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Augean Plc

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FY2012 Annual Report · Augean Plc
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Delivering our 
strategy for 
growth

Augean PLC  
Annual Report 2012

Augean PLC is a market‑leading, 
UK‑based specialist waste and 
resource management group focused 
on providing a broad range of services 
to the hazardous waste sector.

The Group’s comprehensive management service 
covers the complete solution to the final disposal 
of hazardous and difficult waste streams.

Our service is underpinned by quality assets and 
skilled people, able to respond to a broad range 
of customer needs.

In this report

Review of the year

Corporate governance

Financial statements

Group highlights  

01

Board of directors  

32

Independent auditor’s report 

What we do  

Our strategy 

02

Corporate governance  

06

Directors’ report  

Chairman’s statement  

08

Directors’ remuneration report  

Business review  

  Augean Land Resources 

  Augean Waste Network 

  Augean Oil & Gas Services 

  Augean North Sea Services 

  Financial review 

  Principal risks 

  Corporate social responsibility 

10

18

19

20

21

23

26

28

Consolidated statement of 
comprehensive income 

Statements of financial position 

34

36

40

Statements of cash flow 

Statements of changes in 
shareholders’ equity 

Notes to the financial statements 

Guidance for shareholders 

Notice of annual general meeting 

43

45

46

47

48

49

89

90

Advisers and company information 

92

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Group highlights

Financial highlights
—   Revenue including Landfill Tax: increase of 13% to £42.4m (2011: £37.5m)

—   Revenue excluding Landfill Tax: increase of 18% to £36.8m (2011: £31.3m)

—  Adjusted EBITDA2 increased to £6.6m (2011: £6.1m)

—  Adjusted profit before tax £2.6m (2011: £1.1m)

—  Profit before tax £2.8m (2011: £1.4m)

—  Earnings per share 1.97p (2011: 1.59p)

—   Free cash flow £0.6m (2011: £(0.5)m) after £3.6m of capital expenditure

—  Net debt increase to £6.1m following acquisitions (2011: £4.0m)

—  Recommendation of payment of a maiden dividend of 0.25p per share

Operational highlights
—  Group increases sales revenues across all divisions compared to previous year

—  Improved operating margins on key activities

—  Initial disposal of multiple waste streams from radioactive decommissioning

  —  2,107 tonnes disposed in 2012, at an average price of £271/tonne

  —   Slower than expected release of Low Level Waste (LLW) from the nuclear estate

  —   Entry into the emerging markets of naturally occurring radioactive 

material (NORM) 

—  Planning extensions secured at ENRMF and Thornhaugh sites

—   ANSS operated successfully in the North Sea market throughout the 

second half of 2012

—  New high temperature incinerator (HTI) integrated within Waste Network division

—   New industrial cleaning services provided through Oil & Gas Services division

—  Several medium term contracts secured with large customers across all divisions

Strategic developments
—  Move into delivery phase across key strategic markets

—  Continued focus on radioactive decommissioning markets to drive profit growth

—  Planning permission sought to extend the size and life of the ENRMF site to 2026

—  Offshore waste management offering growing through Augean North Sea Services

—  Minerals extraction underway at Cooks Hole, providing royalty stream

—  Energy production available as electricity, heating steam and fuel oils

—  Appointment of Dr Stewart Davies as new CEO from August 2013

We have evolved
A joint venture agreement 
with Scomi Oiltools has given 
us a controlling stake in a 
new division: Augean North 
Sea Services. Read about our 
operating divisions on page 21

p21

Revenue1
£42.4m
+13% (2011: £37.5m)

Adjusted EBITDA2
£6.6m
+8% (2011: £6.1m)

Earnings per share
1.97p
+24% (2011: 1.59p)

Profit before tax
£2.8m
+100% (2011: £1.4m)

Net debt
£6.1m
+53% (2011: £4.0m)

1 

Including Landfill Tax.

2  Excluding exceptional items.

www.augeanplc.com

Augean PLC Annual Report 2012

01

 
 
 
 
 
What we do

Focusing on difficult 
to handle, specialist 
waste streams, using 
a nationwide network.

Our waste 
management 
solutions

Our integrated waste 
management system 
helps to protect our 
environment and 
provides the best 
solutions for our 
customers.

Logistics and transfer

Waste treatment

Through our own fleet of vehicles and 
waste containers we are able to collect 
and transport waste safely to its 
required destination.

Transfer activities allow us the flexibility 
to handle an extremely wide range of 
waste types and enable us to maximise 
our levels of service both in terms of 
logistical efficiency and by procuring 
the best available solution for the 
waste streams not suitable for our own 
treatment or recycling processes.

Many hazardous wastes require 
treatment prior to final disposal. This 
may be through physical, biological, 
chemical or thermal methods. In some 
cases wastes can be reused, recycled 
or recovered for generation of energy. 

Augean provides a broad range of waste 
treatment solutions to our customers, 
allowing the majority of waste we handle 
to be dealt with through our own facilities.

02

Augean PLC Annual Report 2012

www.augeanplc.com

We have a dedicated network of 
permitted hazardous waste sites 
across the UK, providing customers 
with access to a range of waste 
management services.

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Secure disposal

High temperature incineration is an 
effective route for the complete destruction 
of dangerous chemicals and by-products.

Landfill remains an appropriate disposal 
solution for a range of hazardous and 
non-hazardous wastes, either before 
or after treatment has occurred.

Highly engineered hazardous and 
non-hazardous landfill capacity allows 
disposal of soils, building rubble, asbestos, 
incinerator ashes and treated materials.

www.augeanplc.com

Augean PLC Annual Report 2012

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Permitted 
hazardous 
waste sites

We’re committed to 
being a responsible 
company.

We value a positive relationship 
with local communities and 
recognise the importance 
of corporate responsibility.  
Learn more in our CSR section 
on pages 28–31 

p28–31

03

 
 
 
 
 
What we do
continued

Delivering environmentally 
sound management 
of hazardous waste.

We align our 
activities with 
the legislative 
environment, 
supporting the 
waste hierarchy.

Waste hierarchy

Prevention

Minimisation

Reuse

Recycling

Energy recovery

Disposal

Established in 2011

Established in 2011

Waste type 

−  Landfill gas
 – Soils/rubble
 – Asbestos
 – Radioactives
 – APCR (ash)

Waste type 

−   Chemical 

by-products from 
industrials
 –  Clinicals and 

pharmaceuticals

Most 
favoured 
option

Hierarchy 
activity 

Hierarchy 
activity 

Markets

Remediation companies

Construction companies

Markets

General industrial

Waste companies

Incinerators

Clinical and pharmaceutical 

Site licence companies (SLCs)

Least 
favoured 
option

The waste hierarchy sets out 
six steps for dealing with waste, 
in descending order of environmental 
preference. As a leading hazardous 
waste specialist, Augean is uniquely 
placed to provide its clients with a 
broad range of disposal services 
that are sustainable and conform 
to all relevant legislation. This 
supports policy objectives to 
deliver environmentally sound 
management of hazardous waste.

Locations

ENRMF

Thornhaugh

Port Clarence

Laboratory services

Cooks Hole

Locations

Worcester

Hinckley

Rochdale

Cannock

Group transport

East Kent HTI

04

Augean PLC Annual Report 2012

www.augeanplc.com

 
 
 
 
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 Landfill disposal to engineered facilities remains 
the best overall environmental outcome for a range 
of hazardous wastes, particularly following 
treatment and/or volume reduction.

Market overview

We operate within a 
competitive market. Our 
strategy and business model 
take into consideration the 
need to respond actively to 
trends and fluctuations in 
the markets and legislation.

Market trends and 
opportunities

Limited growth in the hazardous 
waste market

Land remediation suffering from 
construction downturn

Emergence of new radioactive 
decommissioning markets

Development of new energy from waste 
plants provides APCR treatment market

Growth in the North Sea oil and 
gas markets

How we’re responding

Developing our national network 
and capabilities

Diversifying our business through 
targeted investments

Providing appropriate facilities at ENRMF

Investing in new treatment solutions

Investing in new ventures such as ANSS

Established in 2011

Acquired in 2012

Waste type 

−   Oil-contaminated 
liquids and solids

 – Effluents 
 – Chemicals

Waste type 

−  Drill cuttings
 – Slops 
 – NORM
 – Chemicals

Hierarchy 
activity 

Hierarchy 
activity 

Markets

Decommissioning

Refineries

Specialist industrial

Oil treatment

Markets

Northern and southern North Sea

Norwegian and Dutch territories

Locations

Locations

Port Clarence Waste Recovery Park

Aberdeen

Avonmouth

Paisley

Industrial services

Lerwick

www.augeanplc.com

Augean PLC Annual Report 2012

05

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Our strategy

Our priority continues to 
be the creation of long 
term shareholder value.

The core strategy 
of the Group remains 
unchanged, with focus 
on the management 
of specialist wastes, 
usually of a hazardous 
nature and often in 
niche markets, using 
proven technology 
to fully utilise the 
Group’s assets and 
enhance the return 
on capital employed.

Our strategic priorities

The Group has three core priorities: to enhance returns for shareholders 
by enhancing the return on capital employed; to set and deliver high standards 
of environmental compliance; and to ensure all activities promote high 
standards of safety.

1

2

3

Enhance return 
for shareholders

Deliver high 
standards of 
environmental 
compliance

Operate safely 
and develop our 
safety culture

06

Augean PLC Annual Report 2012

www.augeanplc.com

Key performance indicators

These priorities can be expressed through three core KPIs which are regularly 
reviewed by the Board and management. 

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Earnings per share (p)

1.97p
2011: 1.59p

Environment Agency 
compliance scores 

B
2011: B

Near misses reported

2,305
2011: 1,067

12

11

10

12

11

10

12

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1.97

1.59

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B

B

B

2,305

1,067

10

344

www.augeanplc.com

Augean PLC Annual Report 2012

07

 
 
 
 
 
Chairman’s statement

“ I am pleased to report another 
year of solid progress.”

In summary

We have had a year of steady 
development, during which, 
despite market challenges, 
we achieved good positive 
forward momentum.

Net revenue excluding Landfill 
Tax for the year increased to 
£36.8m (2011: £31.3m).

Operating cash flows of £5.8m  
(2011: £4.7m) supported continued 
capital investment and the 
acquisition of a majority stake 
in Augean North Sea Services.

Jim Meredith
Non-executive Chairman

In my first statement as Chairman of Augean PLC I am pleased to report another 
year of solid progress for the Group despite the challenges we face in the UK 
economy. Since joining the Group in 2010 I have focused my attention on the 
returns available to our shareholders from the established hazardous waste 
management infrastructure of the business as well as the strategic developments 
which will allow us to deliver future growth. The action taken over the past year 
has developed both of these areas, improving year on year performance and 
providing a platform for more success during 2013. 

I took the chair at Augean after our Annual General Meeting (AGM) in June 
and as such for half of the year the Group continued to be ably chaired by 
Roger McDowell. Roger remains a key member of our PLC Board and I would 
like to place on record my thanks to him and the other members of the Board 
for their insight, experience and guidance, which has been invaluable over 
the past nine months.

In 2012 the Group delivered growth, increased earnings per share and improved 
the return on capital employed. I believe that we took a large step forward during 
the year towards our goal of a business which provides sustainable long term 
returns for our shareholders. 

Net revenue excluding Landfill Tax for the year increased to £36.8m (2011: £31.3m). 
Operating profit before exceptional costs was broadly in line with our expectations 
at £3.3m (2011: £1.6m) and the total profit attributable to our shareholders was 
£2.0m (2011: £1.6m). Operating cash flows of £5.8m (2011: £4.7m) supported 
continued capital investment and the acquisition of a majority stake in Augean 
North Sea Services, which I believe will be a vehicle for future growth. 

We have worked hard during the year to position the Group as a key supplier 
of disposal services within the decommissioning supply chain and we expect 
this to deliver improved results from now on. However, the nuclear decommissioning 
sector is understandably cautious about the pace of change and the Board 
recognises the need to encourage an increased pace of material release for 
appropriate disposal, which to date has been frustratingly slow.

I am pleased to report improvements in health and safety and compliance 
performance during the year. The Board remains very vigilant in these priority 
areas and we have recently resolved to further increase the level of scrutiny of 
Health and Safety (H&S) through the establishment of a new H&S committee, 
chaired by a Non-executive Director and reporting directly to the Board. This 
committee will provide an independent challenge to Directors and suggest 
areas for improvement.

08

Augean PLC Annual Report 2012

www.augeanplc.com

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In 2012 the Group 
delivered growth, 
increased earnings per 
share and improved 
the return on capital 
employed.

Throughout 2012 the Board and I have been mindful of both the need for strong 
corporate governance and also the need to manage and mitigate risks. The economic 
environment in the UK is challenging, although not without opportunities for 
businesses like Augean, and recognising this fact the Audit Committee reviewed 
the risk management framework of the Group at its meetings in March and 
November. These reviews led to recommendations for certain additions to the 
framework. In addition, to ensure that governance was entirely appropriate for 
an AIM listed group, the Board has maintained regular dialogue with investors 
and sought input from our Nomad on specific matters. 

Each of the Board’s standing committees (Audit, Remuneration, Nominations) were 
very active during the year, particularly following the resignation of the Chief Executive 
and the search for his replacement. Paul Blackler will leave the Group at the end 
of March 2013 and I would like to thank him for his contribution over the past five years. 
We have now appointed Dr Stewart Davies as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and 
I look forward to working with him when he joins the Group over the summer. 
In the meantime I will provide close support to our Finance Director, Richard Allen, 
as he assumes the role of Interim CEO. In all other respects it is very much ‘business 
as usual’ as we focus our teams on delivering enhanced targets in 2013.

The Board remains focused on delivering the improvements to performance 
which will lead to enhanced returns for all our shareholders and the payment of 
the Group’s maiden dividend during this year will be another step on this journey. 
In 2013 we expect further improvements to revenues and earnings and also a 
reduction to net debt as the Group continues to generate positive cash flows. 

Jim Meredith
Non-executive Chairman
26 March 2013

www.augeanplc.com

Augean PLC Annual Report 2012

09

 
 
 
 
 
Business review

“ The Group delivered improvements to 
revenues and earnings during 2012.”

In summary

Through its three divisions 
and the North Sea Services 
subsidiary the Group is now 
more clearly focused on its key 
markets and better positioned 
to provide appropriate waste 
management solutions. 

The Group was able to 
generate free cash flow 
during the year, which was 
subsequently reinvested into 
new business opportunities.

The strategic developments 
first identified during 2010 
were largely implemented 
during the year and this 
has created a business with 
the capability to sustain 
improvements to shareholder 
returns into the medium term.

Introduction
The Group delivered improvements to revenues and earnings during 2012, 
building upon the divisional reorganisation implemented at the start of the year. 
Through its three divisions and the North Sea Services subsidiary the Group is 
now more clearly focused on its key markets and better positioned to provide 
appropriate waste management solutions to a broad range of customers in 
sectors including land remediation, construction, manufacturing, decommissioning, 
pharmaceuticals, oil and gas and energy generation. Earnings per share in 2012 
increased to 1.97p, a 24% growth over 2011, and this has paved the way for 
payment of a maiden dividend during 2013, enabled as a result of the capital 
reduction approved by the High Court on 4 July 2012.

The Land Resources division delivered revenue growth from its core remediation 
markets and improvements to operating margins, which were enhanced by the 
returns available from the newly developed markets in Low Level Waste (LLW), 
Very Low Level Waste (VLLW) and naturally occurring radioactive materials 
(NORM). The trend of previous years continued with greater use of the remediation 
centres at Port Clarence and East Northants Resource Management Facility 
(ENRMF) and the volume of incinerator ash treated and disposed grew 24% from 
the previous year.

The Oil & Gas Services division delivered growth in like for like revenues over 2011, 
following a review of activities at each of its sites and a focus on margin-enhancing 
work. Following the divisional restructuring this division operates the majority of 
the Group’s treatment assets and therefore carries a significant depreciation charge. 
However, improvements in performance over the year delivered a positive EBITDA 
result and positive cash generation. 

The Waste Network division consolidated its position within the hazardous waste 
transfer market and expanded its operations with the addition of a high temperature 
incinerator at a new site in East Kent. This new asset allowed the existing network 
to be leveraged in bidding for new direct contracts with a broader range of 
customers and the division as a whole delivered revenue growth of 2%.

The Group invested £3.05m during the year to purchase 70% of the equity in 
the newly formed Augean North Sea Services. This entity provides a vehicle for 
the Group to provide a range of waste management solutions to customers in the 
North Sea oil and gas sector. Early results have been encouraging, with positive 
EBITDA and breakeven profit before tax delivered in the first six months of trading. 

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Augean PLC Annual Report 2012

www.augeanplc.com

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Capital investment

 Maintenance 

 Planning 

 Development 

36%

23%

41%

Despite the relatively high capital needs of the business, particularly at landfill 
sites, the Group was able to generate free cash flow during the year, which was 
subsequently reinvested into new business opportunities. To support working 
capital and investment needs the £10m banking facility with HSBC remained 
in place throughout the year and still has a further two years before maturity.

The Group continues to benefit from the valuable contribution made by its 
employees, all of whom contributed to the improvements in performance during 
the year. To ensure that the Group had sufficient resources to deliver its key 
targets there was an increase to the number of staff employed by the core 
businesses, with an average of 215 staff (2011: 206) over the period. The number 
of staff in the extended group increased by a further 52 with the acquisition of 
Augean North Sea Services and this rose to 59 by the end of the year. 

During 2012 the Board has remained focused on delivering improvements to 
profitability and returns on capital employed. The strategic developments first 
identified during 2010 were largely implemented during the year and this has 
created a business with the capability to sustain improvements to shareholder 
returns into the medium term.

The hazardous waste market
The hazardous waste markets remain highly segmented with numerous opportunities 
for specialist niche operators. 

Data published by the Environment Agency during 2012 on the production of 
hazardous waste indicated the total volumes disposed to hazardous landfill remained 
stable during 2011 (the most recent data available) (source: Environment Agency; 
www.environmentagency.gov.uk). Augean’s Land Resources division continued 
to enjoy a strong position within this market, with an estimated market share of 
40% in 2011 and further volume growth during 2012.

The market’s legislative environment is underpinned by the implementation of the 
Waste Framework Directive and the development of the UK’s Hazardous Waste 
National Policy Statement (NPS), both of which are expected to reinforce the 
trend towards more sustainable methods of managing waste and the development 
of treatment, recycling and recovery facilities as the key focus of future waste 
management activities. The waste hierarchy provides a framework for waste 
management and there is a clear drive from the major companies in the sector, 
including Augean, to support this trend and move the UK’s waste management 
infrastructure towards more sustainable solutions.

www.augeanplc.com

Augean PLC Annual Report 2012

11

 
 
 
 
 
Business review  
continued

Find more online
Access our website 
and find additional content:  
www.augeanplc.com

As part of our 
commitment to 
implement the 
elements of the waste 
hierarchy relevant to 
the hazardous sector 
the Group continues 
to take a strong role 
in the development of 
regulation and policy 
for hazardous waste. 

The hazardous waste market continued
As part of our commitment to implement the elements of the waste hierarchy 
relevant to the hazardous sector the Group continues to take a strong role in 
the development of regulation and policy for hazardous waste. By engaging with 
government departments, local authorities and the regulators, we promote the 
industry and modernisation of the sector, seeking to establish a positive regulatory 
and policy framework for the business. In previous years representatives from the 
Group took a high profile role in the development of the NPS, directly engaging 
with government departments and giving evidence at the Parliamentary Select 
Committee inquiry. During 2012 we continued to monitor the progress of this 
important policy statement, promoting the development of UK infrastructure.

The Group’s business model, developed over the last five years, is strongly aligned 
with the NPS and the associated guidance. We have already developed several 
technologies which promote the waste hierarchy, including the establishment of 
ash stabilisation facilities, oil recovery by thermal desorption, energy from waste 
incineration and soil treatment and recycling centres (remediation centres). Augean 
is currently working with the Environmental Services Association (ESA), Department 
for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and the Environment Agency (EA) 
to ensure ongoing application of the waste hierarchy and the raising of standards 
to support sustainable investments. The final publication of the NPS in 2013 is 
anticipated to demonstrate the continuing need for the portfolio of facilities and 
services developed by Augean and the Group is therefore well positioned to take 
full advantage of the policy as the market responds to the new requirements.

