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Assetco PLC

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FY2011 Annual Report · Assetco PLC
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AssetCo plc

Annual report and financial statements

18 month period ended 30 September 2011

Registered number: 04966347

COMPANY INFORMATION

Company registration number

04966347

Registered office

Directors

800 Field End Road
South Ruislip
Middlesex
HA4 0QH

Tudor Davies (Chairman)
Christopher Mills
Peter Manning
Andrew Freemantle

Company secretary

Tudor Davies

Independent auditor

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditors
Cornwall Court
19 Cornwall Street
Birmingham
B3 2DT

Nominated adviser, financial
adviser and corporate
broker

Arden Partners plc
125 Old Broad Street
London
EC2N 1AR

Registrar

Computershare Investor Services PLC
PO Box 82
The Pavilions
Bridgewater Road
Bristol
BS13 8AE

Website

www.assetco.com

CONTENTS

Chairman’s statement

Board of directors

Directors’ report

Report of the independent auditor (company financial statements)

Company profit and loss

Company balance sheet

Company cash flow statement

Notes to the parent company financial statements

Report of the independent auditor (consolidated financial statements)

Consolidated income statement

Consolidated statement of comprehensive income

Consolidated statement of financial position

Consolidated statement of changes in equity

Consolidated statement of cash flows

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

Page

1

4

5

13

16

17

18

19

36

39

40

41

42

43

44

Chairman’s statement

Introduction
This 18 month financial period being reported upon has been one of major disappointment for
shareholders, as the share price collapsed from 60p to 1.75p once the serious liquidity problems became
apparent, the potential approaches to acquire the business evaporated, and the Company was ultimately
financed through the dilutive share issue which was announced last September.

However on 29 September the successful restructuring of the business was completed; this allowed for
the parent company, AssetCo plc, to ‘re-finance’ and ‘ring-fence’ the Company’s business in the United
Arab Emirates (“UAE”) from the liabilities of the UK operations so that its focus can be on growing
the operations in the UAE. In recognition of this change, we are today announcing the appointment to
the main Plc’s Board of our UAE’s directors, Gareth White (Managing Director) and Dr Jeff Ord
(Operations Director) to take effect from 11 April 2012.

Background
The Board has undergone significant change during the period under review with the departure of all
of the directors who had been present since the time of the reverse acquisition back in 2007, namely:
Tim Wightman (Chairman), John Shannon (Chief Executive), Frank Flynn (Finance Director) and
Adrian Bradshaw (Non-Executive). Also, Scott Brown who replaced Frank Flynn as Finance Director
joined and left during the period.

I was appointed as Interim Executive Chairman on 23 March 2011 to replace Tim Wightman and, at the
same time, Christopher Mills was appointed a Non-Executive Director of the Company. This followed
announcements on 14 and 18 March 2011 that the £16 million placing was short in meeting working
capital needs. The working capital requirement was quantified on 21 March as £3 – £4 million and both
my appointment and Mr Mills’ were a condition of further financial support from North Atlantic Value
LLP, Gartmore Investment Management Ltd and Utilico Investments Ltd.

The liquidity problems the Company faced during the course of the year are well documented and
explained in the Circular to Shareholders and the Scheme of Arrangement posted on 9 September 2011.

In addition and prior to the refinancing the Board also considered several approaches from potential
bidders, none of which resulted in an offer.

The shortage of capital identified above as £3 – £4 million proved to be a significant understatement as
the complex refinancing solution announced in September last year was ultimately a total package of
£69 million involving a further £14 million capital from shareholders, a Scheme of Arrangement, and
the restructuring of bank borrowings.

The solution was for AssetCo plc to be ‘ring-fenced’ from the liabilities of the rest of the Group
enabling a change in strategy to focus on growing its operations in the Middle East where it continues
to pursue several contract opportunities and sees potential for expansion for outsourced Fire and Rescue
services.

The Balance sheet of the Parent Company AssetCo plc, the vehicle for the UAE operations as at
30 September 2011 shows net assets of £5.2 million. Not all of the cash due from the share Placing had
been received by the year-end, but after allowing for these receipts and settling expenses, AssetCo plc
had cash balances of approximately £7.5 million.

Change of Year End/Audited Financial Statements
The Board concluded at the time of the restructuring in September 2011 that, to reflect the changing
nature of the business, the Company should change its year-end from 31 March to 30 September; this
also enabled the impact of the refinancing to be taken into account in the audited financial statements.

AssetCo plc l Report and Financial Statements 2011

1

Chairman’s statement (continued)

Grant Thornton UK LLP resigned as Auditors and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP were appointed
Auditors of the Company.

The timely production and audit of these financial statements for the 18 month period to 30 September
2011 has been hampered by the absence of those involved in the past financial statements, the lack of
financial records, complexity of past accounting practices, and the going-concern issues associated with
the continuing Bank and customer support for the UK subsidiaries.

There is an unmodified audit opinion for the 2011 Balance sheet of the Parent Company that contains
the UAE contracts and an emphasis of matter to clarify its basis of preparation as a going-concern to
reflect the fact that it is ‘ring-fenced’ from the liabilities of the UK subsidiaries. However, the Company
and the Group audit opinions in respect of the opening balance sheet at 1 April 2010 and the Income
statements and Cash flows statements for the period ended 30 September 2011 are qualified, and the
Group audit opinion is modified in respect of the going-concern basis of preparation of financial
statements as a consequence of the UK subsidiaries’ reliance on future Bank and customer support.

It is regretful that due principally to a serious failure of management and internal financial controls in
the UK operations and at Group level, there were significant overstatement of profits and assets in the
financial accounts for the year ended 31 March 2010. As a consequence of a number of errors in the
financial statements of prior years, and in accordance with IAS 8 “Accounting Policies, changes in
accounting estimates and errors”, the 2009 and the 2010 Balance sheets and the 2010 Income statement
have been restated to reflect the relevant adjustments.

The extent of these errors is significant: reported revenues for the year ended 31 March 2010 reduced
by £19.0 million from £45.2 million to £26.2 million and Operating profits of £17.4 million reduced by
£28.8 million to become operating losses of £11.4 million.

The Consolidated Income Statement for the 18-month period ended 30 September 2011, shows
Revenue of £49.0 million (2010: Restated £26.2 million); Operating loss before Exceptional items of
£2.5 million (2010: Restated Operating loss before exceptional items of £2.1 million); Exceptional
items of £9.6 million (2010: Restated Exceptional item of £9.3 million); Loss for the period of £22.2
million (2010: Restated loss of £23.3 million).

The prior-year adjustments to re-state the Income statements were £25.5 million in 2010 and £13
million in 2009 with the cumulative principal adjustments being: Revenue recognition 2010: £23.2
million (2009: £6.6 million), Onerous lease provisions 2010: £11.9 million (2009: £7.2 million) and an
adjustment relating to the write-off of related party balances connected to John Shannon of £2.5 million
in 2010 (2009: £nil).

The prior-year adjustments relating to the Balance sheet were £149.7 million in 2010 and £120.3
million in 2009, with the principal adjustments being: Property, plant and equipment 2010: £46.6
million (2009: £48.0 million); Goodwill 2010: £56.7 million (2009: £55.0 million); Trade and other
Receivables 2010: £22.2 million (2009: £6.6 million) and Onerous leases 2010: £11.9 million (2009:
£7.2 million).

Business Review
UAE
It was clear that there were opportunities for profit generation and growth in this territory and from the
three-year Special Operations Command contract for outsourced Fire and Rescue Services which had
commenced in March 2010, as well as from an agreement with Emirates Advanced Investments which
also offers the potential to enter into similar contracts.

2

AssetCo plc l Report and Financial Statements 2011

Chairman’s statement (continued)

The outsourcing operations in UAE commenced trading at the start of this period; it has been recognised
by shareholders and remaining management that the business model had good prospects but had been
deprived of capital by the previous management as they focussed the support on the UK operations. The
vast majority of the capital taken from the UAE at the beginning of the contract has now been returned
to these operations.

The underlying trading performance in UAE is best explained by reference to the Segmental Reporting
for the Parent Company AssetCo plc; in the 18-month period ended 30 September 2011 the UAE
business which commenced trading in April 2010 had Revenues of £12.8 million and operating profit
of £1.3 million.

UK
In contrast to our UAE operation, the UK businesses are effectively vehicle leasing & maintenance, and
capital had been continually allocated to the capital intensive asset management UK businesses and
other companies associated with this sector.

These businesses, excluding the September 2011 £14 million Placing, had already been recipients of the
various capital raisings totalling £65 million over the last four years.

It appears that income and cash generation levels generated were sufficient to meet interest payments
but did not match the capital repayment profiles of the Bank borrowings or provide the necessary funds
for the longer term asset replacement requirements of the contracts.

In effect, funds from shareholders had seemingly been provided to sustain a flawed business model and
financial structure with little prospect of shareholder value.

The way forward was for shareholders not to inject any more capital into the UK business and for the
Plc and UAE operations to be ‘ring-fenced’ from the liabilities of the UK businesses.

On this basis, the banks recognised that their borrowings were not matched by the underlying assets and
the UK business was only sustainable with reduced levels of debt and capital repayments. As announced
in the Circular to Shareholders, the banks agreed in principle to writing their debts down from £79
million to £43 million.

It is the intention of the Board to continue to improve performance, become more efficient and either
refinance or dispose of these businesses following a period of review. As these are long term asset
financing contracts we have been working with the banks and the customers to provide a solution but,
given the lack of clarity in past financial statements, the need to finance replacement assets, possible
breaches of contract and contract performance issues, the timing and ultimate outcomes are uncertain.

Outlook
The restructuring should provide a basis for a solution to the difficult UK vehicle leasing and
maintenance businesses; but of primary importance is the successful ring-fencing and refinancing of the
Parent company to provide a stable financial platform to enable management to concentrate on
renewing their successful outsourcing contract in the UAE, and also pursuing further opportunities with
their partners in the Middle-East region.

AssetCo plc l Report and Financial Statements 2011

3

Board of directors

Tudor Davies
Executive Director Interim Chairman and Company Secretary
Appointed to the AssetCo plc board in March 2011 Tudor was the Executive Chairman of Dowding and
Mills plc and was subsequently appointed to the board of Castle Support Services plc in June 2007. He
was also a non-executive director and subsequently Chairman of Stratagem Group plc from 2000 to
2002. From 1990 to 1999 he was Chief Executive and subsequently Chairman of Hicking Pentecost plc.
He is currently also the Chairman of Zytronic plc.

Christopher Mills
Non-executive Director
Chairman of the Audit Committee

Member of the Remuneration Committee

Member of the Nomination Committee

Appointed to the AssetCo plc board in March 2011 Christopher is Chief Executive Officer of Harwood
Capital Management Limited and Chief Executive and Investment Manager of North Atlantic Smaller
Companies Investment Trust plc.

Peter Manning
Non-executive Director
Chairman of the Remuneration Committee

Chairman of the Nomination Committee

Member of the Audit Committee

Appointed to the AssetCo plc board in September 2008 Peter has extensive international experience in
senior operating and customer focused roles in business process outsourcing and in service and
technology industries. Between 2004 and 2007, he was Chief Executive of HBS Limited, a business
owned by Terra Firma Capital Partners providing business process outsourcing to the local government
sector in the UK, which was subsequently sold to Mouchel Group plc.

Andrew Freemantle CBE
Non-executive Director
Member of the Audit Committee

Member of the Remuneration Committee

Member of the Nomination Committee

Appointed to the AssetCo plc board in January 2010 Andrew has extensive leadership experience in
complex, multi-site organisations providing mission critical services to the public both in the UK and
Internationally.

Andrew retired in 2010 as Chief Executive of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution a position he held
for 10 years. The RNLI is the world’s largest lifeboat service with an annual budget of over
£124 million, operating with 450 lifeboats from 235 lifeboat stations with 1,250 staff and
4,700 volunteer crew.

4

AssetCo plc l Report and Financial Statements 2011

Directors’ report

Introduction
The directors present their annual report and the audited financial statements of the company and the
Group for the period from 1 April 2010 until 30 September 2011.

Principal Activities
AssetCo is a Fire and Rescue Services business, and includes: the provision of outsourced fire and
rescue services including personnel, training and equipment in the UAE; and the provision and
maintenance of fire and rescue equipment under long term asset management contracts in the UK.

Business Review
Further information relating to the performance of the business, strategy and progress is given in the
Chairman’s statement on pages 1 to 3 which is incorporated into this report by reference. The Group
has recently been restructured to ring fence its International operations in the UAE which it views as its
main focus for growth. The group is in the process of evaluating the future of its UK operations.

The Refinancing
AssetCo PLC announced Proposals on 9 September 2011 which were subsequently approved on
29 September, to refinance the Group, including the injection of £14 million of new equity into the
Company, enabling the Company to focus on growing its operations in the UAE. The Proposals
addressed the Company’s current financial issues and effected a recapitalisation. The Proposals
included:

•

•

•

•

A Scheme of Arrangement with Scheme Creditors to compromise and settle all of the Company’s
liabilities, other than liabilities which are specifically excluded from the Scheme (such as in
respect of the Company’s UAE operations).

A capital reorganisation and a 1 for 1,000 share consolidation.

The exchange of the Subsidiary Preference Shares in consideration for the issue of 3.75 million
New Ordinary Shares by the Company.

A placing of 7 million New Ordinary Shares to raise £14 million (before expenses).

Background to the Refinancing
Financial position of the Company
Between 13 December 2010 and 21 February 2011, the Company made a number of statements
addressing a need for additional working capital, discussions on bank financing and the possibility of
an equity fundraising.

On 4 February 2011, the Company became aware of a winding up petition by HMRC.

On 3 March 2011, the Company announced an equity placing to raise £16 million (“the March
Placing”).

On 18 March 2011, prior to the shareholder meeting to approve the March Placing, the Company
announced that, due to accelerated creditor demands, the Company was short of working capital. It also
stated that a number of Shareholders had indicated that they would be willing to provide additional
support up to £10 million.

On 21 March 2011, the Company announced that it would need £3 to 4 million of working capital in
addition to the £16 million March Placing. However, three Shareholders (NAV, Utilico Group and

AssetCo plc l Report and Financial Statements 2011

5

Directors’ report (continued)

Gartmore) had pledged £10 million should it be needed. The Company’s shares were suspended in light
of a notice from the then Chief Executive, John Shannon, that he refused to be bound by his irrevocable
undertaking to vote in favour of the resolutions authorising and enabling the March Placing. On the
same day a court
injunction was granted requiring John Shannon to abide by his irrevocable
undertaking and the March Placing completed on 22 March 2011.

On 23 March 2011, Tudor Davies was appointed as Interim Executive Chairman of the Company to
replace Tim Wightman who stepped down as Chairman and subsequently as a Director on 30 June 2011,
and Christopher Mills was appointed as Non-Executive Director of the Company.

On 24 March 2011, John Shannon resigned from the Board on request.

On 29 March 2011, the Company announced that the winding up petition from HMRC had been
dismissed, but a new petitioner, including the previous management, had been substituted onto the
petition.

In May 2011, the Company announced that agreement had been reached with the remaining petitioner
and the petition had been dismissed. The Company also stated that it had counter claims against
previous management; that John Shannon had been dismissed as an employee.

The Company also announced that whilst the Group was cash generative and could meet its interest
costs, it did not generate sufficient funds to meet the repayment of capital as currently scheduled. The
Company noted that its banks were supportive regarding the short term financing situation and were
awaiting proposals on a financial restructuring, but in the meantime it was in breach of its banking
arrangements. The Company also stated that it was considering all options to realise shareholder value.

On 18 May 2011, the Company announced that the Finance Director, Scott Brown, was leaving the
Company with immediate effect.

On 24 May 2011, the Company announced that Northern Bank had lodged a winding up petition. At the
winding up hearing on 29 June 2011, the Company sought and was given a 12 day deferral of the
hearing.

On 11 July 2011, the Company announced that the court hearing led to a further two week adjournment
to enable offer and restructuring discussions to continue.

On 25 July 2011 the Company announced it had been granted a further one month deferral to
25 August 2011.

On 25 August 2011, the Company announced that it had been granted a further deferral until
28 September 2011 in order to allow creditors to consider the proposed Scheme of Arrangement
(referred to further below).

Potential approaches to the Company
In January 2011, the Company announced that it was in discussions with a third party that might or
might not lead to an offer being made for the Company.

Subsequently, on 14 February 2011, the Company announced that it had discontinued offer talks with
the potential offeror referred to in January 2011.

On 14 March 2011 the Directors confirmed that they had received a preliminary approach from a third
party which was subject to various conditions including due diligence.

6

AssetCo plc l Report and Financial Statements 2011

Directors’ report (continued)

The independent directors considered the approach to be opportunistic and not in the interests of
Shareholders as the indicated price range included an offer at a discount to the market price. As such,
the independent directors confirmed that no talks were being conducted with this or any other party on
any possible offer for the Company.

On 28 March 2011, the Board confirmed that Arcapita Bank B.S.C.(c) had made an approach.

On 13 June 2011, the Board confirmed that the Company was in discussions with a number of parties
which may or may not lead to an offer being made for the business.

Subsequently, in July 2011, the Company disclosed that discussions with a potential offeror had reached
an advanced stage but the Board had not been able reach an agreement and the potential offeror had not
yet been able to reach agreement with the banks.

As at 9 September the Directors confirm that they had not had discussions with potential offerors for
several weeks.

Further Arrangements- UK Business
At the time of the proposals it was explained that further steps would be required to stabilise the
financial position of the London Group which carries out the contract with the LFEPA, the Lincoln
Business which comprises the contract with the Lincoln Fire and Rescue Service, and the other
subsidiaries within the Group.

The LFEPA contract delivers a steady stream of revenue to the London Group but this does not match
the debt repayment profile. The Company is in advanced discussions with the London Group Banks
which involve, inter alia, carrying out a restructuring of the London Group followed by a write down
of the debt facilities within the London Group to an aggregate total of £30.6 million and agreement with
the London Group Banks as to the implementation of such further steps, as are required, to put the
London Group in a stable financial position. The Board intends to either refinance or sell the London
Group, and consider options for the Lincoln business.

Results
The consolidated financial statements are set out on pages 39 to 101.

During the period a number of errors have been identified that relate to prior periods, and in accordance
with IAS 8 “Accounting policies, changes in accounting estimates and errors” defines a prior period
error as:

“Omissions from, and misstatements in, the entity’s financial statements for one or more prior periods
arising from a failure to use, or misuse of, reliable information that :

a) Was available when financial statements for those periods were authorised for issue; and

b)

Could reasonably be expected to have been obtained and taken into account in the preparation
and presentation of those financial statements.

Such errors include the effects of mathematical mistakes, mistakes in applying accounting policies,
oversights or misinterpretations of facts, and fraud.”

Please refer to note 5 in the consolidated financial statements.

AssetCo plc l Report and Financial Statements 2011

7

Directors’ report (continued)

Dividend
A dividend will not be proposed in this year (2010: 1.5p per share £1,360,000, of this £847,000 was
paid out with the balance due to shareholder directors. Given the matters set out in the Chairman's
statement, these balances have been written back to the income statement. Due to the restatements made
to the 31 March 2009 balance sheet, including retained earnings, this dividend may be unlawful).

Key Performance Indicators
Due to the liquidity problem, the principal indicators used to measure the performance at Group and
segment level in the past 6 months are EBITDA and cash generation. There are very detailed KPIs at
contract level and the appropriate KPIs for Plc control are under review.

Principal Risks and Uncertainties
The directors continuously monitor the business and markets to identify and deal with risks and
uncertainties as they arise, as the main risk to the group’s business is reliance on a very small number
of contracts with Government agencies, and failure to perform could result in these contracts not being
renewed or lost, leading to a significant reduction in revenues and materially affect the value and
prospects of the Group.

Following the successful restructuring carried out in September 2011, and explained in the Circular to
Shareholders and the Scheme of Arrangement, the focus is now on International Fire and Rescue and
as part of the restructuring, the contract in the UAE has been ring fenced from the UK operations where
the problems occurred.

Whilst credit risk is low due to the Government backed nature of the contracts, the concentration of
revenues from a one source in UAE could expose the Group to material risk to trading performance and
contracts in the event of contractual issues arising. The success of the Group depends upon continuing
relationships with customers.

The Group may need to compete for business with companies who provide similar services in other
industry sectors. This may place other competitive pressures on the Group by driving price reductions
or causing reduced margins and/or loss of the Group’s market share.

The Group’s growth is dependent on winning further total managed services and other contracts and
enhancing the returns from existing contracts. Other contracts may be dependent upon the ongoing
purchasing power delegated to under Government policy, which is subject to regular review. Contracts
with public bodies which are central to the Group’s business are awarded through a formal competitive
tendering process, presenting a number of risks, including substantial cost and managerial time and
incorrectly estimating the resources and cost structure that will be required to service any contract.

The Group has contractual obligations to perform its services within stringent time criteria, and is
subject to financial penalties. Any such circumstances may have a material adverse effect on the
business, financial condition, trading performance and prospects. Further, the Group subcontracts some
of its contracted obligations and may be responsible for and liable in respect of subcontractor defaults.

The Group is dependent upon senior management and so the focus is on the recruitment and retention
of qualified employees. The loss of key personnel without adequate replacement may have a material
adverse effect on the Group’s business, performance and prospects.

The activities of the Group are subject to laws and regulation governing taxes, employment standards
and occupational health, safety, environmental and other matters. Failure to comply with such
requirements may result in fines and/or penalties being assessed against the Group which could have a
material adverse effect on the Group’s business, financial condition, trading performance and prospects.

8

AssetCo plc l Report and Financial Statements 2011

Directors’ report (continued)

Capital Structure
The Primary objective of the Group’s capital management is to ensure that capital is available to
allocate to business that maximises shareholder value. There were significant changes to the Group’s
equity structure, and the Group’s borrowings during the year, and after the year end. Further details are
contained in the Circular to shareholders and in the Scheme of Arrangement.

Details of the authorised and issued capital, together with details of the movements in the Company’s
issued share capital during the year, are shown in note 25.

Financial Risk Management
See Note 3.

Directors
The Directors who held office during the period were as follows:

Tudor Davies (Interim Executive Chairman)
Christopher Mills (Non- Executive)
Peter Manning (Non-Executive)
Andrew Freemantle (Non-Executive)
Tim Wightman (Non- Executive Chairman)

Adrian Bradshaw (Non-Executive)
John Shannon (Chief Executive Officer)
Frank Flynn (Chief Financial Officer)
Scott Brown (Chief Financial Officer)

– appointed 23 March 2011
– appointed 23 March 2011

– resigned as Chairman 23 March 2011, retired as a

director 30 June 2011
– resigned 18 August 2010
– resigned 24 March 2011
– resigned 4 October 2011
– appointed 4 October 2010 and resigned 17 May 2011

The Company Secretaries who held office during the period were as follows:

Michael Lavender
Richard Fulton
Scott Brown
Tudor Davies

– resigned 18 August 2010
– appointed 18 August 2010 and resigned 4 October 2010
– appointed 4 October 2010 and resigned 5 September 2011
– appointed 5 September 2011

Directors’ Shareholdings
The beneficial interests of the directors in the shares of the Company were as follows:

Executive directors
Tudor Davies*
Christopher Mills**
John Shannon
Frank Flynn

At 30 September
2011
Number

25,024
5,915,779
–
–

Non-executive directors
Peter Manning
Andrew Freemantle
Tim Wightman
Adrian Bradshaw
*
** Christopher Mills’s shares are owned by NAV in which he has an ownership involvement.

