The preparation of financial statements requires management to make judgments, estimates and assumptions that affect the application of accounting policies and the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, income and expenses. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

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 and in any future periods affected.

In preparing the accounts the directors have applied their judgement in assessing the depreciation rates applied to assets and, where applicable the provisions in respect of impaired property assets. This judgement has been based on information previously provided by professional valuers, rateable values and the directors knowledge of the property markets in which the group operates.

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 entity after deducting all of its financial liabilities.

Where the contractural obligations of financial instruments (including share capital) are equivalent to a similar debt instrument, those financial instruments are classed as financial liabilities. Financial liabilities are presented as such in the balance sheet. Finance costs and gains or losses relating to financial liabilities are included in the profit and loss account. Finance costs are calculated so as to produce a constant rate of return on the outstanding liability.

Where the contractual terms of share capital do not have any terms meeting the definition of a financial liability then this is classed as an equity instrument. Dividends and distributions relating to equity instruments are debited direct to equity.

Investment property is property held either to earn rental income, or for capital appreciation (including future re-development) or for both, but not for sale in the ordinary course of business.

Investment property is initially measured at cost, which includes the purchase cost and any directly attributable expenditure. Investment property is subsequently valued at its fair value at each reporting date, by the directors. The difference between the fair value of an investment property at the reporting date and its carrying value prior to the valuation is recognised in the Profit and Loss Account as a fair value gain or loss. Any gain or loss on disposal of an investment property (calculated as the difference between the net proceeds from disposal and the carrying amount of the item) is recognised in the Profit and Loss Account.

Current tax represents the amount expected to be paid or recovered in respect of taxable profits for the financial year and is calculated using the tax rates and laws that have been enacted or substantially enacted at the Balance Sheet date.

Deferred tax is recognised in respect of all timing differences that have originated but not reversed at the balance sheet date where transactions or events have occurred at that date that will result in an obligation to pay more tax in the future, or a right to pay less tax in the future. Timing differences are temporary differences between the company's taxable profits and its results as stated in the financial statements.

Deferred tax is measured on an undiscounted basis at the tax rates that are anticipated to apply in the periods in which the timing differences are expected to reverse, based on tax rates and laws that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the balance sheet date.

Deferred tax has been recognised in respect of revalued investment properties in accordance with FRS 102.