As set out above, in the medium term the hazardous waste market is expected to 
continue to evolve as new treatment technologies are developed. The publication 
of the NPS has set the legislative direction of travel in the UK and future significant 
legislative developments are not expected in the near term. In our view the economic 
case for substantial development expenditure in the current economic environment 
may not be sufficiently compelling to justify significant technological developments 
across the market in the medium term and this may provide a barrier to new market 
entrants. However, a stable macro-environment for the development of appropriate 
hazardous waste management solutions does exist in the UK, especially if backed 
by appropriate enforcement of the legislation, and the Group will continue to 
explore how these solutions can best be delivered in ways that enhance 
shareholder returns.

12
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Augean PLC Annual Report 2012
Augean PLC Annual Report 2012

www.augeanplc.com

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“ The Group has continued to deliver 
the strategy through the completion 
of major projects.” 

Strategy
The core strategy of the Group remains unchanged, with focus on the 
management of specialist wastes, usually of a hazardous nature and often in 
niche markets, using proven technology to fully utilise the Group’s assets and 
enhance the return on capital employed. Investment in new waste management 
infrastructure and assets is based on strict criteria around the expected returns 
on capital invested, whilst recognising that ongoing capital investment is required 
to maintain existing facilities at the required capacities and standards.

In last year’s Annual Report we set out the key opportunities for 2012, many 
of which were entering the delivery phase, and over the course of the year the 
Group has continued to deliver the strategy through the completion of major 
projects. We expect that each of these opportunities will promote full utilisation 
of the Group’s assets and deliver longer term returns above its cost of capital.

Low Level Waste (LLW)
We reported in the Interim Report 2012 that the planning permission required to 
allow the Group to accept LLW at East Northants Resource Management Facility 
(ENRMF) had been secured. On 23 July 2012 the Group received notification that 
the application for permission to appeal to the Supreme Court against the 
decision by the Secretary of State to allow disposal of LLW had been refused. 
This concluded the legal process and confirmed that the original planning 
permission to dispose of LLW was lawful. 

The planning permission at ENRMF allows the Group to dispose LLW and VLLW. 
Whereas LLW has radioactivity levels of up to 200 bq/g, activity of VLLW is typically 
less than 20 bq/g. The lower activity levels mean that VLLW attracts a lower price 
on disposal, in the same way that certain hazardous waste streams are also 
priced below more difficult to handle items.

During the first half of the year the Group secured two contracts for the disposal 
of LLW and VLLW, through the national framework managed by Low Level Waste 
Repository Limited (LLWR). Consignments were received from one of these contracts, 
with Research Site Restoration Limited (RSRL) from their Harwell facility through 
the second half of the year. The Group also completed numerous bids through 
the framework for VLLW and LLW from a number of site licensed companies 
(SLCs) which operate under the guidance of the UK’s Nuclear Decommissioning 
Authority (NDA). The bidding process is designed to comply with EU procurement 
law and each bid is subject to a technical and price assessment by LLWR. The 
majority of these bids are expected to be awarded during 2013 and will form the 
core of the Group’s LLW forecast for the year. 

www.augeanplc.com

Augean PLC Annual Report 2012
Augean PLC Annual Report 2012

13
13

 
 
 
 
 
Business review  
continued

“ The Board believes ANSS represents 
an excellent growth opportunity for 
the Group.” 

The Board remains 
confident that disposal 
of irradiated waste 
streams has enhanced 
the value of the Group. 

Strategy continued
Low Level Waste (LLW) continued
While the national framework and bidding process is now active, the pace at which 
waste volumes were released during 2012 was slower than originally anticipated. 
There has also been a change in the mix of waste disposed by the Group at ENRMF, 
with the lower value VLLW dominating early consignments. As a result the average 
price of all irradiated waste disposed of during 2012 was £271/tonne. 

The change in the waste mix, and also the lack of volumes from one of the two 
original contracts, led to 2,107 tonnes of waste being disposed in the year, 
generating £0.6m of sales revenues.

As previously reported numerous enquiries have also been received from new 
customers for smaller volumes of LLW, VLLW and also for disposal of NORM. 
Augean has entered a partnership agreement with Scotoil Limited in Aberdeen, 
to provide treatment and disposal solutions for customers wishing to dispose 
of NORM generated from North Sea oil and gas activities. Early signs are that 
this partnership will deliver revenues up to £0.5m per annum as the volume 
of NORM released increases.

Despite the delays and mix challenges experienced during 2012 the Board remains 
confident that the infrastructure investment made to allow disposal of irradiated 
waste streams has enhanced the value of the Group. With the scaling up of 
decommissioning activities, the value of this activity is expected to be material 
to the Group and underpin profitability, cash flows and return on invested capital. 

Offshore
During the year the Group completed another stage of its strategic development 
with the addition of a new business to provide waste management services to 
North Sea oil and gas operators. As previously reported, on 29 May 2012 we 
announced the creation of a new company, Augean North Sea Services Limited 
(ANSS). Augean purchased 70% of the equity in the newly formed company from 
Scomi Oiltools (Europe) Limited (Scomi) on 30 May 2012 two days after it 
commenced trading, paying £2.05m for the shareholding and also providing 
a loan of £1.0m to ANSS, which allowed Scomi to repay existing debt. The loan 
is secured against the property assets owned by the venture in Aberdeen and 
is repayable over an eight year period.

The newly formed company built upon the existing relationship between Augean 
and Scomi for the treatment of drill cuttings from offshore oil and gas exploration, 
using Augean’s thermal treatment and disposal facilities at Port Clarence, 
Middlesbrough, and Scomi’s offshore waste management resources, based in 
Aberdeen. By combining these activities through ANSS, the business has the 
capability to source, contain, treat, recycle and ultimately dispose of offshore 
wastes for its customers through an integrated waste management supply chain. 

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ANSS has the 
capability to source, 
contain, treat, recycle 
and ultimately dispose 
of offshore wastes.

The new business operated successfully in the North Sea market throughout 
the second half of 2012, providing services to previous Scomi customers and new 
customers won over the past six months. Drilling waste management on the offshore 
platforms, supported by onshore treatment of drill cuttings at Port Clarence, continues 
to be a key activity for the Group and during the last quarter of 2012 new contracts 
were secured for drilling wastes. The business also increased its services to 
platform supply vessels docking at Pocra Quay, Aberdeen, utilising specialist 
industrial cleaning equipment to remove contaminated slops from their storage 
tanks and treat these in the tank farm facility located at the quayside. In addition, 
local sales teams have begun to bid for and secure onshore hazardous waste 
management contracts, supported by Augean’s facilities at Paisley and Port Clarence. 
This is another important element of the growth plan for the business. 

To support its expanding activities ANSS purchased an additional site at Tullos 
in Aberdeen, with this transaction completing during January 2013. The site, 
at Greenbank Industrial Estate, will be operated on a long term lease from 
Aberdeen City Council, using assets purchased from Veolia Environmental 
Services Limited. The total costs of the transaction were £0.2m, paid for from 
existing working capital. During 2013 this site will be fully integrated into the local 
activities and wider Group, providing the flexibility to offer an expanded range 
of services to local customers. 

The Board believes ANSS represents an excellent growth opportunity for the Group. 
In 2013 we expect EBITDA of at least £0.7m, with the business well placed to take 
advantage of current oil and gas market activities and also make preparations to 
participate in the emerging offshore decommissioning market.

Energy
2012 saw further progress in the Group’s efforts to develop its capabilities in 
the production of energy and fuels. During the year electricity continued to be 
generated from our two landfill gas generation plants at Mark’s Quarry and Port 
Clarence. At the new East Kent facility the incinerator produced steam which was 
exported to the surrounding Discovery Park site for use in heating (this activity 
also ensures that the wastes incinerated at East Kent are being treated in 
a recycling process). Within the Oil & Gas Services division work continues 
to recover oil for use as fuel, with the indirect thermal desorption plant 
at Port Clarence Waste Recovery Park delivering quality recovered oil from 
North Sea drilling wastes. 

Minerals
Mineral extraction, in the form of limestone and sand, began in June at the Group’s 
site at Cooks Hole, Northamptonshire. The permitted extraction of these minerals 
is being carried out though a third party, providing a royalty income for the Group 
of at least £0.2m per annum. This value may increase as extraction volumes rise. 

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Augean PLC Annual Report 2012

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Business review  
continued

“ During the first quarter of 2013 
management has taken steps to 
improve utilisation of its sites.”

To support the drive 
for a change in the 
customer profile 
of the division, the 
opportunity to include 
high temperature 
incineration in the 
division’s portfolio of 
services was significant. 

Development activities
Waste Network division developments
The formation of the Waste Network division in early 2012 focused the Group’s 
sales and transfer capabilities into an entity expected to drive sales growth and 
address the profitability challenges in this area of the business. The strategy 
for the Waste Network includes progressively moving sales activity and revenues 
towards larger customers, with whom longer term contracts can be signed, 
creating greater levels of certainty around waste volumes, site utilisation and 
gross margins.

To support the drive for a change in the customer profile of the division, the 
opportunity to include high temperature incineration in the division’s portfolio 
of services was significant. We were therefore delighted to sign agreements 
on 16 April 2012 with Pfizer Limited to manage and operate a commercial high 
temperature incinerator (HTI) at the Discovery Park in Sandwich, Kent. These 
agreements have since been novated to Discovery Park Limited and the site 
is operating under the name of East Kent Waste Recovery Facility (EKWRF).

EKWRF was integrated into the Group over the second half of the year, 
operating under a separate environmental permit issued by the Environment 
Agency. The HTI has the capacity to process up to 10,000 tonnes per annum 
of waste and also benefits from its ability to recover energy in the form of steam, 
making the facility the only commercial HTI in the UK with this capability. Integration 
into the Waste Network division, aligning the assets with the Group’s existing 
national network of waste transfer stations and providing the sales and support 
infrastructure to market the new services, has supported recent revenue growth, 
leveraging our position in key strategic markets, namely pharmaceutical, clinical 
and secure destruction. Contracts for waste management including the secure 
destruction of certain materials are now being offered to develop the customer 
base of the site and the wider division. 

With the HTI now fully operational EKWRF is expected to deliver an EBITDA 
contribution of £0.3m during 2013, rising to £0.5m thereafter.

EKWRF is a key part of the strategy for the Waste Network division, but other 
changes were also made during the latter part of the year to address profitability 
challenges. The sales and support infrastructure of the division was refocused 
and the central customer services facility at Cannock was closed. Key roles were 
transferred to those operating sites requiring commercial support, providing local 
expertise and short lines for decision-making. As part of this process a smaller bid 
management team was established, to focus on winning the larger contracts 
which are essential to the division’s future success.

During the first quarter of 2013 management has also taken steps to reduce the 
operating costs of the division and improve utilisation of its sites. As a result we 
announced the closure of the Worcester site in January, with existing customers 
being transferred to the larger site at Cannock. Cannock is the largest transfer 

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During 2012 planning 
and permitting activities 
focused on securing 
extensions to the 
operational life of two 
landfill sites at ENRMF 
and Thornhaugh and 
also an extension 
to the size and life 
of ENRMF. 

station facility within the Group and has the capacity to absorb the Worcester volumes. 
This change resulted in a small number of redundancies. The Worcester site has 
been retained by the Group and discussions are ongoing with interested third 
parties who may lease the site during 2013. There are no current plans to sell the 
site. The reduction of costs at Worcester is expected to contribute an additional 
£0.4m to the division’s operating profit during 2013. 

Planning and permitting
The securing of planning permission and maintenance of appropriate environmental 
permits at the Group’s sites is an essential part of the ongoing operations and 
future development of the Group. During 2012 planning and permitting activities 
focused on securing extensions to the operational life of two landfill sites at 
ENRMF and Thornhaugh and also an extension to the size and life of ENRMF. 

Planning permission for the disposal of non-hazardous waste at the Thornhaugh 
landfill site was scheduled to expire in December 2013. An application was submitted 
to Peterborough City Council during the year to request an extension to the operational 
life of the site until December 2029. The application was supported by the local 
planning officers and during the hearing Augean received positive support for its 
plans. The application was heard on 6 November 2012 and received the unanimous 
support of the Council’s planning committee, confirming extension of the site’s 
operating life to 31 December 2029. 

At ENRMF two applications were submitted to extend the life of the site 
beyond the previous expiry in August 2013. A local application was made to 
Northamptonshire County Council (NCC) to provide a time extension for the site 
to remain operational until December 2016, allowing the existing void capacity to 
be filled and the currently active areas to then be fully restored. This application was 
approved by the Development Control Committee of NCC on 18 September 2012.

A second application was also submitted during 2012 to the Planning Inspectorate 
to propose an extension of the capacity and operating life of ENRMF, through the 
development of land to the west of the existing landfill within the boundary of the 
entire site. The application anticipates that this development would extend operations 
at the site to December 2026, including hazardous and low level waste, allowing 
the Group to increase the capacity of the site by up to 1.2m cubic metres of 
landfill void and extend the land remediation activities at the remediation centre. 
The Planning Inspectorate acts on behalf of the Secretary of State for Communities, 
examining planning applications for projects of national significance. The examination 
process includes public meetings, evidence from interested parties and site visits. 
The inspector concluded these stages by January 2013 and must submit his 
report to the Secretary of State by 22 April 2013, followed by a decision from the 
Secretary of State within three months. No significant new challenges emerged 
during the examination and we remain confident of a positive outcome. 

www.augeanplc.com

Augean PLC Annual Report 2012

17

 
 
 
 
 
Business review  
continued

Augean Land Resources

Divisional review

Revenue share

43%

Revenue*
£15.7m

*  Net of Landfill Tax and 
inter-segment sales. 

Total landfill volumes of waste disposed decreased by 5.9% during the year to 
320,392 tonnes (2011: 340,383 tonnes). The trend towards greater pre-treatment 
of waste before disposal, utilising the treatment facilities at our remediation centres 
at ENRMF and Port Clarence, led to remediation volumes growing by 5.4% when 
compared with 2011. The volumes of traditional hazardous waste disposed directly 
to landfill decreased 12.1% year on year at 98,787 tonnes (2011: 112,355 tonnes) 
with prices of £46.40 per tonne (2011: £40.50 per tonne).

Despite disposing of lower volumes to landfill, overall profit for Land Resources 
was £6.7m compared to £4.9m for 2011. This was driven by improvements in 
margin as a result of lower operating costs. 

As explained in the LLW section on page 13, volumes of LLW received during 
the year were slightly ahead of the forecast at 2,107 tonnes, but the mix of wastes 
was skewed towards the lower value VLLW, leading to revenues of £0.6m, rather 
than the anticipated £1.0m. This result has not undermined our belief in the value 
of this activity, but the experience has made forecasting LLW revenues more 
challenging than originally expected.

Mineral extraction at Cooks Hole and energy generation from landfill gas contributed 
a further £0.2m to operating profit.

To ensure that the Land Resources division can continue to deliver environmentally 
sound recycling and disposal solutions for its customers the division broadened 
its range of waste treatment options during the year with the commissioning 
of a stabilisation plant at the Port Clarence site and the construction of a 
bio-remediation facility at ENRMF. Further developments are underway at Port 
Clarence with a tank farm for liquid wastes scheduled for completion in May 2013 
and at ENRMF through upgrades to the processing plant at the Remediation Centre.

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Augean Waste Network

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The Waste Network division saw a £0.2m increase in sales revenues from 
the equivalent period in 2011. This growth was reduced by the transfer of ash 
treatment activity out of the division’s sites and into the Land Resources division 
(representing an annual impact of £0.4m). However, underlying sales revenues 
grew by 10% and the division delivered total revenues in 2012 of £6.6m despite 
operating in a flat and highly competitive market.

As a result of the introduction of East Kent and a focus on minimising disposal 
costs of waste to external parties, the division was able to deliver year on year 
improvements to gross margins. In this regard the focus on contracted waste 
streams began to deliver some benefits. Over the year gross margins improved 
by 4% to 41% when compared against 2011 (37%).

Despite the above improvements, there is still progress to be made before 
the division reaches the critical sales threshold to allow operating and overhead 
costs to be covered. The plans for further growth are outlined in the Development 
activities section of this report on page 16. This resulted in an operating loss of 
£2.0m. This includes absorbing £0.1m of costs for the set up and initial operation 
of the new EKWRF and further investment in the transfer stations. The equivalent 
result for 2011 was a loss of £1.1m.

Given the developments described elsewhere in this report the Board expects 
a material improvement to Waste Network performance during 2013.

Divisional review

Revenue share

18%

Revenue*
£6.6m

*  Net of Landfill Tax and 
inter-segment sales. 

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Augean PLC Annual Report 2012

19

 
 
 
 
 
Business review  
continued

Augean Oil & Gas Services

Divisional review

Revenue share

30%

Revenue*
£11.1m

*  Net of Landfill Tax and 
inter-segment sales. 

Sales revenues in the Oil & Gas Services division increased by 8% to £11.1m. 
As reported in the Interim Report 2012 activities at the Avonmouth site focused on 
the utilisation of available assets to generate higher gross margins, which led to 
delivery of a 7% improvement to margins when compared to 2011. The changes 
were supported by an external review of activities and the development of a site 
plan to improve waste treatment performance. 

At the Port Clarence Waste Recovery Park (PCWRP) a number of investment 
projects took place to improve the throughput and oil recovery capabilities of 
the Indirect Thermal Desorption (ITD) plant. The unique status of this plant as 
the only one of its kind operating in the UK forms an essential part of the Group’s 
development of offshore waste services, supporting ANSS by focusing its 
activities largely on the treatment of drill cuttings from North Sea oil and gas 
exploration. Sales revenues at the site are derived largely from North Sea 
activities, with revenue increasing by £0.5m from the previous year to £3.0m.

This integration between ANSS and the Oil & Gas Services division is also evident 
at the Paisley site, which began to support ANSS by providing waste treatment 
and transfer capability during the second half of the year. In its other activities the 
site underwent a similar customer and margin review to that at Avonmouth and 
this led to a significant improvement in year on year gross margins to 54%. 

The division leveraged its expertise in oil-contaminated wastes and hazardous 
chemicals to develop its new industrial cleaning services capability during the 
year, winning a significant contract at a former aluminium production facility.

The division delivered an operating loss in the year of (before exceptional costs) 
of £1.2m, but this masked an improvement in performance which delivered positive 
cash generation of £0.2m, after taking account of capital investments.

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Augean North Sea Services

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Augean North Sea Services is the newest business division in Augean PLC. It was 
formed in May 2012, when Augean acquired the controlling stake in Augean North 
Sea Services Limited (ANSS), purchasing 70% of its share capital from Scomi Oiltools 
(Europe) Limited. ANSS provides a comprehensive waste disposal route for all North 
Sea oil and gas industry operators, specialising in management of drill cuttings and 
associated waste streams. It will complement Augean’s core waste disposal business 
and develop the utilisation of the Group’s asset base.

During the seven month period ending 31 December 2012, ANSS contributed 
revenue of £3.4m to the Group’s results. The business is working with the Oil & Gas 
Services division to offer an integrated treatment and transfer service for North Sea 
waste streams, delivering £47,000 of operating profit in its initial seven months of 
operation to 31 December 2012.

Since the financial year end, the business has purchased an additional site at Tullos 
in Aberdeen to support its expansion. This will be operated on a long term lease. 
During 2013, this site will be fully integrated into the Group, allowing the business 
to offer an increased range of services to our customers.

Further details are provided in the Strategy section of this business review.

Divisional review

Revenue share

9%

Revenue*
£3.4m

*  Net of Landfill Tax and 
inter-segment sales. 

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Augean PLC Annual Report 2012

21

 
 
 
 
 
Business review  
continued

“ Operating profit before exceptional 
items increased to £3.3m (2011: £1.6m) 
and profit before tax and exceptional 
items to £2.6m (2011: £1.1m).”

The results for the 
year show growth in 
revenues, retained 
profit, earnings per 
share and adjusted 
EBITDA. 

