Fixed assets include investment properties which are stated at cost plus acquisition expenses. No open market valuation has been made nor provided for as this, in the opinion of the directors, would involve expense out of proportion to its value to the shareholders. This is a departure from SSAP 19, accounting for investment properties.
The directors, however, consider the open market value to be not less than that carried in the accounts and, therefore, that this policy is not detrimental to the users of these accounts. In accordance with SSAP 19, no depreciation is provided in respect of the company's freehold investment properties. This is a departure from the requirements of the Companies Act 2006, that all properties should be depreciated. In the opinion of the director, this departure is necessary for the financial statements to show a true and fair view in accordance with applicable accounting standards.