The financial statements are prepared under the historical cost convention and in accordance with the FRS 105 Financial Reporting Standard for Micro Entities (effective January 2016).

Tangible fixed assets, other than freehold land, are stated at cost or valuation less depreciation and any provision for impairment. Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost or valuation of fixed assets, less their estimated residual value, over their expected useful lives on the following basis:

Investment properties are included in the balance sheet at their open market value at the balance sheet date. The resulting aggregate surplus or deficit is transferred to a revaluation reserve. Depreciation is provided only on those investment properties which are leasehold and where the unexpired lease term is less than 20 years.

Although this accounting policy is in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard for Smaller Entities (effective January 2015), it is a departure from the general requirement of the Companies Act 2006 for all tangible assets to be depreciated. In the opinion of the directors compliance with the standard is necessary for the financial statements to give a true and fair view. Depreciation or amortisation is only one of many factors reflected in the annual valuation and the amount of this which might otherwise have been charged cannot be separately identified or quantified.