Performance
The results for the year show growth in revenues, retained profit, earnings per share 
and adjusted EBITDA (excluding the impact of exceptional items). This performance 
was driven largely by growth in the Land Resources division, improvements within 
the Oil & Gas Services division and stable performance from the Waste Network 
division. ANSS contributed £3.4m to revenues and £0.3m to EBITDA, delivering 
a breakeven profit before tax.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
The Board and local management teams regularly review the performance of 
the Group as a whole and the individual divisions. Management uses a balanced 
scorecard of KPIs to monitor progress towards delivery of the Group’s principal 
targets. Certain KPIs are set out in the table below, relating to the priority areas of 
profit generation (through revenue delivery and asset utilisation), compliance with 
regulations (specifically Environment Agency audit results) and health and safety 
(monitored through near miss incidents and the number of accidents incurred). 

For ANSS local management has adopted a similar balanced scorecard approach, 
which includes KPIs of particular relevance to the oil and gas industry. These KPIs 
include FPAL scores, which are based on customer feedback and used to rate 
performance in service delivery. In 2012 ANSS received 14 scores, at an average 
of 8.7 (maximum of 10.0). Health and safety performance was also very positive 
throughout the period, with zero accidents and zero lost time incidents. 

KPI

Net revenues(1)

Volumes to landfill

Utilisation of site capacity(2)

EA compliance scores(3)

Near misses reported(4)

Land

Oil & Gas 

Waste 

 Resources 

Services 

Network 

division

division

division

£15.7m £11.1m

£6.6m

320,392

n/a

C

815

n/a

52%

B

874

n/a

51%

B

359

(1)  Revenues net of Landfill Tax and inter-segment sales.

(2)  Defined as the total actual throughput of waste at the site in the year compared with the theoretical maximum throughput.

(3)  Defined as the average of Environment Agency audit scores notified during the year on a scale from A to E.

(4)  Shows the total number of incidents recorded which could have resulted in an accident or injury or damage to property. 

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Revenue1
£42.4m
+13% (2011: £37.5m)

Adjusted EBITDA2
£6.6m
+8% (2011: £6.1m)

Profit before tax
£2.8m
+100% (2011: £1.4m)

1 

Including Landfill Tax.

2  Excluding exceptional items.

Financial review
Trading
Net revenue excluding Landfill Tax for the year ended 31 December 2012 
increased by 18% to £36.8m (2011: £31.3m). With the inclusion of Landfill Tax 
charged to customers, on which the Group makes no margin, of £5.7m 
(2011: £6.2m), total Group revenue rose by 13% to £42.4m (2011: £37.5m).

Operating profit and exceptional items
Operating profit before exceptional items increased to £3.3m (2011: £1.6m) and 
profit before tax and exceptional items to £2.6m (2011: £1.1m), slightly behind 
the Board’s expectation of £2.7m. This improvement reflected consistent 
trading performance across the year.

Total exceptional items increased profit before tax by £0.2m (2011: £0.3m). 
Exceptional items included a gain on bargain purchase associated with the 
deferred tax assets arising from the Augean North Sea Services acquisition 
of £0.5m (2011: £nil), restructuring charges of £0.1m (2011: £0.3m) and legal and 
professional fees relating to the acquisition of Augean North Sea Services 
of £0.2m (2011: £nil). The net benefit of £0.2m (2011: £0.3m) derived from 
the exceptional items increased profit before tax to £2.8m (2011: £1.4m).

Finance costs
Total finance charges reflected the payment of interest on bank debt and finance 
leases, totalling £0.6m (2011: £0.6m). This also included a £0.1m (2011: £0.1m) 
unwinding of discounts on provisions. 

Jointly controlled entity
The Group’s Terramundo joint venture with DEC NV continued to be on hold during 
2012. There was no trading during the year and as a result Terramundo delivered 
a small loss of £0.03m (2011: £0.03m), relating to loan interest and depreciation 
charges. Both joint venture parties remain committed to this strategic venture 
and expect a return to trading as markets evolve and the demand for its services 
become re-established.

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Augean PLC Annual Report 2012

23

 
 
 
 
 
Business review  
continued

“ The total profit attributable to equity 
shareholders increased by £0.4m from 
the previous year to £2.0m (2011: £1.6m), 
benefiting from improved year on 
year trading.”

The Board has 
recommended a 
maiden dividend 
of 0.25p per share.

Financial review continued
Corporation tax
The Group paid tax of £0.7m during the year, £0.5m in respect of 2011 liabilities and 
£0.2m in respect of 2012 liabilities. A deferred tax asset of £1.2m (2011: £0.9m) was 
recognised in the statement of financial position, the Board believing that future 
profits are probable and future tax liabilities will be incurred, as was a current tax 
liability of £0.2m (2011: £0.5m). There was a corporation tax charge of £0.8m in the 
income statement (2011: credit of £0.2m).

Profit for the year
The total profit attributable to equity shareholders increased by £0.4m from the 
previous year to £2.0m (2011: £1.6m), benefiting from improved year on year trading.

Dividend
At the AGM on 8 June 2012 shareholders approved the capital reduction of Augean 
PLC (the Company). Subsequent hearings in the High Court on 18 and 27 June 2012 
led to the capital reduction being confirmed on 4 July 2012. To effect the reduction 
the share premium account of the Company (valued at £114.9m) was cancelled, 
creating a special profit reserve in the Company and Group statements of financial 
position (page 46). Having created the necessary conditions the Board has 
developed a dividend policy for the Company and considered payment of a final 
dividend in respect of 2012. The Board has recommended a maiden dividend 
of 0.25p per share, payable on or after 15 June 2013 subject to shareholder 
approval at the AGM. 

Earnings per share
Basic earnings per share (EPS) adjusted to exclude the impact of exceptional costs 
were 1.72p (2011: 1.26p) and unadjusted EPS were 1.97p (2011: 1.59p). The number 
of shares in issue at 31 December 2012 was unchanged from 31 December 2011, 
at 99.7m. There were 32,823 dilutive outstanding share options at the year end 
(2011: nil). Adjusted diluted EPS was 1.72p and unadjusted diluted EPS was 1.97p.

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Earnings per share
1.97p
+24% (2011: 1.59p)

Net debt
£6.1m
+53% (2011: £4.0m)

Cash flow
The Group delivered earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation 
(EBITDA) of £6.3m (2011: £6.5m) and net cash generated from operations of 
£5.8m (2011: £4.7m). Net cash used in investing activities increased to £5.7m 
(2011: £4.2m), which reflects the purchase of Augean North Sea Services as well 
as the high temperature incinerator at East Kent and investments in property, 
plant and equipment in planning and development of certain sites. Net debt 
increased to £6.1m (2011: £4.0m) as a result of the refinancing and as a result 
gearing (net debt/shareholders’ equity) was increased to 13% (2011: 9%). 

The capital investment made by the Group (excluding acquisition activities) is shown 
in the table below. This is split between maintenance investment, focused on upgrading 
existing facilities, development investment on new activities and planning investment 
to secure permissions to operate.

Impairment review
Under IFRS, an annual impairment review must be performed for each cash-generating 
unit (CGU) to which significant goodwill is allocated in accordance with IAS 36 
‘Impairment of Assets’. The Group has completed this exercise and determined 
that no change is required to the carrying value of the goodwill at the year end 
date and no changes have been required to the statement of financial position. 
See note 10 of the financial statements for further detail of the reviews performed.

Financing
The Group continued to use a revolving loan facility of £10.0m, supplemented by 
finance leases secured on certain plant, as the sources of financing its activities. 
The facility was subject to covenants on the ratio of net debt to EBITDA and the 
ratio of net debt costs to earnings before interest and tax (EBIT). These covenants 
were tested at the end of each trading quarter and each test was achieved at 
the relevant dates throughout the year. At 31 December 2012, the undrawn loan 
facilities available to the Group were £4.3m.

Capital investment by division in 2012

Maintenance

Development

Planning

Total

Land
Resources
division
£’000

Oil & Gas
Services
division
£’000

Waste
 Network
 division
£’000

North Sea
Services
division
£’000

17

1,451

507

1,975

619

—

—

619

123

—

257

380

—

112

—

112

Central
£’000

646

—

121

767

www.augeanplc.com

Augean PLC Annual Report 2012

Total
Group
£’000

1,405

1,563

885

3,853

25

 
 
 
 
 
Business review  
continued

Principal risks and their mitigation
The performance of the business is linked to economic activity in the waste markets it serves, including the industrial, 
construction and oil and gas sectors. Fluctuations in the economy in general and these sectors in particular affect Group 
performance, as do inflationary and other pressures from the wider economy. Risks are mitigated by diversifying the customer 
base as far as possible and by linking gate fees, wherever possible, to prevailing operating costs and commodity prices, including 
the costs of waste disposal outside of the Group. In addition to this general economic risk there are a number of risks specific to 
the waste industry and increasingly aspects of the oil and gas industry can have a material impact on activities.

The Group uses a range of resources to manage and mitigate its risks, including the adoption of a broad range of internal 
controls, the use of risk registers and regular reporting, monitoring and feedback.

Risk description

Mitigation

Environmental legislation
Regulation is a key driver of the waste market. Changes in legislation (including tax legislation 
with environmental goals) or its interpretation can have a significant and far reaching impact 
on waste management markets. The Group endeavours to mitigate this risk by employing high 
quality technical management to interpret the evolving legislative framework and its potential 
and current impact on the Group’s operations. In addition, the Group maintains a presence on 
a number of industry groups to influence the shaping of policy and liaises regularly with relevant 
regulators and legislative bodies.

Environmental compliance
All operating sites and activities are regulated by environmental authorities in line with the 
requirements set out within licences and permits. These licences and permits are required to 
carry on the business of the Group and compliance with their terms is essential to its success. 
Withdrawal or temporary suspension could have a significant impact on the Group’s ability to 
operate. Adherence to the highest environmental standards is also important to ensure the 
maintenance of good relations with local communities and to satisfy customers that the 
techniques, practices and procedures adopted by the Group are consistent with those of 
a responsible business. 

Health and safety
The waste industry has inherent risks in the area of health and safety. The Board believes that the 
Group’s employees are its most important and valuable assets and their health and safety is vital 
to the continued success of the business. 

The application of the waste hierarchy to the 
Group’s activities, with its focus on reducing 
the volume of waste disposed to landfill, could 
be perceived as a threat to the business in the 
long term. The Group is mitigating this threat 
by developing treatment solutions for customers 
which utilise landfill when this is the most 
appropriate commercial and environmental 
solution, but provide alternative approaches 
whenever they are suitable.

The Group mitigates this risk through the 
employment of technical experts, by working 
to well established policies and procedures 
described in its Integrated Management 
System, through the provision of training to 
develop the knowledge and competence of  
its staff and through regular monitoring and 
review of compliance performance. Further 
details of how the Group monitors and controls 
environmental compliance are given in the 
Group’s Corporate Social Responsibility 
(CSR) Report. 

As a result, health and safety is the first priority 
for all Directors, managers and employees across 
the Group. Investments in relevant assets and 
resources are made on an ongoing basis 
to ensure that the highest health and safety 
standards are applied. Health and safety 
performance is constantly monitored and 
reviewed, with the lessons learnt from incidents 
fed back to local teams to avoid repeat situations. 

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The Group relies on economic activity in the UK, 
which in turn leads to production of the hazardous 
wastes which form the basis of its sales revenues.

Risk description

Mitigation

Price risk
Price pressure remains a key feature of the waste market, where customers often have a range 
of technological options for the ultimate disposal of their wastes and access to several 
companies competing to service their needs. 

Economic growth
The Group relies on economic activity in the UK, which in turn leads to production of the 
hazardous wastes which form the basis of its sales revenues. The UK is experiencing a well 
documented extended period of limited economic growth, with a corresponding impact on 
output from sectors including construction and manufacturing. This downturn has the potential 
to restrict the quantum of hazardous wastes available to the Group and therefore its revenues. 

Transport disruption
The Group relies on the delivery of wastes to its sites to secure revenues and any disruption to 
local or national networks, for example in severe weather conditions, can delay or possibly lose 
revenue for the Group. 

Tax legislation
The use of tax legislation to drive environmental objectives, particularly the diversion of wastes 
away from landfill disposal and towards greater treatment and recycling, represents a long term 
risk. The escalation of landfill tax by £8/tonne in each year up to 2014 may encourage some 
customers to divert volumes away from our sites. The full rate of landfill tax will rise to £72/tonne 
on 1 April 2013 and will reach £80/tonne on 1 April 2014. European and national legislation 
encourages zero landfill solutions for a range of waste streams, although for some hazardous 
wastes disposal in properly engineered and permitted landfills continues to be the most 
appropriate waste management solution. Once landfill tax reaches £80/tonne the direction of 
tax policy is not yet clear, although consultations are currently underway between government 
and industry groups. 

The Group reviews its pricing policies on an 
ongoing basis to ensure that it influences and 
stabilises the market, whilst responding to 
emerging trends and customer needs. As part 
of the Group’s established sales infrastructure 
specialist roles exist to assess and price waste 
consignments in line with market rates and 
available disposal solutions. All services are 
kept under review to ensure that price changes 
in the market do not lead to uneconomic 
activities being undertaken by the Group. 

These macro-economic conditions are 
mitigated in part by following a strategy of 
developing niche markets requiring specialist 
waste management capabilities, which have 
high barriers to entry, and also through 
continuing to identify and invest in the 
techniques, assets and resources to provide 
a broad range of services to customers, 
diversifying the revenue base of the Group.

Mitigation is provided as far as possible 
through the use of its own fleet of vehicles 
and the ability to accept wastes into sites 
in different geographical locations before 
onward transfer to their final treatment or 
disposal destinations.

To mitigate the risk that the Group will suffer 
a decline of landfill volumes as environmental 
taxes rise the Group has developed a range 
of waste treatment solutions for customers 
and also broadened its capabilities to include 
disposal of a range of low level irradiated 
wastes at its landfill sites. 

www.augeanplc.com

Augean PLC Annual Report 2012

27

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Business review  
continued

The health and safety 
of our employees 
and compliance 
with regulations are 
two of the top three 
business priorities. 

Corporate social 
responsibility
We are committed to mitigating adverse effects 
of our operations and this is explained further 
in the detailed CSR report published alongside 
this Annual Report.

The environment, employees and the community
The Board recognises the important role played by the Group in the environment 
and communities within which it operates. The health and safety of our employees 
and compliance with regulations are two of the top three business priorities 
(profit performance being the third). Augean is committed to conducting its business 
operations in an open and responsible manner and we recognise the need to 
continually improve our operations where practical to do so in order to reduce 
our impact on the environment, to continually improve assets and processes 
to ensure the safety and welfare of our employees and to act as a good 
neighbour, minimising the impact of our operations on the wider community.

The Group has a commitment to mitigating any adverse effects of its operations 
and this is explained further in the detailed CSR Report published alongside this 
Annual Report.

Augean’s core business values

Transparency
We are open and transparent in all that we do.

Integrity
We are trustworthy and honest in all that we say and do and take 
responsibility for our own actions.

Social and community responsibility
We recognise that our actions have a material impact on the communities 
in which we operate and take that responsibility extremely seriously.

Environmental responsibility
We respect the environment and invest time and resource in protecting it.

Technical excellence
We employ skilled staff and use up-to-date techniques and equipment.

Professionalism
We are reliable and consistent and deliver excellent service.

Respect
We are friendly and courteous to colleagues, clients and suppliers.

Passion
We are proud of our company and dedicated to its purpose. We are 
enthusiastic, enjoy challenges and are eager for success.

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The environment
All operating sites and activities are strictly regulated by environmental 
authorities through a range of regulations set out in the permits for 
each site. In the context of hazardous waste the principal instrument 
driving standards is the Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control 
directive, which provides an integrated approach to pollution control 
to prevent emissions into air, land or water. The standards expect the 
techniques and procedures adopted by the Group to represent the 
Best Available Technique (BAT). BAT requires a review of each activity 
and the implementation of the highest standards to minimise emissions, 
be energy efficient, reduce waste and consumption of raw materials, 
manage noise, vibration and heat loss and ensure accident prevention 
is in place.

The Group continues to deliver the objectives of BAT through its 
operations and works closely with the regulators to ensure that Augean 
is a leader in compliance in the sector. Activities are delivered subject 
to well developed environmental controls and compliance systems 
(as defined in the Integrated Management System), involving suitably 
qualified people in the management of all aspects of its operations. 
Environmental reporting is prepared and monitored within the Group 
and supplemented by information from regulators. This includes the 
Environment Agency’s own review of companies operating in the waste 
sector which are subject to their account management regime, of which 
Augean is one. The information available for 2012 indicates that the 
Group’s operations do not result in a significant impact on the local 
environment and general environmental performance has improved 
significantly over the past five years.

Employees
The Group’s employees are vital to its success and during the year 
made a significant contribution to the performance improvements 
outlined in this report. In recognition of their commitment and effort 
the Board approved a 2.5% pay award for all management and staff 
from 1 January 2013. This represents an increase from the 2% award 
made in 2012 and recognises the progress that the Group has made 
over the past year.

www.augeanplc.com

Augean PLC Annual Report 2012

29

 
 
 
 
 
Business review  
continued

Read our dedicated 
CSR report
A comprehensive review of 
our progress towards corporate 
responsibility can be found at  
www.augeanplc.com/CSR

The business works 
closely with the regulators 
to ensure that Augean is 
a leader in compliance in 
the sector.

The environment, employees and the community continued
Employees continued
Training and development activity during the year built on the progress made 
during 2011 and led to an investment of approximately £0.2m in training to ensure 
all employees had the knowledge, qualifications and skills to operate safely and 
compliantly within the waste management sector. The Group’s training manager 
developed a competency framework for each role and this is now used in the 
recruitment of new employees and also as the basis of a rolling training programme. 

Training in the priority area of health and safety was supported by every employee 
undergoing the British Safety Council’s level 1 course in health and safety at work 
during the year and the development of online tools to allow ongoing H&S training 
into 2013.

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A total of £298,000 was 
contributed through 
the Landfill Tax Credit 
Scheme during the year.

Reporting of near miss incidents continued to be a key part of the health and safety 
programme, leading to a year on year increase in near miss reports. Over 2,200 near 
misses were reported during 2012 (approaching the target of one per employee 
per month) and at the same time there was a 25% reduction in the number of 
accidents causing injury or damage to property. 

The community
Augean recognises the important role that it has within local communities and aims 
to maintain an open dialogue with its neighbours about its activities and plans. 
This is achieved through regular liaison committees, newsletters and open days. 
The establishment of new businesses, changes in the waste streams managed 
and the seeking of planning permission to extend the life of certain sites during 
the year led to a high level of interaction with local communities in some areas. 
As in previous years the Group undertook an extensive programme of consultation 
in these localities to ensure that its plans were well known and understood. This 
included attending parish council meetings and hosting open days at sites, 
in addition to the more formal submissions to planning authorities. 

The Group continued to contribute to the communities around its landfill sites 
through the Landfill Tax Credit Scheme. A total of £298,000 was contributed 
through this scheme during the year, providing funds for community projects 
including a sports centre and a wildlife reserve.

Charitable donations made during the year included ongoing support for the 
Underground Youth Club at Kings Cliffe, the Cannock Chase Community Centre, 
local sports teams and the John Clare Cottage project near to Peterborough.

Outlook
While the general economic outlook for the wider hazardous waste sector remains 
subdued the Board believes that the Group is well placed to benefit from the significant 
investment it has undertaken over the past 24 months to deliver continued growth 
during the year. While traditional hazardous landfill volumes are not expected to grow 
during 2013, this will be offset by contributions from recently delivered strategic 
opportunities. Management remains focused on improving the performance of 
the Oil & Gas Services and Waste Network divisions and alongside the investments 
made these are expected to deliver continued growth to revenues, earnings per 
share and cash flow in this year and beyond.

www.augeanplc.com

Augean PLC Annual Report 2012

31

 
 
 
 
 
Board of directors

Andrew Bryce
Non-executive Director and 
Chairman of the Nominations 
Committee, 65

Andrew has had a long career in 
environmental law in the UK and currently 
runs his own law firm, Andrew Bryce & Co, 
which specialises in regulatory defence 
and board level advice on environmental 
management, strategy and liability issues. 
He was previously an equity partner and 
head of environmental services at City 
law firm Cameron Markby Hewitt (now 
part of CMS Cameron McKenna). He 
has held the chairmanship of the United 
Kingdom Environmental Law Association 
of which he is an honorary life member. 
He was appointed to the Board of Augean 
in June 2005.