278
18
–
–

Tudor Davies is also interested in the Company’s shares through a discretionary fund managed by North Atlantic Value LLP (“NAV”)

At 31 March
2010
Number

–
–
26,963,327
7,447,222

28,846
8,480
532,083
267,917

AssetCo plc l Report and Financial Statements 2011

9

Directors’ report (continued)

Substantial Shareholdings
At 10 April 2012 the Company Secretary has been notified, in accordance with Chapter 5 of the
Disclosure and Transparency Rules (“DTR”) as issued by the Financial Services Authority, of the
following interest in 3% or more in the ordinary share capital of the Company:

North Atlantic Value LLP
Utilico Group
Henderson Global Investors Limited

Number of
shares

5,915,779
2,379,983
2,349,304

% of
issued share
capital

53.8
21.6
21.4

Charitable Donations
The Group did not make any charitable donations during the year (2010: £nil).

Creditor payment policy and practice
It is the Company’s policy that payments to suppliers are made in accordance with those terms and
conditions agreed with the Company and its suppliers provided that all trading terms have been
complied with. During the year the Company’s liquidity problems resulted in non-compliance with this
policy. Trade creditors at the year end amount to 43 days (2010: restated nil days) of average supplies
for the year.

Business combinations and disposals
Details of the Group’s disposals can be found in Note 28 to the financial statements.

Post Balance sheet events
Details of significant events since the balance sheet date can be found in Note 33 to the financial
statements.

Financial Control Issues
The Group has experienced serious failure of management and financial control at subsidiary and at
Group level, and these have resulted in the prior year adjustments and exceptional items.

The Board believes the control failures were due to basic controls not being in place, controls being
overridden by senior management, and incorrect accounting treatment.

The new board have been informed that under the stewardship of Mr. Shannon and Mr. Flynn there was
a lack of transparent reporting, requests for information were ignored, and related party transactions
were entered into without full board approval. The new board cannot be certain that all issues have been
captured.

Mr Shannon was dismissed as an employee for breaches of fiduciary duty and whilst the company has
not carried out a full investigation, as previously announced in May 2011 in connection with the claims
against the Company by Messrs Shannon & Flynn in support of the winding up petition, it identified
counter claims against John Shannon of £4.6m and also counter claims for breach of fiduciary duty of
£3.4m against Frank Flynn.

10

AssetCo plc l Report and Financial Statements 2011

Directors’ report (continued)

Corporate Governance
As an AIM listed company, AssetCo plc is not obliged to comply with the UK Corporate Governance
Code published in June 2010 (the “Code”) but instead uses its provisions as a guide, but only as
considered appropriate to the circumstances of the company.

The company is committed to high standards of corporate governance but during the period to
30 September 2011, a combination of a considerable strain due to the pressures in its liquidity position,
creditor action, and the departure of the Chairman, Chief Executive, two Finance Directors, the
Company Secretary and the Financial Controller, and inadequate accounting systems, resulted in areas
of non compliance. The principal areas of non compliance were a breakdown in the systems to produce
timely and accurate management information; and for most of the period from 23 March 2011, the
Interim Chairman Tudor Davies was the only executive and was required to cover a multiple of roles
following the departure of the Chief Executive, the Finance Director and the Company Secretary.

Going Concern
The directors have considered the going concern assumption for the Parent company, AssetCo plc, and
the Group by assessing the operational and funding requirements of the Parent company and for each
of the main trading entities.

The directors have concluded that in respect of the Parent company which carries out the outsourcing
contract in UAE, there are no material uncertainties that the directors have identified relating to events
or conditions that may cast significant doubt about the ability of AssetCo plc to continue as a going
concern. Critical to this assessment is the terms of the Scheme of Arrangement which exclude the Parent
company from the liabilities of the remaining companies within the Group and also the receipt of
additional funding through equity placings which took place during the period.

As far as the UK trading subsidiaries are concerned, there is a breach of various banking covenants, and
possibly some provisions of the customer contracts. For the past year or so the customers and the banks
have been supportive regarding the continuance of these UK contracts but the banks have reserved their
rights in respect of breaches of their loan agreements.

The directors have therefore concluded that there are material uncertainties relating to events and
conditions that cast significant doubt about the ability of these companies to continue as a going
concern. The material uncertainties include the need for the continuing support from the banks and
customers where contractual negotiations are ongoing; the achievability of future cashflow forecasts;
the resolution of a disputed issue on a UK contract where there is a claim of irredeemable default, and
formalising the necessary consents from the same parties to the transfer of these subsidiaries to a new
holding company as part of a restructuring and separation of these companies from other Group
companies that are now in liquidation. In the view of the directors, whilst these matters represent
material uncertainties they have a reasonable expectation that the Group has adequate resources to
continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Accordingly, the directors continue to adopt
the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements. The financial statements do not include
the adjustments that would result if the Group was unable to continue as a going concern.

Statement of directors’ responsibilities
The directors are responsible for preparing the Annual Report and the financial statements in
accordance with applicable law and regulations.

Company law requires the directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that
law the directors have prepared the group financial statements in accordance with International
Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as adopted by the European Union, and the parent company
financial statements in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice

AssetCo plc l Report and Financial Statements 2011

11

Directors’ report (continued)

(United Kingdom Accounting Standards and applicable law). Under company law the directors must
not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the
state of affairs of the group and the company and of the profit or loss of the company and group for that
period. In preparing these financial statements, the directors are required to:

•

•

•

select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;

make judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;

state whether IFRSs as adopted by the European Union and applicable UK Accounting Standards
have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the group and
parent company financial statements respectively;

The directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and
explain the company’s transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial
position of the company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the
Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the company and the
group and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other
irregularities.

In so far the directors are aware:

•

•

there is no relevant audit information of which the company’s auditor is unaware; and

the directors have taken all steps that they ought to have taken to make themselves aware of any
relevant audit
the company’s auditor is aware of that
information.

information and to establish that

The directors are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial
information included on the Company’s website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the
preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.

Independent Auditor
Grant Thornton UK LLP resigned from office and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP were appointed.

In accordance with section 489(4) of the Companies Act 2006 a resolution to reappoint
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP will be proposed at the Annual General Meeting.

By order of the Board

Tudor Davies
Company Secretary

Company Registration Number: 04966347

12

AssetCo plc l Report and Financial Statements 2011

Report of the independent auditor
(company financial statements)

We have audited the parent company financial statements of AssetCo plc for the 18 month period ended
30 September 2011 which comprise the Profit and Loss Account, the Balance Sheet, the Cash Flow
Statement and the related notes. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their
preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally
Accepted Accounting Practice).

Respective responsibilities of directors and auditors
As explained more fully in the Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities set out on page 11, the directors
are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a
true and fair view. Our responsibility is to audit and express an opinion on the financial statements in
accordance with applicable law and International Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland). Those
standards require us to comply with the Auditing Practices Board’s Ethical Standards for Auditors.

This report, including the opinions, has been prepared for and only for the company’s members as a
body in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006 and for no other purpose. We
do not, in giving these opinions, accept or assume responsibility for any other purpose or to any other
person to whom this report is shown or into whose hands it may come save where expressly agreed by
our prior consent in writing.

Scope of the audit of the financial statements
An audit involves obtaining evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements
sufficient to give reasonable assurance that the financial statements are free from material misstatement,
whether caused by fraud or error. This includes an assessment of: whether the accounting policies are
appropriate to the parent company’s circumstances and have been consistently applied and adequately
disclosed; the reasonableness of significant accounting estimates made by the directors; and the overall
presentation of the financial statements. In addition, we read all the financial and non-financial
information in the AssetCo plc annual report to identify material inconsistencies with the audited
financial statements. If we become aware of any apparent material misstatements or inconsistencies we
consider the implications for our report.

Basis for qualified opinion on financial position as at 31 March 2010 and disclaimer of opinion on
the profit and cash flows for the period ended 30 September 2011
The audit evidence available to us was limited in the following areas because of limitations in the nature
of the accounting records maintained by the company:

•

•

•

As explained in note 3 to the parent company financial statements, prior period restatements were
identified by the Directors during the period. We were appointed auditors on 7 December 2011
and it was not possible for us to obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence regarding the
amounts, included the restated amounts, forming the comparative figures for the year ended
31 March 2010 and the opening balances as at 1 April 2010.

During the period the directors identified a number of related party transactions with former
directors of the company, disclosed in note 21 to the parent company financial statements. We
have been unable to obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence that there were no additional
related party transactions which would be required to be disclosed in accordance with Financial
Reporting Standard 8 and the Companies Act 2006.

We have not been able to obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence in relation to the
completeness of the directors’ emoluments disclosed in note 21 in relation to former directors of
the company.

AssetCo plc l Report and Financial Statements 2011

13

Report of the independent auditor (continued)

Qualified opinion on financial position as at 31 March 2010 and disclaimer of opinion on profit
and cash flows for the period ended 30 September 2011
Because of the significance of the matters described in the Basis for qualified opinion/disclaimer of
opinion paragraph, we have not been able to obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence to provide a
basis for an audit opinion on the parent company’s profit and cash flows for the 18 month period ended
30 September 2011. Accordingly, we do not express an opinion on the parent company’s profit and cash
flows for the 18 month period ended 30 September 2011.

In our opinion, except for the effects of the matters described in the Basis for qualified
opinion/disclaimer of opinion paragraph, the parent company financial statements:

•

•

•

give a true and fair view of the state of the company’s affairs as at 30 September 2011;

have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted
Accounting Practice; and

have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.

Emphasis of matter - Basis of preparation
We draw attention to note 2 to the financial statements, which explains the basis of preparation of the
financial statements. During the period ended 30 September 2011 the company raised additional
funding through equity placings and also entered into a scheme of arrangement on 29 September 2011
which excluded it from the liabilities of its subsidiary companies. As a result, the directors have
concluded that it is appropriate to prepare the financial statements on a going concern basis.

Opinion on other matter prescribed by the Companies Act 2006
In our opinion the information given in the Directors’ Report for the financial period for which the
parent company financial statements are prepared is consistent with the parent company financial
statements.

Matters on which we are required to report by exception
In respect solely of the limitations of our work referred to above;

•

•

•

we have not obtained all the information and explanations that we considered necessary for the
purpose of our audit;

in our opinion, adequate accounting records have not been kept by the parent company; and

we have been unable to establish whether all disclosures of directors’ remuneration specified by
law have been made.

14

AssetCo plc l Report and Financial Statements 2011

Report of the independent auditor (continued)

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters where the Companies Act 2006 requires
us to report to you if, in our opinion:

•

•

returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or

the parent company financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and
returns.

Other matter
We have reported separately on the group financial statements of AssetCo plc for the 18 month period
ended 30 September 2011. The opinion in that report is qualified.

Andrew Hammond (Senior Statutory Auditor)
for and on behalf of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditors
Birmingham

10 April 2012

AssetCo plc l Report and Financial Statements 2011

15

Company profit and loss account
for the 18 month period ended 30 September 2011

18 months to 30 September 2011
Exceptional
items
(note 6)
£'000

Pre-
exceptional
£'000

12 months to 31 March 2010
Exceptional
items
(note 6)
£'000

Pre-
Total exceptional
£'000
£'000

Total
£'000

Turnover
Cost of sales

Gross profit
Administrative

expenses

Operating loss
Non operating

exceptional items

(Loss)/profit on

ordinary activities
before interest
and taxation
Interest receivable

and similar income

Interest payable

and similar charges

(Loss)/profit on

ordinary activities
before taxation
Tax on (loss)/profit

on ordinary
activities

(Loss)/profit for

the period

Notes

Restated

Restated

Restated
(note 3)

4

5

6

8

8

9

12,796
(8,372)

4,424

–
–

–

12,796
(8,372)

4,424

–
–

–

–
–

–

–
–

–

(4,837)

(23,672)

(28,509)

(531)

(131,075)

(131,606)

(413)

(23,672)

(24,085)

(531)

(131,075)

(131,606)

–

106,628

106,628

–

(130)

(130)

(413)

82,956

82,543

(531)

(131,205)

(131,736)

57

(245)

–

–

57

236

(245)

(6)

–

–

236

(6)

(601)

82,956

82,355

(301)

(131,205)

(131,506)

–

–

–

–

(1,089)

(1,089)

(601)

82,956

82,355

(301)

(132,294)

(132,595)

All activities relate to continuing operations.

There is no difference between the (loss)/profit on ordinary activities before taxation and the
(losses) /profits for the financial period stated above, and their historical cost equivalent.

There are no gains or losses other than the profit of £82,355,000 attributable to the shareholders for the
period ended 30 September 2011 (2010: loss of £132,595,000) and therefore no separate statement of
total recognised gains and losses has been presented. The cumulative effect of the prior period
adjustments is £235,226,000 (2010: £235,226,000).

16

AssetCo plc l Report and Financial Statements 2011

Company Balance Sheet
As at 30 September 2011

30 September 2011

31 March 2010

31 March 2009

Notes

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000
Restated
(note3)

£'000

£'000
Restated
(note3)

NET ASSETS EMPLOYED
Fixed assets
Investments in subsidiaries
Tangible fixed assets

11
12

–
103

–
–

–
–

Current assets
Debtors
Cash held in respect
of the Scheme of
Arrangement
Cash held in respect

of a bond

Cash at bank and in hand

Current liabilities
Creditors – Amounts

falling due within one
year

Amount owed to the

Scheme of Arrangement

Net current assets/

(liabilities)

Total assets less current
liabilities and net assets

REPRESENTED BY
Called up share capital
Share premium account
Merger reserve
Share based payment

reserve

Profit and loss reserve

Total shareholders’

funds/(deficit)

13

11,841

14

5,000

4,226
1,688

22,755

–

–

–
21

21

15

15

(12,695)

(5,000)

(17,695)

(111,205)

–

(111,205)

8,920

–

–
7,500

16,420

(1,478)

–

(1,478)

5,060

5,163

25,353
62,645
68,293

–
(151,128)

(111,184)

(111,184)

22,678
29,288
68,293

680
(232,123)

14,942

14,942

18,345
26,115
68,293

580
(98,391)

5,163

(111,184)

14,942

17
17
18

18
18

19

The financial statements on pages 16 to 35 were approved on behalf of the Board of Directors and
signed by T G Davies on 10 April 2012.

Registered number: 04966347

AssetCo plc l Report and Financial Statements 2011

17

Company Cash Flow Statement
for the 18 month period ended 30 September 2011

Note
23

Net cash outflow from operating activities
Returns on investments and servicing of finance
Interest received
Interest paid

Net cash (outflow)/inflow from returns on

investments and servicing of finance

Taxation

Capital expenditure and financial investment
Purchase of tangible fixed assets

Net cash outflow for capital expenditure and

financial investment

Cash deposited in respect of scheme of arrangement

and a bond

Equity dividends paid to shareholders

Net cash outflow before financing

Financing
Issue of ordinary share capital

Net cash inflow from financing

Increase/(decrease) in net cash in the period

Reconciliation of net (debt)/cash
Net cash at beginning of period
Increase/(decrease) in net cash
Overdrafts eliminated through Creditor Scheme of Arrangement

18 months to
30 September
2011
£'000

(7,726)

57
(245)

(188)

(1,096)

(141)

(141)

(9,226)

(847)

(19,224)

20,491

20,491

1,267

18 months to
30 September
2011
£'000

(775)
1,267
1,196

1,688

12 months to
31 March
2010
£'000
Restated
(14,874)

236
(6)

230

–

–

–

–

(1,137)

(15,781)

7,506

7,506

(8,275)

12 months to
31 March
2010
£'000
Restated

7,500
(8,275)
–

(775)

18

AssetCo plc l Report and Financial Statements 2011

Notes to the parent company financial statements
for the 18 months period ended 30 September 2011

Legal status and activities

1.
AssetCo plc (“the Company”) is principally involved in the provision of management and resources to
the fire and rescue emergency services in international markets. It currently trades through a branch in
UAE and its strategy is to develop this business.

It is also the ultimate holding company for various UK domiciled subsidiaries, including AssetCo
London Limited, AssetCo Engineering Limited, and AssetCo Lincoln Limited who operate under PFI
contracts to provide and maintain fire and rescue equipment for both the London and Lincoln Fire
Brigades.

On the 29 September 2011 a share placing totalling £14,000,000 and a creditor scheme of arrangement
were approved, whereby effectively all known and unknown liabilities were settled for a total
consideration of £5,000,000 and the company became ring fenced from all UK subsidiaries.

Basis of preparation

2.
The separate financial statements of the Company are presented as required by the Companies Act
2006. They have been prepared on a going concern basis, under the historical cost convention and in
accordance with applicable United Kingdom Accounting Standards and law.

The Company announced a change in its accounting reference date from 31 March to 30 September.

The principal accounting policies are summarised below and have been applied consistently in both
periods presented.

Investments
Investments in subsidiary companies are stated at cost, less provisions for diminution in carrying value.
Provisions are calculated with reference to value in use, adjusted for relevant debt.

Fixed assets
Fixed assets are stated at historical cost less depreciation. Historical cost includes expenditure that is
directly attributable to the acquisition of the items.

Subsequent costs are included in the asset’s carrying amount or recognised as a separate asset, as
appropriate, only when it is probable that future economic benefits associated with the item will flow
to the company and the cost of the item can be measured reliably. The carrying amount of the replaced
parts is derecognised. All other repairs and maintenance are charged to the profit and loss account
during the financial period in which they are incurred.

Depreciation on assets is calculated using the straight-line method to allocate their cost to their residual
values over their estimated useful lives as follows:

Fixtures and fittings

3 – 5 years

The residual values and useful lives of assets are reviewed, and adjusted if appropriate, at each balance
sheet date.

An asset’s carrying amount is written down immediately to its recoverable amount if the asset’s
carrying amount is greater than its estimated recoverable amount.

Gains and losses on disposals are determined by comparing the proceeds with the carrying amount and
are recognised within operating profit in the profit and loss account.

AssetCo plc l Report and Financial Statements 2011

19

Notes to the parent company financial statements (continued)

Cash at bank and in hand
Cash at bank and in hand include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks and bank overdrafts.
Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities on the balance sheet. Where the
company does not have immediate access to cash, it is separately classified in the balance sheet.

Accrued income
Material income earned from, but not yet invoiced to, customers in the financial period is included
within prepayments and accrued income where receipt of such income is reasonably certain.

Deferred income
Deferred income arises when income from customers is received in advance of the period in which the
company is contractually obliged to provide its service. Such income is held within accruals and
deferred income and only released to the profit and loss account when the company has met its related
obligations.

Tax
Tax on ordinary activities is provided on taxable profits/(losses) using tax rates enacted or substantially
enacted at the balance sheet date.

Tax on ordinary activities is recognised in the profit and loss account except to the extent that it relates
to items recognised directly in Shareholders’ funds, in which case it is recognised in Shareholders’
funds.

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, or a right to pay less or to receive more tax, except that deferred tax assets are
recognised only to the extent that the directors consider that it is more likely than not that there will be
suitable taxable profits from which the future reversal of the underlying timing differences can be
deducted.

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

Share capital
Ordinary shares are classified as Shareholders’ funds.

Share premium
The share premium account represents the excess over nominal value of the fair value of consideration
received for ordinary shares, net of expenses of the share issue.

Factored debtors
Factoring arrangements that do not transfer all economic risks and rewards are accounted for by
continuing to recognise the continuing rights over the receivable and by recognising any related
obligation to the third party factor.

20

AssetCo plc l Report and Financial Statements 2011

Notes to the parent company financial statements (continued)

Dividends
Dividends are recognised as a liability in the period in which they are authorised. The interim dividend
is recognised when it is paid and the final dividend is recognised when it has been approved by
shareholders at the Annual General Meeting.

Share based payments
The Company has applied the requirements of FRS 20, “Share-based Payments”. The Company issues
equity-settled share-based payments to certain employees. Equity-settled share-based payments are
measured at fair value at the date of grant. The fair value is expensed on a straight-line basis over the
vesting period, based on the estimate of shares that will eventually vest.

Foreign currency
Transactions and balances
Foreign currency transactions are translated into the functional currency using the exchange rates
prevailing at the dates of the transactions. Foreign exchange gains and losses resulting from the
settlement of such transactions are recognised in the profit and loss account.

Foreign operations translation
Balance sheets are translated into sterling at the exchange rate prevailing on the balance sheet date and
gains or losses arising from the translation recognised through shareholders’ funds.

Turnover
Turnover comprises the value of revenue recognised in respect of sale of goods and the provision of
service contracts.

Revenue from the sale of goods is recognised when:

•

•

•

•

•

the significant risks and rewards of ownership of the goods have been transferred to the customer
from the company and this is generally when the goods have been delivered to the customer and
accepted:

effective control over the goods and the management involvement associated with ownership is
no longer held by the company which is generally when the goods have been despatched:

the amount of revenue can be measured reliably:

it is probable that the economic benefits associated with the transaction will flow to the company:
and

the costs incurred or to be incurred in respect of the transaction can be measured reliably.

Revenue from the provision of service contracts is only recognised when the stage of completion can
be measured reliably and it is probable that economic benefit will flow to the company. Where lump
sum payments are received, these revenue receipts are deferred and recognised by allocating the lump
sum revenue over the life of the contract.

AssetCo plc l Report and Financial Statements 2011

21

Notes to the parent company financial statements (continued)

Exceptional items
Items which are material either because of their size or their nature, and which are non-recurring, are
presented within their relevant profit and loss account category, but highlighted through separate
disclosure. The separate reporting of exceptional items helps provide a better picture of the Company’s
underlying performance. Items which may be included within the exceptional category include:

Non operating
•

costs of fundamentally restructuring the business;

•

•

profit and losses on sale of subsidiaries;

profit and losses on sale of significant fixed assets;

Operating
•

provisions against investments in subsidiaries;

•

•

costs in relation to the Company’s scheme of arrangement with creditors;

provisions against amounts owed by subsidiaries.

Restatement note

3.
AssetCo has identified omissions from, and misstatements in, the entity’s financial statements for one
or more prior periods arising from a failure to use, or misuse of, reliable information that:

a)

b)

was available when financial statements for those periods were authorised for issue; and

could reasonably be expected to have been obtained and taken into account in the preparation of
those financial statements.

Accounting standards define such errors include the effects of mathematical mistakes, mistakes in
applying accounting policies, oversights or misinterpretations of facts, and fraud.

The Company has therefore restated the 2009 and 2010 Balance Sheets, 2010 Profit and Loss account
and 2010 Cash Flow Statement to reflect the relevant adjustments as explained below.

Provision against Investments in subsidiaries
Value in use calculations have been concluded for all subsidiaries and when relevant debt is taken into
consideration there is no basis for recognition of an asset in respect of Investments, accordingly a
provision of £98,720,000 was processed in 2010 (2009: £98,720,000).

Disposal of subsidiary
During 2010 the Company disposed of Auto Electrical Services (Manchester) Limited but the 2010
annual report and accounts did not account for the disposal of the investment.

Restatement of Amounts Due from subsidiaries
The amount reported in 2010 in respect of amounts due from subsidiaries was net of £107,622,000 due
to subsidiaries. This restatement corrects that error.

22

AssetCo plc l Report and Financial Statements 2011

Notes to the parent company financial statements (continued)

Provision against Amounts Due From subsidiaries
Value in use calculations have been concluded for all subsidiaries and when relevant debt is taken into
consideration there is no basis for the recoverability of the amounts due from subsidiaries, accordingly
a provision of £135,417,000 was processed in 2010. This amount varies to the £131,075,000 reported
in Note 5 as £4,342,000 of the restatement has been accounted for in pre-exceptional operating profit.

The £4,342,000 restatement relates to the reversal of management recharges from the Company to its
subsidiaries in 2010 that cannot be substantiated and a provision in respect of amount due from
subsidiaries.

Taxation
The £1,089,000 restatement relates to the effects of the reversal of management recharges from the
Company to its subsidiaries that cannot be substantiated.

