annual deferred tax adjustments.
Retained earnings represents cumulative profits or losses, including unrealised profit on the remeasurement of investment properties, net of dividends paid and other adjustments.
At 31 December 2023, the group companies provided security for the bank borrowings of the parent company, Golden Years Ltd, by way of a first legal mortgage over the freehold property, and a fixed and floating debenture over all the assets of the group companies. In addition, there is a composite guarantee between all the group companies and also those of Serene LL Ltd, Trinity LL Ltd and Seabrooke Manor LL Ltd limited to £27,000,000 (2022: £27,000,000). As at 31 December 2023, the maximum exposure of the company in respect of the composite guarantee between all parties was £23,165,673 (2022: £25,298,653).
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:
On 20 March 2025, the company sold its shares in its subsidiaries, The Red House (Ashtead) Limited and Glebe Care Limited, for a combined value of £10m to the ultimate parent company Golden Years Holdings Ltd. This transaction was part of a group restructure ahead of the sale of the shares in Golden Years Holdings Ltd by the shareholders, Dr A Sivananthan and Mrs K Sivananthan. Contracts were exchanged in respect of the sale of those shares on 19 March 2025 and the transaction is due to complete on 24 March 2025.
On 21 March 2025, the company's entire issued share capital was acquired by Ashtam LL Ltd, a company controlled by the directors Dr A Sivananthan and Mrs K Sivananthan who remain as the ultimate controlling parties of Golden Years Ltd.
In addition to the above, as part of the group restructure, the company withdrew from the provision of residential care home facilities and, from 1 January 2025, the principal activity of the company is that of a property investment company.
The financial effect of the above is expected to be as follows:
- Repayment of bank borrowings of circa £4.6m
- Profit on disposal of subsidiaries of circa £4.6m
- Reduction in turnover of circa £9.4m
- Projected net assets of circa £0.2m on completion
The remuneration of key management personnel (including pension contributions) is as follows.
Included above are amounts totalling £15,840 (2022: £17,280) in respect of the remuneration of key management personnel paid on behalf of fellow subsidiaries in the company's group.
During the year the group entered into the following transactions with related parties:
The following amounts were outstanding at the reporting end date:
The loans are interest free and repayable on demand.
The following amounts were outstanding at the reporting end date:
The loans are interest free and repayable on demand.
During the year, the company incurred costs of £712,050 (2022: £729,059) in respect of care services provided by subsidiary undertakings and further costs of £3,803,763 (2022: £3,858,266) in respect of care services provided by entities under common control.
Further related party information can be found in notes 28 and 32.
Dividends totalling £250,000 (2022: £1,050,000) were paid to Golden Years Holdings Ltd, which is wholly owned by the company directors.
Included in note 31 are amounts paid by the company to the directors of the group amounting to £nil (2022: £3,600) for use of the premises from which the group operates. This transaction was on a normal commercial basis.