Jim Meredith
Chairman and  
Non-executive Director, 52

Richard Allen
Interim Chief Executive Officer 
and Group Finance Director, 42

Richard joined Augean and was 
appointed to the Board in September 
2010 as Group Finance Director from 
Kelda Holdings, the ultimate owner 
of Yorkshire Water and a number of 
water-related businesses. Richard held 
a number of senior finance roles at 
Kelda, latterly as interim group finance 
director. Prior to Kelda, Richard spent 
ten years with the Nestlé SA group and 
before leaving was finance director at 
Nestlé Ireland, based in Dublin.

Jim is currently chief executive officer of 
SCAID Capital, a manufacturer of holiday 
homes and modular housing and has 
significant experience of the waste 
industry having held several senior roles 
within the sector. He was formerly chief 
executive of FCC’s UK asset base with 
revenues of c.£700m, c.180 active 
business units and c.2,400 employees 
following their acquisition in 2006 of 
Waste Recycling Group (WRG), the 
UK’s largest landfill and waste disposal 
business, which also provides services 
to the decommissioning markets. He 
had previously worked with Terra Firma 
Capital Partners (TFCP) during the 
acquisition of WRG in 2003. Prior to 
TFCP, Jim was an executive director 
of Shanks plc, a major European player 
in the environmental services markets 
with revenues of c.£600m and 
c.4,200 employees on c.125 sites 
in three European countries. He was 
appointed to the Board of Augean 
in December 2010 and became 
Chairman on 8 June 2012.

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Rory Macnamara
Non-executive Director and 
Chairman of the Audit Committee, 58

Roger McDowell
Non-executive Director 
and Chairman of the 
Remuneration Committee, 57

Rory is a chartered accountant with 
a wide range of corporate finance 
transaction experience. He was previously 
head of mergers and acquisitions at 
Deutsche Morgan Grenfell and then 
became a managing director at Lehman 
Brothers. He is chairman of Dunedin 
Income Growth Investment Trust PLC 
and Essenden PLC and currently holds 
a number of directorships including 
Mears Group PLC and Dragon Ukrainian 
Properties & Development PLC. He was 
appointed to the Board of Augean 
in November 2006.

Roger is a seasoned senior manager 
of 30 years’ standing. Having developed 
the Oliver Ashworth Group through 
dramatic growth, main market listing 
and sale to St. Gobain, he then took a 
number of non-executive roles including 
chairmanships in both public and private 
equity backed businesses. Roger is 
currently chairman of Avingtrans PLC, 
chairman of Ultimate Finance Group PLC 
and chairman of Alkane Energy PLC 
and is also a non-executive director of 
IS Solutions PLC and Swallowfield PLC. 
He joined the Board of Augean in 2004 
and was Chairman from 23 March 2010 
until 8 June 2012.

Paul Blackler
Executive Director, 43

Paul is a Member of the Royal Society of 
Chemistry and has extensive experience 
in the leadership of businesses in the 
emerging waste sector. Prior to joining 
the Group in December 2004, Paul held 
senior positions with Shanks Group PLC 
and was instrumental in developing 
innovative service solutions and 
technologies to the market whilst also 
taking on the challenges of delivering 
business growth strategies. Paul joined 
Augean on its formation heading up 
transaction, operational, development 
and commercial roles before becoming 
Chief Executive in December 2007. 
As previously reported, Paul Blackler 
will resign from the Board of Directors 
on 28 March 2013. A replacement 
Chief Executive, Dr Stewart Davies, 
will join the Group with effect from 
August 2013. Richard Allen is acting 
as Interim Chief Executive Officer during 
the intervening period. Further detail is 
included in the Directors’ Report.

www.augeanplc.com

Augean PLC Annual Report 2012

33

 
 
 
 
 
Corporate governance

Augean is committed to high standards of corporate 
governance in all its activities. While the Company is not 
required under AIM rules to comply with the Corporate 
Governance Code of June 2010 (the Code) or the updated 
2012 Code, the Board recognises the value of the Code 
and has regard to its requirements as far as is practicable 
and appropriate for a public company of its size and nature. 
The Board regularly reviews guidance from the FRC and 
other regulatory bodies and responds as appropriate.

The Board of Directors
The Board currently comprises a Non-executive Chairman, 
three further Independent Non-executive Directors, an 
Executive Director and an Interim Chief Executive Officer/Group 
Finance Director. A Senior Independent Director has not been 
appointed as, given the size and nature of the Company, 
the Directors do not believe that such an appointment is 
necessary. The Chairman has primary responsibility for running 
the Board and its effectiveness and the Interim Chief Executive/
Group Finance Director is responsible for developing strategic 
plans and initiatives for consideration by the Board and for their 
operational delivery. The Non-executive Directors bring a 
variety of different experience to the Board, are considered 
to be independent of management and ensure that rigour 
is applied to Board decisions. 

The composition of the Board is reviewed regularly. Appropriate 
training, briefings and inductions are available to all Directors 
on appointment and subsequently as necessary, taking into 
account existing qualifications and experience. All Directors 
have access to the advice and services of the Group’s 
company secretarial partner, Addleshaw Goddard LLP, and 
any Director may take independent professional advice, 
if necessary, at the Company’s expense. The Board meets 
formally at least eight times a year but additional meetings 
are held to review and approve special matters if necessary. 

Each Director is provided with sufficient timely information 
to enable full consideration of matters in advance of meetings 
and proper discharge of duties. There is a formal schedule 
of matters reserved for the Board which includes published 
financial statements, strategy, acquisitions, significant capital 
projects, budgets and borrowing facilities. Under the Company’s 
Articles of Association one third of all Directors are required 
to retire from office at each Annual General Meeting (AGM) 
and may stand for reappointment by shareholders each year. 

Additionally, each Director is required to retire in the third 
calendar year following his last appointment and may stand for 
re-election. Any Director appointed to the Board during the 
year is subject to election by shareholders at the following AGM.

With effect from 1 October 2008, the Companies Act 2006 
introduced a statutory duty on Directors to avoid conflicts 
of interest. Shareholders approved new Articles of Association 
at the 2008 AGM giving Directors authority to approve 
situations involving any such conflicts and to allow conflicts 
of interest to be dealt with by the Board. All Directors are 
required to notify the Company on an ongoing basis of their 
other commitments and these are formally recorded in the 
minutes of Board meetings. The Company has established 
procedures for ensuring that the Board’s powers for authorising 
Directors’ conflicts of interest are operated effectively.

Board committees
The Company has established a number of committees, 
details of which are set out below: 

Audit Committee
The Audit Committee comprises the Non-executive Directors, 
is chaired by Rory Macnamara and meets at least three times 
a year. The external auditor and the Executive Directors are 
regularly invited to attend the meetings but the committee 
also has access to the external auditor’s advice without the 
presence of the Executive Directors. The Audit Committee 
considers the adequacy and effectiveness of the risk 
management and control systems of the Group. It reviews 
the scope and results of the external audit, its cost effectiveness 
and the objectivity and independence of the external auditor. 
It also reviews, prior to publication, the Interim Report, the 
results announcement, the annual financial statements and 
other information included in the Annual Report.

Remuneration Committee
The Remuneration Committee comprises the Non-executive 
Directors and is chaired by Roger McDowell. It meets at least 
twice a year and reviews and advises upon the remuneration 
and benefits packages of the Executive Directors and other 
senior management of the Group, including the Long Term 
Incentive Plan (LTIP). The remuneration of the Chairman and 
Non-executive Directors is agreed upon by the full Board. 
Activities during 2012 included a review of remuneration for 
a new Chief Executive and a review of a new LTIP for the Group.

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Board committees continued
Nominations Committee
The Nominations Committee comprises the Non-executive 
Directors and is chaired by Andrew Bryce. It meets as required 
in order to review the structure, size and composition of the 
Board. It is responsible for the selection and recommendation 
of suitable candidates for appointment to the Board. Activities 
during 2012 focused on recruitment of a new Chief Executive.

Internal controls
The Board has overall responsibility for the Group’s system 
of internal control and for reviewing its effectiveness, while 
the role of management is to implement Board policies on 
risk management and control. The system is designed to 
provide reasonable but not absolute assurance against 
material misstatement or loss. 

The Group operates a series of controls to meet its needs. 
Key features of the control system include the following: 

 — maintenance of a risk register, covering the key health and 
safety, regulatory and financial risks faced by the Group; 

 — monthly reviews of business risks affecting the Group, 
identifying procedures and action required to manage 
and mitigate those risks; 

 — reports provided to the Board at every meeting setting 

out the key risks and their management; 

 — a clearly defined organisational structure with terms of 

reference for Board committees and responsibilities and 
authorisation limits for executive and senior management; 

 — regular visits by the Executive Directors and senior 

management to key operating locations to meet with 
local management and review business performance; 

 — regular visits by the Group’s technical team to all sites to 
identify risks and propose improvements to be implemented 
by senior management;

 — a range of compliance management systems at the 
Group’s sites subject to external review, including 
certification to ISO 9001:2008; ISO 14001:2004; 
18001:2007 and the Publicly Available Specification 
of common management system requirements 
PAS 99:2006;

 — an annual strategic planning and budgeting process; and

 — reviews by senior management and the Board of monthly 
financial and operating information, including comparisons 
with budgets and forecasts. The Group uses balanced 
scorecard reports, containing key performance indicator 
targets, as a mechanism for monitoring and managing 
the monthly performance of key operations. 

The Audit Committee receives reports from executive 
management and the auditor concerning the system of 
internal control and any control weaknesses. A description 
of the principal risks faced by the Group can be found on 
pages 26 and 27 of the Business Review.

The Board does not believe it is currently appropriate to establish 
a separate, independent internal audit function given the size 
of the Group but this position is kept under review. 

Investor relations
The Board has an active investor relations programme 
and believes in maintaining good communication with all 
stakeholders including institutional and private shareholders, 
analysts and the press. The Executive Directors are available 
to meet with institutional shareholders and analysts following 
the announcement of interim and final results. The Group’s 
brokers and financial PR advisers provide feedback from 
these meetings to the Board.

The Chairman is available to shareholders at any time to 
discuss strategy and governance matters. During 2012 this 
included discussions with major shareholders around the 
appointment of a new Chief Executive.

All shareholders have access to the Interim and Annual Reports 
and are invited to attend the annual general meeting at which 
all Board Directors are present. The Group periodically hosts 
presentations at its sites for the investor community and provides 
detailed information for shareholders and the general public 
on its website, www.augeanplc.com.

www.augeanplc.com

Augean PLC Annual Report 2012

35

 
 
 
 
 
Directors’ report

AGM
At the AGM on 6 June 2013, Andrew Bryce will retire by rotation 
in accordance with the Articles of Association. Being eligible, 
he will offer himself for re-election as Non-executive Director. 
No Director has a contract with an unexpired notice period 
of more than twelve months.

The Directors present their report and the audited financial 
statements for the year ended 31 December 2012.

Payment of creditors
The Group’s policy is to settle invoices promptly according to 
terms and conditions as far as is practicable. During the year 
the Group updated the policy, which was communicated to all 
suppliers, committing to settle invoices 40 days after the month 
of the invoice. Trade creditors at the year end date represented 
58 days’ purchases (2011: 34 days’). The Company adopts the 
same policy and its trade creditors at the year end date 
represented 60 days’ purchases (2011: 36 days’).

Principal activity and business review
The principal activity of the Group is the provision of hazardous 
waste management services. These services include hazardous 
landfill and waste treatment, recovery and recycling. The Group 
operates solely within the United Kingdom.

The Chairman’s Statement and Business Review on pages 
8 to 31 provide a review of the business of the Group 
together with an indication of future prospects. 

Results and dividends
The Group’s profit after tax for the year was £2.0m (2011: £1.6m) 
on turnover of £42.4m (2011: £37.5m).

The Board has approved the payment of a maiden dividend 
following the reduction of share premium account and 
delivery of distributable reserves during 2012. Future 
dividend payments will be proposed by the Board following 
future full year results, taking into consideration the 
investment needs of the business and need to provide 
consistent returns to investors. The Directors have 
recommended a dividend for the year of 0.25p per ordinary 
share, to be paid on or after 12 June 2013 for shareholders 
on the register at 6 June 2013 (2011: £nil).

Environmental policy
The quality of the environment is an important concern 
for the Group, its employees, customers, suppliers and 
the communities in which the Group operates. The Group 
continues to adopt high standards of environmental practice 
and aims to minimise its impact on the environment wherever 
possible. Further details of the Group’s actions in this area 
can be found in the separately published Corporate Social 
Responsibility Report.

Management of risks
The Group has developed procedures for the management 
of risks relating to price, credit, liquidity and cash flow. 
Further details of these are included in note 25 to the 
financial statements.

Employees
The Group’s policy is to ensure the adequate provision 
for the health, safety and welfare of its employees and of 
other people who may be affected by its activities. Health and 
safety is the top priority of the Group and to support this all 
accidents are reported and thoroughly investigated and all 
employees are encouraged to contribute to reporting of 
‘near miss’ incidents to promote accident reduction. 

The success of the Group depends on the skill and motivation 
of its workforce and it is the Group’s policy to ensure close 
consultation with employees on matters of concern to them. 
Regular newsletters and briefings are provided to employees 
and announcements and notices are provided on the Group’s 
intranet website and also directly through regular team briefings.

The Group aims to recruit and retain people with the 
appropriate skills and behaviours to fully contribute to the 
future success of the business. Ongoing training is provided 
to ensure that all employees have the requisite knowledge 
to perform their roles. 

The Group encourages the employment of disabled persons 
wherever this is practicable. Every endeavour is made to 
ensure that disabled employees, and those who become 
disabled whilst in the Group’s employment, benefit from 
training and career development programmes in common 
with all employees.

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Corporate governance
A statement by the Directors on corporate governance 
immediately precedes this report.

Qualifying third party indemnity provisions (as defined in 
Companies Act 2006) have been entered into by the Company 
for the benefit of all Directors, which indemnify the Directors 
against third party claims brought against them in their capacity 
as Directors of the Company to the extent permitted by law 
and such provisions continue in force at the date of this report.

Going concern
The Group’s business activities, together with the factors likely 
to affect its future development, performance and position 
are set out in the Business Review on pages 10 to 31. Details 
of the Group’s financial position, cash flows, liquidity position 
and borrowing facilities are included in the Financial Review 
section of the Business Review. Further information on the 
Group’s financial risks and their management is given in note 
25 to the financial statements, on pages 80 to 87.

Employees continued
All employees are included in bonus or incentive schemes 
designed to align the Group’s priorities in safety, regulatory 
compliance and profit generation to the rewards available 
to individuals. 

Charitable and political donations
During the year the Group contributed £298,000 
(2011: £367,000) of its landfill tax liability to Entrust 
registered environmental bodies as permitted by 
government regulations. It also made other charitable 
donations amounting to £15,000 (2011: £10,000). 
No political donations were made during the year (2011: £nil). 

Directors
The composition of the Board of Directors is shown on pages 
32 and 33. Details of the Directors’ interests and remuneration 
are given in the Directors’ Remuneration Report on pages 
40 to 42. As previously reported, in September 2012 
Paul Blackler, announced his intention to leave the Group. 
Dr Stewart Davies has been appointed as Chief Executive 
with effect from August 2013. From February 2013, 
Paul Blackler handed over all day to day control of 
commercial and operational matters to Richard Allen, who 
assumed the role of Interim Chief Executive Officer until 
Dr Stewart Davies joins the Group. The Board has taken 
steps to strengthen the Group’s finance team during the 
interim period to ensure adequate resources are in place 
to enable Richard to focus on his interim role.

Substantial shareholdings
The Company had been notified of the following interests of more than 3% in its shares as at 28 February 2013:

Ingot Capital Management

One51

Henderson Global Investors

Aviva Investors

Harwood Capital

Octopus Investments

Unicorn Asset Management

www.augeanplc.com

Augean PLC Annual Report 2012

Number
of shares

19,764,442

17,610,200

9,412,134

7,151,179

6,700,000

5,523,653

3,573,431

Fund
manager
%

19.82

17.66

9.44

7.17

6.72

5.54

3.58

37

 
 
 
 
 
Directors’ report 
continued

Going concern continued
As highlighted in note 25 the Group met its short term working 
capital requirements during 2012 through an overdraft and 
revolving loan facility with HSBC Bank PLC, which was due 
for renewal on 30 November 2012. This facility was renewed 
on 2 March 2012 for a further three year period and is now 
due for renewal on 2 March 2015. Financial forecasts and 
projections, taking account of reasonably possible changes 
in trading performance and market value of the Group’s 
assets, have been prepared and show that the Group 
should be able to operate within the level of the facility, 
both for ongoing working capital funding and any capital 
investment expenditure, for the life of the facility and in 
the future.

The Group has previously been successful in generating cash 
flow from operating activities despite challenging economic 
conditions. The single greatest influence on free cash flow over 
recent years has been the level of capital investment required 
to maintain and develop the Group’s asset base. The Group 
retains some discretion over the nature and timing of significant 
capital expenditure, allowing future liquidity to be managed, 
with the only exception to this being the need to engineer new 
landfill cells as available void space nears exhaustion. Cell 
engineering is aligned with cash flows through well developed 
capital planning processes, all of which provides confidence 
that cash generation can be expected in the future.

The loan facility is subject to certain covenants, focused on 
the cover of interest costs and the ratio of net debt to available 
operating profit. Cash flow forecasts for the twelve months 
from the date of the financial statements indicate the Group’s 
ability to operate within these covenants.

Impairment reviews have been performed for each of the 
Group’s cash-generating units, the details of which are 
disclosed in note 10 to the financial statements. In addition 
the tangible asset base of the Group has been reviewed 
for impairment. The results of these reviews indicate that 
forecast cash flows of the Group demonstrate its ability 
to continue operating for the foreseeable future.

After making enquiries, the Directors have a reasonable 
expectation that the Company and the Group have adequate 
resources to continue in operational existence for the 
foreseeable future. On the basis of detailed forecast cash 
flows for the next twelve months, the Directors are confident 
that the Company will be able to meet its liabilities as they 
fall due. As a result these financial statements have been 
prepared on a going concern basis.

Directors’ responsibilities statement
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 elected to prepare the parent company and 
Group financial statements in accordance with International 
Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the European 
Union (IFRSs). 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 
and 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 applicable IFRSs have been followed, 
subject to any material departures disclosed and 
explained in the financial statements; and

 — prepare the financial statements on the going concern 
basis unless it is inappropriate to assume that the 
Company will continue in business.

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With the Group in a transitional phase the incumbent partner’s 
experience and understanding of the business is essential to 
ensure that appropriate estimates and judgements are made 
in the preparation of the financial statements, enabling him to 
challenge management robustly from a position of knowledge. 
As a result, the Board and Audit Committee believe that a 
rotation should not be made during the current financial year 
and the Company has agreed to extend the term of the lead 
audit partner for one year, in accordance with ES3.

Auditor
Grant Thornton UK LLP has expressed willingness to continue 
in office. In accordance with Section 489(4) of the Companies 
Act 2006, a resolution to reappoint Grant Thornton UK LLP 
will be proposed at the AGM.

By order of the Board

Richard Allen
Interim Chief Executive Officer  
and Group Finance Director
26 March 2013

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Directors’ responsibilities statement continued
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 Group 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 Group and hence for taking reasonable steps for the 
prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

Insofar as each of the Directors is 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 
information and to establish that the auditor is aware 
of that information. 

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. 

Audit partner rotation
The external auditor is required to rotate the lead partner 
responsible for the Group audit every five years in accordance 
with Ethical Standard 3 (ES3) (Long Association with the Audit 
Engagement) issued by the Auditing Practices Board. However 
in certain circumstances it is permissible to extend that time. 
The current lead partner, Andrew Wood, has been responsible 
for the audit for five years but the Board believes that this is not 
a suitable time to change to a new audit partner. The Group is 
currently in a period of significant change, following a corporate 
and divisional reorganisation, the acquisition of a new business, 
the addition of several new operations and revenue streams 
and a capital reduction, all within the past twelve months.