Restatement of Prior Years

Fixed assets
Investments in subsidiaries
Current assets
Debtors
Cash

Creditors: amounts falling due within

one year

Net current assets

Net Assets

Capital and reserves
Call-up share capital
Share premium account
Merger reserve
Share-based payment reserve
Profit and loss account

Total shareholders’ funds/(deficit)

As reported
31 March 2009
£’000

98,720

8,920
7,500

16,420

(1,478)

14,942

113,662

18,345
26,115
68,293
580
329

113,662

Provision in
respect of
Investments

£’000

(98,720)

–
–

–

–

–

(98,720)

–
–
–
–
(98,720)

(98,720)

Restated
31 March 2009
£’000

–

8,920
7,500

16,420

(1,478)

14,942

14,942

18,345
26,115
68,293
580
(98,391)

14,942

AssetCo plc l Report and Financial Statements 2011

23

Notes to the parent company financial statements (continued)

Restatement of Prior Years

Provision in
respect of
As reported Provision in Amounts due Amounts due
from
Investments Subsidiaries Subsidiaries
£’000

31 March
2010
£’000

Restatement of

respect of

£’000

£’000

from

98,720

(98,720)

–

–

107,622
–

(135,417)
–

107,622

(135,417)

Restated
31 March
2010
£’000

Taxation
£’000

–

–
–

–

–

–
21

21

Company Balance Sheet
Fixed assets
Investments in subsidiaries
Current assets
Debtors
Cash

Creditors: amounts
falling due within
one year

Net Current assets/

(liabilities)

27,795
21

27,816

(2,494)

25,322

–
–

–

–

–

Net Assets/(liabilities)

124,042

(98,720)

Capital and reserves
Call-up share capital
Share premium account
Merger reserve
Share-based payment

reserve

Profit and loss account

Total shareholders’

funds/(deficit)

22,678
29,288
68,293

–
–
–

680
3,103

–
(98,720)

124,042

(98,720)

(107,622)

–

(1,089)

(111,205)

–

–

–
–
–

–
–

–

(135,417)

(1,089)

(111,184)

(135,417)

(1,089)

(111,184)

–
–
–

–
–
–

22,678
29,288
68,293

–
(135,417)

–
(1,089)

680
(232,123)

(135,417)

(1,089)

(111,184)

Segmental reporting

4.
Segment information is presented in respect of the Company’s geographical settlement. The analysis is
for the eighteen months to 30 September 2011 and twelve months to 31 March 2010. Unallocated
comprises the UK head office. No secondary segmental information has been provided as in the view
of the directors, the Company operates in only one segment, being in the provision of fire and rescue
services.

Analysis of turnover and results by geographical settlement
Eighteen months to 30 September 2011

Turnover
Turnover to external customers
Inter-segment turnover

Total turnover

Result
Profit on ordinary activities before taxation
Assets and liabilities
Total net assets

UAE
£'000

12,796
–

12,796

1,128

1,126

Unallocated
£'000

Total
Operations
£'000

–
–

–

81,227

4,037

12,796
–

12,796

82,355

5,163

Turnover by destination is not materially different from the turnover by origin shown above.

24

AssetCo plc l Report and Financial Statements 2011

Notes to the parent company financial statements (continued)

Analysis of turnover and results by geographical settlement
Twelve months to 31 March 2010

UAE
£'000

Unallocated
£'000

Turnover
Turnover to external customers
Inter-segment turnover

Total turnover

Result
Loss on ordinary activities before taxation

Assets and liabilities
Total net liabilities

–
–

–

–

–

Total
Operations
£'000
Restated

–
–

–

–
–

–

(131,506)

(131,506)

(111,184)

(111,184)

Operating loss

5.
The analysis of the components of operating loss is shown below, after charging the following:

18 months to
30 September 2011

12 months to
31 March 2010

£'000

£'000

£'000

38
23,672

Depreciation of property, plant

and equipment
Exceptional items
Fees payable to the company's
auditor for the audit of the
annual accounts

Fees payable to the company's
auditor and its associates for
other services:
– other services relating to
– taxation
– all other services

100

332
123

73

–
73

£'000
Restated

–
131,075

Lease rentals on company properties

555
113

146
–

In 2011 the Company’s auditor was PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (2010: Grant Thornton UK LLP).

AssetCo plc l Report and Financial Statements 2011

25

Notes to the parent company financial statements (continued)

Exceptional items

6.
During the 18 month period ending 30 September 2011 the Company has incurred a significant amount
of exceptional costs and charges. These are summarised below:

Exceptional items - administrative expenses

Provision for impairment of subsidiaries
Provision against amounts owed by subsidiaries
Gain from Share Options
Fair Value of liabilities associated with guarantees
Provision against amounts due from subsidiaries

Non operating exceptional items

18 months to
30 September 2011
£'000

12 months to
31 March 2010
£'000
Restated

7,500
12,499
(680)
4,353
–

23,672

–
–
–

131,075

131,075

18 months to
30 September 2011
£'000

£'000

12 months to
31 March 2010
£'000
Restated

Costs associated with the restructuring of the
AssetCo Group
(Profit)/loss from disposal of subsidiaries
Gain from the write-off of liabilities subject to

the Scheme

Gain from the write-off of liabilities due to

subsidiaries subject to the Scheme

Gain in respect of Creditor Scheme of Arrangement

(1,922)

(99,998)

1,706
(6,414)

(101,920)

(106,628)

–
130

–

130

Gain from share options
All share options immediately lapsed and ceased to be exercisable upon the presentation of the winding
up petition against the Company in March 2011. Accumulated charges have therefore been reversed to
the profit and loss account.

Provisions against amounts due from subsidiaries
In the prior year, value in use calculations have been concluded for all subsidiaries and adjusted for
relative debt. Where these calculations demonstrate that it is unlikely that surplus funds will be
available to repay inter company debts, provisions have been made to write down amounts due from
subsidiaries to the estimated recoverable amount.

Gain in Respect of Creditor Scheme of Arrangement
In August 2011 the Company announced a Creditor Scheme of Arrangement whereby all known and
unknown liabilities at 28 December 2011 would be settled for a maximum cost of £5,000,000 and
effectively the Company would be ring fenced from its UK subsidiaries.

Under the Scheme the Company has obligations in respect of certain guarantees provided previously
and the fair value of these obligations, amounting to £4,353,000, has been recognised.

26

AssetCo plc l Report and Financial Statements 2011

Notes to the parent company financial statements (continued)

As noted above, under the Scheme of Arrangement all liabilities are to be settled for a maximum
amount of £5,000,000 and this sum has been expensed in the period. The liabilities to be settled
amounted to £6,922,000 in respect of third parties and £99,998,000 in respect of subsidiaries and these
amounts have been credited to the profit and loss account in the period.

Additional Liabilities – Creditor Scheme of Arrangement
Claims made under the Scheme have exceeded liabilities accounted for and the excess of £1,215,000
has been expensed in the period.

Employees and Directors

7.
The average number of persons employed by the company (including executive directors) was:

Production
Sales
Administration

The costs incurred in respect of these employees were:
Wages and salaries
Share based payments
Social security costs

18 months to
30 September 2011
Number

12 months to
31 March 2010
Number

88
2
7

97

–
–
5

5

18 months to
30 September 2011
£'000

12 months to
31 March 2010
£'000
Restated

1,640
(680)
76

1,036

734
100
122

956

The above includes redundancy payments of £30,000 (2010: £nil). The costs disclosed above in this
note in respect of 2010 were settled on behalf of the Company by a subsidiary.

8.

Interest (payable)/receivable

Interest payable on bank borrowings
Bank interest receivable

18 months to
30 September 2011
£'000

12 months to
31 March 2010
£'000

(245)
57

(188)

(6)
236

230

AssetCo plc l Report and Financial Statements 2011

27

Notes to the parent company financial statements (continued)

9.

Tax on (loss)/profit on ordinary activities

Current Taxation
UK Corporation Tax at 26% (2010: 28%)

Overseas Taxation

Total Current Tax

Deferred Tax

Total Deferred Tax

Tax on (loss)/profit on ordinary

activities

– Current Period
– Prior Period
– Current Period
– Prior Period

– Current Period
– Prior Period

18 months to
30 September 2011
£'000

12 months to
31 March 2010
£'000
Restated

–
–
–
–

–

–
–

–

–

1,089
–
–
–

1,089

–
–

–

1,089

The difference between the (loss)/profit on ordinary activities at the corporation tax rate of 27.33%
(2010: 28%) ruling in the UK and the actual current tax shown above is explained below:

18 months to
30 September 2011
£'000

12 months to
31 March 2010
£'000
Restated

Profit/(loss) on ordinary activities before taxation

82,355

(131,506)

Tax on profit/(loss) on ordinary activities at a

standard rate of 27.33% (2010: 28%)
Expenses not deductible for tax purposes
Losses from write-off of amounts due from subsidiaries
Capital gain on disposal (lower)/greater than accounting profit
Remuneration (credit)/expense on share based payments
Provision against investments
Gain from write-off of liabilities due to subsidiaries subject

to the Scheme of Arrangement

Tax charge for the period

22,510
998
3,714
(1,753)
(186)
2,050

(27,333)

–

(36,822)
1,146
36,701
36
28
–

–

1,089

Given the material restatements set out in note 3 the Company will be resubmitting tax computations
for prior periods. The directors believe that corporation tax may have been overpaid based on
previously submitted returns and that as a result corporation tax may be recoverable as at the period end.
Due to the breakdown of the Company’s systems and controls in the period, as reported in the Directors’
report, and significant level of uncertainty over the Company’s historic tax position, no corporation tax
recoverable balance is recognised as at the period end.

10. Dividends
A final dividend for 2011 has not been recommended (2010: 1.5p per share £1,360,000, of this £847,000
was paid out by the Company, with the balance due to shareholder directors. Given the matters set out
in the Chairman’s statement, these balances been written back to the profit and loss account. Due to the
restatements made to the 31 March 2009 balance sheet, including retained earnings, this dividend may
be unlawful).

28

AssetCo plc l Report and Financial Statements 2011

Notes to the parent company financial statements (continued)

11.

Investments in subsidiaries

Company
Shares in group companies

2011
£'000

–

Cost
At beginning of period
Additions
Disposals

At end of period

Provision for impairment
At beginning of period
Amounts written off investments
Disposals

At end of period

Carrying value

Principal subsidiary companies

2010
£'000
Restated

–

2011
£'000

94,720
7,500
(2,168)

100,052

(94,720)
(7,500)
2,168

(100,052)

–

2009
£'000
Restated

–

2010
£'000
Restated

98,720
–
(4,000)

94,720

(98,720)
–
4,000

(94,720)

–

Subsidiary

Country of incorporation

Nature of business

Class of share

AssetCo Fire and Rescue Limited

England & Wales

Holding Company

Ordinary

All subsidiary companies as at 30 September 2011 were wholly owned. During the period the company
disposed of its interest in AS Fire & Rescue Equipment Limited and Todd Research Limited as well as
subsidiary companies held by AssetCo Fire and Rescue Limited.

The addition in the period relates to the acquisition of preference shares in AssetCo (Abu Dhabi)
Limited in exchange for ordinary shares see note 17.

A full list of subsidiary undertakings is filed with the Annual Return at Companies House.

AssetCo plc l Report and Financial Statements 2011

29

Notes to the parent company financial statements (continued)

12. Tangible assets

Cost
At 1 April 2010
Additions

At 30 September 2011

Accumulated depreciation

At 1 April 2010
Charge for the period

At 30 September 2011

Net book value
At 30 September 2011
At 31 March 2010

13. Debtors

Trade debtors
Amounts owed by group undertakings
Other debtors
Proceeds due from share placing
Taxation and social security
Prepayments and accrued income

Fixtures &
Fittings
£'000

–
141

141

–
38

38

103
–

2010
£'000
Restated

–
–
–

–
–

–

Total
£'000

–
141

141

–
38

38

103
–

2009
£'000
Restated

–
8,872
–

–
48

8,920

2011
£'000

2,433
–
222
8,041
139
1,006

11,841

Amounts owed by group undertakings are unsecured, interest free, have no fixed date of repayment and
are repayable on demand

Scheme of arrangement

14.
The total liability in respect of the Scheme of Arrangement is limited to £5,000,000 and as at
30 September 2011 the Company was holding £5,000,000 of cash to fund the Scheme of Arrangement.
This amount was transferred to the Scheme supervisor in October 2011. More detail in respect of the
scheme of arrangement can be found in the notes to the consolidated financial statements.

30

AssetCo plc l Report and Financial Statements 2011

Notes to the parent company financial statements (continued)

15. Creditors – Amounts falling due within one year

Bank loans and overdrafts
Trade creditors
Amounts owed to subsidiaries
Other creditors
Amounts owed in respect of factored receivables
Corporation tax
Taxation and social security
Accruals and deferred income

Amounts owed to Scheme of Arrangement (Note 14)

2011
£'000

–
1,303
–
305
2,395
–
–
8,692

12,695
5,000

17,695

2010
£'000
Restated

796
–
107,622
–
–
1,089
1,538
160

111,205
–

111,205

2009
£'000
Restated

–
–
–
–
–
–
1,471
7

1,478
–

1,478

Amounts owed to subsidiaries are unsecured, interest free and repayable on demand.

16. Deferred Tax
There is no provision for deferred taxation in the parent company.

Deferred tax assets not recognised in the parent company are as follows:

Tax losses

2011
£'000

170

2010
£'000
Restated
44

AssetCo plc l Report and Financial Statements 2011

31

Notes to the parent company financial statements (continued)

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Notes to the parent company financial statements (continued)

The rights attaching to Deferred Shares are set out in the company’s Articles of association and are
minimal. They do not carry any voting rights or dividend rights.

Following the September 2011 capital re-organisation 3,750,000 Ordinary Shares with a nominal value
of 10p each were issued in consideration for the purchase of £15m Preference Shares in AssetCo (Abu
Dhabi) Limited and 7,000,000 Ordinary Shares with a nominal value of 10p each were issued for an
issue price of 200p.

The fair value of the consideration for the purchase of the Preference Shares is considered to be £7.5m.

Following the Company’s adoption of new Articles of Association in September 2011, and in
accordance with the Companies Act 2006, the share capital has no authorised limit (2010: £32,500,000).
All issued shares are fully paid, with the exception of £8,041,000 due from proceeds of the September
2011 placing.

Share-based payments

b)
The credit for the period in respect of share-based payments, comprising share options and warrants, is
£680,000 (2010: charge £100,000, 2009: charge £140,000).

Share options

c)
Share options were granted to directors and to selected employees. The Group are under no legal or
constructive obligation to repurchase or settle the options in cash and all share options immediately
lapsed and ceased to be exercisable upon the presentation of the winding up petition against the
Company in March 2011.

Opening
Forfeited
Lapsed

30 September 2011
Average
exercise
price per
share £

Options

1.70
–

1,212,603
–
1.70 (1,212,603)

–

–

31 March 2010

31 March 2009

Average
exercise
price per
share £

1.76
2.29
–

1.70

Options

1,352,603
(140,000)
–

1,212,603

Average
exercise
price per
share £

1.77
1.82
–

1.76

Options

1,819,327
(466,724)
–

1,352,603

The fair value of options at grant date were determined using the Black-Scholes method.

Share options at the end of the periods had the following expiry date and exercise prices:

Expiry Date

04 Dec 2013
29 Mar 2017
30 Jul 2017
30 Jul 2017
22 Nov 2017
22 Nov 2017
28 Nov 2017

Exercise Price
£ per share

30 September
2011
Shares

1.00
1.45
2.30
3.00
2.30
3.00
2.04

–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–

31 March
2010
Shares

210,000
663,103
105,000
140,000
50,000
20,000
24,500

31 March
2009
Shares

210,000
698,103
120,000
160,000
100,000
40,000
24,500

1,212,603

1,352,603

AssetCo plc l Report and Financial Statements 2011

33

Notes to the parent company financial statements (continued)

18. Reserves

At 1 April 2010
Credit for share based payments
Profit for the financial period
Dividends paid

At 30 September 2011

Merger
reserve
£'000

68,293
–
–
–

68,293

Share based
payment reserve
£'000

680
(680)
–
–

–

Profit and
loss reserve
£'000

(232,123)
–
82,355
(1,360)

(151,128)

19. Reconciliation of movements in shareholders’ funds

(Loss)/profit for the period as previously reported
Prior period adjustment

Profit/(loss) for the period
New share capital susbcribed
Share based payments
Divdends paid
Opening shareholders' (deficit)/funds

Closing shareholders' (deficit)/funds

18 months to
30 September 2011
£'000

12 months to
31 March 2010
£'000
Restated

(16,365)
98,720

82,355
36,032
(680)
(1,360)
(111,184)

5,163

3,914
(136,509)

(132,595)
7,506
100
(1,137)
14,942

(111,184)

Transaction costs of £1,468,000 (2010: £294,000) have been deducted from equity.

20. Contingent Liabilities
The Company’s Scheme of Arrangement compromised all UK based guarantees that had been provided
by the Company up to 28 December 2011.

During the last financial year the Company entered into a performance bond in connection to its UAE
based contract which dictates a potential liability of 10% of the contract value upon failure to fulfil the
terms of the contract. This liability would equate to a maximum of approximately £4m. The guarantee
will remain in place in full until 90 days after the customer has confirmed that contractual terms have
been met and it is expected that confirmation will occur in or around April 2013. At completion of the
90 day period the potential liability under this guarantee will reduce to 5% of the contract value and
then progressively reduce to 0% in accordance with expiration of warranty periods relating to discrete
contractual obligations and ranging between 12 months and 10 years in length.

The Company has provided an “Advanced Payment Guarantee” of approximately £8m in connection to
its UAE based contract. The guarantee provides for the repayment in part or full of payments received
from the customer in advance of contractual service delivery. The guarantee shall initially remain in
place until April 2013 and shall progressively reduce over the contract period. If the services required
under the contract remain outstanding beyond the contractual service period then the guarantee could
be extended beyond the initial contract period and until the services are delivered in full.

34

AssetCo plc l Report and Financial Statements 2011

Notes to the parent company financial statements (continued)

21. Related party transactions
Transactions between the company and its wholly owned subsidiaries, which are related parties, are not
disclosed in this note as the Company has taken advantage of the exemption in FRS8. The company has
no transactions or balances with its non-wholly owned subsidiaries.

Related party transactions are disclosed in note 34 to the consolidated financial statements.

22. Operating lease commitments
The Company leases an asset under a non-cancellable operating lease agreement. The lease expires in
April 2013.

Operating lease payments due in the twelve months following the balance sheet date are:

On leases which expire:
Within one year
Between one and five years
More than five years

2011
Property
£'000

–
75
–

75

2010
Property
£'000
Restated

–
–
–

–

2011
Other
£'000

–
–
–

–

2010
Other
£'000
Restated

–
–
–

–

23. Net cash outflow from operating activities

Operating loss
Depreciation
(Increase)/decrease in debtors
Decrease in creditors
Other non–cash charges

Net cash outflow from operating activities

18 months to
30 September 2011
£'000

12 months to
31 March 2010
£'000
Restated

(413)
38
(3,800)
(2,872)
(679)

(7,726)

(531)
–
8,920
(23,103)
(160)

(14,874)

Subsequent events

24.
Post balance sheet events are disclosed in note 33 to the consolidated financial statements.

AssetCo plc l Report and Financial Statements 2011

35

Report of the independent auditor
(consolidated financial statements)

We have audited the group financial statements of AssetCo plc for the 18 month period ended
30 September 2011 which comprise the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position, the Consolidated
Income Statement, the Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity, the Consolidated Statement of
Cashflows and the related notes. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their
preparation is applicable law and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as adopted by the
European Union.

Respective responsibilities of directors and auditors
As explained more fully in the Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities set out on page 11, the directors
are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a
true and fair view. Our responsibility is to audit and express an opinion on the financial statements in
accordance with applicable law and International Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland). Those
standards require us to comply with the Auditing Practices Board’s Ethical Standards for Auditors.

This report, including the opinions, has been prepared for and only for the company’s members as a
body in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006 and for no other purpose. We
do not, in giving these opinions, accept or assume responsibility for any other purpose or to any other
person to whom this report is shown or into whose hands it may come save where expressly agreed by
our prior consent in writing.

Scope of the audit of the financial statements
An audit involves obtaining evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements
sufficient to give reasonable assurance that the financial statements are free from material misstatement,
whether caused by fraud or error. This includes an assessment of: whether the accounting policies are
appropriate to the group’s circumstances and have been consistently applied and adequately disclosed;
the reasonableness of significant accounting estimates made by the directors; and the overall
presentation of the financial statements. In addition, we read all the financial and non-financial
information in the AssetCo plc annual report to identify material inconsistencies with the audited
financial statements. If we become aware of any apparent material misstatements or inconsistencies we
consider the implications for our report.

Basis for qualified opinion on the financial position as at 31 March 2010 and disclaimer of opinion
on the loss and cash flows for the period ended 30 September 2011
The audit evidence available to us was limited in the following areas because of limitations in the nature
of the accounting records maintained by the company:

•

•

•

As explained in note 5 to the group financial statements, prior period restatements were identified
by the Directors during the period. We were appointed auditors on 7 December 2011 and it was
not possible for us to obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence regarding the amounts, included
the restated amounts, forming the comparative figures for the year ended 31 March 2010 and the
opening balances as at 1 April 2010.

Our audit work on property, plant and equipment included in the balance sheet at £24.3 million
was restricted to obtaining evidence in respect of this net book value which is also subject to the
material uncertainty noted below in respect of the Termination Notice. We were not able to obtain
sufficient appropriate audit evidence in respect of the disclosures in note 13 to the financial
statements of the cost of £91.8 million and accumulated depreciation of £67.5 million.

During the period the directors identified a number of related party transactions with former
directors of the company, disclosed in note 34 to the financial statements. We have been unable
to obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence that there were no additional related party

36

AssetCo plc l Report and Financial Statements 2011

Report of the independent auditor (continued)

transactions which would be required to be disclosed in accordance with International
Accounting Standard 24 and the Companies Act 2006.

•

We have not been able to obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence in relation to the
completeness of the directors’ emoluments disclosed in note 34 in relation to former directors of
the company.

Qualified opinion on financial position as at 31 March 2010 and disclaimer of opinion on loss and
cash flows for the period ended 30 September 2011
Because of the significance of the matters described in the Basis for qualified opinion/disclaimer of
opinion paragraph, we have not been able to obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence to provide a
basis for an audit opinion on the group’s loss and cash flows for the 18 month period ended
30 September 2011. Accordingly, we do not express an opinion on the group’s loss or its cash flows for
the 18 month period ended 30 September 2011.

In our opinion, except for the effects of the matters described in the Basis for qualified
opinion/disclaimer of opinion paragraph, the group financial statements:

•

•

•

give a true and fair view of the state of the group’s affairs as at 30 September 2011;

have been properly prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the European Union; and

have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.

Emphasis of matter – going concern
We have considered the adequacy of the disclosure made in note 2 to the financial statements
concerning the group’s ability to continue as a going concern. The group had breached all its borrowing
covenants at the period end. The directors are in negotiations with the group’s lenders to restructure the
group’s borrowings. Draft refinancing terms are in place for the restructuring of the group’s borrowings
but are yet to complete. The group is not a going concern without the completion of this refinancing and
the continued support of the group’s lenders. In addition the Group has received a termination notice in
respect of one of its UK contracts. These conditions indicate the existence of a material uncertainty
which may cast significant doubt about the group’s ability to continue as a going concern and the
carrying value of property, plant and equipment and the completeness of liabilities in relation to the
disputed contract. The financial statements do not include the adjustments that would result if the group
was unable to continue as a going concern or which may arise as a result of the termination notice.

Opinion on other matter prescribed by the Companies Act 2006
In our opinion the information given in the Directors’ Report for the financial period for which the
group financial statements are prepared is consistent with the group financial statements.

