2. Accounting policies The principal accounting policies applied in the preparation of these financial statements are set out below. These policies have been applied consistently to all periods presented, unless otherwise stated. a. Basis of preparation of financial statements The financial statements have been prepared under the historic cost convention unless otherwise specified within these accounting policies and in accordance with Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and the Republic of Ireland' (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006. The preparation of financial statements in compliance with FRS 102 requires the use of certain critical accounting estimates. It also requires management to exercise judgement in applying the Company's accounting policies. The areas involving a higher degree of judgement or complexity, or areas where assumptions and estimates are significant to the financial statements, are disclosed in note #. The Company's functional and presentational currency is the Pound Sterling. b. Tangible fixed assets Tangible fixed assets are initially recognised at cost. Cost includes the purchase price and any costs directly attributable to bringing the asset to the location and condition necessary for it to be capable of operating in the manner intended by management. Subsequently, tangible fixed assets are measured using the cost model. Under the cost model, intangible assets are measured at cost less any accumulated depreciation and any accumulated impairment losses. All tangible fixed assets are considered to have a finite useful life. Depreciation is calculated to allocate the depreciable amount of tangible fixed assets to their residual values over their estimated useful lives on the following bases: - Long-term leasehold property - The asset held within the class relates to a future right to enter a lease at a future time. From this point the asset will be depreciated over the term of the lease. Fixed assets in construction - No depreciation is due for these assets until they have been completed and transferred to relevant fixed asset class. b. Tangible fixed assets continued If factors such as a change in how an asset is used, technological advancement, or changes in market prices indicate that the residual value or useful life of an asset has changed since the most recent balance sheet date, the Company reviews its previous estimates and, if current expectations differ, amends the residual value, amortisation method or useful life, accounting for this as a change in an accounting estimate. In the Company’s individual financial statements, investment properties rented to other group companies are classified as tangible fixed assets and held at historical cost less depreciation and impairment. c. Impairment of fixed assets Assets that are subject to depreciation or amortisation are assessed at each balance sheet date to determine whether there is any indication that the assets are impaired. Where there is any indication that an asset may be impaired, the carrying value of the asset (or cash-generating unit to which the asset has been allocated) is tested for impairment. An impairment loss is recognised for the amount by which the asset's carrying amount exceeds its recoverable amount. The recoverable amount is the higher of an asset's (or CGU's) fair value less costs to sell and value in use. For the purposes of assessing impairment, assets are grouped at the lowest levels for which there are separately identifiable cash flows (CGUs). Non-financial assets that have been previously impaired are reviewed at each reporting date to assess whether there is any indication that the impairment losses recognised in prior periods may no longer exist or may have decreased. d. Cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits with financial institutions repayable without penalty on notice of not more than 24 hours, other highly liquid investments that mature in no more than three months from the date of acquisition and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts, where applicable, are shown within 'Creditors: amounts due within one year'.