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Augean PLC Annual Report 2012

39

 
 
 
 
 
Directors’ remuneration report

Remuneration Committee
The Remuneration Committee comprises the Non-executive Directors and is chaired by Roger McDowell. The principal 
objective of the Remuneration Committee is to attract, retain and motivate talented people with a competitive package 
of incentives and awards linked to performance and the interests of shareholders. The Committee uses the services 
of independent external advisers as required.

Remuneration of the Non-executive Directors, including the Chairman, is determined by the Board as a whole. 

Current remuneration package
The current remuneration package of the Executive Directors comprises:

(i) Basic salaries
Basic salaries for Executive Directors take into account the performance, experience and responsibilities of the individuals 
concerned, as well as the salaries of those with similar positions and responsibilities. External advice is taken as appropriate 
and basic salaries are reviewed annually. During 2012 Executive Directors’ salaries were increased by 2%, in line with all 
employees of the Group.

(ii) Performance related bonus
The Executive Directors participate in a bonus scheme based on the achievement of annual profit targets approved by the 
Remuneration Committee. The achievement of these targets would result in a bonus of up to 50% of basic salary. No bonus 
was awarded in respect of 2012.

(iii) Pension provision and other benefits
Pension provision is made at a rate of 10% of basic salary for Executive Directors and is payable directly into a nominated 
pension fund. Other benefits include a car allowance, life assurance and private healthcare.

(iv) Long Term Incentive Plan
Under the Long Term Incentive Plan (LTIP) senior employees may be granted an annual award of up to 100% of basic salary. 
The award vests in the form of shares in the Company and is subject to the attainment of pre-determined performance 
conditions over a three year period. The expected costs of the scheme are given in note 20 to the financial statements.

One LTIP award was made in 2012, the details of which are disclosed in note 20. The scheme was based on performance 
criteria which were not met during the year and as a consequence this award lapsed at the end of the year. The Remuneration 
Committee reviewed the LTIP scheme during the year and concluded that it remained a suitable mechanism to incentivise 
future performance. The Committee resolved to consider making new awards to the Executive Directors during 2013. 

(v) Share options
Under the share options scheme the Remuneration Committee may annually grant options of up to 100% of basic salary 
to purchase shares in the Company at a future date. These options may be subject to the attainment of pre-determined 
performance conditions but this is not an absolute requirement. 

The Remuneration Committee reviewed the use of share options during the year and concluded that the scheme remained 
a suitable mechanism to incentivise future performance. No awards were made to the Executive Directors during 2012, 
as shown in the Directors’ share plans section of this report.

Service contracts
Executive Directors have rolling service contracts with notice periods of not more than twelve months.

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Directors’ interests 
The beneficial, family and contingent interests of the Directors in the share capital of the Company were as follows:

At 31 December 2012

Paul Blackler

Richard Allen

Roger McDowell

Andrew Bryce

Jim Meredith

Rory Macnamara

At 31 December 2011

Paul Blackler

Richard Allen

Roger McDowell

Andrew Bryce

Jim Meredith

Rory Macnamara

691,342

11,419

200,000

15,224

Beneficial
shares
Number

Beneficial
shares
Number

Share
options
Number

33,000 1,076,385

10,000

603,448

 LTIP
Number

Total
shares
Number

— 1,076,385

— 613,448

— 691,342

—

11,419

— 200,000

—

15,224

—

—

—

—

Share
options
Number

 LTIP
Number

Total
shares
Number

33,000

1,076,385

10,000

603,448

691,342

11,419

200,000

15,224

—

—

—

—

— 1,076,385

— 613,448

— 691,342

—

11,419

— 200,000

—

15,224

Directors’ emoluments
The emoluments of the Directors were as follows:

Paul Blackler

Richard Allen

Roger McDowell

Andrew Bryce

Jim Meredith 

Rory Macnamara

2012
Basic
fee/salary
£’000

2012
Bonus
£’000

2012
Pension 
contributions
£’000

2012
Other
emoluments
£’000

184

137

37

28

35

32

453

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

18

20

—

—

—

—

38

13

12

—

4

—

—

29

2012
Total
£’000

215

169

37

32

35

32

2011
Total
£’000

261

166

43

43

24

26

520

563

Other emoluments for Paul Blackler and Richard Allen include a car allowance and other benefits such as medical insurance. 
For Andrew Bryce they relate to specialist assistance provided to the Board in connection with certain legal matters. 

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Augean PLC Annual Report 2012

41

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Directors’ remuneration report
continued

Directors’ share plans

LTIP

Paul Blackler

Richard Allen

Share option schemes

Paul Blackler

Award 
date

Earliest
vesting
date

11.06.2012 11.06.2015

11.06.2012 11.06.2015

Award
date

Earliest
vesting
date

Market
price
at award
date

34.88p

34.88p

Market
price
at award
date

Number of
shares
2011

Granted
in year

Lapsed in
year

— 525,000

525,000

— 409,000

409,000

— 934,000

934,000

Number of
shares
2011

Granted in
year

Lapsed
in year

Number
of shares
2012

—

—

—

Number
of shares
2012

21.12.2009 21.12.2012

39.50p

455,695

18.05.2011 18.05.2014

29.00p

620,690

Richard Allen

18.05.2011 18.05.2014

29.00p

603,448

1,679,833

—

—

—

—

— 455,695

— 620,690

— 603,448

— 1,679,833

The latest date for exercise of all share options is ten years after the award date. The mid market price of the Company’s 
shares at 31 December 2012 was 31.25p. The range of the share price during the year was 27.00p to 41.50p.

On behalf of the Remuneration Committee 

Roger McDowell
Chairman of the Remuneration Committee
26 March 2013

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Independent auditor’s report
to the members of Augean PLC

We have audited the financial statements of Augean PLC for the year ended 31 December 2012 which comprise 
the consolidated statement of comprehensive income, the Group and parent company statements of financial position, 
the Group and parent company statements of cash flow, the Group and parent company statements of changes in 
shareholders’ equity 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 and, as regards 
the parent company financial statements, as applied in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act 2006.

This report is made solely to the Company’s members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the 
Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the Company’s members those 
matters we are required to state to them in an auditor’s report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted 
by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the Company and the Company’s members 
as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

Respective responsibilities of Directors and auditor
As explained more fully in the Directors’ responsibilities statement set out on pages 38 and 39, 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 (APB’s) Ethical 
Standards for Auditors.

Scope of the audit of the financial statements
A description of the scope of an audit of financial statements is provided on the APB’s website at  
www.frc.org.uk/apb/scope/private.cfm.

Opinion on financial statements
In our opinion:

 — the financial statements give a true and fair view of the state of the Group’s and of the parent company’s affairs as at 

31 December 2012 and of the Group’s profit for the year then ended; 

 — the Group financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the European Union;

 — the parent company financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the 

European Union and as applied in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act 2006; and

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

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Independent auditor’s report continued
to the members of Augean PLC

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

Matters on which we are required to report by exception
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:

 — adequate accounting records have not been kept by the parent company, or 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; or

 — certain disclosures of Directors’ remuneration specified by law are not made; or

 — we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit.

Andrew Wood
Senior Statutory Auditor
for and on behalf of Grant Thornton UK LLP
Statutory Auditor, Chartered Accountants
Leeds
26 March 2013

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Total
2011
£’000

37,459

(35,483)

1,976

(571)

—

(16)

1,389

193

Consolidated statement of comprehensive income
for the year ended 31 December 2012

Before
exceptional
items
2012
£’000

Exceptional
items
2012
£’000

Note

Before
exceptional
items
2011
£’000

Exceptional
items
2011
£’000

Total
2012
£’000

Revenue

Operating expenses

Operating profit

Net finance charges

Gain on bargain purchase

Share of loss of jointly controlled entity

Profit before tax

Tax 

Profit for the year and total 
comprehensive income

Profit attributable to:

Equity shareholders of Augean PLC

Non-controlling interest

Earnings per share 

Basic and diluted 

3

4

24

9

6

3

42,421

(39,163)

3,258

(639)

—

(16)

2,603

(872)

—

42,421

37,459

(370)

(370)

—

528

—

158

91

(39,533)

(35,814)

2,888

(639)

528

(16)

2,761

(781)

1,645

(571)

—

(16)

1,058

193

—

331

331

—

—

—

331

—

1,731

249

1,980

1,251

331

1,582

1,717

14

249

—

1,966

14

1,251

—

331

—

1,582

—

8

1.72p

0.25p

1.97p

1.26p

0.33p

1.59p

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Statements of financial position
at 31 December 2012

Non-current assets

Goodwill

Other intangible assets

Investments in subsidiaries

Investment in jointly controlled entity

Property, plant and equipment

Deferred tax asset

Current assets

Inventories

Trade and other receivables

Current tax asset

Cash and cash equivalents

Non-current assets classified as held for sale

Current liabilities

Trade and other payables

Current tax liabilities

Financial liabilities

Net current liabilities

Non-current liabilities

Financial liabilities

Provisions

Net assets

Shareholders’ equity

Share capital

Share premium account

Special profit reserve

Retained earnings

Equity attributable to owners of Augean PLC

Non-controlling interest

Total equity

Note

2012
£’000

2011
£’000

21,705

21,705

Group

Company

2012
£’000

—

109

2011
£’000

—

45

57,631

55,581

502

817

41

492

767

50

49

—

16

35,415

854

58,039

59,100

56,935

123

—

8

39,561

1,231

62,628

218

8,868

—

5

9,091

—

9,091

217

7,660

—

4

7,881

200

8,081

—

916

209

—

1,125

—

1,125

(8,279)

(8,079)

(9,438)

(197)

(837)

(9,313)

(222)

(5,283)

(7,045)

(12,328)

(538)

(1,332)

(9,949)

(1,868)

(2,640)

(6,668)

(9,308)

— 

(3,260)

(12,698)

(11,573)

—

(5,175)

50,078

46,863

42,352

(5,175)

(2,244)

9,970

9,970

9,970

9,970

—

114,960

—

114,960

32,076

—

32,076

—

6,913

(78,067)

306

(82,954)

48,959

46,863

42,352

41,976

1,119

—

—

—

50,078

46,863

42,352

41,976

—

376

—

—

376

—

376

(9,019)

(201)

(3,871)

(13,091)

(12,715)

—

(2,244)

41,976

10

11

12

9

13

6

14

13

15

16

16

17

18

19

19

19

The notes on pages 49 to 88 form an integral part of these financial statements.

The financial statements were approved by the Board on 26 March 2013 and signed on its behalf by:

Richard Allen
Interim Chief Executive Officer and Group Finance Director
Augean PLC Registered number: 5199719

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Statements of cash flow
for the year ended 31 December 2012

Operating activities

Cash generated from operations

Finance charges paid

Tax paid

Net cash generated from/(used in) operating activities

Investing activities

Proceeds on disposal of property, plant and equipment

Purchases of property, plant and equipment

Purchases of intangible assets

Purchase of businesses  
(net of cash and cash equivalents acquired)

Net cash used in investing activities

Financing activities

Repayments of borrowings

Drawdown of loan facilities

Repayments of obligations under finance leases

Net cash generated from/(used in) financing activities

Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

Group

Company

Note

2012
£’000

2011
£’000

2012
£’000

2011
£’000

22

5,818

(479)

(744)

4,595

4,713

(469)

(123)

4,121

—

19

(3,585)

(4,186)

24

16

16

16

(114)

(2,043)

(5,742)

(1,447)

2,931

(336)

1,148

1

4

5

(32)

—

(4,199)

336

—

(414)

(78)

(156)

160

4

962

(590)

(406)

(34)

—

(141)

(102)

(2,043)

(2,286)

(611)

2,931

—

2,320

—

—

—

1,292

(565)

—

727

—

(50)

(32)

—

(82)

(801)

—

—

(801)

(156)

156

—

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Statements of changes in shareholders’ equity
for the year ended 31 December 2012

Group

At 1 January 2011

Total comprehensive income for the year

Retained profit

Total comprehensive income for the year

Transactions with owners of the Company

Share-based payments (note 20)

Total transactions with the owners 
of the Company

Share
capital
£’000

Share
premium
account
£’000

Special
profit
reserve
£’000

Retained
earnings
£’000

Shareholders’
equity
£’000

Non-
controlling
interest
£’000

Total
equity
£’000

9,970

114,960

— (79,733)

45,197

—

45,197

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

1,582

1,582

1,582

1,582

84

84

84

84

—

—

—

—

1,582

1,582

84

84

At 1 January 2012

9,970

114,960

— (78,067)

46,863

— 46,863

Total comprehensive income for the year

Retained profit

Total comprehensive income for the year

Transactions with owners of the Company

Acquisition of subsidiary (note 24)

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

1,966

1,966

—

Capital reduction (note 19)

— (114,960)

32,076

82,884

Share-based payments (note 20) 

—

—

—

130

Total transactions with the owners 
of the Company

— (114,960)

32,076

83,014

At 31 December 2012

9,970

— 32,076

6,913

48,959

1,966

1,966

14

14

1,980

1,980

—

—

130

130

1,105

1,105

—

—

—

130

1,105

1,119

1,235

50,078

Company

At 1 January 2011

Total comprehensive income for the year

Retained profit

Total comprehensive income for the year

Transactions with owners of the Company

Share-based payments (note 20) 

Total transactions with the owners of the Company

Total comprehensive income for the year

Retained profit

Total comprehensive income for the year

Transactions with owners of the Company

Capital reduction (note 19)

Share-based payments (note 20) 

Total transactions with the owners of the Company

At 31 December 2012

Share
capital
£’000

Share
premium
account
£’000

Special
profit
reserve
£’000

Retained
earnings
£’000

Shareholders’
equity
£’000

9,970

114,960

—

(83,387)

41,543

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

349

349

84

84

349

349

84

84

(82,954)

41,976

246

246

130

83,014

246

246

—

130

130

306

42,352

— (114,960)

32,076

82,884

—

—

— (114,960)

9,970

—

—

32,076

32,076

At 1 January 2012

9,970

114,960

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Notes to the financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2012

1 Accounting policies
(a) Basis of accounting
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards, IFRS, 
International Financial Reporting Interpretations Committee (IFRIC) interpretations endorsed by the European Union and 
those parts of the Companies Act 2006 that remain applicable to companies reporting under IFRS. The financial statements 
have been prepared on the historical cost basis with the exception of certain items which are measured at fair value as 
disclosed in the principal accounting policies set out below. These policies have been consistently applied to all years 
presented unless otherwise stated.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with IFRS requires the use of estimates and assumptions that affect 
the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues 
and expenses during the reporting period. Although these estimates are based on management’s best knowledge of the 
amount, event or actions, actual results ultimately may differ from these estimates.

The Company has taken advantage of Section 408 of the Companies Act 2006 and has not included its individual statement 
of comprehensive income in these financial statements. The Company’s overall result for the year is given in the statement 
of changes in shareholders’ equity.

(i) Subsidiaries
The consolidated financial statements incorporate the financial statements of the Company and entities controlled by the 
Company (its subsidiaries) made up to 31 December each year. Control is achieved where the Company has the power 
to govern the financial and operating policies of an investee entity so as to obtain benefits from its activities.

Results of subsidiary undertakings acquired or sold during the year are consolidated from or to the date on which control passes. 
The trading results of companies acquired during the year are accounted for under the purchase method of accounting.

All intra-group transactions, balances, income and expenses are eliminated on consolidation.

(ii) Jointly controlled entities
A jointly controlled entity is a contractual arrangement whereby two or more parties undertake an economic activity that 
is subject to joint control. Joint control exists where the strategic, financial and operating decisions relating to the activity 
require the unanimous consent of the parties. Jointly controlled entities are accounted for using the equity method under 
which the carrying value of the Group’s investment is made up of the cost plus the Group’s share of post-acquisition profits 
and less equivalent losses as recognised in the statement of comprehensive income. Should a jointly controlled entity result 
in losses in excess of the Group’s interest they will be recognised where the Group has a legal or constructive obligation to 
fund those losses.

Unrealised gains on transactions with jointly controlled entities are eliminated to the extent of the Group’s interest in the 
jointly controlled entity. Unrealised losses are also eliminated unless the transactions provide evidence of impairment of 
the asset transferred.

The Group ceases to use the equity method of accounting on the date from which it no longer has joint control in the jointly 
controlled entity or when the interest becomes held for sale.

(iii) Business combinations
The acquisition method is used to account for all acquisitions. The cost of an acquisition is measured at the fair values 
on the acquisition date, which is the date on which control is transferred to the Group. The consideration is calculated as 
the sum of fair value of assets transferred and liabilities incurred. In assessing control, the Group, takes into consideration 
potential voting rights that currently are exercisable. 

The Group measures goodwill at the acquisition date as:

 — the fair value of the consideration transferred; plus

 — the recognised amount of any non-controlling interests in the acquiree; less

 — the net recognised amount of the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed, measured at their fair value.

When the excess is negative, a bargain purchase gain is recognised immediately in profit or loss.

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Notes to the financial statements continued
Notes to the financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2012
for the year ended 31 December 2012

1 Accounting policies continued
(a) Basis of accounting continued
(iii) Business combinations continued
The consideration transferred does not include amounts related to the settlement of pre-existing relationships. 
Such amounts generally are recognised in profit or loss.

Transaction costs, other than those associated with the issue of debt or equity securities, that the Group incurs 
in connection with a business combination are expensed as incurred.

Acquisitions of non-controlling interests are accounted for as transactions with owners in their capacity as owners and 
therefore no goodwill is recognised as a result. Adjustments to non-controlling interests arising from transactions that do 
not involve the loss of control are based on a proportionate amount of the net assets of the subsidiary.

(iv) Going concern
The Directors have, at the time of approving the financial statements, a reasonable expectation that the Company and the 
Group have adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus they continue to adopt 
the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements. Further detail is contained in the Business 
Review on pages 37 to 39.

(b) Revenue recognition
The Group’s responsibility for waste arises as soon as the waste is accepted into one of its facilities. Revenue is therefore 
recognised at the point of acceptance, except when contractual agreements provide for specific services in which case 
revenue is recognised at point of delivery of each separate service. Revenue shown in the statement of comprehensive 
income represents charges for all waste accepted, inclusive of landfill tax where appropriate, but exclusive of value added tax.

Income which is earned from royalties on mineral extraction is recognised on a straight-line basis to the statement 
of comprehensive income at the point of extraction when the royalty becomes due.

(c) Exceptional items
Items that are material in size and non-recurring in nature are presented as exceptional items in the statement of 
comprehensive income. The Directors are of the opinion that the separate recording of the exceptional items provides 
helpful information about the Group’s underlying business performance. Examples of events which may give rise to the 
classification of items as exceptional include restructuring of the business, compensation for loss of office, impairment 
of goodwill and non-recurring income or expenditure.

(d) Goodwill
Goodwill arising on the acquisition of subsidiary undertakings and businesses, representing the excess of the fair value 
of the consideration given over the fair value of the identifiable assets and liabilities acquired, is capitalised as an intangible 
asset. On capitalisation the goodwill is allocated to the specific cash-generating unit (CGU) to which it relates. It is tested for 
impairment at least annually by reference to this CGU and is carried at cost less accumulated impairment losses. Any impairment 
is recognised immediately in profit or loss and is not subsequently reversed.

Goodwill arising on acquisitions before the date of transition to IFRS has been retained at the previous UK GAAP amounts 
subject to being tested for impairment at that date and on an annual basis going forward. 

(e) Other intangible assets
Intangible assets purchased separately, such as software licences that do not form an integral part of related hardware, 
are capitalised at cost and amortised on a straight-line basis. This is charged to the profit and loss account over the asset’s 
useful economic life of three years. 