Matters on which we are required to report by exception
In respect solely of the limitations of our work referred to above:

•

•

we have not obtained all the information and explanations that we considered necessary for the
purpose of our audit; and

we have been unable to establish whether all disclosures of directors’ remuneration specified by
law have been made.

AssetCo plc l Report and Financial Statements 2011

37

Report of the independent auditor (continued)

Other matter
We have reported separately on the parent company financial statements of AssetCo plc for the
18 month period ended 30 September 2011. The opinion in that report is qualified.

Andrew Hammond (Senior Statutory Auditor)
for and on behalf of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditors
Birmingham

10 April 2012

38

AssetCo plc l Report and Financial Statements 2011

Consolidated Income Statement
for the 18 month period ended 30 September 2011

Revenue
Cost of sales

Gross profit
Administrative expenses

Operating loss
Analysed as:
Operating loss before exceptional items
Exceptional items
Finance income
Finance costs
(Loss)/gain on fair value of financial instruments

Loss before tax
Income tax expense

Loss for the period from continuing operations

Discontinued operations
Loss for the period from discontinued operations

Loss for the period

Earnings per share (EPS)
Basic and diluted - pence
Continuing operations
Discontinued operations

18 months to
30 September
2011
£'000

12 months to
31 March
2010
£'000
Restated
(note 5)

49,005
(26,853)

22,152
(34,203)

(12,051)

(2,490)
(9,561)
159
(8,306)
(1,390)

(21,588)
–

(21,588)

(610)

(22,198)

26,216
(18,451)

7,765
(19,139)

(11,374)

(2,050)
(9,324)
400
(7,213)
1,304

(16,883)
(1,089)

(17,972)

(5,296)

(23,268)

(14.71)
(0.42)

(21.15)
(6.23)

Note

6

7

9
9
24

11

28

12
12

AssetCo plc l Report and Financial Statements 2011

39

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income
for the 18 month period ended 30 September 2011

18 months to
30 September
2011
£'000

12 months to
31 March
2010
£'000
Restated
(note 5)

(22,198)

(23,268)

165
(1,846)

(1,681)

(23,879)

246
(68)

178

(23,090)

Note

15

Recognised loss for the period
Other comprehensive income
Exchange differences on translating foreign operations
Actuarial losses on defined benefit pensions plan

Other comprehensive income, net of tax

Total comprehensive income for the period

All comprehensive income relates to continuing operations.

40

AssetCo plc l Report and Financial Statements 2011

Consolidated Statement of Financial Position
as at 30 September 2011

Assets
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment
Goodwill
Other intangible assets
Retirement benefit surplus
Cash held in respect of a bond

Total non-current assets

Current assets
Inventories
Trade and other receivables
Cash and cash equivalents (excluding

bank overdrafts)

Cash held in respect of scheme of arrangement

Total current assets

Assets held for sale

Total assets

Shareholders' equity
Share capital
Equity component of compound

financial instruments

Share premium
Reverse acquisition reserve
Foreign currency translation reserve
Other reserves
Profit and loss account

Total equity
Liabilities
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables
Amount held in respect of scheme

of arrangement

Short-term provisions
Tax liabilities
Bank loans and short term borrowings
Derivative financial instruments

Total current liabilities

Non-current liabilities
Long-term borrowings
Liability component of compound

financial instruments

Retirement benefit liabilities
Long-term provisions

Total non-current liabilities

Liabilities associated with assets held for sale
Total liabilities

Total equity and liabilities

30 September
2011
£'000

Notes

31 March
2010
£'000
Restated
(note 5)

31 March
2009
£'000
Restated
(note 5)

13
14
14
15

16
17

21

27

25

25

25

18/19

19
23
26
22
20

22

15
23

27

24,332
–
100
–
4,226

28,658

291
13,326

4,395
5,000

23,012

–

51,670

28,140
280
284
725
–

29,429

201
5,781

2,597
–

8,579

6,921

44,929

28,897
2,106
194
749
–

31,946

6,607
17,463

22,498
–

46,568

–

78,514

25,353

22,678

18,345

–
62,645
(12,644)
107
–
(150,723)

(75,262)

7,917
29,288
(12,644)
(58)
680
(133,236)

(85,375)

7,917
26,115
(12,644)
(304)
580
(108,763)

(68,754)

21,546

5,000
3,638
–
78,166
7,211

115,561

–

–
1,112
10,259

11,371

–
126,932

51,670

13,899

–
1,024
1,089
14,912
5,821

36,745

67,267

8,200
–
11,399

86,866

6,693
130,304

44,929

26,881

–
570
–
16,843
7,125

51,419

81,676

7,045
–
7,128

95,849

–
147,268

78,514

The notes on pages 44 to 101 are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements. The financial
statements were authorised for issue by the board of directors on 10 April 2012 and were signed on its behalf
by T G Davies.

AssetCo plc l Report and Financial Statements 2011

41

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity
for the 18 month period ended 30 September 2011

Share
capital
£'000

Reverse
acquisition
reserve
£'000

Foreign
currency
translation
reserve
£'000

Other
reserves
£'000

Equity
component of
compound
Profit
and loss
financial
reserve instruments
£'000

£'000

Share
premium
£'000

Total
equity
£'000

18,345

(12,644)

(304)

580

(108,763)

7,917

26,115

(68,754)

–

–
4,333

4,333

–

–

–

–

–

–
–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–
–

–

–

246

–

246

–

(1,137)

100
–

–
–

100

(1,137)

–

–

–

–

(23,268)

–

(68)

(23,336)

–

–
–

–

–

–

–

–

–

(1,137)

–
3,173

100
7,506

3,173

6,469

–

–

–

–

(23,268)

246

(68)

(23,090)

Balance at
31 March 2009
(Restated)
Transactions
with owners:
Dividends
Share based
payments
Issue of shares

Transactions
with owners

Loss for the year
Other comprehensive
income:
Exchange differences
on translation
Actuarial losses on
defined benefit
pensions plan

Total comprehensive
income for the year

Balance at
31 March 2010
(Restated)

Dividends
Preference
share expense
Share based
payments
Issue of shares

Transactions
with owners

22,678

–

–

–
2,675

2,675

Loss for the period
Other comprehensive
income:
Exchange differences
on translation
Actuarial losses on
defined benefit
pensions plan

Total comprehensive
income for the period

–

–

–

–

(12,644)
–
–

–

–
–

–

–

–

–

–

Balance at
30 September 2011 25,353

(12,644)

(58)

680

(133,236)

7,917

29,288

(85,375)

–

–

–
–

–

–

165

–

165

107

–

–

(680)
–

(1,360)

–

7,917

(7,917)

–

–

(1,360)

–

–
–

–
–

–
33,357

(680)
36,032

(680)

6,557

(7,917)

33,357

33,992

–

–

–

–

–

(22,198)

–

(1,846)

(24,044)

(150,723)

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

(22,198)

165

(1,846)

(23,879)

62,645

(75,262)

42

AssetCo plc l Report and Financial Statements 2011

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
for the 18 month period ended 30 September 2011

Note

31

Cash flows from operating activities
Cash generated from operations
Interest paid
Income taxes paid
Contributions to defined benefit pension schemes

Net cash flows from operating activities

Cash flows from investing activities
Finance income
Disposal of businesses
Purchase of intangible assets
Purchase of property, plant, and equipment
Sale of property, plant, and equipment
Cash deposited in respect of scheme of arrangement

and a bond

Net cash used in investing activities

Cash flows from financing activities
Issue of shares (net of costs)
Dividends paid
Dividends/management charges
Repayments of amounts borrowed
Increase in borrowings
Finance lease additions
Finance lease repayments

Net cash generated from/(used) in financing activities

Net cash and cash equivalents
Cash flow from discontinued operations

Net change in cash and cash equivalents
Cash, cash equivalents and bank overdrafts at

beginning of period

Cash, cash equivalents and bank overdrafts
at end of period

21

18 months to
30 September
2011
£'000

12 months to
31 March
2010
£'000
Restated

4,554
(7,038)
(1,096)
–

(3,580)

57
2,515
–
(2,589)
566

(9,226)

(8,677)

20,491
(847)
(450)
(3,001)
1,296
10,523
(12,765)

15,247

2,990
–

2,990

1,387

4,377

4,173
(5,888)
–
(272)

(1,987)

416
–
(126)
(2,896)
37

–

(2,569)

7,506
(1,140)
–
(11,063)
–
11,807
(11,371)

(4,261)

(8,817)
(8,601)

(17,418)

18,805

1,387

AssetCo plc l Report and Financial Statements 2011

43

Notes to the consolidated financial statements
for the 18 month period ended 30 September 2011

Legal status and activities

1.
AssetCo plc and its subsidiaries (together “the Group”) are principally involved with the provision of
management services, the provision of asset management services and the supply of specialist
equipment to the emergency services market.

AssetCo plc is a public limited liability company incorporated and domiciled in England and Wales.
The address of its registered office is 800 Field End Road, South Ruislip, Middlesex HA4 0QH. The
Group operates from three sites throughout the United Kingdom, one in the Republic of Ireland, and
one in UAE.

AssetCo plc shares are listed on the Alternative Investment Market (“AIM”) of the London Stock
Exchange.

The financial statements of AssetCo plc for the year ended 31 March 2010 were authorised for issue by
the then Board of Directors on 12 July 2010 and the balance sheet was signed on the Board’s behalf by
RF Flynn. Those financial statements received an unqualified audit report which did not contain
statements under Section 237 (2) and (3) of the Companies Act 2006.

For greater clarity, the financial statements have been presented in Sterling to the nearest thousand
pounds (£’000) except where otherwise indicated.

On 9 September 2011 the Group announced a change in its accounting reference date from 31 March
to 30 September.

These consolidated financial statements were authorised for issue by the Board of Directors on 10
April 2012.

Summary of significant accounting policies

2.
The principal accounting policies applied in the preparation of these consolidated financial statements
are set out below.

2.1 Basis of preparation
The Group’s financial statements comply with the AIM Rules and have been prepared in accordance
with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRSs”) as adopted by the European Union as they
apply to the financial statements of the Group for the 18 month period ended 30 September 2011 and
applied in accordance with the Companies Act 2006. The financial statements are prepared using the
historical cost convention as modified by financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss. The
accounting policies which follow set out those policies which apply in preparing the financial
statements for the 18 month period ended 30 September 2011.

Going concern
The directors have considered the going concern assumption for the Parent company, AssetCo plc, and
the Group by assessing the operational and funding requirements of the Parent company and for each
of the main trading entities.

The directors have concluded that in respect of the Parent company which carries out the outsourcing
contract in UAE, there are no material uncertainties that the directors have identified relating to events
or conditions that may cast significant doubt about the ability of AssetCo plc to continue as a going
concern. Critical to this assessment is the terms of the Scheme of Arrangement which exclude the Parent
company from the liabilities of the remaining companies within the Group and also the receipt of
additional funding through equity placings which took place during the period.

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AssetCo plc l Report and Financial Statements 2011

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

As far as the UK trading subsidiaries are concerned, there is a breach of various banking covenants, and
possibly some provisions of the customer contracts. For the past year or so the customers and the banks
have been supportive regarding the continuance of these UK contracts but the banks have reserved their
rights in respect of breaches of their loan agreements.

The directors have therefore concluded that there are material uncertainties relating to events and
conditions that cast significant doubt about the ability of these companies to continue as a going
concern. The material uncertainties include the need for the continuing support from the banks and
customers where contractual negotiations are ongoing; the achievability of future cashflow forecasts;
the resolution of a disputed issue on a UK contract where there is a claim of irredeemable default, and
formalising the necessary consents from the same parties to the transfer of these subsidiaries to a new
holding company as part of a restructuring and separation of these companies from other Group
companies that are now in liquidation. In the view of the directors, whilst these matters represent
material uncertainties they have a reasonable expectation that the Group has adequate resources to
continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Accordingly, the directors continue to adopt
the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements. The financial statements do not include
the adjustments that would result if the Group was unable to continue as a going concern.

The situation with regards to the non trading subsidiaries is less clear with a number either being struck-
off, subject to application/proposal for striking off, subject to court orders to be wound-up, or have been
placed in liquidation (please see note 33 – Post Balance Sheet Events).

Critical accounting estimates and judgements
The preparation of financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that
affect the amounts reported for assets and liabilities as at the balance sheet date and the amounts
reported for revenue and expenses during the year. The nature of estimation means the actual outcomes
may differ from the estimates. Further details on the critical accounting estimates used and judgements
made in preparing these financial statements can be found in Note 4.

Accounting standards and interpretations
Adoption of new and revised Standards:

With effect from 1 April 2010 the Group has implemented the following relevant accounting standards;

IFRS 1 (revised) ‘First time adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards’

Amendments to IFRS 1 for additional exemptions

Amendment to IFRS 2, ‘Share based payments

IFRS 3 (revised) ‘Business combinations’

IAS 27 (revised) ‘Consolidated and separate financial statements’

Amendment to IAS 32, ‘Financial Instruments Presentation’

Amendment to IAS 39, ‘Financial Instruments: Recognition and measurement’, on eligible hedged
items

Annual improvements 2009

IFRIC 15, ‘Arrangements for construction of real estate’

AssetCo plc l Report and Financial Statements 2011

45

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

IFRIC 17, ‘Distributions of non cash assets to owners’

IFRIC 18, ‘Transfer of assets from customers’

These standards, interpretations and amendments have had no impact on the current year.

Standards, interpretations and amendments to existing standards that are not yet effective and have not
been early adopted by the Group:

At the date of authorisation of these financial statements the following standards, amendments and
interpretations which have not been applied in these financial statements were in issue but not yet
effective:

Amendment to IFRS 1, ‘First time adoption – exemption for severe hyperinflation and removal of fixed
dates

Amendments to IFRS 7, Disclosures – Transfers of Financial Assets

IFRS 9, ‘Financial Instruments’

IFRS 10, Consolidated Financial Statements

IFRS 11, Joint Arrangements

IFRS 12, Disclosure of Interests in Other Entities

IFRS 13 Fair value Measurement

Amendments to IAS 1, ‘Presentation of financial statements’

Amendments to IAS 12, ‘Income taxes’ (deferred tax accounting for investment properties)

IAS 19 (Revised) – ‘Employee Benefits’

IAS 24 (Revised) – ‘Related party disclosures’

IAS 27 (Revised) – ‘Consolidated and Separate Financial Statements’

IAS 28 (Revised) – ‘Investments in Associates’

IAS 32 (Revised) – ‘Financial Instruments: Presentation’

Annual improvements 2010

Amendment to IFRIC 14, ‘IAS 19 – The limit on a Defined Benefit Asset, Minimum Funding
Requirements and their Interaction’

IFRIC 19, ‘Extinguishing financial liabilities with equity instruments’

IFRIC 20 – ‘Stripping Costs in the Production Phase of a Surface Mine’

The directors are currently assessing the impact of the adoption of these standards and interpretations
on the financial statements of the Group.

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AssetCo plc l Report and Financial Statements 2011

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

2.2 Consolidation
The Group financial statements consolidate the financial statements of AssetCo plc and the entities it
controls (its subsidiaries) drawn up to 30 September (previously 31 March) each year.

a)
Reverse acquisition accounting
Under IFRS 3 “Business Combinations”,
the acquisition of AssetCo Fire and Rescue Limited
(previously named AssetCo Group Limited) (the “legal subsidiary”) by the Company (the “legal
parent”) has been accounted for as a reverse acquisition and the consolidated IFRS financial
information of the Company is therefore a continuation of the financial information of AssetCo Fire
and Rescue Limited.

Under reverse acquisition accounting, the cost of a business combination is deemed to have been
incurred by the legal subsidiary in the form of equity instruments issued to the owners of the legal
parent.

The assets and liabilities of the legal subsidiary (the “acquirer”) are recognised and measured in the
consolidated financial statements at their pre-combination carrying amounts. The assets and liabilities
of the legal parent (the “acquiree”) are fair valued at the acquisition date.

The retained earnings and other reserves recognised in the consolidated financial statements should be
those of the legal subsidiary immediately before the business combination. The equity structure shown
in the consolidated financial statements should reflect the legal parent’s equity structure, including the
equity instruments issued by the legal parent to effect the combination.

Subsidiaries

b)
Subsidiaries are all entities over which the Group has the power to govern the financial and operating
policies and generally accompanying a shareholding of more than one half of the voting rights.
Subsidiaries are fully consolidated from the date on which control is transferred to the Group and
continue to be consolidated until the date that control ceases. Control comprises the power to govern
the financial and operating policies of the investment so as to obtain benefit from its activities and is
achieved through direct or indirect ownership of voting rights or by way of contractual agreement.

The purchase method of accounting is used to account for the acquisition of subsidiaries by the Group.
The cost of an acquisition is measured as the fair value of the assets given, equity instruments issued
and liabilities incurred or assumed at the date of exchange, plus costs directly attributable to the
acquisition. Identifiable assets acquired and liabilities and contingent liabilities assumed in a business
combination are measured initially at their fair values at the acquisition date. The excess of the cost of
acquisition over the fair value of the Group’s share of identifiable net assets acquired is recorded as
goodwill. If the cost of an acquisition is less than the fair value of the net assets of the subsidiary
acquired, the difference is recognised directly in the income statement.

When settlement of all or any part of the cost of a business combination is deferred, the fair value of
that deferred component shall be determined by discounting the amounts payable to their present value
at the date of exchange, taking into account any premium or discount likely to be incurred in settlement.

Inter-company transactions, balances and unrealised gains on transactions between Group companies
are eliminated. Unrealised losses are also eliminated, unless there is evidence of impairment of the
asset, but are considered an impairment indicator of the asset transferred. Accounting policies of
subsidiaries have been changed where necessary to ensure consistency with the policies adopted by the
Group.

AssetCo plc l Report and Financial Statements 2011

47

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

Assets held for sale

c)
Non-current assets (and disposal groups) classified as held for sale are measured at the lower of carrying
amount and fair value less costs to sell.

Non-current assets and disposal groups are classified as held for sale if their carrying amount will be
recovered through a sale transaction rather than through continuing use. This condition is regarded as
met only when the sale is highly probable and the asset (or disposal group) is available for immediate
sale in its present condition. Management must be committed to the sale which should be expected to
qualify for its recognition as a completed sale within one year from the date of classification.

2.3 Revenue recognition
Revenue comprises the fair value of the consideration received or receivable from the provision of
services in the ordinary course of the Group’s activities. Revenue is shown net of value-added tax,
returns, rebates and discounts and after eliminating sales within the Group.

The Group recognises revenue when specific criteria have been met for each of the Group’s activities
as described below. The amount of revenue is not considered to be reliably measurable until all
contingencies relating to the sale have been resolved.

Rendering of services

a)
Services provided by the Group include:

•

•

•

•

provision of vehicles and equipment for use by the fire emergency services under PPP and PFI
fixed term contracts in the UK;

provision of maintenance of vehicles and equipment used by the fire emergency services in the
UK;

provision of trained fire service personnel cover for deployment in the event of a pandemic or
other unplanned actions in the UK; and

provision and training of fire service personnel used by fire emergency services in UAE

The Group receives a fixed unitary payment for the provision of its vehicles, equipment and
maintenance PPP and PFI fixed term contracts. Revenue is recognised on a straight-line basis on
fulfilment of the group’s performance under these contracts, with deductions made for any service
shortfall in the period.

Revenue is recognised on performance of the Group’s service obligations in respect of the Group’s fire
service personnel contacts. Deductions are made for any service shortfalls in the period.

Sale of goods

b)
Revenue from the sale of goods to the emergency services market is recognised when all of the
following conditions have been satisfied:

•

the Group has transferred to the buyer the significant risks and rewards of ownership of the goods
which is generally when the goods have been successfully delivered to the customer and
accepted;

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AssetCo plc l Report and Financial Statements 2011

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

•

•

•

•

the Group retains neither continuous managerial involvement to the degree usually associated
with ownership nor effective control over the goods sold which is generally when the goods have
been despatched;

the amount of revenue can be measured reliably;

it is probable that the economic benefits associated with the transaction will flow to the Group;
and

the costs incurred or to be incurred in respect of the transaction can be measured reliably.

Leasing and short-term hire

c)
Revenue from the leasing and short-term hire of assets is recognised in the income statement on a
straight-line basis over the period of the hire.

Interest income

d)
Interest is recognised using the effective interest method which calculates the amortised cost of a
financial asset and allocates the interest income over the relevant period.

The effective interest rate is the rate that exactly discounts estimated future cash receipts through the
expected life of the financial asset to the net carrying amount of the financial asset.

2.4

Foreign currency translation

Functional and presentation currency

a)
Items included in the financial statements of each of the Group’s entities are measured using the
currency of the primary economic environment in which the entity operates (“the functional currency”).
The consolidated financial statements are presented in sterling (£), which is the Company’s functional
and presentation currency.

There has been no change in the Company’s functional or presentation currency during the period under
review.

Transactions and balances

b)
Foreign currency transactions are translated into the functional currency using the exchange rates
prevailing at the dates of the transactions. Foreign exchange gains and losses resulting from the
settlement of such transactions are recognised in the income statement and from the translation at year-
end exchange rates of monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies recognised
through equity.

Foreign operations translation

c)
The consolidated Group accounts are prepared in sterling. Income statements of foreign operations are
translated into sterling at the average exchange rates for the period and balance sheets are translated into
sterling at the exchange rate ruling on the balance sheet date.

AssetCo plc l Report and Financial Statements 2011

49

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

2.5 Government grants
Grants from the government are recognised at their fair value when there is a reasonable assurance that
the grant will be received and the Group will comply with all attached conditions.

Government grants relating to costs are deferred and recognised in the income statement over the period
necessary to match them with the costs that they are intended to compensate.

Government grants relating to property, plant and equipment are included in non-current liabilities as
deferred government grants and are credited to the income statement on a straight-line basis over the
expected lives of the related assets.

Segment reporting

2.6
Operating segments are reported in a manner consistent with the internal reporting provided to the chief
operating decision-maker. The chief operating decision-maker, who is responsible for allocating
resources and assessing performance of the operating segments, has been identified as the Board of
Directors.

Property, plant and equipment

2.7
All property, plant and equipment is stated at historical cost less depreciation. Historical cost includes
expenditure that is directly attributable to the acquisition of the items.

Subsequent costs are included in the asset’s carrying amount or recognised as a separate asset, as
appropriate, only when it is probable that future economic benefits associated with the item will flow
to the Group and the cost of the item can be measured reliably. The carrying amount of the replaced
parts is derecognised. All other repairs and maintenance is charged to the income statement during the
financial period in which they are incurred.

Depreciation on assets is calculated using the straight-line method to allocate their cost to their residual
values over their estimated useful lives as follows:

Over the term of the lease
Leasehold buildings
Over the term of the lease
Leasehold improvements
3 – 5 years
Fixtures and fittings
2 – 5 years
Equipment, plant and machinery
Operational equipment and motor vehicles 2 – 20 years

Land is not depreciated.

Operational equipment and motor vehicles that have been provided to customers under long-term
contracts are grouped as “assets under long-term arrangements” in Note 13 to the financial statements.

The residual values and useful lives of assets are reviewed, and adjusted if appropriate, at each balance
sheet date. Details of revisions in the year, and their related effect, are set out in note 13.

An asset’s carrying amount is written down immediately to its recoverable amount if the asset’s
carrying amount is greater than its estimated recoverable amount.

Gains and losses on disposals are determined by comparing the proceeds with the carrying amount and
are recognised within operating profit in the income statement.

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AssetCo plc l Report and Financial Statements 2011

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

2.8

Intangible assets

Goodwill
Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of an acquisition over the fair value of the Group’s share of
the net identifiable assets of the acquired subsidiary at the date of acquisition. Goodwill on acquisitions
of subsidiaries is included in intangible assets. Goodwill is tested annually for impairment and carried
at cost less accumulated impairment losses. Impairment losses on goodwill are not reversed. Gains and
losses on the disposal of an entity include the carrying amount of goodwill relating to the entity sold.

Goodwill is allocated to cash-generating units (separately identifiable cash flows) for the purpose of
impairment testing. The allocation is made to those cash-generating units or groups of cash-generating
units that are expected to benefit from the business combination in which the goodwill arose. The Group
allocates goodwill to each contract that it operates and the underlying business to which the goodwill
relates.

Computer software
Acquired computer software licences are capitalised on the basis of the costs incurred to acquire and
bring to use the specific software. These costs are amortised on a straight line basis over their estimated
useful lives of three to five years.

Impairment testing of goodwill, other intangible assets and property, plant and equipment
For the purposes of assessing impairment, assets are grouped at the lowest levels for which there are
separately identifiable cash flows. As a result, some assets are tested individually for impairment and
some are tested at cash-generating unit level.

Goodwill with an indefinite useful life, and those intangible assets not yet available for use are tested
for impairment at least annually. All other individual assets or cash-generating units are tested for
impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be
recoverable.

An impairment loss is recognised for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the recoverable
amount of the asset or cash-generating unit. The recoverable amount is the higher of fair value,
reflecting market conditions less costs to sell, and value in use based on an internal discounted cash
flow evaluation. With the exception of goodwill, all assets are subsequently reassessed for indications
that an impairment loss previously recognised may no longer exist.

Inventories

2.9
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost and net realisable value. Cost is determined using the first-in
first-out (“FIFO”) method. The cost of finished goods and work in progress comprises design costs, raw
materials, direct labour, other direct costs and related production overheads based on normal operating
capacity. Net realisable value is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business, less
applicable variable selling expenses.

2.10 Financial instruments

Financial assets

a)
The Group classifies its financial assets in the following categories: at fair value through profit or loss
or loans and receivables. The classification depends on the purpose for which the financial assets were
acquired. Management determines the classification of its financial assets at initial recognition.

AssetCo plc l Report and Financial Statements 2011

51

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

Loans and receivables
Loans and receivables are non-derivative financial assets with fixed or determinable payments. They
are included in current assets, except for maturities greater than twelve months after the balance sheet.
These are classified as non-current assets. The Group’s loans and receivables comprise “trade and other
receivables” and “cash and cash equivalents”.

Trade receivables
Trade receivables are recognised initially at fair value plus directly attributable transaction costs and
subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method, less provision for
impairment. A provision for impairment of trade receivables is established when there is objective
evidence that the Group will not be able to collect all amounts due according to the original terms of
the receivables. Significant financial difficulties of the debtor, probability that the debtor will enter
bankruptcy or financial reorganisation, and default in payments are considered indicators that the trade
receivable is impaired. The amount of the provision is the difference between the asset’s carrying
amount and the present value of estimated future cash flows, discounted at the original effective interest
rate. The carrying amount of the asset is reduced through the use of an allowance account, and the
amount of the loss is recognised in the income statement within administrative expenses. When a trade
receivable is uncollectible, it is written off against the allowance account for trade receivables.
Subsequent recoveries of amounts previously written off are credited against administrative expenses
in the income statement.

Factored receivables
Factoring arrangements that do not transfer all economic risks and rewards are accounted for by
continuing to recognise the continuing rights over the receivable and by recognising any related
obligation to the third party factor.

Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks and bank overdrafts.
Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities on the balance sheet.

Financial liabilities and equity instruments

b)
A financial liability is any liability that is a contractual obligation to deliver cash or another financial
asset to another entity or to exchange financial assets or financial liabilities with another entity under
conditions that are potentially unfavourable to the entity.

Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss are financial liabilities held for trading. A
financial liability is classified in this category if acquired principally for the purpose of selling in the
short-term. Derivatives are also categorised as held for trading unless they are designated as hedges.

An equity instrument is a contract that evidences a residual interest in the assets of an entity after
deducting all of its liabilities.

Financial liabilities and equity instruments are classified according to the substance of the contractual
arrangements entered into. Where the contractual 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 classified as such in the balance sheet.

Finance costs and gains or losses relating to financial liabilities are included in the income statement.
Finance costs are calculated so as to produce a constant rate or return on the outstanding liability.

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AssetCo plc l Report and Financial Statements 2011

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

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.

Borrowings
Borrowings are recognised initially at fair value, net of transaction costs incurred. Borrowings are
subsequently stated at amortised cost; any difference between the proceeds (net of transaction costs) and
the redemption value is recognised in the income statement over the period of the borrowings using the
effective interest method.

Borrowings are classified as current liabilities unless the Group has an unconditional right to defer
settlement of the liability for at least twelve months after the balance sheet date.

Any gains or losses arising from changes in the fair value of derivatives during the year that do not
qualify for hedge accounting are taken directly to the income statement. The fair value of interest rate
swap contracts is determined by reference to discounted cash flows for similar instruments.

Trade payables
Trade payables are recognised initially at fair value and subsequently measured at amortised cost using
the effective interest method.

2.11 Equity

Issued share capital
Ordinary and deferred shares are classified as equity.

Costs directly attributable to the issue of new shares or options are shown in equity as a deduction, net
of tax, from the proceeds.

Share premium
The share premium account represents the excess over nominal value of the fair value of consideration
received for equity shares, net of expenses of the share issue.

Reverse acquisition reserve
The reverse acquisition reserve arises on the acquisition of Asfare Group plc by AssetCo Fire and
Rescue Limited and represents the extent to which the reserves of AssetCo Fire and Rescue Limited
have been capitalised as a result of the business combination.

Translation reserve
The translation reserve represents the movement on the translation of the net investment in foreign
operations recorded in foreign currencies at the balance sheet date. Exchange differences arising in the
ordinary course of trading are included in the income statement.

Other reserve
The other reserve represents equity-settled share-based employee remuneration until such share options
are exercised, forfeited, lapsed or expired.

AssetCo plc l Report and Financial Statements 2011

53

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

2.12 Leases

Group as a lessee
The Group leases certain property, plant and equipment. Leases of property, plant and equipment where
the Group has substantially all the risk and rewards of ownership are classified as finance leases.
Finance leases are capitalised at the commencement of the lease at the lower of the fair value of the
leased asset and the present value of the minimum lease payments.

Each lease payment is allocated between the liability and finance charges so as to achieve a constant
rate on the finance balance outstanding. The corresponding rental obligations, net of finance charges,
are included in other short-term and other long-term payables. The interest element of the finance cost
is charged to the income statement over the lease period so as to produce a constant periodic rate of
interest on the remaining balance of the liability for each period. The property, plant and equipment
acquired under finance leases is depreciated over the shorter of the useful life of the asset and the lease
term.

Leases other than finance leases are classified as operating leases and payments are charged to the
income statement on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Lease incentives, if applicable, are spread
over the term of the lease.

Group as a lessor
When assets are leased out under an operating lease, the asset is included in the balance sheet based on
the nature of the asset.

2.13 Income taxes
Income tax payable is provided on taxable profits using tax rates enacted or substantially enacted at the
balance sheet date.

Income tax is recognised in the income statement except to the extent that it relates to items recognised
directly in equity, in which case it is recognised in equity.

Deferred income tax is provided in full, using the liability method, on temporary differences arising
between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their carrying amounts in the consolidated financial
statements. However, the deferred income tax is not accounted for if it arises from initial recognition of
goodwill or of an asset or liability in a transaction other than a business combination that at the time of
the transaction affects neither accounting nor taxable profit or loss. Deferred income tax is determined
using tax rates (and laws) that have been enacted or substantially enacted by the balance sheet date and
are expected to apply when the related deferred income tax asset is realised or the deferred income tax
liability is settled.

Deferred income tax assets are recognised to the extent that is it probable that future taxable profit will
be available against which the temporary differences can be utilised.

2.14 Employee benefits

Pension obligations – defined benefit schemes
Group companies operate two defined benefit pension schemes. In 2010 actuarial gains and losses
arising on defined benefit retirement benefits were accounted for under the corridor approach. The
directors have reviewed this policy and concluded that given the proposed changes to IAS 19 it is more
appropriate to account for actuarial gains and losses in full in the period. The effect of this is
demonstrated in note 5. This represents a voluntary change of accounting policy as in the directors
opinion this accounting policy is more appropriate.

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AssetCo plc l Report and Financial Statements 2011

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

Scheme assets are measured at fair values. Scheme liabilities are measured on an actuarial basis using
the projected unit method and are discounted at appropriate high quality corporate bond rates that have
terms to maturity approximating to the terms of the related liability. Past service cost is recognised as
an expense on a straight-line basis over the average period until the benefits become vested. To the
extent that benefits are already vested the Group recognises past service cost immediately.

The current service cost, past service cost and costs from settlements and curtailments are charged
against administrative expenses. Interest on the scheme liabilities and the expected return on scheme
assets are included in finance costs and income.

Pension contributions – defined contribution scheme
For defined contribution schemes, the Group pays contributions to publicly or privately administered
pension insurance plans on a mandatory, contractual or voluntary basis. The Group has no further
payment obligations once the contributions have been paid.

Contributions to defined contribution schemes are recognised in the income statement during the period
in which they become payable.

Equity settled share-based payment
All share-based payment arrangements are recognised in the financial statements.

All goods and services received in exchange for the grant of any share-based payment are measured at
their fair values using the Black-Scholes options pricing model. Where employees are rewarded using
share-based payments, the fair values of employees’ services are determined indirectly by reference to
the fair value of the instrument granted to the employee. This fair value is appraised at the grant date
and excludes the impact of any non-market vesting conditions.

All equity-settled share-based payments are ultimately recognised as an expense in the income
statement with a corresponding credit to “other reserves”.

If vesting periods or other non-market vesting conditions apply, the expense is allocated over the
vesting period, based on the best available estimate of the number of share options expected to vest.
Estimates are subsequently revised if there is any indication that the number of share options expected
to vest differs from previous estimates. Any cumulative adjustment prior to vesting is recognised in the
current period. No adjustment is made to any expense recognised in prior periods if share options
ultimately exercised are different to that estimated on vesting.

Upon exercise of share options the proceeds received net of attributable transaction costs are credited
to share capital, and where appropriate share premium.

Termination benefits
Termination benefits are payable when an employment is terminated by the Group before the normal
retirement date, or whenever an employee accepts voluntary redundancy in exchange for these benefits.
The Group recognises termination benefits when it is demonstrably committed to either: terminating the
employment of current employees according to a detailed formal plan without possibility of
withdrawal; or providing termination benefits as a result of acceptance of an offer of voluntary
redundancy. Benefits falling due more than 12 months after the balance sheet date are discounted to
their present value.

AssetCo plc l Report and Financial Statements 2011

55

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

2.15 Provisions
Provisions are recognised when the Group has a present legal or constructive obligation as a result of
past events, it is probable that an outflow of resources will be required to settle the obligation, and the
amount has been reliably estimated.

Where there are a number of similar obligations, the likelihood that an outflow will be required in
settlement is determined by considering the class of obligations as a whole. A provision is recognised
even if the likelihood of an outflow with respect to any one item included in the same class of
obligations may be small.

Provisions are measured at the present value of the expenditures expected to be required to settle the
obligation using a pre-tax rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and
the risks specific to the obligation. The increase in the provision due to passage of time is recognised
as an interest expense.

2.16 Dividends
Dividends are recognised as a liability in the period in which they are authorised. The interim dividend
is recognised when it is paid and the final dividend is recognised when it has been approved by
shareholders at the Annual General Meeting.

2.17 Preference shares
Preference shares that are convertible to ordinary shares are classified as a compound financial
instrument with an equity component and a liability component. The calculation of each component is
based upon the terms attaching to the specific share issue.

2.18 Accrued income
Material income earned from, but not yet invoiced to, customers in the financial period is included
within prepayments and accrued income where receipt of such income is reasonably certain.

2.19 Exceptional items
Items which are material either because of their size or their nature, and which are non-recurring, are
highlighted through separate disclosure. The separate reporting of exceptional items helps provide a
better picture of the Group’s underlying performance. Items which are included within the exceptional
category include:

c
c
c
c
c

costs of restructuring the business;
costs in relation to the Company’s scheme of arrangement with creditors;
significant goodwill or other asset impairments;
significant movements in provisions; and
other particularly significant or unusual items.

Exceptional items are excluded from the headline profit measure EBITDA, as explained in Note 6. The
basis of calculation of these measures is explained.

2.20 Deferred income
Deferred income arises when income from customers is received in advance of the period in which the
Group is contractually obliged to provide its service. Such income is held within accruals and deferred
income and only released to the income statement when the Group has met its related obligations.

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AssetCo plc l Report and Financial Statements 2011

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

Financial risk management

3.
Whilst risk management policies were disclosed last year the events that have occurred during the year,
such as creditor action, Creditor Scheme of Arrangement, and requirement to raise additional capital via
share placings, suggest that the policies were neither effective nor robust.

The considerable strain arising from managing the events detailed above necessitated a more informal
approach to risk management throughout the period. However, the board consider that the following
describes what prevails at the date of approval of these accounts.

3.1

Financial risk factors

Credit risk

a)
The Group’s exposure to credit risk is detailed in Notes 17 and 21.

The Group has exposure to less than ten customers, with the vast majority of revenue accruing with UK
Fire Authorities, whom are considered to offer an extremely small credit risk, or a department of the
Abu Dhabi government, whom are also considered to offer an extremely small credit risk.

The Group has policies that limit the amount of credit exposure to any financial institution. The credit
risk on liquid funds is limited because the counterparties are financial institutions with strong credit
ratings assigned by international credit-rating agencies. The possibility of material loss is therefore
considered to be unlikely.

b) Market risk

Currency risk
The group transacts principally in Sterling and Dirhams but also has exposure to Euros.

Transaction risk in the Group is principally managed by seeking to ensure that sales, payroll costs and
purchases are made in the same currency and, if material imbalances are predicted to arise, a decision
is made on whether to hedge the exposure.

In relation to translation risk, the Group’s current policy is not to hedge the net asset values of the
overseas investments although, where appropriate and cost effective facilities are available, local
borrowings are utilised to reduce the translation risk.

Cash flow interest-rate risk
The Group’s policy on managing interest rate risk is subject to regular monitoring of the effect of
potential changes in interest rates on its interest cost with a view to taking suitable actions should
exposure reach certain levels. The Group seeks to limit its exposure to fluctuating interest rates by
keeping a significant proportion of the Group’s borrowings at fixed interest rates.

Financial assets
The Group holds its surplus funds in short-term bank deposits.

Financial liabilities
The Group’s cash flow interest rate risk arises from long-term borrowings issued at variable rates to
finance its Private Finance Initiative and Public Private Partnership contracts. In order to reduce funding
risk and maintain interest cover, the Group manages the risk by using floating-to-fixed interest rate
swaps. Under the swaps, the Group agrees to exchange, at specific intervals, the difference between

AssetCo plc l Report and Financial Statements 2011

57

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

fixed contract rates and floating rate interest amounts, calculated by reference to the agreed notional
principal amount. These interest rate swaps have the effect of converting borrowings from floating rates
to fixed rates for a specified period of time.

The Group’s obligations under finance leases carry interest at a fixed rate.

Other price risk
Other price risk, such as changes in the fair value of financial instruments being caused by movements
in commodity or equity prices, is not applicable to the Group’s operations. The Group does not hold any
investments in companies listed on recognised Stock Exchanges and the Group’s UK operations
revenue contracts are subject to RPI.

Liquidity risk

c)
Prudent liquidity management implies maintaining sufficient cash and the availability of funding
through an adequate amount of committed credit facilities. During the period the company has
implemented a Creditor Scheme of Arrangement and raised £30,000,000, gross of issue costs, through
two share placings. The company maintains adequate bank balances to fund its operations. As a result
of the Scheme of Arrangement the company is ring fenced from its UK subsidiaries. As explained in
other areas of this annual report and financial statements, certain of those UK subsidiaries are
experiencing liquidity issues and the Group remains in discussions with the bankers for those
subsidiaries with a view to agreeing to both a reduction in the level of debts payable by those
subsidiaries and a rescheduling of repayments due.

3.2 Capital risk management
Group companies are funded through various shareholders’ funds, cash balances, and bank debt,
including term loans, asset finance and overdrafts.

Issued share capital
Compound financial instruments
Share premium account
Accumulated reserves

Cash and cash equivalents
Cash held in respect of a bond
Cash held in respect of the scheme of arrangement
Bank loans and short term borrowings
Long-term borrowings

Note

25

25

21

22
22

2011

£'000

25,353
–
62,645
(150,723)

(62,725)
(4,395)
(4,226)
(5,000)
78,166
–

1,820

2010
Restated
£'000

22,678
16,117
29,288
(133,236)

(65,153)
(2,597)
–
–
14,912
67,267

14,429

The Group’s objectives when managing capital are to safeguard the Group’s ability to continue as a
going concern in order to provide returns for shareholders and benefits for other stakeholders and to
maintain an optimal capital structure to reduce the cost of capital. The Group is not subject to externally
impaired capital requirements.

In order to maintain or adjust the capital structure, the Group may adjust the amount of dividends paid
to shareholders, return capital to shareholders, issue new shares or sell assets to reduce debt.

58

AssetCo plc l Report and Financial Statements 2011

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

During the period a number of Group subsidiaries were in breach of the covenants of their banking
facilities. The banks involved continue to support the subsidiaries involved but have reserved their
rights in respect of the breaches and these include immediate withdrawal of the facilities. The covenant
breaches during the period include failure to make capital repayments and interest payments as they fall
due, and the effect of creditor action. The covenant breaches have not been remedied since period end.
Borrowings amounting to £78,166,000 (2010: £82,179,000) were in default in the period.

As a result of the restatements reported in this annual report and financial statements various subsidiaries
are also likely to be in breach of a wide spectrum of financial covenants, including debt service ratios
(cash-flow to the aggregate of interest and repayments due), interest cover ratios (EBIT to interest), total
borrowing cost ratios (total borrowings to EBITDA), and minimum tangible net worth levels.

Critical accounting estimates and judgements

4.
Estimates and judgements are continually evaluated and are based on historical experience and other
factors,
including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the
circumstances.

Estimates

a)
The Group makes estimates and assumptions concerning the future. The resulting accounting estimates
will, by definition, rarely equal the related actual results. The estimates and assumptions that have a
significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within
the next financial year are outlined below.

Impairment of goodwill
Determining whether goodwill is impaired requires an estimation of the value-in-use of the cash-
generating units to which goodwill has been allocated. The value-in-use calculation requires the Group
to estimate the future cash flows expected to arise from the cash-generating unit and a suitable discount
rate in order to calculate the present value. Actual outcomes could vary significantly from these
estimates.

Value in use is determined through the analysis of discounted cash flow forecasts based on financial
forecasts approved by management which takes account of both past performance and expected future
market developments. Management has used a pre-tax discount rate of 8% (2010: 9%) equivalent to the
weighted average cost of capital of the Group. This has been determined as reflecting current market
assessments of the time value of money and risks specific to the industry and Group.

Property, plant and equipment
Useful economic lives of property, plant and equipment have been established with reference to firstly
contractual replacement obligations and secondly to historical experience and an assessment of the
nature of the assets involved.

Pensions
The directors have employed the services of an actuary in assessing pension liabilities. However, the
directors recognise that final liabilities and asset returns may differ from actuarial estimates.

Judgements

b)
The following critical judgements have been made in preparing the financial statements which have a
significant risk of causing a material adjustment to be made to the carrying amounts of assets and
liabilities within the next financial year.

AssetCo plc l Report and Financial Statements 2011

59

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

Post-employment benefits
Application of IAS 19: “Employee Benefits”, requires the exercise of judgement in relation to setting
the assumptions used by the actuaries in assessing the financial position of each scheme. The Group
determines the assumptions to be adopted in discussion with its actuaries, and believes these
assumptions to be in line with UK generally accepted practice, but the application of different
assumptions could have a significant effect on the amounts reflected in the Income Statement,
Statement of Comprehensive Income and Statement of Financial Position in respect of post-
employment benefits. The sensitivity of principal scheme liabilities to changes in the assumptions used
by actuaries is set out in Note 15.

Taxation
Significant judgement is required in determining the Group’s provision for tax. There are many
transactions and calculations for which the ultimate tax determination is uncertain during the ordinary
course of business. As a result, the exercising of judgement is required in order to assess the exposures
in these areas and set the appropriate level of provision.

Fair value of financial instruments
The fair value of the interest rate swaps has been calculated by discounting the expected future cash
flows.

Provisions
Significant judgement is required in order to determine the Group’s level of provisions. In arriving at
an estimate the Group firstly considers as to whether there is a present obligation arising from past
events, the settlement of which is expected to result in an outflow from the entity of results embodying
economic benefits. In concluding in this respect the Group reviews contracts and where appropriate
considers legal advice. If the conclusion is that a present obligation arising from a past event exists then
the Group draws on the experience of its management in considering the individual characteristic of
each obligation and arriving at an estimate of the expenditure required to settle the present obligation
at the balance sheet date.

60

AssetCo plc l Report and Financial Statements 2011

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

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62

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AssetCo plc l Report and Financial Statements 2011

63

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

5.

Restatement of Prior Years

Correction of prior year errors
AssetCo has identified omissions from, and misstatements in, the entity’s financial statements for one
or more prior periods arising from a failure to use, or misuse of, reliable information that:

a)

b)

was available when financial statements for those periods were authorised for issue; and

could reasonably be expected to have been obtained and taken into account in the preparation of
those financial statements.

IAS 8 defines such errors include the effects of mathematical mistakes, mistakes in applying accounting
policies, oversights or misinterpretations of facts, and fraud.

AssetCo has therefore restated the 2009 and 2010 Statement of Financial Position, 2010 Income
Statement and 2010 Cash Flow Statement to reflect the relevant adjustments as explained below.

Overstatement of Property, Plant and Equipment Values
AssetCo has undertaken a process of comparing capitalised cost to third party documentation, such as
supplier invoices, and noted that on a large number of occasions capitalised cost has been overstated.

The adjustments processed of £9,715,000 in 2010 and £6,622,000 in 2009 restate costs to those that are
supportable and adjust subsequent depreciation accordingly.

Useful Economic Lives
In 2009 AssetCo reported that “during the year, as a result of management review revisions were made
to the residual values and useful economic lives of certain assets. These revisions resulted in residual
values ranging from £10,000 to £25,000 and corresponding lives of 24 years. This has resulted in a
£2.05m reduction in the equivalent depreciation charge for the year ended 31 March 2009”.

A subsequent review of the revision reported has identified that the revised useful economic lives were
longer than the asset lives as detailed within customer contracts and this change was therefore applied
in error.

The adjustments processed during the restatement above of £5,292,000 in 2010 and £3,242,000 in 2009
are therefore to re-align the useful economic lives with their contractual lives.

Impairment
Value in use calculations have been concluded for all Cash Generating Units and where required, to
state carrying values at the lower of book value or value in use, impairment provisions have been
processed firstly against any relative Intangible Assets and secondly against any relative property, plant
and equipment. The adjustments processed are 2010 £28,669,000 and 2009 £35,448,000.

Reversal of capitalised Items
A review of items capitalised has identified that AssetCo had previously reported items capitalised that
do not conform with AssetCo’s policy for property, plant and equipment.

64

AssetCo plc l Report and Financial Statements 2011

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

Examples of this include:

In 2009 and 2010 AssetCo reported non-current asset additions including £1,839,000 and £258,000
respectively of assets that were purchased and paid for by a customer. These amounts were reported as
income within the Income Statements of each year respectively.

During 2010 AssetCo incorrectly reported non-current asset additions including £1,134,000 in respect
of expenses related to a new contract.

In order to correct this, an adjustment of £11,100,000 has been processed in 2010 and £7,896,000 in
2009.