Intangible assets acquired through a business combination such as customer contracts are initially measured at fair value 
and amortised on a straight-line basis over their useful economic lives to the profit and loss account which are taken to be 
the length of the contract. An intangible asset is considered identifiable only if it is separable or if it arises from contractual 
or other legal rights, regardless of whether those rights are transferable or separable from the entity or from other rights and 
obligations. After initial recognition assets acquired as part of a business combination are carried at cost less accumulated 
amortisation and any impairment losses.

Methods of amortisation, residual value and useful lives are reviewed, and if necessary adjusted, at each statement 
of financial position date.

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1 Accounting policies continued
(f) Investments
Investments are in respect of subsidiaries and a jointly controlled entity. Investments held as non-current assets are stated 
at historic cost less any provision for impairment.

Interests in joint ventures are held at the carrying amount of the investment accounted for under the equity method, together 
with any long interests that in substance form part of the net investment in the joint venture, for example, an item for which 
settlement is neither planned nor likely to occur in the foreseeable future. The Group’s share of losses in a joint venture is 
matched against the investment until the investment is reduced to zero. Additional losses are provided for and a liability 
recognised only to the extent that the investor has incurred a legal or constructive obligation. 

(g) Property, plant and equipment
Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and any recognised impairment loss. 
The cost of an item of property, plant and equipment comprises its purchase price and any costs directly attributable 
to bringing the asset into use. Borrowing costs related to the purchase of property, plant and equipment are capitalised 
where the cost is directly attributable to the property, plant or equipment being purchased.

Subsequent costs are included in an asset’s carrying value or recognised as a separate asset, when it is probable that 
future economic benefits associated with the additional expenditure will flow to the Group and the cost of the item can 
be measured reliably. All other costs are charged to profit or loss when incurred.

The acquisition, commissioning and site infrastructure costs for each landfill site are capitalised when incurred. These costs 
are then depreciated over the useful life of the site, which is assessed with reference to the usage of the void space available.

Cell engineering costs are capitalised when incurred. The depreciation charged to profit or loss is calculated with reference 
to actual costs to date and expected future costs for each cell including the cost of the future cap, the total of which is spread 
over the useful life of the cell. Useful life is assessed by reference to the usage of the void space available and the rate at which 
the void space is filled. 

Freehold land which is not part of a landfill site is not depreciated. Depreciation is provided evenly on all other property, 
plant and equipment at rates calculated to write off the cost, less estimated residual value, of each asset over its useful 
life as follows:

Freehold buildings    

Plant and machinery  

– 

–  

50 years

two to ten years

Methods of depreciation, residual values and useful lives are reviewed and adjusted, if appropriate, at each statement 
of financial position date.

Assets held under finance leases are depreciated over the shorter of their expected useful lives or, where there is no reasonable 
certainty that title will be obtained at the end of the lease term, the term of the relevant lease.

The gain or loss arising from the disposal or retirement of an item of property, plant and equipment is determined as 
the difference between the net disposal proceeds and the carrying amount of the item and is included in profit or loss.

Finance leases and hire purchase arrangements 
Where the Group enters into a lease which entails taking on substantially all of the risks and rewards of ownership of an asset, 
the lease is treated as a finance lease and the asset is capitalised. Future instalments under such leases, net of finance charges, 
are recognised as a liability. Rentals payable are apportioned between the finance element, which is charged to profit or loss 
so as to give an approximate constant rate of charge on the outstanding obligation and the capital element which reduces 
the outstanding obligation for future instalments. 

The asset and associated liability are recorded in the statement of financial position within property, plant and equipment 
and financial liabilities respectively at their fair value or, if lower, at the present value of the minimum lease payments, both 
determined at the inception of the lease.

Depreciation is calculated in accordance with the above depreciation policies.

Other leases are treated as operating leases, the rentals for which are charged to profit or loss on a straight-line basis 
over the lease term.

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51

 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the financial statements continued
for the year ended 31 December 2012

1 Accounting policies continued
(g) Property, plant and equipment continued
Restoration, capping and after-care provisions
The anticipated total cost of restoration, capping, post-closure monitoring and after-care is charged to profit or loss over 
the expected useful life of the sites in proportion to the amount of void consumed at the sites during the period. The costs 
of restoration and post-closure monitoring are charged against the provision when incurred. The provision has been estimated 
using current costs and is discounted. When the effect is material, the expected future cash flows required to settle the 
obligation are discounted at the pre-tax rate that reflects the current market assessments of the time value of money and 
the risks specific to the obligation.

(h) Impairment of non-current assets
At each statement of financial position date, the Group assesses whether there is any indication that its assets have been 
impaired. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent 
of the impairment, if any. If it is not possible to estimate the recoverable amount of the individual asset, the recoverable 
amount of the CGU to which the asset belongs is determined.

The recoverable amount is defined as the higher of fair value less costs to sell and value in use at the date the impairment 
review is undertaken. Value in use represents the present value of expected future cash flows discounted on a pre-tax 
basis, using a pre-tax discount rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks 
specific to the asset or CGU. If the recoverable amount of an asset is less than its carrying amount, the carrying amount 
of the asset is reduced to its recoverable amount. That reduction is recognised as an impairment loss.

An impairment loss relating to assets carried at cost less any accumulated depreciation or amortisation is recognised 
immediately in profit or loss.

Goodwill is tested for impairment on an annual basis. An impairment loss is recognised for CGUs if the recoverable amount 
of the unit is less than the carrying amount of the unit. The impairment loss is allocated to reduce the carrying amount of the 
assets of the unit by first reducing the carrying amount of any goodwill allocated to the CGU and then reducing the other 
assets of the unit pro rata on the basis of the carrying amount of each asset in the unit.

If an impairment loss subsequently reverses, the carrying amount of the asset is increased to the revised estimate of its 
recoverable amount but limited to the carrying amount that would have been determined had no impairment loss been 
recognised in prior years. A reversal of an impairment loss is recognised in profit or loss. Any impairments of goodwill 
cannot be subsequently reversed.

(i) Leases
Leases are classified as finance leases whenever the terms of the lease transfer substantially all the risks and rewards 
of ownership to the lessee. All other leases are classified as operating leases.

Rental income from operating leases is recognised on a straight-line basis over the term of the relevant lease. Initial direct 
costs incurred in negotiating and arranging an operating lease are added to the carrying amount of the leased asset and 
recognised on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

(j) Inventories
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (measured on a first-in first-out basis) and net realisable value and, where appropriate, 
are stated net of provisions for impairment.

(k) Tax
Current tax
Current tax is provided at amounts expected to be paid (or recovered) using tax rates and laws that have been enacted or 
substantively enacted at the statement of financial position date. The tax currently payable is based on taxable profit for the 
year. Taxable profit differs from net profit as reported in the statement of comprehensive income because it excludes items 
of income that are taxable or deductible in other years and it further excludes items that are never taxable or deductible.

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1 Accounting policies continued
(k) Tax continued
Deferred tax
Deferred tax on temporary differences at the statement of financial position date between the tax bases of assets and 
liabilities and their carrying amounts for financial reporting purposes is accounted for using the statement of financial 
position liability method.

Using the liability method, deferred tax liabilities are recognised in full for all taxable temporary differences and deferred tax 
assets are recognised to the extent that it is probable that future taxable profits will be available against which deductible 
temporary differences can be utilised. However, if the deferred tax asset or liability arises from the initial recognition of goodwill 
or the initial recognition 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, it is not recognised.

Deferred tax on temporary differences associated with shares in subsidiaries and jointly controlled entities is not provided 
if reversal of these temporary differences can be controlled by the Group and it is probable that the reversal will not occur 
in the foreseeable future.

Deferred tax is measured on an undiscounted basis at the tax rates that are expected to apply when the asset is realised, 
or the liability settled, based on tax rates and laws enacted or substantively enacted at the statement of financial position date.

Current and deferred tax are recognised in profit or loss except when they relate to items recognised in other comprehensive 
income, where they are similarly recognised in other comprehensive income.

(l) Retirement benefits
Contributions made by the Group to individual money purchase pension schemes are charged to profit or loss during 
the period to which they relate.

(m) Equity-settled share-based payments
All share-based payment arrangements granted after 7 November 2002 that had not vested prior to 1 January 2006 
are recognised in the financial statements.

IFRS 2 ‘Share-based Payments’ requires that an expense for equity instruments granted is recognised in the financial statements 
based on their fair values at the date of the grant. This expense, which is in relation to employee share options and executive 
LTIP schemes, is recognised over the vesting period of the scheme based on the number of instruments expected to vest. 
The fair value of employee services is determined by reference to the fair value of the awarded grant calculated using the 
Black Scholes model or Binomial Lattice model, excluding the impact of any non-market vesting conditions.

At the statement of financial position date, the Group revises its estimate of the number of share incentives that are expected 
to vest. The impact of the revisions of original estimates, if any, is recognised in profit or loss, with a corresponding adjustment 
to equity, over the remaining vesting period.

(n) Assets held for sale
Non-current assets, or disposal groups comprising assets and liabilities, that are expected to be recovered primarily 
through sale rather than through continuing use, are classified as held for sale. Immediately before classification as held for 
sale, the assets, or components of a disposal group, are re-measured in accordance with the Group’s accounting policies. 
Thereafter, generally the assets, or disposal group, are measured at the lower of their carrying amount and fair value less 
costs to sell. Impairment losses on initial classification as held for sale and subsequent gains and losses on revaluation 
are recognised in profit or loss. Gains are not recognised in excess of any cumulative impairment loss.

Once classified as held for sale, intangible assets and property, plant and equipment are no longer amortised or depreciated.

(o) Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents comprise demand deposits and cash in hand together with short term highly liquid deposits 
with a maturity of three months or less, from the date of acquisition, which are subject to an insignificant risk of change 
in value.

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Notes to the financial statements continued
for the year ended 31 December 2012

1 Accounting policies continued
(p) Financial instruments
(i) Financial assets
Loans and receivables are non-derivative financial assets with fixed or determinable payments that are not quoted in an 
active market. After initial recognition these are measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method, less any 
provision for impairment. Any change in their value is recognised in profit or loss. Discounting, however, is omitted where 
the effect is immaterial.

Financial assets are categorised as other loans and receivables. The Group’s trade and other receivables fall in the 
‘loans and receivables’ category. Financial assets are assigned to this category on initial recognition, depending on the 
characteristics of the instrument and its purpose. A financial instrument’s category is relevant for the way it is measured 
and whether any resulting income and expenses is recognised in profit or loss or other comprehensive income. 

Augean recognises all financial assets when the Group becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument. 
Financial assets are recognised initially at fair value plus transaction costs. An annual assessment is made to ascertain 
whether there is objective evidence that the financial assets are impaired. All income and expense relating to financial 
assets are recognised in profit or loss.

Significant receivables are considered for impairment on a case-by-case basis when they are past due at the statement 
of financial position date or when objective evidence is received that a specific counterparty will default. Provision against 
trade receivables is made when there is objective evidence that the Group will not be able to collect all amounts due to it 
in accordance with the original terms of those receivables. The amount of the impairment is determined as the difference 
between the asset’s carrying amount and the present value of estimated future cash flows discounted at the original 
effective interest rate.

(ii) Financial liabilities
The Group’s financial liabilities include trade payables, debt and finance liabilities. Trade payables are not interest bearing 
and are recognised initially at fair value and carried at amortised cost. Debt is initially recognised at fair value and carried 
at amortised cost. The Group’s policy is that no trading in financial instruments or derivatives shall be undertaken.

Financial liabilities are recognised when the Group becomes a party to the contractual agreements of the instrument. 
All interest related charges and, if applicable, changes in an instrument’s fair value that are reported in profit or loss 
are included in the statement of comprehensive income under ‘finance charges’.

(iii) Free cash flow
This is a measure used by the Group to assess capital management performance. It is defined as net operating cash flow 
less cash spent in investment activities. It is determined as part of the capital management assessment and is reconciled 
in note 25.

(iv) EBITDA
EBITDA is a non-IFRS measure used by management as a tool for assessing operating cash flows. It represents earnings 
before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation. It is determined as part of the cash flow reconciliation shown in note 22.

(q) Equity
Equity comprises share capital, share premium, special profit reserve and retained profit and (losses). Share capital represents 
the nominal value of equity shares. 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. Special profit reserve represents the residual 
value of the cancellation of the share premium account over and above the total retained losses for the Company. This was 
created on 4 July 2012 when the capital reduction was approved. For details of the transaction see note 19. Retained profit 
and (losses) represent retained profit and (losses) and equity-settled share-based payment employee remuneration.

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1 Accounting policies continued
(r) Significant judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty 
The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with IFRS requires management to make estimates and assumptions 
that affect the application of policies and reported amounts of assets, liabilities, income, expenses and related disclosures. 
The estimates and underlying assumptions are based on historical experience, the best available information and various 
other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. This forms the basis of making judgements about 
carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources.

Actual results may however differ from these estimates. The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an 
ongoing basis. Changes in accounting estimates may be necessary if there are changes in the circumstances on which 
the estimate was based, or as a result of new information or further information. Such changes are recognised in the period 
in which the estimate is revised.

Certain accounting policies are particularly important to the preparation and explanation of the Group’s financial 
information. Key assumptions about the future and key sources of estimation uncertainty that have a risk of causing 
a material adjustment to the carrying value of assets and liabilities over the next twelve months are set out below.

Impairment of goodwill and fixed assets
The Group has property, plant and equipment with a carrying value of £39,561,000 (note 13) and goodwill with a carrying 
value of £21,705,000 (note 10). These assets are reviewed annually for impairment as described on pages 66 to 68 to ensure 
that goodwill and property, plant and equipment are not carried above their estimated recoverable amounts. To assess if any 
impairment exists, estimates are made of the future cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset and its eventual 
disposal. Actual outcomes could vary from such estimates of discounted future cash flows. Factors such as changes in expected 
use of property, plant and equipment, closure of facilities, or lower than anticipated revenues could result in impairment. 
For further details of assumptions see note 10.

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Site development and cell engineering/capping
Total anticipated site development and cell engineering/capping costs are charged to profit or loss as void usage progresses. 
Costs of site development and cell engineering/capping are estimated using either the work of external consultants or internal 
experts. Management uses its judgement and experience to provide for these estimated costs over the life of the site and cell.

l

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See note 17 for further details of calculation methodology, assumptions used and potential sensitivities to these calculations.

After-care costs
Provision is made for after-care costs as soon as the obligation arises and is charged to profit or loss as void usage progresses. 
After-care costs are estimated using either the work of external consultants or internal experts. Management uses its judgement 
and experience to provide for these estimated costs over the life of the site. See note 17 for further details of calculation 
methodology, assumptions used and potential sensitivities to these calculations.

Other provisions
Other provisions are made where management judges that a probable future outflow of resources will occur, which can be 
reliably estimated, arising from a past event. Estimates are based on the work of internal experts and previous operational 
and commercial experience. See note 17 for further details of calculation methodology, assumptions used and potential 
sensitivities to these calculations.

Income taxes
At 31 December 2012, the net liability for current income tax is £197,000 (2011: £538,000). A deferred tax asset of £1,231,000 
(2011: £854,000) has also been recognised. Estimates may be required in determining the level of current and deferred 
income tax assets and liabilities, which the Directors believe are reasonable and adequately recognise any income tax 
related uncertainties. Various factors may have favourable or adverse effects on the income tax assets or liabilities. 
These include changes in tax legislation, tax rates and allowances, future levels of spending and the Group’s level 
of future earnings.

www.augeanplc.com

Augean PLC Annual Report 2012

55

 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the financial statements continued
for the year ended 31 December 2012

1 Accounting policies continued
(s) New IFRS standards and interpretations not applied
The following new standards, amendments to standards and interpretations are mandatory for the first time for the financial 
year beginning 1 January 2012:

 — Amendments to IFRS 7 ‘Financial Instruments: Disclosures’

 — Amendments to IAS 12 ‘Deferred Tax: Recovery of Underlying Assets’

 — Amendments to IAS 1 ‘Severe Hyperinflation and Removal of Fixed Dates for First-time Adopters’

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

 — Amendments to IAS 1 ‘Presentation of Items of Other Comprehensive Income’ (effective 1 July 2012)

 — Amendments to IAS 19 ‘Employee Benefits’ (effective 1 January 2013)

 — Amendments to IAS 32 ‘Offsetting Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities’ (effective 1 January 2014)

 — IAS 27 ‘Separate Financial Statements’ (effective 1 January 2013)

 — IAS 28 ‘Investments in Associates and Joint Ventures’ (effective 1 January 2013)

 — Amendments to IFRS 1 ‘Government Loans’ (effective 1 January 2013)

 — Amendments to IFRS 7 ‘Financial Instruments: Disclosures — Offsetting Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities’

 — IFRS 9 ‘Financial Instruments’ (effective 1 January 2015)

 — Amendments to IFRS 10, IFRS 12 and IAS 27 ‘Investment Entities’ (effective 1 January 2014)

 — IFRS 10 ‘Consolidated Financial Statements’ (effective 1 January 2013)

 — IFRS 11 ‘Joint Arrangements’ (effective 1 January 2013)

 — IFRS 12 ‘Disclosure of Interests in Other Entities’ (effective 1 January 2013)

 — IFRS 13 ‘Fair Value Measurements’ (effective 1 January 2013)

 — IFRIC 20 ‘Stripping Costs in the Production Phase of a Surface Mine’ (effective 1 January 2013)

 — Annual Improvements 2009–2011 Cycle (effective 1 January 2013)

 — Consolidated Financial Statements, Joint Arrangements and Disclosure of Interests in Other Entities: Transition 

Guidance (effective 1 January 2013)

The revised standards will be adopted when effective in the Group’s consolidated financial statements, although are not 
anticipated to have a significant impact on the Group.

56

Augean PLC Annual Report 2012

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2 Operating segments
The Group has four reportable segments, as described below, which are the Group’s strategic operating divisions. 
These operating divisions are monitored and strategic decisions are made on the basis of the division’s operating 
performance. The Group’s operating divisions provide different services to their customers, and are managed separately 
as they are subject to different risks and returns. The Group’s internal organisation and management structure and its 
system of internal financial reporting are based primarily on these operating divisions. For each of the operating divisions, 
the Group’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) (the chief operating decision maker) reviews internal management reports on at 
least a monthly basis. The following summary describes the operations of each of the Group’s reportable segments, with 
further details provided in the Business Review:

 — Land Resources division: Augean operates three modern hazardous and non-hazardous landfill operating sites based 
at East Northants Resource Management Facility (ENRMF), Thornhaugh in Northamptonshire and Port Clarence 
in Teesside, providing waste remediation and disposal services to its customers. The division includes a site at Cooks Hole 
in Northamptonshire where minerals are extracted and also generates energy from closed landfill cells.

 — Waste Network division: Augean operates waste transfer sites across the UK, transporting, recovering, recycling 

and disposing of hazardous wastes on behalf of its customers. 

 — Oil & Gas Services division: Augean operates three waste treatment sites across the UK, with activities focused on the 

management of oil-contaminated waste. The division also provides specialist industrial cleaning services.

 — Augean North Sea Services Limited: Through a 70%/30% owned subsidiary company with Scomi Oiltools (Europe) 

Limited Augean provides waste management and waste processing services to offshore oil and gas operators in the 
North Sea. 