Goodwill
As at 31 March 2009 AssetCo reported a net book value of Goodwill of £57,081,000. It is the view of
the board that it was a fundamental error to report £54,975,000 of this asset and accordingly this amount
has been written off or provided against as appropriate.

The following are examples illustrating the errors:

a)

b)

c)

£34,646,000 of the net book value of Goodwill as at 31 March 2009 related to the PFI contracts
for the London (“LFEPA”) and Lincoln Fire Authorities (“Lincoln”). On 9 September 2011
AssetCo announced that “the contract with the LFEPA delivers a steady stream of revenue to the
London Group but this does not match the debt repayment profile which is accelerated versus the
length of the contract. Therefore the cash flows of the contract are unable to match the capital,
interest and repayments required by the banking facilities of the London Group” and that “the
assets and the amount of debt on those assets have been mismatched, leading to excess
indebtedness compared to the underlying asset values.” The revenues and expenses, capital
replacement cycle, and amount of relative asset finance have remained broadly consistent for
some considerable time and AssetCo therefore cannot substantiate the value of Goodwill
attributed to the LFEPA contract now or in the past. This is the same in respect of the Lincoln
contract.

£7,547,000 of the net book value of Goodwill as at 31 March 2009 related to the acquisition of
UV Modular Limited (“UVM”) on 22 December 2007. UVM reported operating losses in both
2007 and 2008 and had net liabilities of £2,860,000 immediately preceding acquisition. The
board cannot substantiate the goodwill recognised on acquisition.

£7,543,000 of the net book value of Goodwill as at 31 March 2009 related to acquisition of The
Vehicle Application Centre Limited (“TVAC”). This company entered into Administration on
18 December 2008. Further, in 2009 AssetCo reported that “In the interim statement, we reported
that TVAC had continued to make losses and absorb cash and that the Board had instigated a
strategic review of the business. The outcome of this review was that TVAC showed no signs of
being viable and accordingly the company was put into administration on 18 December 2008.
This resulted in a £5.2m loss which is detailed in the Income Statement and also caused a
considerable drain on the group’s cash resources. TVAC, which was in distress at the time of its
acquisition, was acquired because it was a large supplier to AssetCo London supplying fire
appliances for the largest build programme undertaken in UK Fire in FY07 and FY08. Failure to
deliver to vehicles on time could have resulted in substantial penalties for AssetCo. Following the
acquisition of TVAC, the deliveries were completed on time, however the business continued to
need ongoing cash support from the parent company”.

AssetCo plc l Report and Financial Statements 2011

65

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

During 2008 AssetCo reported that “on 16 April 2007, the Group acquired 100% of the issued
share capital of Simentra Limited for consideration of £450,000”. It recognised £506,000 on this
transaction. The board have concluded that Simentra had no more than three employees, net
liabilities, and had reported very little trade prior to its acquisition and that it was inappropriate
to capitalise goodwill in this respect.

The restated net book value of Goodwill as at 31 March 2009 is £2,106,000 and review of the
information available necessitates a further impairment of £1,729,000 during 2010.

Revenue Recognition
In 2009 AssetCo recognised £4,991,000 in respect of a Finance Lease Debtor and £1,608,000 in respect
of Accrued Income. Following review AssetCo has concluded that the level of unchanged recurring
revenue in respect of these items did not support the recognition of Revenue or the corresponding
current assets.

In 2010 AssetCo reported that “during the year management considered the sale of Thermal Imaging
Cameras and training equipment to be assets sold under a finance lease arrangement as the customer
will retain these assets for substantially all of their useful economic lives”. AssetCo reported an
additional Finance Lease Debtor of £12,671,000 and further unrelated Accrued Income of £4,662,000.
Following review the board notes that the Thermal Imaging Cameras were replacement items provided
to LFEPA under the terms of the PFI contract and as such that there was no corresponding increase in
the revenues due under the contract and that therefore there is no basis for the recognition of further
Revenue or the corresponding current asset. The restatement reverses the effects of the above.

Related Party Transactions
In 2010 AssetCo reported the following:

a)

b)

“In May 2009, Jaras Property Developments Limited [“Jaras”], a company from which the Group
rents a property was purchased by John Shannon, the Group’s former CEO, the value of these
rentals amounted to £166,666 in the year. At 31 March 2010, the Group had an asset balance with
this company totalling £1.5m (2009: £nil)”.

“On 31 March 2010, the Group completed the acquisition of 100% of the share capital of Graphic
Traffic Limited for consideration of £1,000 creating goodwill on acquisition of £956,000. This
business has been purchased with a view to resale hence the goodwill is included within assets
held for sale and further that the vendor of Graphic Traffic Limited (see note 31) was John
Shannon.”

In respect of the ‘Jaras’ transaction, AssetCo have reviewed internal communications between the date
in December 2009 when the £1,500,000 was first paid, and finalisation of the 2010 audited accounts,
the management and statutory accounts for the business occupying the property and concluded that:

a)

b)

on an arms length basis it would be difficult to substantiate effectively paying six years rent in
advance in respect of the property,

the payment was originally classified as a Directors’ Loan and was subsequently reclassified as
prepaid rent in order to satisfy audit disclosure requirements, and

c)

the business occupying the property is now in Liquidation.

66

AssetCo plc l Report and Financial Statements 2011

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

Further, there is sufficient doubt that either Jaras (where a Receiver has been appointed) or John
Shannon will repay the amount and accordingly the £1,500,000 current asset has been provided for in
this restatement.

In respect of the Graphic Traffic Limited transaction, AssetCo has reviewed the documentation relating
to this transaction and notes that:

a)

b)

c)

it was reported that AssetCo purchased a business to hold for resale and that company had net
liabilities, and was disclosed as Dormant in its statutory accounts,

the net liabilities disclosed as acquired were significantly higher than reported in the statutory
accounts preceding acquisition and that the company was reported as Dormant, and

the beneficiary of AssetCo settling the net liabilities acquired was either John Shannon or parties
related to him.

Accordingly the amount capitalised as Goodwill of £956,000 in respect of this acquisition has been
expensed in the restatement.

Onerous Leases
This restatement provides for unavoidable future lease costs relating to one business in 2009 and two
in 2010 whereby the businesses where either loss making at period end or AssetCo had announced that
the business would close. The adjustments processed are £11,923,000 in 2010 and £7,198,000 in 2009.

Other
The 2010 restatement of £2,806,000 is in respect of:

-
-
-
-

£500,000 dilapidations provisions in respect of onerous property leases
£414,000 provision against an investment in an associate
£211,000 in respect of further property, plant and equipment that cannot be substantiated
£1,681,000 reversal of revenue received in advance of service delivery and recognised as revenue
in 2010

The reversal of £11,100,000 of ‘cash in transit’ reported as received in 2010 but as far as the board can
ascertain actually was still in transit.

The 2009 restatement of £1,158,000 is in respect of:

-
-
-

£500,000 dilapidations provisions in respect of onerous property leases
£414,000 provision against an investment in an associate
£244,000 in respect of further tangible fixed assets that cannot be substantiated.

Change in accounting policies

Retirements Benefits
This restatement eliminates the effects of applying the “corridor approach” to accounting for Retirement
Benefits. The “corridor approach” is currently permissible under IAS 19 – Employee Benefits but will
be phased out by 2014 and effectively allows actuarial gains and losses to be spread over the employees
remaining service lives. The adjustments processed are £296,000 in 2010 and £320,000 in 2009.

AssetCo plc l Report and Financial Statements 2011

67

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

Segmental Reporting

6.
The core principle of IFRS 8 ‘Operating Segments’ is to require an entity to disclose information that
enables users of the financial statements to evaluate the nature and financial effects of the business
activities in which the entity engages and the economic environments in which it operates. The directors
consider that the chief operating decision maker is the board.

Given the breakdown in controls during the period and the focus of the board on managing liquidity
issues, as explained elsewhere in this annual report and financial statements, there has been a reduced
amount of formal management information presented to the board during the period.

However, the board consider that the following analysis is in the format that will be used to underpin
management information to be reviewed by them once formal reporting requirements are reintroduced.
Unallocated comprised the UK head office.

In the 2010 annual report and financial statements the segments reported were Fire and Rescue, Held
for Sale, Discontinued operations, and Consolidation adjustments but they have been restated on the
basis of what the board consider appropriate.

68

AssetCo plc l Report and Financial Statements 2011

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

Analysis of revenue and results by geographical settlement
Eighteen months to 30 September 2011

Revenue
Revenue to external customers
Inter-segment revenue

Total revenue

Result
EBITDA

Operating (loss)/profit before
exceptional items
Exceptional items

Operating (loss)/profit
Finance income
Finance costs
Loss on fair value of financial
instrument

(Loss)/profit before tax
Income tax expense

(Loss)/profit for the period from
continuing operations
Discontinued operations
Loss for the year from
discontinued operations

(Loss)/profit for the period

Assets and liabilities
Total segment assets
Total segment liabilities

Total net (liabilities)/assets

Other segment information
Total capital expenditure
Depreciation
Amortisation and impairment
of intangible assets

UK
£’000

35,982
–

35,982

(2,104)

(8,232)
(6,389)

(14,621)
101
(8,058)

(1,390)

(23,968)
–

(23,968)

(610)

(24,578)

28,812
(109,237)

(80,425)

2,448
5,944

184

UAE
£’000

13,023
–

13,023

1,290

1,252
–

1,252
58
(158)

–

1,152
–

1,152

–

1,152

10,895
(9,769)

1,126

141
38

–

Unallocated
£’000

Total Operations
£’000

–
–

–

49,005
–

49,005

(1,639)

(2,453)

(1,639)
2,957

1,318
–
(90)

–

1,228
–

1,228

–

1,228

11,963
(7,926)

4,037

–
–

–

(8,619)
(3,432)

(12,051)
159
(8,306)

(1,390)

(21,588)
–

(21,588)

(610)

(22,198)

51,670
(126,932)

(75,262)

2,589
5,982

184

Operating (loss)/profit before exceptional items has been calculated by subtracting depreciation and
amortisation from EBITDA.

Revenues of approximately £30,471,000 are derived from a single external customer within the UK
segment and revenues of approximately £13,023,000 are derived from a single customer within the
UAE segment.

The amounts provided to the board with respect to net assets are measured in a manner consistent with
that of the financial statements.

The Group is domiciled in the UK and also operates out of branch in UAE. Revenue by destination is
not materially different from the turnover by origin shown above. All revenue relates to services.

AssetCo plc l Report and Financial Statements 2011

69

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

Twelve months to 31 March 2010

Revenue
Revenue to external customers
Inter-segment revenue

Total revenue

Result
EBITDA
Operating loss before exceptional items
Exceptional items

Operating loss
Finance income
Finance costs
Gain on fair value of financial instrument

Loss before tax
Income tax expense

Loss for the period from continuing operations
Discontinued operations
Loss for the period from discontinued operations

Loss for the period

Assets and liabilities
Total segment assets
Total segment liabilities

Total net liabilities

Other segment information
Total capital expenditure
Depreciation
Amortisation and impairment of intangible assets

UK
£’000

Unallocated
£’000

Total Operations
£’000
Restated

26,216
–

26,216

(4,873)
(8,715)
(1,998)

(10,713)
164
(7,207)
1,304

(16,452)
–

(16,452)

(5,296)

(21,748)

44,908
(126,721)

(81,813)

2,896
1,121
2,721

–
–

–

(531)
(531)
(130)

(661)
236
( 6)
–

(431)
(1,089)

( 1,520)

–

(1,520)

21
(3,583)

(3,562)

–
–
–

26,216
–

26,216

(5,404)
(9,246)
(2,128)

(11,374)
400
(7,213)
1,304

(16,883)
(1,089)

(17,972)

(5,296)

(23,268)

44,929
(130,304)

(85,375)

2,896
1,121
2,721

Operating loss before exceptional
amortisation from EBITDA.

items has been calculated by subtracting depreciation and

Revenues of approximately £19,472,000 are derived from a single external customer within the UK
segment and £2,820,000 are derived from another single external customer within the UK segment.

70

AssetCo plc l Report and Financial Statements 2011

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

Operating loss

7.
The analysis of the components of operating loss is shown below, after charging the following:

18 months to
30 September 2011

12 months to
31 March 2010

£'000

£'000

£'000

Depreciation of property, plant

and equipment (note 13)
Amortisation and impairment
of intangible assets (note 14)

Exceptional items
Fees payable to the company’s
auditor for the audit of the
annual accounts

Fees payable to the company’s auditor
and its associates for other services:
– the audit of the company’s

subsidiaries, pursuant
to legislation

– other services relating to taxation
– all other services

Operating lease rentals on

group properties

Operating lease rentals on other
Employee benefit expense
Raw materials and consumables used

100

255
332
123

5,982

184
9,561

810

1,062
71
18,827
10,147

73

54
–
73

£'000
Restated

1,121

2,721
9,324

200

1,155
–
6,533
11,289

Exceptional items
During the 18 month period ending 30 September 2011 the group incurred a number of exceptional
charges and credits amounting to £9,561,000 loss (2010: £9,324,000 loss).

Exceptional items by category

Goodwill impairment
Related party transactions
Creation of provisions
Sale of property, plant and equipment
Fair Value of liabilities associated with guarantees
Scheme of Arrangement
Gain from the write–off of liabilities subject to

the Scheme

Loss in respect of Creditor Scheme of Arrangement
Gain on preference share exchange
Gain from share options
Correction of accounting errors
Restructuring expenses

18 months to
30 September 2011
£'000

£'000

12 months to
31 March 2010
£'000
Restated

4,353
4,990

(6,922)

610
–
2,530
347

2,421
(1,600)
(680)
180
5,753

9,561

1,729
2,456
5,139
–

–
–
–
–

9,324

AssetCo plc l Report and Financial Statements 2011

71

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

Goodwill impairment
The 2010 expense of £1,729,000 is explained in note 5.

Related Party Transactions
This reflects the restatement as explained in note 5. It relates to the write-off of a £1,500,000
prepayment made to Jaras Property Developments Limited, a related party to John Shannon – the
Group’s previous CEO, in respect of six years rent due with regards to one of the Group’s operating
business, and also the £956,000 of Goodwill recognised in respect of the acquisition of Graphic Traffic
Limited, a related party to John Shannon.

Creation of provisions
The expense in 2010 provides for unavoidable future lease costs relating to two businesses whereby the
businesses where either loss making at the previous period end or AssetCo had announced prior to that
date that the business would close (see note 5).

The expense in 2011 relates to the creation of provisions as detailed in note 23.

Loss in Respect of Creditor Scheme of Arrangement
In August 2010 the Group announced a Creditor Scheme of Arrangement whereby all known and
unknown liabilities at 28 December 2011 would be settled for a maximum cost of £4,990,000 in respect
of third parties (excludes £10,000 in respect of amounts due to subsidiaries).

Under the Scheme the Group has obligations in respect of certain guarantees provided previously and
the fair value of these obligations, amounting to £4,353,000, have been recognised.

As noted above, under the Scheme of Arrangement all liabilities are to be settled for a maximum
amount of £4,990,000 and this sum has been expensed in the period. The liabilities to be settled
amounted to £6,922,000 in respect of third parties and these amounts have been credited to the income
statement in the period.

A loss has been recognised in the income statement, effectively, netting the loss from recognising the
fair value of guarantees with the cost of the scheme and the gain from settling liabilities.

Gain on Preference Share Exchange
Following the capital re-organisation, announced on 9 September 2011, 3,750,000 Ordinary Shares with
a nominal value of 10p each were issued in consideration for the purchase of £15m Preference Shares
in AssetCo (Abu Dhabi) Limited. The fair value of the Ordinary Shares issued has been assessed at
£7,500,000 and at purchase date the book value of liabilities in respect of the Preference Shares was
£17,017,000. Of this amount £7,917,000 was identified as equity instruments and therefore the book
profit recognised in operating loss was £1,600,000.

Gain from share options
All share options immediately lapsed and ceased to be exercisable upon the presentation of the winding
up petition against the Group in March 2011. Accumulated charges have therefore been reversed to the
income statement in the period.

72

AssetCo plc l Report and Financial Statements 2011

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

Correction of accounting errors
As explained elsewhere in the annual report and financial statements the Group has been subject to a
breakdown in systems and controls. The expense of £180,000 in 2011 relates to the write-off of
unsubstantiated balances.

Restructuring expenses
During the 18 month period the Group has incurred significant incremental advisor costs in respect of
the various liquidity issues that the Group has faced. These issues are explained in detail elsewhere in
the annual report and financial statements but principally relate to: creditor action, breaches of bank
facilities, share placings, and a creditor scheme of arrangement.

Employees and Directors

8.
The average number of persons employed by the group (including executive directors) was:

Production
Sales
Administration

The costs incurred in respect of these employees were:
Wages and salaries
Share based payments
Social security costs
Other pension costs

18 months to
30 September 2011
Number

12 months to
31 March 2010
Number

158
2
83

243

110
1
30

141

18 months to
30 September 2011
£'000

12 months to
31 March 2010
£'000
Restated

19,131
(680)
882
869

20,202

5,659
100
546
212

6,517

The above includes redundancy payments of £486,000 (2010: Due to the breakdown in systems and
controls as explained elsewhere in the annual report and financial statements we are unable to provide
the 2010 comparative).

Key management compensation

Payments made to board directors

Aggregate fees and emoluments

18 months to
30 September 2011
£'000

12 months to
31 March 2010
£'000
Restated

1,416

591

There were no pension contributions made to key management.

The above includes redundancy payments of £30,000 (2010: £nil).

AssetCo plc l Report and Financial Statements 2011

73

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

Total emoluments include the following amounts in respect of the highest paid director:

Salary and benefits

18 months to
30 September 2011
£'000

633

12 months to
31 March 2010
£'000
Restated
317

The directors consider the executive directors to be the key management.

9.

Finance income and finance costs

18 months to
30 September 2011
£'000

Interest payable on bank borrowings and finance leases
Finance cost on liability component of compound financial instruments
Provisions: unwinding of discount (note 23)
Bank interest receivable
Net finance income – pensions
Net finance expense – pensions

(7,826)
–
(480)
57
102
–

(8,147)

12 months to
31 March 2010
£'000
Restated
(5,888)
(1,155)
(170)
416
–
(16)

(6,813)

Interest payable on bank borrowings and finance leases includes a settlement amount of £769,000
(2010: £nil) for the termination of the HBOS Swap.

10. Dividends
A final dividend for 2011 has not been recommended (2010: 1.5p per share £1,360,000, of this £847,000
was paid out with the balance due to shareholder directors. Given the matters set out in the Chairman’s
statement, these balances have been written back to the income statement. Due to the restatements made
to the 31 March 2009 balance sheet, including retained earnings, this dividend may be unlawful).

11.

Income Tax Expense

Current Taxation
UK Corporation Tax – Current Period

Total Current Tax

Income Tax Expense

18 months to
30 September 2011
£'000

12 months to
31 March 2010
£'000
Restated

–

–

–

1,089

1,089

1,089

74

AssetCo plc l Report and Financial Statements 2011

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

The difference between the loss on ordinary activities at the corporation tax rate of 27.33% (2010: 28%)
ruling in the UK and the actual current tax shown above is explained below:

Loss before tax

18 months to
30 September 2011
£'000

12 months to
31 March 2010
£'000
Restated

(22,198)

(22,179)

Tax on loss on ordinary activities at a standard rate of 27.33%
(2010: 28%)

(6,067)

(6,210)

Factors affecting tax charge for the period:
Expenses not allowable for tax purposes
Amortisation of intangible assets
Tax losses eliminated
Preference shares for share exchange
Deferred tax balances not recognised

2,876
537
2,740
(437)
351

–

4,767
300
2,082
–
150

1,089

A number of further changes to the UK Corporation tax system were announced in the March 2012 UK
Budget Statement. A resolution passed by Parliament on 26 March 2012 reduced the main rate of
corporation tax to 24% from 1 April 2012. Legislation to reduce the main rate of corporation tax from
24% to 23% from 1 April 2013 is expected to be included in the Finance Act 2012. A further reduction
to the main rate is also proposed to reduce the rate to 22% from 1 April 2014. None of these rate
reductions had been substantively enacted at the balance sheet date and, therefore, are not included in
these financial statements.

Given the material restatements set out in note 5 the group will be resubmitting prior period tax
computations for all material companies. The directors believe that corporation tax may in prior periods
may have been overpaid based on the previously submitted corporation returns and that as a result
corporation tax may be recoverable as at the period end. Due to the breakdown of the group’s systems and
controls in the period, as reported in the Directors’ report, and significant level of uncertainty over the
group’s tax historic tax position no corporation tax recoverable balance is recognised as at the period end.

12. Loss Per Share
a)

Basic loss per share is calculated by dividing the profit attributable to ordinary equity holders of
the company by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the period.

Loss for the period
Loss from discontinued operations

Weighted average number of
ordinary shares in issue

Basic loss per share (EPS) – pence – continuing
Basic loss per share (EPS) – pence – discontinued
Basic loss per share (EPS) – pence

18 months to
30 September 2011
£'000

(21,588)
(610)

(22,198)

12 months to
31 March 2010
£'000
Restated

(17,972)
(5,296)

(23,268)

146,771,286

84,992,740

(14.71)
(0.42)
(15.12)

(21.15)
(6.23)
(27.38)

AssetCo plc l Report and Financial Statements 2011

75

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

b)

Diluted earnings per share is calculated by adjusting the weighted average number of ordinary
shares outstanding to assume conversion of all dilutive potential ordinary shares. Dilutive
potential ordinary shares comprise share options and warrants. A calculation is made to determine
the number of shares that could have been acquired at fair value (determined as the average
annual market share price of the Company’s shares) based on the monetary value of the
subscription rights attached to outstanding share options and warrants. The number of shares
calculated as above is compared with the number of shares that would have been issued assuming
the exercise of the share options and warrants. As there has been a loss for both the current period
and prior year no dilution has occurred.

13.

Property, plant and equipment

Leasehold
land and
Leasehold
buildings improvements
£’000

£’000

Fixtures
and fittings
£’000

Equipment Assets under
plant and
long term
machinery arrangements
£’000

£’000

Cost
At 1 April 2009 (Restated)
Additions
Disposals
On acquistion
Assets held for sale

1,050
–
–
–
(1,050)

At 31 March 2010 (Restated)

–

Additions
Disposals
Assets held for sale
Exchange differences

At 30 September 2011

Accumulated depreciation
At 1 April 2009 (Restated)
Charge for the year
Disposals
Assets held for sale

At 31 March 2010 (Restated)

Charge for the year
Disposals
Assets held for sale
Exchange differences

At 30 September 2011

Net book amount
At 30 September 2011
At 31 March 2010
At 31 March 2009

–
–
1,050
–

1,050

9
9
–
(18)

–

1,032
–
18
–

1,050

–
–
1,041

2,631
–
(18)
–
(369)

2,244

–
(19)
346
(10)

2,561

1,369
173
(18)
(41)

1,483

401
(3)
37
(2)

1,916

645
761
1,262

717
–
–
–
(393)

324

143
(235)
187
(6)

413

464
87
–
(332)

219

90
(116)
134
(4)

323

90
105
253

7,643
174
(133)
43
(2,391)

5,336

61
(58)
815
(7)

82,401
2,722
(3,539)
–
–

81,584

2,385
(2,302)
–
–

Total
£’000

94,442
2,896
(3,690)
43
(4,203)

89,488

2,589
(2,614)
2,398
(23)

6,147

81,667

91,838

6,203
735
(111)
(1,964)

4,863

273
(30)
741
(7)

57,500
117
(2,834)
–

54,783

4,186
(575)
(17)
–

65,545
1,121
(2,963)
(2,355)

61,348

5,982
(724)
913
(13)

5,840

58,377

67,506

307
473
1,440

23,290
26,801
24,901

24,332
28,140
28,897

The net book value of assets held under finance leases amounts to £23,290,000 (2010: restated
£26,801,000).

76

AssetCo plc l Report and Financial Statements 2011

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

Assets under long-term arrangements
Assets under long-term arrangements comprise principally of items of operational equipment and motor
vehicles that have been provided to customers under the Group’s Private Finance Initiative and Public
Private Partnership long-term contracts.

Depreciation
Depreciation expense of £5,631,000 (2010: restated £421,000) has been charged in cost of sales and
£351,000 (2010: restated £700,000) in administrative expenses.

Security
Leasehold land and buildings with a carrying amount of £nil (2010: £1,041,000) have been pledged to
secure borrowings of the Group (see Note 22) under a mortgage. The Group is not permitted to pledge
these assets as security for other borrowings or to sell them to another entity.

In addition, the Group’s obligations under finance leases (see Note 22) are secured by the lessors’ title
to the leased assets, which have a carrying amount of £nil (2010: £2,047,000).

Assets under long-term arrangements include a net book value of £23,290,000 (2010: restated
£26,801,000) in respect of assets secured by the lessor.

14.

Intangible assets

Cost
At 1 April 2009 (Restated)
Additions
Disposals
Assets held for resale

At 31 March 2010 (Restated)
Disposals

At 30 September 2011

Accumulated amortisation
At 1 April 2009 (Restated)
Charge for the year
Impairment
Disposals
Assets held for resale

At 31 March 2010 (Restated)
Charge for the year
Impairment
Disposals

At 30 September 2011

Net book amount
At 30 September 2011
At 31 March 2010
At 31 March 2009

Goodwill
£’000

Bid costs
£’000

Software
development
cost
£’000

48,669
956
(11,166)
(1,053)

37,406
(2,254)

35,152

46,563
–
2,685
(11,166)
(956)

37,126
–
–
(1,974)

35,152

–
280
2,106

–
100
–
–

100
–

100

–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–

–

100
100
–

253
26
–
–

279
–

279

59
36
–
–
–

95
42
142
–

279

–
184
194

Total
£’000

48,922
1,082
(11,166)
(1,053)

37,785
(2,254)

35,531

46,622
36
2,685
(11,166)
(956)

37,221
42
142
(1,974)

35,431

100
564
2,300

AssetCo plc l Report and Financial Statements 2011

77

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

Goodwill
Goodwill acquired in a business combination is allocated, at acquisition, to the cash generating units
(“CGUs”) that are expected to benefit from that business combination. All CGUs form part of the UK
& ROI operating segment. The CGUs include London/Lincoln, Specialist equipment and Vehicle
assembly.

As at 31 March 2009 AssetCo reported a net book value of Goodwill of £57,081,000. It is the view of
the board that the prior period financial statements included a material error relating to the carrying
value of goodwill. The recoverable amounts of the CGUs are determined from value in use calculations.
Value in use calculations have been re-performed for the periods ended 31 March 2009, 31 March 2010
and 30 September 2011.

The value in use performed as at 31 March 2009 has resulted in an impairment adjustment of
£54,975,000 being recorded. Full details are included in note 5. The value in use adjustment has resulted
in the write off of goodwill of £34.6 million relating to the London/Lincoln CGU and an impairment of
impairment charges
London/Lincoln fixed assets down to £24.3 million. Additional goodwill
amounting to £20.3 million have been recorded for the Specialist equipment and Vehicle assembly
CGUs.

The key assumptions for the value in use calculations are those regarding future cash flows, terminal
value of assets, discount rates and growth rates. For the London/Lincoln CGU management estimates
the cashflows to the end of the contract based upon its understanding of current cash flows for the next
12 months extrapolated to the end of the relevant contract period at a long term growth rate. If the
London/Lincoln projects are not extended beyond their current terms then the customer is required to
repurchase the project fixed assets. Management uses its experience of the industry to estimate the
projected terminal asset value at the end of the contract.

Discount rates are estimated by management by using pre-tax rates that reflect current market
assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the CGUs. The discount rate used at
30 September 2011 was 8%; for 31 March 2010 and 31 March 2009 they were 9% and 11%
respectively. The growth rates are based on internal growth forecasts and management has used 2.5%
as a proxy for inflation. This rate does not exceed the average long-term growth rate for the relevant
markets.

The value in use calculation for the London/Lincoln CGU is sensitive to movements in the terminal
value assumption; if the terminal asset values were £10 million lower than estimated then the value in
use would reduce by about £3 million.

The carrying amount of goodwill has been allocated by CGU as follows:

2011

London/Lincoln
Specialist equipment
Vehicle assembly

Opening
£’000

Addition
£’000

Disposal
£’000

Impairment
£’000

Assets
for resale
£’000

Closing
£’000

–
280
–

280

–
–
–

–

–
(280)
–

(280)

–
–
–

–

–
–
–

–

–
–
–

–

78

AssetCo plc l Report and Financial Statements 2011

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

2010

Opening
£’000

Addition
£’000

Disposal
£’000

Impairment
£’000

Assets
for resale
£’000

Closing
£’000

London/Lincoln
Specialist equipment
Vehicle assembly

–
2,009
97

2,106

–
956
–

956

–
–
–

–

–
(2,685)

(2,685)

–
–
(97)

(97)

–
280
–

280

The changes in goodwill in the period relate to the disposal of RIG Systems Limited. The main changes
in goodwill in the prior year relate to the sale of AES in September 2009, the loss of control of UVM,
which was placed in Administration in January 2010, and the purchase of Graphic Traffic Limited
which was transferred to assets held for sale.

15. Employee Benefit Obligations
Group companies operate two defined benefit pension schemes. In 2010 actuarial gains and losses
arising on defined benefit retirement benefits were accounted for under the corridor approach, the
directors have reviewed this policy and concluded that given the proposed changes to IAS 19 it is more
appropriate to account for actuarial gains and losses in full in the period. The effect of this is
demonstrated in note 5. This represents a voluntary change of accounting policy as in the directors
opinion this accounting policy is more appropriate.

The Group has therefore accounted for pensions in accordance with IAS19 as set out below.

UK Schemes’
During the period the Group operated two defined benefit schemes’ for some of its UK employees. The
two schemes were the AssetCo pension scheme [formerly the Brook Henderson pension scheme] and
the Todd Research Limited retirement benefits scheme [Todd Research Limited was sold in December
2010 along with the assets/liabilities of the pension scheme – see note 28]. The remaining schemes’
assets are held separately from those of the group and are administered by the trustees and managed
professionally.

The AssetCo pension scheme was subject to a full actuarial valuation as at 30 September 2011 by an
independently qualified actuary and showed a deficit of £1,112,000 (2010: surplus £725,000 2009:
surplus £749,000).

The anticipated employer contribution to the scheme in the coming year is £231,000 (2010: £500,000).

Actuarial losses of £1,846,000 (2010: £68,000) are included in other comprehensive income. Actual
return on assets amounts to £19,000 (2010: £1,829,000).

The assumptions for the expected return on assets as at 30 September 2011 are made up of the
following;

Equities
Government bonds

– an expected return that is 3% above government bond yields
– the yield on 15 year fixed government bonds, albeit, at measurement date

Corporate bonds
Cash

– average annual yield on 15 year plus AA rated corporate bonds
– current Bank of England base rate

no assets were held in fixed government bonds

AssetCo plc l Report and Financial Statements 2011

79

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

The key assumptions used in the IAS 19 valuations are:

Criteria

Valuation method
Discount rate
Increase to pensions in payment
Inflation
Expected return on plan assets
Salary increases
Demographic assumptions
– Future mortality

Assumptions at
31 March 2010
Projected unit
5.60%

Assumptions at
30 September 2011
Projected unit
5.10%

Assumptions at
31 March 2009
Projected unit
6.70%
2.1 % – 3.10 % 2.8 % – 3.25 % 2.1 % – 2.75 %
2.25%
6.50%
2.25%

3.10%
5.50%
3.10%

3.25%
6.70%
2.00%

Long cohort, 1% Long cohort, 1% Long cohort, 1%
underpin

underpin

underpin

The value of assets in the schemes and the expected rate of return were:

Long
term rate
of return

Market
value at
expected at 30 September
2011
£’000

30 September
2011

5.90%
2.90%
5.10%
0.50%

Equities
Government bonds
Corporate bonds
Cash and Cash equivalents

Total market value of assets
Present value of scheme

liabilities

(Deficit)/Surplus

3,922
–
2,932
44

6,898

(8,010)

(1,112)

Long
term rate
of return
expected at
31 March
2010

7.40%
4.40%
5.60%
0.50%

Long
term rate
of return
expected at
31 March
2009

7.50%
4.50%
6.30%
0.00%

Market
value at
31 March
2010
£’000

4,615
14
2,440
42

7,111

(6,386)

725

Market
value at
31 March
2009
£’000

3,032
–
2,098
41

5,171

(4,422)

749

The amounts recognised in the statement of financial position are as follows:

Present value of funded obligations
Fair value of scheme assets

30 Sept 2011
£’000
(8,010)
6,898

(1,112)

31 March 2010
£’000
(6,386)
7,111

31 March 2009
£’000
(4,422)
5,171

725

749

The amounts recognised in the income statement are as follows:

Current service cost
Loss on settlement of liabilities

Included in operating loss

Interest on obligation
Expected return on scheme assets

Included in net financing costs

80

AssetCo plc l Report and Financial Statements 2011

18 months to
30 September 2011
£'000
413
30

12 months to
31 March 2010
£'000
212
–

443

531
(633)

(102)

212

298
(282)

16

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

Reconciliation of the present value of scheme liabilities and assets

30 September 2011
£’000

31 March 2010
£’000

31 March 2009
£’000

Change in the present value of the defined
benefit obligation
Opening defined benefit obligation
Service cost
Interest cost
Employees’ contributions
Change of assumptions
Liabilities settled
Actuarial (losses)/gains
Benefits paid

Closing defined benefit obligation

Change in the fair value of scheme assets
Opening fair value of scheme assets
Expected return
Actuarial (losses)/gains
Contributions by the employer
Contributions by employees
Liability settlement costs
Benefits paid

Closing fair value of scheme assets

(6,386)
(413)
(531)
(53)
(1,217)
420
(15)
185

(8,010)

7,111
633
(614)
350
53
(450)
(185)

6,898

(4,422)
(212)
(298)
(35)
(1,687)
–
72
196

(6,386)

5,171
282
1,547
272
35
–
(196)

7,111

(4,376)
(284)
(274)
(43)
454
(188)
(100)
389

(4,422)

6,424
415
(1,586)
264
43
–
(389)

5,171

History of experience gains and losses

30 September 2011
£’000

31 March 2010
£’000

31 March 2009
£’000

31 March 2008
£’000

Fair value of scheme assets
Present value of the defined

benefit obligation

(Deficit)/surplus in the plan
Experience (losses) and gains

on scheme assets

Experience (losses) and gains

on scheme liabilities

6,898

(8,010)

(1,112)

(614)

(15)

7,111

(6,386)

725

1,547

72

5,171

(4,422)

749

(1,586)

(100)

6,424

(4,376)

2,048

(464)

(161)

Given the breakdown in controls during the period and the focus of the board on managing liquidity
issues, as explained elsewhere in this Report & Accounts, there has been a reduced amount of formal
management information presented to the board during the period.

AssetCo plc l Report and Financial Statements 2011

81

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

Sensitivity analysis

Liabilities
Assets

Deficit

Liabilities
Assets

Deficit

Liabilities
Assets

Deficit

Liabilities
Assets

Deficit

Discount rate
4.60%
£’000
(8,957)
6,898

Discount rate
5.10%
£’000
(8,010)
6,898

Discount rate
5.60%
£’000
(7,201)
6,898

(2,059)

(1,112)

(303)

Inflation
2.60%
£’000
(7,196)
6,898

(298)

Inflation
3.10%
£’000
(8,010)
6,898

(1,112)

Inflation
3.60%
£’000
(8,960)
6,898

(2,062)

Salary increases
2.60%
£’000
(7,845)
6,898

Salary increases
3.10%
£’000
(8,010)
6,898

Salary increases
3.60%
£’000
(8,186)
6,898

(947)

(1,112)

(1,288)

SAPS Ic with 1% SAPS Ic with 1%
underpin (-1 year) underpin (+1 year)
£’000

£’000

(8,128)
6,898

(1,230)

(7,890)
6,898

(992)

Overseas schemes
There are no pension arrangements in the Republic of Ireland subsidiary whilst the Abu Dhabi branch
operates a defined contribution scheme. The total cost in the period for this scheme was £456,000
(2010: £nil).

16.

Inventories

Raw materials
Work in progress

30 September
2011
£’000

291
–

291

31 March
2010
£’000

201
–

201

31 March
2009
£’000

2,138
4,469

6,607

The net movement in the inventory provision resulted in £291,000 debit (2010: £12,000 credit, 2009:
£60,000 credit) being recognised in the cost of sales.

As at 30 September 2011 inventories of £291,000 (2010: £201,000, 2009: £6,607,000) were pledged as
security for some of the Group’s bank loans.

82

AssetCo plc l Report and Financial Statements 2011

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

17. Trade and Other Receivables

Trade receivables
Amounts provided for doubtful debts
Other receivables
Proceeds due from share placing
Prepayments and accrued income

30 September
2011
£’000

3,059
(141)
222
8,041
2,145

13,326

31 March
2010
£’000
Restated

4,744
(9)
154
–
892

5,781

31 March
2009
£’000
Restated

8,588
(11)
1,669
–
7,217

17,463

Due to their short-term nature the carrying value of trade and other receivables approximates to their
fair value.

Trade and other receivables held in AED and Euros amounted to £2,889,000 and £6,000 (2010: £nil and
£11,000) respectively.

No impairment provision has been made against other receivables. Trade receivables that have not been
received within the agreed payment terms are classified as overdue. The ageing of amounts due as at
30 September 2011 and 31 March 2010 and 2009 excluding impairment are as follows:

30 September
2011
£’000

Not yet due
Past due but not more than 30 days
Past due more than 30 days but not more than 60 days
Past due more than 60 days

2,760
114
38
147

3,059

31 March
2010
£’000

4,688
–
47
9

4,744

31 March
2009
£’000

8,142
–
173
273

8,588

The maximum exposure to credit risk at the reporting date is the carrying value of trade receivables
mentioned above. The group does not hold any collateral as security.

There is a material concentration of credit risk due to the group’s individual material trade debts being
predominantly with UK local authorities and the Abu Dhabi government. However, these are nationally
backed and have very strong AAA credit ratings as well as there being a strong history of collection and
cash generation.

As of 30 September 2011, trade receivables of £147,000 (2010: £9,000) were impaired. The amount of
the provision was £141,000 (2010: £9,000). The aging of these receivables are all past due more than
60 days. Movement in the provision for doubtful debts is as follows:

Balance at beginning of year
Income statement charge/(credit)

Balance at end of year

30 September
2011
£’000

31 March
2010
£’000

9
132

141

11
(2)

9

31 March
2009
£’000

273
(262)

11

AssetCo plc l Report and Financial Statements 2011

83

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

18. Trade and Other Payables

Trade and other payables

30 September
2011
£’000
2,905

31 March
2010
£’000
1,816

31 March
2009
£’000
8,550

Due to their short-term nature the carrying value of trade and other payables approximates to their fair
value.

Trade and other payables held in AED and Euros amounted to £674,000 and £29,000 (2010: £nil and
£54,000) respectively.

19.

Short-term Liabilities

Other payables
Amount held in respect of scheme of arrangement
Other taxation and social security
Accruals and deferred income
Deferred consideration

30 September
2011
£’000
2,665
5,000
1,385
14,591
–

23,641

31 March
2010
£’000
4
–
2,132
7,447
2,500

12,083

31 March
2009
£’000
451
–
4,236
10,086
3,558

18,331

20. Derivative financial instruments
The objectives, policies, and strategies associated with the use of derivative financial instruments can
be found under the financial instruments section of the basis of preparation note.

Fair values of financial liabilities
At 30 September 2011, four amortising interest rate swaps were in place covering loans of £31.8m
(2010: £39.8m, 2009: £44.5m) at a fixed rate of 5.795% payable monthly with HBOS; £7.2m (2010:
£7.9m, 2009: £7.9m) at a fixed rate of 4.63% payable quarterly with Co-Op; £0.7m (2010: £3.8m, 2009:
£3.7m) at a fixed rate of 3.43% payable quarterly with Co-Op, and £1.6m (2010: £3.1m, 2009: £4.0m)
at a fixed rate of 2.1% payable monthly with Co-Op.

The fair value of interest rate swap contracts is determined by reference to discounted cash flows for
similar instruments.

Title

HBOS swap
Co–Op swap
Co–Op swap
Co–Op swap
Barclays swap

Termination date

31 March 2021
21 April 2026
23 January 2012
09 April 2013
14 October 2010

2011
Fair value
£’000

2010
Fair value
£’000

2009
Fair value
£’000

5,456
1,732
8
15
–

7,211

5,232
423
82
–
84

5,821

6,143
775
–
–
207

7,125

84

AssetCo plc l Report and Financial Statements 2011

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

21. Cash and cash Equivalents

Cash in bank and hand
Short–term deposits

Cash and cash equivalents (excluding bank overdrafts)
Bank overdrafts

Cash and cash equivalents

2011
£’000

4,395
–

4,395
(18)

4,377

Cash and cash equivalents (excluding bank overdrafts)

UK sterling
Euros
A E Dirhams

2011
£’000

3,661
12
722

4,395

2010
£’000

2,597
–

2,597
(1,210)

1,387

2010
£’000

2,565
32
–

2,597

2009
£’000

4,533
17,965

22,498
(3,693)

18,805

2009
£’000

22,493
5
–

22,498

Cash and cash equivalents receive interest at the floating rate and are carried on the balance sheet at a
value approximate to their fair values.

Additional to the above A E Dirhams of £4,226,000 (2010: £3,971,000) is held on deposit as part of the
advance payment fee which was paid upfront in March 2010. This is locked in until April 2013.

22. Borrowings
The Group’s bank borrowings and overdrafts are secured by a debenture over the assets of the Group
and mature in November 2016.

Finance lease liabilities principally relate to assets provided to customers under long-term
arrangements.

Current borrowings

Bank borrowings
Finance lease liabilties
Bank overdraft

2011
£’000

16,117
62,031
18

78,166

2010
£’000

5,141
8,561
1,210

14,912

2009
£’000

4,319
8,831
3,693

16,843

Due to AssetCo being in breach of the terms of its’ lending conditions all borrowings are deemed to be
current at 30 September 2011.

Total borrowings of £78,166,000 are in UK sterling (2010: £82,179,000, 2009: £98,519,000).

AssetCo plc l Report and Financial Statements 2011

85

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

Non-current borrowings

Bank borrowings
Finance lease liabilties

The bank borrowings are repayable:

in more than one year, but less than two years
in more than two years, but not more than five years
in more than five years

The finance lease liabilties are repayable:

in more than one year, but less than two years
in more than two years, but not more than five years
in more than five years

2011
£’000

–
–

–

–
–
–

–

–
–
–

–

2010
£’000

12,578
54,689

67,267

6,148
4,869
1,561

12,578

7,634
27,776
19,279

54,689

2009
£’000

27,693
53,983

81,676

12,792
9,372
5,529

27,693

8,561
24,627
20,795

53,983

Maturity analysis of financial liabilities
The following disclosures show the maturity profile of gross undiscounted cash flows of financial
liabilities excluding accruals and deferred income as at 30 September 2011:

Maturity of financial liabilities

Bank
Total borrowings
£’000
£’000

Finance
lease
liabilities
£’000

In one year or less

97,332

16,135

62,031

97,332

16,135

62,031

Interest
rate
swaps
£’000

7,211

7,211

Trade
and other
payables
£’000

2,905

2,905

Other
payables
£’000

7,665

7,665

Other
taxation
and social
security
£’000

1,385

1,385

The group has defaulted on its borrowings and finance lease liabilities as at the period end and therefore
all balances are classified as due in less than one year at the balance sheet date. The maturity disclosures
include overdue interest payments. No penalty interest or related costs are included as the group is
currently in discussion with its lenders, as set out in note 1, to restructure the group’s debt however no
agreement had been finalised as at the date of approval of these financial statements.

Currency risk
The group has used a sensitivity technique that measures the estimated change to the fair value of the
group’s financial instruments of a 10% strengthening in sterling against all other currencies, from the
closing rates as at 30 September 2011, with all other variables remaining constant. A 10% variation
would have had an impact on the balance sheet of £598,000. All of this charge would be taken to the
income statement.

86

AssetCo plc l Report and Financial Statements 2011

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

Financial assets
Financial liabilities

UK sterling
£’000
17,186
(96,301)

(79,115)

Euro
£’000
12
(107)

(95)

AE Dirhams
£’000
7,604
(924)

6,680

Total
£’000
24,802
(97,332)

(72,520)

10%
£’000
(692)
94

(598)

Exposures to foreign exchange rates vary during the year depending on the volume of overseas
transactions. Nonetheless the analysis above is considered to be representative of the Group’s exposure
to currency risk.

Bank borrowings
Details of the Group’s bank borrowings at 30 September 2011 are summarised as follows:

Bank

HBOS
Barclays
Barclays
Co-op

Date

November 2007
September 2008
September 2008
March 2009

Initial loan

£16 million
£4.1 million
£0.96m
£4m

Term

9 years
5 years
7 years
4 years

Rate

2% over 3 month Libor
1.25% over 1 month Libor
2.25% over 1 month Libor
2.1% over base

At 30 September 2011, the Group had four principal loans with three different financial institutions
(2010: six principal loans with four different financial institutions).

Finance lease liabilities
Lease liabilities are effectively secured as the rights to the leased asset revert to the lessor in the event
of default.

Finance lease liabilities are secured by a first and only debenture from a subsidiary undertaking and first
and only chattel mortgage over the assets of one of the Group companies.

The average lease term is 10 years. For the period ended 30 September 2011, the average effective
borrowing rate on leases was 6.75% (2010: 6.75%, 2009: 6.75%). All leases are on a fixed repayment
basis and no arrangements have been entered into for contingent rental payments.

Minimum lease payments under finance lease liabilities are as follows:

In one year or less
Between one and five years
More than five years

Future finance charges on finance leases

Present value of minimum lease payments

2011
£’000

82,173
–
–

82,173
(20,142)

62,031

2010
£’000

10,956
45,325
24,677

80,958
(17,708)

63,250

2009
£’000

12,182
42,149
26,056

80,387
(17,573)

62,814

AssetCo plc l Report and Financial Statements 2011

87

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

23.

Provisions

As at 31 March 2009 (restated)
Unwinding of discount
Additions
Utilised during the period

As at 31 March 2010 (restated)
Unwinding of discount
Additions
Utilised during the period
As at 30 September 2011

Restructuring Dilapidations Employment
£’000
–
–
–
–

£’000
7,198
170
5,139
(584)

£’000
500
–
–
–

11,923
480
–
(1,587)
10,816

500
–
–
–
500

–
–
729
–
729

Employment
Grants
£’000
–
–
–
–

–
–
1,102
–
1,102

Restructuring Dilapidations Employment
£’000

£’000

£’000

Employment
Grants
£’000

Pension
£’000

Total
£’000

Short-term
Long-term
Total

1,057
9,759
10,816

–
500
500

729
–
729

1,102
–
1,102

750
–
750

3,638
10,259
13,897

Pension
£’000
–
–
–
–

–
–
750
–
750

2010
£’000
Restated
1,024
11,399
12,423

Total
£’000
7,698
170
5,139
(584)

12,423
480
2,581
(1,587)
13,897

2009
£’000
Restated
570
7,128
7,698

Restructuring
The restructuring provision relates to onerous property leases. Application of IAS37 requires provision
for all irrecoverable costs on onerous leases. The leases included have a period remaining until the
earliest break opportunity of between 10 and 30 years.