Information regarding the results of each reportable segment is included below. Performance is measured based on the 
segment profit before tax and exceptional items, as included in the internal management reports that are reviewed by the 
Group’s CEO. This profit measure for each operating division is used to measure performance as management believes that 
such information is the most relevant in evaluating the results of each of the divisions relative to other entities that operate 
within these sectors. The 2011 operating segmental analysis has been restated based on the segments above. Central costs 
for the proper governance and resources required to operate the plc Board and listing have been separately reported as 
these are no longer allocated to individual divisions.

www.augeanplc.com

Augean PLC Annual Report 2012

57

 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the financial statements continued
for the year ended 31 December 2012

2 Operating segments continued
Information about reportable segments

Assets

Segment assets

Unallocated segment assets

Investment in jointly controlled entity

Non-current assets classified as held for sale

Deferred tax asset

Cash and cash equivalents

Group total assets

Liabilities

Segment liabilities

Unallocated segment liabilities

Bank overdraft and loans

Current tax liabilities

Group total liabilities

Assets

Segment assets

Unallocated segment assets

Investment in jointly controlled entity

Non-current assets classified as held for sale

Deferred tax asset

Cash and cash equivalents

Group total assets

Liabilities

Segment liabilities

Unallocated segment liabilities

Bank overdraft and loans

Current tax liabilities

Group total liabilities

Land
Resources
division
£’000

Waste
 Network
division
£’000

2012

Oil & Gas
Services
division
£’000

North Sea
Services
subsidiary
£’000

Group
£’000

44,552

6,973

15,609

3,341

70,475 

8

—

1,231

5

71,719

(9,935)

(1,457)

(3,038)

(895)

(15,325)

Land
 Resources
division
£’000

Waste
 Network
division
£’000

2011

Oil & Gas
Services
division
£’000

North Sea
Services
subsidiary
£’000

(6,120)

(196)

(21,641)

Group
£’000

40,686

8,861

16,303

—

65,850

16

200

50

4

66,120

(12,369)

(1,531)

(2,912)

—

(16,812)

(2,244)

(201)

(19,257)

58

Augean PLC Annual Report 2012

www.augeanplc.com

2 Operating segments continued
Information about reportable segments continued

Land
Resources
division
£’000

Waste
 Network
division
£’000

2012

Oil & Gas
Services
division
£’000

North Sea
Services
subsidiary
£’000

10,433

1,251

—

129

4,002

571

—

—

—

16,386

5,661

22,047

—

—

—

—

1,136

12,389

—

—

—

—

—

—

1,964

1,272

140

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

6,180

7,316

—

12,389

3,376

39,467

—

—

5,661

7,316

12,389

3,376

45,128

(656)

(732)

(1,309)

(10)

(2,707)

21,391

6,584

11,080

3,366

42,421

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£’000

10,433

1,251

13,525

129

4,002

571

1,964

1,272

6,320

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47

(161)

(114)

3,683

(370)

3,313

(639)

(425)

528

(16) 

2,761

(781)

1,980

1,966

14

Revenue

Hazardous landfill activities

Non-hazardous landfill activities

Waste treatment activities

Energy generation

APCR management

Low Level Waste management

Processing of offshore waste

Rental of offshore equipment and personnel

Waste transfer activities

Total revenue net of landfill tax

Landfill tax

Total revenue including inter-segment sales

Inter-segment sales

Revenue

Result

Exceptional items

Operating profit/(loss)

Finance charges

Central costs

Gain on bargain purchase

Share of loss of jointly controlled entity

Profit before tax

Tax

Profit after tax

Attributable to:

Equity shareholders of the parent company

Non-controlling interest

Other information

Capital expenditure

Depreciation and amortisation

Operating profit/(loss) before exceptional items

6,705

(1,834)

(1,235)

(40)

(131)

(38)

6,665

(1,965)

(1,273)

2,742

(1,864)

380

(245)

619

112

3,853

(1,011)

(181)

(3,301)

www.augeanplc.com

Augean PLC Annual Report 2012

59

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the financial statements continued
for the year ended 31 December 2012

2 Operating segments continued
Information about reportable segments continued

Land
Resources
division
£’000

Waste
 Network
division
£’000

Revenue

Hazardous landfill activities

Non-hazardous landfill activities

Waste treatment activities

Energy generation

APCR management

Low Level Waste management

Processing of offshore waste

Rental of offshore equipment and personnel

Waste transfer activities

Total revenue net of landfill tax

Landfill tax

Total revenue including inter-segment sales

Inter-segment sales

Revenue

Result

Operating profit/(loss) before exceptional items

Exceptional items

Operating profit/(loss)

Finance charges

Central costs

Share of loss of jointly controlled entity

Profit before tax

Tax

Profit after tax

Attributable to:

Equity shareholders of the parent company

Non-controlling interest

Other information

Capital expenditure

Depreciation and amortisation

2011

Oil & Gas
Services
division
£’000

—

—

10,271

—

—

—

—

—

—

10,271

—

11,175

1,564

—

170

1,846

—

—

—

—

14,755

6,172

20,927

—

—

—

—

416

—

—

—

6,009

6,425

—

6,425

10,271

(164)

—

—

20,763

6,425

10,271

4,146

713

4,859

(984)

(132)

(1,116)

(1,138)

(250)

(1,388)

North Sea
Services
subsidiary
£’000

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

Group
£’000

11,175

1,564

10,271

170

2,262

—

—

—

6,009

31,451

6,172

37,623

(164)

37,459

2,024

331

2,355

(571)

(379)

(16)

1,389

193

1,582

1,582

—

4,988

(4,411)

3,901

(2,722)

145

(650)

942

(1,039)

—

—

All activities above are continuing and arise solely within the United Kingdom. Inter-segment trading is undertaken on 
normal commercial terms.

60

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3 Operating profit for the year
Total operating profit for the year is arrived at after charging/(crediting):

Fees payable to the Company’s auditor for the audit of the annual financial statements

Fees payable to the Company’s auditor for other services:

– audit of the financial statements of the Company’s subsidiaries pursuant to legislation

– other services relating to tax – compliance and advice

– other services 

Amortisation of intangible assets

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment:

– owned assets

– assets held under finance leases and hire purchase contracts

Operating leases:

– land and buildings

– plant and machinery

Loss on sale of property, plant and equipment

Exceptional items:

– unjust enrichment provision release (see note 17)

– restructuring charges

– legal and professional due diligence charges

2012
£’000

58

5

10

10

83

40

2011
£’000

56

3

18

28

105

32

3,267

303

4,088

291

277 

356

—

—

122

248

115

359

188

(740)

254

155

Following the incident at the Cannock site in November 2010, the Group received £1.6m in 2011 from its insurers as full 
and final settlement of the cost of the clean up, asset replacement and refurbishment and any other required expenditure. 
The mixing plant from Cannock has been relocated to the Port Clarence site and is now fully operational. No further 
amounts have been received in 2012.

4 Net finance charges

Interest payable

Interest and charges payable on bank loans and overdrafts

Interest on finance leases and hire purchase contracts

Unwinding of discount on provisions

Interest receivable

Bank and other interest receivable 

Net finance charges

www.augeanplc.com

Augean PLC Annual Report 2012

2012
£’000

2011
£’000

519

30

100

649

(10)

(10)

639

429

56

96

581

(10)

(10)

571

61

 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the financial statements continued
for the year ended 31 December 2012

5 Group and Company employees
The average monthly number of employees analysed by function was:

Sales

Operations

Administration

Wages and salaries

Social security costs

Other pension costs

2012
Number

2011
Number

33

184

51

268

2012
£’000

7,967

881

366

31

139

36

206

2011
£’000

6,283

612

258

9,214

7,153

Details of other statutory Directors’ remuneration disclosures, as required by the AIM Rules, are given in the Directors’ 
Remuneration Report on pages 40 to 42 under Directors’ emoluments and Directors’ share plans.

The Directors have identified thirteen (2011: eleven) key management personnel. The total key management personnel 
compensation, including the Non-executive Directors, presented below, was as follows:

Short term employment benefits

Post employment benefits

6 Tax

Current tax

UK corporation tax on profit for the period

Adjustments in respect of prior periods

Deferred tax

Charge in respect of the current period

Adjustments in respect of prior periods

Tax (charge)/credit on the result for the year

2012
£’000

1,249

88

1,337

2012
£’000

(445)

42

(403)

(292)

(86)

(378)

(781)

2011
£‘000

866

75 

941

2011
£’000

(538)

(119)

(657)

135

715 

850

193

62

Augean PLC Annual Report 2012

www.augeanplc.com

 
6 Tax continued
Tax reconciliation

Profit before tax

Tax at theoretical rate

Effects of:

– expenses not deductible for tax purposes

– income not taxable

– adjustment relating to prior year re deferred tax

– change in tax rate

– adjustments in respect of prior periods

Tax charge/(credit) on results

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2012

2011

£’000

2,761

676

%

—

24.5%

£’000

 1,389

361

142

(128)

86

47

(42)

781

5%

(4%)

3%

2%

(2%)

28%

25

—

(715)

17

119

(193)

%

— 

26%

2%

—

(51%)

1%

8%

(14%)

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During the year the corporation tax rate reduced from 26% to 24% with effect from 1 April 2012. The theoretical tax rate 
for the financial year ended 31 December 2012 has been calculated at 24.5% with the impact of the first quarter of the year 
at 26% being reflected in the change in tax rate of £46,000 (2011: £17,000) shown above.

Deferred tax

Deferred tax asset

Deferred tax liability

2012
£’000

1,615

(384)

1,231

2011
£’000

1,286

(432)

854

All deferred tax assets and liabilities have arisen on the temporary timing differences between the tax base of the assets 
and their carrying value in the statement of financial position as detailed within note 13, Property, plant and equipment. 

IAS 12 ‘Income Taxes’ permits the offsetting of tax assets and liabilities within the same tax jurisdiction and the Company 
has the intention to do so. All of the deferred tax assets were available for offset against deferred tax liabilities and as such 
have been presented net in the statement of financial position.

At beginning of the year

Acquisition of subsidiary

(Charged)/credited to the income statement during the year 

Adjustment in respect of prior periods

At end of the year

2012
£’000

854

755

(292)

(86)

1,231

2011
£’000

4

—

135

715

854

www.augeanplc.com

Augean PLC Annual Report 2012

63

 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the financial statements continued
for the year ended 31 December 2012

6 Tax continued
Deferred tax continued
The reduction in the main rate of corporation tax from 26% to 24% effective from 1 April 2012 was substantively enacted 
on 26 March 2012. Since that date legislation has been enacted and that has confirmed the rate of 24% from 1 April 2012 
and further reduced the tax rate to 23% as of 1 April 2013. Accordingly, deferred tax balances have been revalued to the 
lower rate of 23% in these accounts to the extent that timing differences are expected to reverse after this date. 

Further reductions to the main rate of corporation tax are proposed, which are expected to reduce the rate by 1% per annum 
to 21% by 1 April 2014. However, these changes had not been substantively enacted at the balance sheet date and, 
therefore, are not included in these financial statements.

The proposed reductions to the main rate of corporation tax by 2% per year to 21% by 1 April 2014 are expected to be 
enacted separately each year. If the deferred tax assets and liabilities of the Group were all to reverse after 2014, the effect 
of the changes from 23% to 21% would be to reduce further the net deferred tax asset by £107,000. To the extent that the 
deferred tax reverses more quickly than this, the impact on the net deferred tax liability will be reduced.

No deferred tax has been recognised during the year in respect of certain temporary differences as there is uncertainty 
over the extent and timing of their recovery. The potential deferred tax assets in respect of the temporary differences are 
analysed as follows:

Depreciation in excess of capital allowances

Other temporary differences (mainly relating to specific tax rules for the timing of landfill deductions)

Unrecognised deferred tax asset

2012
£’000

—

41

41

The result of a detailed review of the unrecognised deferred tax assets in respect of capital allowances in excess of 
depreciation has resulted in elements of the previous unrecognised deferred tax asset being eliminated during the year.

7 Dividends

Proposed final dividend for the year ended 31 December 2012 of 0.25p per share 
(2011: nil p per share)

Total

2012
£’000

250

250

2011
£’000

—

43

43

2011
£’000

—

—

At the forthcoming AGM, the Board will recommend that to shareholders a resolution is passed to approve payment of 
a dividend for the year ended 31 December 2012. This has not been included as a liability in these financial statements.

8 Earnings per share
The calculation of basic earnings per share at 31 December 2012 was based on the profit attributable to ordinary shareholders 
of £1,966,000 (2011: £1,582,000) and a weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding of 99,699,414 (2011: 99,699,414), 
calculated as follows:

Profit after tax for the purposes of basic and diluted earnings per share

Exceptional items

Profit after tax for the purposes of basic and diluted adjusted earnings per share

2012
£’000

1,966

(249)

1,717

2011
£’000

1,582

(331)

1,251

The exceptional items (note 3) have been adjusted, in the adjusted earnings per share, to better reflect the underlying 
performance of the business, without the impact of one off distorting factors, when presenting the basic and diluted 
earnings per share.

64

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8 Earnings per share continued

Number of shares

Weighted average number of shares for basic earnings per share

Effect of dilutive potential ordinary shares from share options

Weighted average number of shares for diluted earnings per share

Earnings per share

Basic

Diluted

Adjusted earnings per share

Basic

Diluted

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Number

2011
Number

99,699,414

99,699,414

32,823

—

99,732,237

99,699,414

1.97p

1.97p

1.72p

1.72p

1.59p

1.59p

1.26p

1.26p

9 Investment in jointly controlled entity
Terramundo Limited (Terramundo) is a 50:50 jointly controlled entity between Augean PLC and DEC NV. Terramundo 
operates a ground remediation facility which uses various proven techniques to clean contaminated soils of both organic 
and inorganic contamination leading to a by product which can be used in composting. No trading has taken place during 
the current or previous periods, however both parties have agreed to maintain their interest in the entity and believe that the 
future trading will support the net liabilities owed to its parent companies.

The cost of investment held by Augean PLC in its 50% interest at 31 December 2012 was £100 (2011: £100).

During the period ended 31 December 2012 the jointly controlled entity generated the following revenue and costs:

Revenue

Costs

Loss for the year

Augean PLC’s share of the loss for the period

2012
£’000

—

(33)

(33)

(16)

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2011
£’000

—

(32)

(32)

(16)

At 31 December 2012 the jointly controlled entity held net liabilities of £988,000 (2011: £952,000), of which the Group’s 50% share 
was £494,000 (2011: £476,000). The net liabilities of the jointly controlled entity are analysed below, for information purposes:

Non-current assets

Current assets

Current liabilities

Non-current liabilities

Net liabilities

The overall position in respect of the jointly controlled entity is as below:

Investment in the long term future of the venture

Share of net liabilities of the jointly controlled entity

Investment in jointly controlled entity

www.augeanplc.com

Augean PLC Annual Report 2012

2012
£’000

2

17

—

(1,007)

(988)

Group

Company

2012
£’000

502

(494)

8

2011
£’000

492

(476)

16

2012
£’000

502

—

502

2011
£’000

10

22

—

(984)

(952)

2011
£’000

492

—

492

65

 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the financial statements continued
for the year ended 31 December 2012

10 Goodwill

Cost

At 1 January 2011 

At 1 January 2012 

At 31 December 2012 

Provision for impairment

At 1 January 2011 

At 1 January 2012 

At 31 December 2012 

Net book value

At 31 December 2012 

At 1 January 2012 

At 1 January 2011 

£’000

103,768

103,768

103,768

(82,063)

(82,063)

(82,063)

21,705

21,705

21,705

The goodwill arose on the acquisition of subsidiary undertakings and businesses, and represents the excess of the fair 
value of the consideration given over the fair value of the identifiable assets and liabilities acquired. The goodwill which 
arose before the date of transition to IFRS has been retained at the previous UK GAAP amounts.

Goodwill has been allocated to three of the Group’s four cash-generating units (CGUs) which are defined as the Group’s 
reportable segments in note 2 and are the lowest level at which goodwill is monitored for internal management purposes. 
No goodwill arose as a result of the acquisition of North Sea Services (see note 24). Following the divisional restructure 
described in note 2, the goodwill allocated to the Treatment division was reallocated based on the values attributable to the 
original businesses acquired and which division these businesses became part of. This resulted in a reallocation of £2.1m to 
the Waste Network division and £7.2m to the Oil & Gas Services division. The allocation of goodwill by CGU is as follows:

Land Resources division (2011: Landfill division)

Waste Network division

Oil & Gas Services division

Treatment division (2011)

Total

2012
£’000

2011
£’000

12,420

12,420

2,103

7,182

—

21,705

—

—

9,285

21,705

Following the restructuring of the Cannock site during 2011, the APCR processing capabilities, which were acquired with 
the Cannock operations, have been transferred to the East Northants Resource Management Facility (ENRMF). The revenues 
and costs of this activity are now reflected in the Landfill division’s performance. The goodwill of £857,000 which arose 
on acquisition, reflecting the APCR capabilities, was transferred to the Land Resources division in 2011.

66

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10 Goodwill continued
Goodwill is tested for impairment annually at the balance sheet date and as and when other events or changes in circumstance 
indicate that the carrying amount may not be fully recoverable. The goodwill impairment test is performed by comparing the 
net book value of the goodwill and other non-current assets for a particular CGU to its value in use estimated on a discounted 
cash flow basis.

The discounted cash flows have been prepared separately for the Land Resources, Waste Networks and Oil & Gas Services 
divisions. The key assumptions for the Land Resources division’s cash flows are:

 — based on approved budgets and plans for 2013 and, beyond this period, have been forecast until expected site closure;

 — revenue streams, based on anticipated waste volumes, are expected to remain flat with no change to average price, 

as the competitive nature of the landfill market leads to ongoing pricing pressures; 

 — forecast gross margin (GM) has been based upon past performance and the approved budgets and plans. Gross margin 
has been forecast to improve on a compound basis by 1% of GM per annum from years one to five, where it will 
become fixed as management focuses on maintaining efficient operations. The GM improvements are expected to be 
delivered through improved and innovative waste treatment processes, continued targeting of margin enhancing 
waste streams and focus on cost control;

 — using the discount rate below there is no indication of impairment with headroom of £12.8m (2011: £4.1m); and

 — sensitivity analysis has been performed over the key assumptions which indicate the following impact, meaning reduction 

or increase in headroom:

Discount rate

Gross margin

Revenue growth rate

Sensitivity

1%

1%

1%

Impact
in 2012

£4.2m

£1.2m

£7.1m

Impact 
in 2011

£3.4m

£1.0m

£8.0m

The key assumptions for the Waste Network division’s cash flows are:

 — based on approved budgets and plans for 2013; 

 — revenue growth over the period to 2015 is expected to achieve 3% per annum, consistent with the current underlying 
growth rate of the division. This reflects the impact of improvements to pricing and increasing volumes through the 
transfer stations as well as increases in volumes through the new incinerator at East Kent. Revenue growth of 2% 
per annum from 2016 is expected;

 — a 1% compound growth in gross margin per annum is assumed from years one to five. This represents the improved 

waste acceptance procedures which focusing on higher margin waste, improved treatment techniques and the impact 
of the introduction of the incinerator waste. From 2016 gross margin is assumed to remain constant as increased 
process efficiencies are offset by inflationary cost increases;

 — fixed costs are anticipated to rise at 0.5% per annum for the life of the site reflecting the impact of cost inflation offset 

by effective underlying cost control;

 — using the discount rate below there is no indication of impairment with headroom of £6.9m (2011: n/a); and

 — sensitivity analysis has been performed over the key assumptions which indicate the following impact, meaning 

reduction or increase in headroom:

Discount rate

Gross margin

Revenue growth rate

www.augeanplc.com

Augean PLC Annual Report 2012

Sensitivity

1%

1%

1%

Impact
in 2012

£1.7m

£1.6m

£4.9m

Impact
in 2011

—

—

—

67

 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the financial statements continued
for the year ended 31 December 2012

10 Goodwill continued
The key assumptions for the Oil & Gas Services division’s cash flows are:

 — based on approved budgets and plans for 2013; 

 — revenue growth over the period to 2015 is expected to achieve 3% per annum, consistent with the current underlying 

growth rate of the division. This reflects the impact of improvements to pricing and increasing volumes through the ITD 
as well as increases in volumes from trading in conjunction with the North Sea Services division. Revenue growth of 
2% per annum from 2016 is expected;

 — a 1% compound growth in gross margin per annum is assumed from years one to five. This represents the improved 

waste acceptance procedures which focusing on higher margin waste and improved treatment techniques. From 2016 
gross margin is assumed to remain constant as increased process efficiencies are offset by inflationary cost increases;

 — fixed costs are anticipated to rise at 0.5% per annum for the life of the site reflecting the impact of cost inflation offset 

by effective underlying cost control;

 — using the discount rate below there is no indication of impairment with headroom of £6.6m (2011: n/a); and

 — sensitivity analysis has been performed over the key assumptions which indicate the following impact, meaning 

reduction or increase in headroom:

Discount rate

Gross margin

Revenue growth rate

Sensitivity

1%

1%

1%

Impact
in 2012

£2.6m

£2.4m

£6.0m

Impact
in 2011

—

—

—

The cash flows for all CGUs have been discounted using a pre-tax discount rate of 11.0% (2011: 11.0%), which reflects 
management’s best estimate of the current market’s assessment of the weighted average cost of capital and the business, 
operational and financial risks specific to the CGUs. 