Dilapidations
As at 30 September 2011, the group, based on best estimates, holds provisions of £500,000 in order to
cover any dilapidation costs on exit from the buildings covered by the onerous lease provision. The
obligations are expected to be settled coterminous with cessation of the leases provided for.

Employment
The employment provision relates to potential claims made in connection with employees who have left
the business. Management consider that these obligations will be settled within the next twelve months.

Employment Grants
Employment grants were received during 2008 and 2009 in respect of job creation and have a
contingent liability clause. The clause provides for a clawback for a period of upto 5 years from the last
payment of the grant should the group breach the stated terms and conditions of the letter of the offer.
There is considerable uncertainty as to when this obligation will be settled but management consider
that it is reasonable to expect settlement to be within the next twelve months.

Pension
The pension provision relates to a claim received in relation to the settlement of an historic section 75
pension liability. There is considerable uncertainty as to when this obligation will be settled but
management consider that it is reasonable to expect settlement to be within the next twelve months.

88

AssetCo plc l Report and Financial Statements 2011

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

Financial Assets and liabilities

24.
The following tables illustrate the categorisation and carrying value of financial assets and liabilities as
at 30 September 2011:

Financial assets

Trade and other receivables
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash held in respect of a bond
Cash held in respect of scheme of arrangement

Financial liabilities

Trade and other payables
Bank overdraft
Borrowings – short term
Finance lease liabilities – short term
Borrowings – long term
Finance lease liabilities – long term
Derivatives – long term

Fair value hierarchy

Derivatives – long term

Level 1
£’000

–

Loans and receivables
£’000
11,181
4,395
4,226
5,000

24,802

Fair value through
profit and loss
£’000

Other financial
liabilities
£’000

–
–
–
–
–
–
7,211

7,211

Level 2
£’000

7,211

11,955
18
6,781
16,195
9,336
45,836
–

90,121

Level 3
£’000

–

Total
£’000
11,181
4,395
4,226
5,000

24,802

Total
£’000

11,955
18
6,781
16,195
9,336
45,836
7,211

97,332

Total
£’000

7,211

For the prior period total financial assets amounted to £7,486,000 and financial liabilities amounted to
£94,402,000.

The derivatives entered into by the group are not traded in active markets. The fair value of these
contracts is estimated using a valuation technique that maximises the use of observable market inputs
(Level 2) within IFRS 7’s fair value hierarchy (2010:Level 2).

The movement in the fair value of financial instruments amounted to £1,390,000 loss (2010: £1,304,000
gain).

AssetCo plc l Report and Financial Statements 2011

89

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

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Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

The rights attaching to Deferred Shares are set out in the company’s Articles of association and are
minimal. They do not carry any voting rights or dividend rights.

Following the September 2011 capital re-organisation 3,750,000 Ordinary Shares with a nominal value
of 10p each were issued in consideration for the purchase of £15m Preference Shares in AssetCo (Abu
Dhabi) Limited and 7,000,000 Ordinary Shares with a nominal value of 10p each were issued for an
issue price of 200p.

The fair value of the consideration for the purchase of the Preference Shares is considered to be £7.5m.

Following the Company’s adoption of new Articles of Association in September 2011, and in
accordance with the Companies Act 2006, the share capital has no authorised limit (2010: £32,500,000).
All issued shares are fully paid, with the exception of £8,041,000 due from proceeds of the September
2011 placing.

Share-based payments

b)
The credit for the period in respect of share-based payments, comprising share options and warrants, is
£680,000 (2010: charge £100,000, 2009: charge £140,000).

Share options

c)
Share options were granted to directors and to selected employees. The Group is under no legal or
constructive obligation to repurchase or settle the options in cash and all options immediately lapsed
and ceased to be exercisable upon the commencement of the winding up of the company in March 2011.

Opening
Forfeited
Lapsed

30 September 2011
Average
exercise
price per
share £

Options

1.70
–

1,212,603
–
1.70 (1,212,603)

–

–

31 March 2010

31 March 2009

Average
exercise
price per
share £

1.76
2.29
–

1.70

Options

1,352,603
(140,000)
–

1,212,603

Average
exercise
price per
share £

1.77
1.82
–

1.76

Options

1,819,327
(466,724)
–

1,352,603

The fair value of options at grant date were determined using the Black-Scholes method.

Share options at the end of the periods had the following expiry date and exercise prices:

Expiry Date

04 Dec 2013
29 Mar 2017
30 Jul 2017
30 Jul 2017
22 Nov 2017
22 Nov 2017
28 Nov 2017

Exercise Price
£ per share

1.00
1.45
2.30
3.00
2.30
3.00
2.04

30 Sep
2011
Shares

–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–

31 Mar
2010
Shares

210,000
663,103
105,000
140,000
50,000
20,000
24,500

31 Mar
2009
Shares

210,000
698,103
120,000
160,000
100,000
40,000
24,500

1,212,603

1,352,603

AssetCo plc l Report and Financial Statements 2011

91

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

26. Tax Liabilities and Deferred Taxation

Tax liabilities

Tax liabilities

2011
£’000

–

2010
£’000
Restated

1,089

2009
£’000
Restated

–

Given the material restatements set out in note 5, the group will be resubmitting prior period tax
computations for all material companies. The group’s deferred tax position represents the directors’ best
estimates but due to the breakdown of the group’s systems and controls in the period, as reported in the
Directors’ report, and the significant level of uncertainty over the Group’s historic tax position, the
deferred taxation position represent an area of significant uncertainty. The significant accounting
judgement that the Group has made relates to the tax treatment for the fixed asset impairment charges
made in these financial statements, where the Group has currently assumed no change to the previously
claimed capital allowances.

The group has concluded that the tax impact of the prior period restatements is to reduce the group’s
recognised deferred tax asset and liability position to nil resulting in a consolidated unrecognised
deferred tax asset position. The directors have concluded that the tax impacts of the accounting
restatement relate primarily to the opening balance sheet as at 31 March 2009 and as a result the tax
restatements are recorded against retained earnings at this date.

Deferred taxation
There was no deferred tax asset or liability recognised at the balance sheet dates.

Deferred tax
Deferred tax liabilities

At 1 April 2009 as previously
reported
Restatements (see note 5)
At 1 April 2009 as restated

At 31 March 2010 as restated

At 30 September 2011

Deferred tax asset

At 1 April 2009 as previously
reported
Restatements (see note 5)
At 1 April 2009 as restated

At 31 March 2010 as restated

At 30 September 2011

Accelerated tax
depreciation
£’000

7,559
(7,559)
–

–

–

Accelerated tax
depreciation
£’000

(393)
393
–

–

–

Other
£’000

805
(805)
–

–

–

Other
£’000

(2,884)
2,884
–

–

–

Tax
losses
£’000

(973)
973
–

–

–

Tax
losses
£’000

(1,885)
1,885
–

–

–

Total
£’000

7,391
(7,391)
–

–

–

Total
£’000

(5,162)
5,162
–

–

–

The recognition of deferred tax assets is based upon whether it is more likely than not that sufficient
and suitable taxable profits will be available in the future against which the reversal of temporary

92

AssetCo plc l Report and Financial Statements 2011

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

differences can be deducted. Where the temporary differences relate to losses, the availability of the
losses to offset against future profitability is also considered. The directors consider that given the
circumstances explained above there is no basis on which to recognise deferred tax assets at 31 March
2009, 31 March 2010 or September 2011. The unrecognised asset
in respect of tax losses at
30 September 2011 amounts to £8,600,000 (2010: restated £9,200,000).

27. Assets held for sale
During the period to 31 March 2010 the Treka Bus, Supply 999, RIG Systems, Nene Whitewater Centre
and Papworth Specialist Vehicles businesses were identified as non-core and marketing for their sale
was commenced. Accordingly they were transferred to assets classified as held for sale at that date.
Those companies which have been sold or which have been placed in a form of insolvency in the period
to 30 September 2011 are referred to in note 28. Papworth Specialist Vehicles was not sold during the
financial period and is no longer being marketed for sale and accordingly its assets and liabilities have
been transferred back to continuing assets as at 30 September 2011.

As set out in note 5 Restatement of Prior Years the board believes that ascribing a carrying value of
goodwill as originally reported was a material error and the amount has been largely written off or
provided against. The value included in these prior period restatements is an amount for goodwill held
in assets held for resale of £10,035,000.

The major classes of assets and liabilities comprising the operations classified as held for sale are as
follows:

Goodwill
Property, plant and equipment
Trade and other receivables
Inventories

Total assets classified as held for sale

Finance lease liabilities
Borrowings
Trade and other payables

Total liabilities associated with assets classified as held for sale

Net assets of disposal group

2011
£’000

–
–
–
–

–

–
–
–

–

–

2010
£’000
Restated
97
1,848
2,916
2,060

6,921

75
3,950
2,668

6,693

228

AssetCo plc l Report and Financial Statements 2011

93

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

Investments

28.
Details of Group companies can be found in Note 29 to the financial statements.

Discontinued operations
Discontinued operations principally include activities relating to the Treka Bus and Supply 999
businesses which were sold in October 2010 and December 2010 respectively, as well as the Papworth
Specialist Vehicles business which ceased to trade in September 2010. Two smaller businesses were
also sold in the period, RIG Systems Limited in July 2010 and the assets of Nene Whitewater Centre
Limited in August 2010. Details of performance in the period are outlined below:

Revenue
Expenses

Net loss after tax

Loss on disposal

Loss for the period from discontinued operations

18 months to
30 September 2011
£’000
3,209
(3,209)

–

(610)

(610)

12 months to
31 March 10
£’000
28,331
(33,627)

(5,296)

–

(5,296)

Prior year discontinued businesses included Papworth Specialist Vehicles Limited which, as it has not
been sold during the period, has been transferred back to continuing businesses as at 1 April 2010 and
its results are included in the income statement.

The taxation effect of discontinued operations is nil in 2011 and 2010.

Business Combinations
No acquisitions were made during the period (2010: Acquisition of Graphic Traffic Limited for
consideration of £1,000).

The Group disposed of Supply 999 Limited, AS Fire & Rescue Limited, Todd Research Limited, Treka
Bus Limited, RIG Systems Limited and the assets of Nene Whitewater Centre Limited. The aggregate
effect of these disposals is as follows:

Goodwill
Plant, property and equipment
Trade and other receivables
Inventories
Cash
Borrowings
Trade and other payables
Taxation

Net consideration

Loss on disposal

94

AssetCo plc l Report and Financial Statements 2011

Carrying value
at date of
disposal
£’000

377
977
4,053
1,277
5
(1,259)
(1,611)
(694)

3,125
(2,515)

610

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

As referred to elsewhere in the financial statements the books and records have not allowed a complete
and accurate assessment of underlying figures so the fair value of net assets for the businesses sold is
based on signed accounts at 31 March 2010, with management estimates of the movements from that
date to the time of disposal.

The net cash flows atributable to assets held for sale and discontinued operations are as follows:

Operating cash flows

2011
£’000
–

–

2010
£’000
(8,601)

(8,601)

Investment in associate
At 31 March 2010 the Group had a 25% interest in the issued share capital of Miquest Limited, a
company incorporated in England and Wales which provided integrated solutions for asset
management. Miquest Limited went into administration on 26 August 2011 after being loss-making for
some time. The carrying value as at 31 March 2010 has been restated at nil; accordingly there is no
profit or loss on disposal reflected in these accounts.

AssetCo plc l Report and Financial Statements 2011

95

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

Group undertakings

29.
AssetCo plc has a controlling interest through shares, directly or indirectly, in the following group
undertakings:

Subsidiary
AssetCo Fire and Rescue

Limited

Country of
incorporation

Group

Company

Shares
held

Nature of
business

N Ireland

100% 100%

Ordinary

AssetCo Abu Dhabi Limited Bermuda

100% 100%

Ordinary

AssetCo Emergency Limited England & Wales 100% -%

Ordinary

AssetCo Engineering Limited England & Wales 100% -%

Ordinary

AssetCo Lincoln Limited

N Ireland

100% -%

Ordinary

AssetCo London Limited

England & Wales 100% -%

Ordinary

AssetCo Managed Services

(ROI) Limited

Republic of Ireland 100% -%

Ordinary

MFlow Limited

England & Wales 100% -%

Ordinary

AssetCo Resource Limited

England & Wales 100% -%

Ordinary

AssetCo Municipal Limited

England & Wales 100% -%

Ordinary

England & Wales 100% -%
Asfare No.1 Limited
100% -%
AssetCo Contracts Limited
N Ireland
AssetCo Servicecare Limited N Ireland
100% -%
100% -%
N Ireland
AssetCo Solutions Limited
England & Wales 100% -%
Fire Guns Limited
USA
AS America Inc
100% -%
AssetCo SVO Limited
England & Wales 100% -%
AssetCo Managed Services

Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary

Holding
Company
Holding
Company
Holding
Company
Emergency
Equipment
Managed
Services
Managed
Services

Support
Services
Electrical
& Comms
Human
Resources
Fleet and
Management
Dormant
Dormant
Dormant
Dormant
Dormant
Dormant
Dormant

Limited

England & Wales 100% -%

Ordinary

Dormant

Papworth Specialist Vehicles

Limited

England & Wales 100% -%

Ordinary

Dormant

AssetCo Specialist Vehicles

Limited

England & Wales 100% 100%

Ordinary

Nene Whitewater Centre
Simentra Limited

England & Wales 100% -%
100% -%
N Ireland

Ordinary
Ordinary

Holding
Company
Dormant
Dormant

There were no Group investments in associates and interests in joint ventures as at the balance sheet
date (see note 28).

The percentage of shares held equates to voting rights for all of the subsidiaries listed above.

96

AssetCo plc l Report and Financial Statements 2011

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

30.

Future Capital Commitments

Contracted for but not provided in these financial statements

2011
£’000
851

2010
£’000
–

Operating lease commitments
The Group leases various assets under non-cancellable operating lease agreements. The leases have
varying terms and renewal rights.

The future aggregate minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases are as follows:

Within one year
More than one year and less
than five years
After five years

2011
Property
£’000

1,354

4,731
5,769

11,854

2010
Property
£’000
Restated

1,192

4,638
6,853

12,683

2011
Other
£’000

105

34
–

139

2010
Other
£’000
Restated

–

–
–

–

The property lease commitment includes £8,172,000 (2010: £9,093,000) included in a provision for
costs associated with onerous leases (note 23).

The business leases the commercial properties from which it operates. All leases were taken at the open
market rent for the property prevailing at the outset of the lease. Lease renewals in respect of property
are governed by the laws of the countries in which the leases are held. There are no purchase rights to
any of the leased properties and no contingent rents are payable. None of the leases imposes financial
or operating restrictions upon the business other than those associated with planning laws.

AssetCo plc l Report and Financial Statements 2011

97

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

31. Reconciliation of loss before tax to net cash generated from operations

30 September
2011

Loss for the year before taxation
Depreciation and impairment (note 13)
Amortisation and impairment (note 14)
Loss on sale of property, plant, and equipment
Loss on disposal of businesses
Share-based payments
Interest rate swaps
Movement in financial restructuring
Other finance (income)/expense (note 9)
Exchange differences
Interest expense (note 9)
Interest received (note 9)
Other non–cash movements
Decrease/(increase) in inventories
Decrease/(increase) in debtors
Increase/(decrease) in creditors
Increase in provisions
Loss on pension settlement
Service cost in excess of contributions to the DB pension scheme

Cash generated from operations

Analysis of net debt

Bank borrowings
Finance lease liabilities
Bank overdrafts
Cash at bank and in hand

Interest rate swaps

2011
£’000

16,117
62,031
18
(13,621)

64,545
7,211

71,756

£’000

(22,198)
5,982
184
347
610
(680)
1,390
–
(102)
–
7,826
(57)
3,737
374
(1,013)
9,169
(1,108)
30
63

4,554

2010
£’000

17,719
63,250
1,210
(2,597)

79,582
5,821

85,403

31 March
2010
Restated
£’000

(22,179)
1,121
2,721
–
–
100
(1,304)
4,725
16
246
7,043
(416)
4,324
(224)
10,501
(2,501)
–
–
–

4,173

2009
£’000

32,012
62,814
3,693
(22,498)

76,021
7,125

83,146

Net debt of £71,756,000 (2010: £85,403,000, 2009: £83,146,000) includes the fair value of the interest
rate swaps taken out with HBOS, Co-Op and Barclays (see note 20) and cash held in a bond £4,226,000
and cash held in the scheme of arrangement of £5,000,000.

32. Contingent Liabilities
The Company’s Scheme of Arrangement compromised all UK based guarantees that had been provided
by the Company up to 28 December 2011.

During the last financial year the Group entered into a performance bond relating to a UAE based
contract which dictates a potential liability of 10% of the contract value upon failure to fulfill the terms
of the contract. This liability would equate to a maximum of approximately £4m. The guarantee will
remain in place in full until 90 days after the customer has confirmed that contractual terms have been
met and it is expected that confirmation will occur in or around April 2013. At completion of the 90 day

98

AssetCo plc l Report and Financial Statements 2011

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

period the potential liability under this guarantee will reduce to 5% of the contract value and then
progressively reduce to 0% in accordance with expiration of warranty periods relating to discrete
contractual obligations and ranging between 12 months and 10 years in length.

The Group has provided an “Advanced Payment Guarantee” of approximately £8m in connection to a
UAE based contract. The guarantee provides for the repayment in part or full of payments received from
the customer in advance of contractual service delivery. The guarantee shall initially remain in place
until April 2013 and shall progressively reduce over the contract period. If the services required under
the contract remain outstanding beyond the contractual service period then the guarantee could be
extended beyond the initial contract period and until the services are delivered in full.

Post Balance Sheet Events

33.
On 9 September 2011 AssetCo announced that “the UK subsidiaries of the Company, which include a
substantial number of dormant and legacy trading companies as well as the London and Lincoln
operating companies, are to be ring fenced from the Company and will be restructured, disposed of, or
wound up.” The following restructuring and events have occurred since the balance sheet date:

•

•

•

•

•

•

Proposals to strike off the following dormant companies have been advertised: AssetCo Resource
Limited, AssetCo SVO Limited, and AssetCo Emergency Equipment Limited.

On 6 December 2011 Asfare No.1 Limited was dissolved. Asfare No.1 Limited was a dormant
Group subsidiary.

On 9 December 2011 a Liquidator was appointed to AssetCo Municipal Limited [“Municipal”].
In the 18 month period to 30 September 2011 Municipal reported Sales of £1,411,000 and a Loss
before tax and Exceptional Items of £192,000. The Statement of Affairs dated 9 December 2011
reports a “Estimated deficiency as regards non-preferential creditors” of £10,594,481.

On 29 February 2012 AssetCo Emergency Limited sold the entire issued share capital in Mflow
Solutions Limited, AssetCo London Limited and AssetCo Engineering Limited to Continental
Shelf 547 Limited [“547”], and AssetCo Lincoln Limited and AssetCo Solutions Limited to
Continental Shelf 548 Limited [“548”]. The entire issued share capital of both 547 and 548 are
owned by AssetCo PLC. In the case of each disposal consent to the transfer of share ownership
is required from various lenders and discussions still continue in this regard.

On 1 March 2012 a Winding-Up Petition was successfully presented against AssetCo Fire and
Rescue Limited and accordingly a court order was made to wind up AssetCo Fire and Rescue
Limited. AssetCo Fire and Rescue Limited remains the shareholder of the majority of the
remaining “dormant” or legacy trading companies.

On 4 April 2012 a termination notice claiming an irredeemable breach in respect of a contract
was received. We are examining the basis and validity of this notice and the extent and timing of
any exit management requirements.

34. Related Party Transactions
joint
Related parties comprise the Company’s shareholders, subsidiaries, associated companies,
ventures, other entities over which the shareholders of the Group have the ability to control or exercise
significant influence over their financial and operating decisions, and key management personnel.

Transactions between the Company and its subsidiaries have been eliminated on consolidation and are
not disclosed in this note.

AssetCo plc l Report and Financial Statements 2011

99

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

During the period, the Group entered into the following significant transactions with related parties at
prices and on terms agreed between the related parties:

Remuneration of the directors

Compensation
for loss
of office
2011
£’000
–
–
–
30
30

Salary
2011
£’000
633
441
156
93
1,323

Tudor Davies
John Shannon
Scott Brown
Frank Flynn

i
ii
iii
iv

Total

2011
£’000
–
51

Benefits
Total
in Kind emouluments
2011
£’000
633
492
156
135
1,416

12
63

Compensation
for loss
of office

Benefits
Total
in Kind emouluments
2010
£’000

2010
£’000

–
17
–
24

41

–
317
–
274

591

£’000

–
–
–
–

–

Salary
2010
£’000

–
300
–
250

550

i.
ii.
iii.

iv.

Tudor Davies was appointed Executive Chairman on 23 March 2011.
John Shannon was resigned as a director on 24 March 2011.
Scott Brown was appointed as a director on 4 October 2010 and resigned as a director on 17 May
2011.
Frank Flynn resigned as a director on 4 October 2010.

Non-executive directors’ remuneration

Tim Wightman
Christopher Mills
Adrian Bradshaw
Peter Manning
Andrew Freemantle viii

v
vi
vii

Total

2011
£’000

74
13
31
53
53

224

2010
£’000

55
–
35
35
18

143

Tim Wightman resigned as a non-executive director on 30 June 2011.
Christopher Mills was appointed as a non-executive director on 23 March 2011.

v.
vi.
vii. Adrian Bradshaw resigned as a non-executive director on 18 August 2010.
viii. Andrew Freemantle was appointed as a non-executive director on 5 January 2010.

All Directors’ share options – see note 25 – lapsed in the period.

In 2010 AssetCo reported the following:

a)

b)

“In May 2009, Jaras Property Developments Limited [“Jaras”], a company from which the Group
rents a property was purchased by John Shannon, the Group’s former CEO. The value of these
rentals amounted to £166,666 in the year. At 31 March 2010, the Group had an asset balance with
this company totalling £1.5m (2009: £nil)”.

“On 31 March 2010, the Group completed the acquisition of 100% of the share capital of Graphic
Traffic Limited for consideration of £1,000 creating goodwill on acquisition of £956,000. This
business has been purchased with a view to resale hence the goodwill is included within assets
held for sale and further that the vendor of Graphic Traffic Limited (see note 5) was John
Shannon.”

100 AssetCo plc l Report and Financial Statements 2011

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

In respect of the ‘Jaras’ transaction, AssetCo have reviewed internal communications between the date
in December 2009 when the £1,500,000 was first paid, and finalisation of the 2010 audited accounts,
the management and statutory accounts for the business occupying the property and concluded that:

a)

b)

on an arms length basis it would be difficult to substantiate effectively paying six years rent in
advance in respect of the property,

the payment was originally classified as a Directors Loan and was subsequently reclassified as
prepaid rent in order to satisfy audit disclosure requirements, and

c)

the business occupying the property is now in Liquidation.

Further, there is sufficient doubt that either Jaras (were a Receiver has been appointed) or John Shannon
will repay the amount and accordingly the £1,500,000 current asset has been provided for in the prior
period restatement restatement.

In respect of the Graphic Traffic Limited transaction, AssetCo has reviewed the documentation relating
to this transaction and notes that:

a)

b)

c)

it was reported that AssetCo purchased a business to hold for resale a company and that that
company had net liabilities, and was disclosed as Dormant in its statutory accounts,

the net liabilities disclosed as acquired were significantly higher than reported in the statutory
accounts preceding acquisition and that the company was reported as Dormant, and

the beneficiary of AssetCo settling the net liabilities acquired was either John Shannon or parties
related to him.

Accordingly the amount capitalised as Goodwill of £956,000 in respect of this acquisition has been
expensed in the prior period restatement.

John Shannon claimed expenses amounting to at least £33,000 during the period and at least £27,000
during 2010 in respect of payments made with regards to personal chauffeur services.

AssetCo plc l Report and Financial Statements 2011

101