Based on the assumptions above and consideration of appropriate sensitivity analysis, management is satisfied that 
no impairment of goodwill exists at the date of these financial statements. 

The principal risks which will apply to future reviews of goodwill continue to include the changes in rate of waste production 
in the markets in which the Group operates, significant increases to price competition beyond that experienced to date 
or anticipated and the impact of changes in legislation on operations.

68

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11 Other intangible assets

Cost

At 1 January 2011

Additions

At 1 January 2012

Additions

At 31 December 2012

Amortisation

At 1 January 2011

Charge for the year

At 1 January 2012

Charge for the year

At 31 December 2012

Net book value

At 31 December 2012

At 31 December 2011

At 1 January 2011

12 Investments in subsidiaries

Cost

At 1 January 2011 

At 1 January 2012 

Additions

At 31 December 2012 

Provision for impairment

At 1 January 2011 

At 1 January 2012 

At 31 December 2012 

Net book value

At 31 December 2012 

At 1 January 2012 

At 1 January 2011 

Customer
contracts
£’000

Group

Computer
software
£’000

374

—

374

—

374

374

—

374

—

374

—

—

—

318

32

350

114

464

269

32

301

40

341

123

49

49

Total
£’000

692

32

724

114

838

643

32

675

40

715

123

49

49

Company

Computer
software
£’000

275

32

307

102

409

230

32

262

38

300

109

45

45

£’000

130,031

130,031

2,050

132,081

(74,450)

(74,450)

(74,450)

57,631

55,581

55,581

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Augean PLC Annual Report 2012

69

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the financial statements continued
for the year ended 31 December 2012

12 Investments in subsidiaries continued
The principal trading subsidiary companies of the Group are as follows: 

Name of company

Augean Treatment Limited 

Augean North Limited 

Augean South Limited

Augean North Sea Services Limited

Country of registration 
or incorporation

Proportion
held %

England and Wales

England and Wales

England and Wales

England and Wales

100

100

100

70

Nature of
business

Waste treatment

Landfill operations

Landfill operations

Waste treatment

These companies are owned directly by Augean PLC with the exception of Augean South Limited.

In addition to the above, the Company holds 50% of the issued share capital of Terramundo Limited, a jointly controlled 
entity with DEC NV (note 9).

The full list of subsidiaries will be shown in the next annual return.

All other subsidiaries are dormant.

13 Property, plant and equipment
Group

Cost

At 1 January 2011

Additions

Disposals

At 1 January 2012

Additions

Acquisition of subsidiary

At 31 December 2012

Accumulated depreciation

At 1 January 2011

Charge for year

Disposals

At 1 January 2012

Charge for year

At 31 December 2012

Net book value

At 31 December 2012

At 1 January 2012

At 1 January 2011

Freehold
land and
buildings
£’000

Leasehold
land and
buildings
£’000

Engineered
cells
£’000

Plant and
machinery
£’000

Total
£’000

34,929

1,223

—

36,152

1,053

2,000

39,205

7,831

991

—

8,822

372

9,194

30,011

27,330

27,098

—

—

—

—

—

948

948

—

—

—

—

31

31

917

—

—

7,359

2,339

—

13,373

1,394

55,661

4,956

(708)

(708)

9,698

14,059

59,909

377

—

2,321

708

3,751

3,656

10,075

17,088

67,316

6,774

1,484

—

8,258

930

9,188

887

1,440

585

5,811

1,904

(301)

7,414

1,928

9,342

7,746

6,645

7,562

20,416

4,379

(301)

24,494

3,261

27,755

39,561

35,415

35,245

70

Augean PLC Annual Report 2012

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13 Property, plant and equipment continued
Group continued
Additions of £1.1m (2011: £1.2m) to freehold land and buildings during the year include £0.7m (2011: £0.2m) in respect of the 
development of the landfill asset at the East Northants Resource Management Facility. The additions have been made on 
the expectation of future economic benefits from ongoing planning and permitting development which will support the 
future extension of the site and also the disposal of low level waste at the facility.

There were no outstanding contractual commitments for acquisitions of property, plant or equipment at 31 December 2012 
(2011: £nil).

Plant and machinery includes assets held under finance lease agreements with a carrying value at 31 December 2012 
of £1,062,000 (2011: £1,357,000).

Plant and machinery includes the following amounts in respect of assets held under finance leases and hire purchase contracts:

Cost

Accumulated depreciation 

Net book value 

2012
£’000

1,722

(660)

1,062

2011
£’000

2,001

(644)

1,357

During 2011 the Group reclassified surplus plant and machinery at the Cannock site, with a net book value of £204,000 as 
assets held for sale, with a market value of £200,000. The asset is now being utilised within the Port Clarence Landfill site 
and is no longer held for sale. This asset has therefore been transferred back to property, plant and equipment and depreciation 
has been charged from the point of transfer. 

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Cost

At 1 January 2011

Additions

At 1 January 2012

Additions

At 31 December 2012

Accumulated depreciation

At 1 January 2011

Charge for year

At 1 January 2012

Charge for year

At 31 December 2012

Net book value

At 31 December 2012

At 1 January 2012

At 1 January 2011

www.augeanplc.com

Augean PLC Annual Report 2012

Freehold
land and
buildings
£’000 

Plant and
machinery
£’000

778

—

778

—

778

71

13

84

13

97

681

694

707

343

50

393

134

527

268

52

320

71

391

136

73

75

l

s
t
a
t
e
m
e
n
t
s

Total
£’000

1,121

50

1,171

134

1,305

339

65

404

84

488

817

767

782

71

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the financial statements continued
for the year ended 31 December 2012

14 Trade and other receivables
Current assets

Trade receivables

Other receivables

Prepayments and accrued income 

Group

Company

2012
£’000

7,179

—

1,689

8,868

2011
£’000

7,069

—

591

7,660

2012
£’000

—

—

916

916

2011
£’000

—

—

376

376

All amounts are anticipated to be recoverable in the short term. The carrying amount of trade receivables is considered 
a reasonable approximation of fair value.

All trade and other receivables have been reviewed for indicators of impairment. Certain trade receivables were found 
to be impaired and a provision of £75,000 (2011: £124,000) has been recorded accordingly; see note 25.

15 Trade and other payables

Current

Trade payables

Amounts due to subsidiary undertakings

Other taxes and social security

Accruals and deferred revenue

Group

Company

2012
£’000

3,207

—

1,769

3,303

8,279

2011
£’000

2,652

—

896

4,531

8,079

2012
£’000

13

2011
£’000

269

8,862

8,226

223

340

76

448

9,438

9,019

All amounts are anticipated to be payable in the short term. The carrying values are considered to be a reasonable 
approximation of fair value.

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16 Financial liabilities
This note provides information about the Group’s and Company’s interest bearing borrowings which are carried at amortised cost.

Group

Company

2012
£’000

2011
£’000

Current

Bank overdraft

Obligations under finance leases and hire purchase contracts

Non-current

Bank loans

Obligations under finance leases and hire purchase contracts

Analysis of total financial liabilities

Bank overdraft

Bank loans

Obligations under finance leases and hire purchase contracts

Total financial liabilities are repayable as follows:

– on demand or within one year

– in the second year

– in the third to fifth years inclusive

Obligations under finance leases and hire purchase contracts 
are repayable as follows:

– on demand or within one year

– in the second year

– in the third to fifth years inclusive

2012
£’000

549

288

837

5,175

108

5,283

549

5,175

396

6,120

837

108

5,175

6,120

288

108

—

396

2011
£’000

996

336

3,260

—

1,332

3,260

2,244

396

2,640

996

2,244

732

3,972

1,332

287

2,353

3,972

336

287

109

732

5,175

—

5,175

3,260

5,175

—

8,435

3,260

—

5,175

8,435

—

—

—

—

3,871

—

3,871

2,244

—

2,244

3,871

2,244

—

6,115

3,871

—

2,244

6,115

—

—

—

—

The obligations under finance leases and hire purchase contracts are secured against the specific assets financed with 
a carrying amount of £1,062,000 (2011: £1,357,000). The bank overdraft, bank loan and guarantees are secured by way 
of a first legal charge over certain freehold properties, debentures, cross guarantees and indemnities across the Group.

For more information about the Group’s exposure to interest rate, credit risk and liquidity risk, see note 25.

www.augeanplc.com

Augean PLC Annual Report 2012

73

 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the financial statements continued
for the year ended 31 December 2012

17 Provisions

At 1 January 2011

Charged to profit or loss during the year

– unwinding of discount

– other

Utilised during the year

Released during the year

Additional capping provision

At 1 January 2012

Charged to profit or loss during the year

– unwinding of discount

– other

Utilised during the year

Additional capping provision

At 31 December 2012

Restoration
and
after-care
costs of
landfill sites
£’000

2,349

96

92

—

—

—

2,537

100

66

(11)

—

Group

 Capping
provision
£’000

3,489

Other
provisions
£’000

1,899

—

—

—

—

566

4,055

—

—

—

222

—

—

(200)

(1,623)

—

76

—

—

—

—

76

2,692

4,277

Total
£’000

7,737

96

92

(200)

(1,623)

566

6,668

100

66

(11)

222

7,045

The provision for restoration and after-care relates to closure and post-closure costs for all landfill sites, charged over the 
estimated active life of the sites. The expenditure is incurred partially on completion of the landfill sites (restoration) and 
in part after the closure of the landfill sites (after-care) over a period up to 60 years from the site closure dates. After-care 
expenditure relates to items such as monitoring, gas and leachate management and may be influenced by changes in 
legislation and technology. The provision is based on management’s best estimate of the annual costs associated with 
these activities over the 60 year period, using current costs and discounted using discount rate of 3%.

The capping provision reflects the expected costs of capping established and active landfill cells. Capping is required 
following the end of a cell’s useful economic life and the build up of the provision is based on the rate of use of the available 
void space within each cell. During the year £222,000 has been provided to reflect the cost of capping the cell volumes 
consumed. This provision is not discounted as the costs are expected to be incurred shortly after consumption of the void, 
which is due to start in 2013.

During 2011, other provisions included amounts for the disposal of stocks of disused tyres which were incorporated in the 
engineering of new landfill cells at the ENRMF. This resulted in the utilisation of £348,000 of the £424,000 provision, of which 
£200,000 has been used in the construction of new landfill cells and capitalised in line with the Group’s accounting policies. 
The remaining tyre provision is anticipated to be utilised during the next landfill cell construction cycle. There were also 
releases of other provisions during the year of £1,475,000 reflects the resolution of the review of the Group’s landfill tax 
liabilities. Following appropriate advice, including legal advice, obtained during 2011, it was established that the provisions 
were no longer needed and were therefore released.

74

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2012
£’000

2011
£’000

10,300

10,300

9,970

9,970

Retained
earnings
£’000

Total
£’000

(78,067)

36,893

1,966

130

1,966

130

—

Group

Special 
profit 
reserve
£’000

—

—

—

Share
premium
£’000

114,960 

—

—

(114,960)

32,076

82,884

—

32,076

6,913

38,989

Company

Special 
profit 
reserve
£’000

—

—

—

Share
 premium
£’000

114,960 

—

—

Retained
earnings
£’000

Total
£’000

(82,954)

32,006

246 

130

246

130

—

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32,076

82,884

—

32,076 

306

32,382

18 Share capital

Authorised – 103,000,000 (2011: 103,000,000) shares of 10p 

Allotted, called up and fully paid – 99,699,414 (2011: 99,699,414) shares of 10p 

19 Reserves

At 1 January 2012

Total comprehensive income for the year

Share-based payments (note 20)

Capital reduction

At 31 December 2012

At 1 January 2012

Total comprehensive income for the year

Share-based payments (note 20)

Capital reduction

At 31 December 2012

At the AGM on 8 June 2012, the shareholders approved the capital reduction of Augean PLC (the Company). Subsequent 
hearings in the High Court on 18 and 27 June 2012 led to the capital reduction being confirmed on 4 July 2012. To effect 
this reduction, the share premium account of the Company was cancelled creating a special profit reserve in the Company 
and Group balance sheets. This reduction was transferred to retained earnings to the extent to which it cancelled existing 
losses. The remaining share premium was transferred to special profit reserve. In addition, profits of the Company which 
were realised prior to 4 July 2012 were transferred to the special profit reserve. 

www.augeanplc.com

Augean PLC Annual Report 2012

75

 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the financial statements continued
for the year ended 31 December 2012

20 Share-based payments
At 31 December 2012 outstanding awards to subscribe for ordinary shares of 10p each in the Company, granted in accordance 
with the rules of the Augean share option schemes and the Augean LTIP, were as follows:

Exercise or vesting date

Augean share option schemes

December 2004 – December 2014

December 2012 – December 2019

May 2011 – May 2021

Exercise
price

At
1 January
2012

180.0p

700,000

39.5p 1,810,122

29.0p 1,496,552

4,006,674

Granted

Exercised

Lapsed

At 31
December
2012

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

— 700,000

— 1,810,122

— 1,496,552

— 4,006,674

Augean LTIP

11 June 2012 – 11 June 2015

10.0p

Weighted average exercise price

Of which exercisable 

Weighted average exercise price

— 1,534,000

— 1,534,000

— (1,534,000)

— (1,534,000)

—

—

4,006,674 1,534,000

— (1,534,000) 4,006,674

60.1p

10.0p

—

10.0p

60.1p

700,000

108.0p

2,510,122

49.3p

Share option scheme (equity settled)
On 21 May 2011 the Group established a share option programme entitled the Group’s Directors and senior management 
to purchase shares in the Company. These options were granted on similar terms to the 21 December 2009 grant, except 
for the exercise price.

The fair value of remaining share options has been calculated using the Black Scholes model. The assumptions used 
in the calculation of the fair value of the share options outstanding during the year were:

Grant date

Exercise period

Share price at grant date

Exercise price

Shares under option

Expected volatility

Expected life (years)

Risk-free rate

Expected dividend yield

Fair value per option

2011
share
options

 2009
share
options

20 May 2011

21 December 2009

May 2014–
May 2021

28.9p

29.0p

1,496,552

35%

4 years

2.3%

0.0%

£0.09

December 2012–
December 2019

39.5p

39.5p

1,810,112

43%

4 years

2.5%

0.0%

£0.14

Expected volatility was determined by reviewing the historical volatility of the Company’s share price since its formation 
by comparison to the average volatility of comparable listed companies.

The risk-free rate of return is the yield on zero coupon UK government bonds of a term equal to the expected term of the options.

The share options have a vesting period of three years but no market or non-market performance criteria attached to them 
(with the exception of the December 2004 grant which vested immediately). Rights under the share option scheme are usually 
forfeited if the employee leaves the Group of his or her own accord before the rights vest.

For options outstanding at 31 December 2012, the weighted average remaining contractual life is 6.66 years (2011: 6.92 years).

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20 Share-based payments continued
LTIP
Under the LTIP senior employees may be granted an award annually of up to 100% of basic salary. The award vests in the form 
of shares in the Company and is subject to the attainment of pre-determined performance conditions over a three year period. 
For the 2008 award which vests on 29 April 2011, participants were to receive 100% of the award if the Group’s normalised 
pre-tax earnings for the year ended 31 December 2010 are greater than £7.1m. No award would vest unless the Group‘s 
normalised pre-tax earnings for year ended 31 December 2010 are greater than £5.6m, at which level 30% of the award 
would apply. 

For the 2009 award which vests on 21 December 2012, participants would receive 100% of the award if the Group’s normalised 
pre-tax earnings for the year ending 31 December 2011 were greater than £11.3m. No award would vest unless the Group’s 
normalised pre-tax earnings for year ending 31 December 2011 was greater than £3.3m, at which level 30% of the award 
would apply. 

For the 2012 award which vests on 11 June 2015, participants would receive 100% of the award if the Group’s normalised 
pre-tax earnings for the year ending 31 December 2012 were greater than £2.9m. No award would vest unless the Group’s 
normalised pre-tax earnings for the year ending 31 December 2012 were greater than £2.9m.

The performance conditions for the 2008 award, which was due to vest on 29 April 2011, were not met and therefore the options 
have now lapsed. The performance conditions for the 2009 award, due to vest on 21 December 2012, were not met and have 
now lapsed. In addition, the performance conditions for the 2012 award were not met and have now lapsed.

Rights under the LTIP scheme are usually forfeited if the employee leaves the Group of his or her own accord before 
the rights vest. The fair value of rights to acquire shares has been calculated based on the value of the shares on grant 
adjusted for future dividend streams. 

During the year the Group recognised total expenses of £130,000 (2011: £84,000) related to equity-settled share-based 
payment transactions. No options under either the share option or LTIP schemes were exercised during the year. The 2012 
share options vested during the year and are now exercisable.

21 Operating lease commitments
The Group has commitments to make minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases as follows:

2012
£’000

2011
£’000

Plant and machinery

Leases which expire:

– within one year

– within two to five years

Land and buildings

Leases which expire:

– within one year

– within two to five years

– after five years

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Augean PLC Annual Report 2012

263

245

508

430

1,722

1,553

3,705

352

351

703

115

252

71

438

77

 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the financial statements continued
for the year ended 31 December 2012

22 Reconciliation of operating profit to net cash generated from operating activities

Group

Company

Operating profit

Amortisation of intangible assets

Depreciation 

After-care provisions

Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA)

Loss on sale of property, plant and equipment

Share-based payments

(Increase) in inventories

(Increase)/decrease in trade and other receivables

Decrease/(increase) in net payables from subsidiary undertakings

(Decrease)/increase in trade and other payables

(Decrease) in provisions

Cash generated from operations

Interest paid 

Tax paid

Net cash generated from/(used in) operating activities

23 Analysis of changes in net debt
The table below presents the net debt of the Group at the balance sheet date.

Cash and cash equivalents

Overdraft

Bank loans due after one year

Finance leases

Net debt

2012
£’000

2,888

40

3,261

66

6,255

—

130

(1)

(565)

—

(1)

— 

5,818

(479)

(744)

4,595

2011
£’000

1,976

32

4,379

92

6,479

188

84

(101)

(752)

—

438

(1,623)

4,713

(469)

(123)

4,121

2012
£’000

900

38

84

—

2011
£’000

1,071

32

65

—

1,022

1,168

— 

130

— 

(550)

635

(275)

— 

962

(590)

(406)

(34)

—

84

—

60

(151)

131

—

1,292

(565)

—

727

31 
December
2011
£’000

4

(996)

(2,244)

(732)

(3,968)

Cash
flow
£’000

1

447

31 
December
2012
£’000

5

(549)

(2,931)

(5,175)

335

(397)

(2,148)

(6,116)

24 Business combinations
On 30 May 2012 Augean PLC acquired the controlling stake in Augean North Sea Services Limited (ANSS), purchasing 70% 
of its share capital from Scomi Oiltools (Europe) Limited.

The business was already operating as part of Scomi Oiltools (Europe) Limited (Scomi). The trade and assets of the 
business were transferred to a newly incorporated company of which Augean subsequently purchased 70% of the share 
capital. As a result, purchase accounting has been adopted.

The purchase transaction builds upon relationships already existing between Augean and Scomi; however, the transaction 
did not settle any existing contractual relationships between Augean and Scomi.

ANSS provides a comprehensive waste disposal route for all North Sea oil and gas industry operators, specialising in 
management of drill cuttings and associated waste streams. It is anticipated that the acquisition will complement Augean’s 
core waste disposal business and develop the utilisation of the Group’s asset base. The total consideration for the acquisition 
was £2,050,000, settled in cash.

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24 Business combinations continued
During the seven month period ended 31 December 2012 ANSS contributed revenue of £3,366,000 and operating profit 
of £47,000 to the Group’s results. Management estimates that if the acquisition had occurred on the 1 January 2012, then 
consolidated revenue would have been £5,525,000 and the consolidated operating profit for the period would have been 
£154,000. In determining these amounts, management has assumed that the provisional fair value adjustments that arose 
on the date of acquisition would have been the same if the acquisition had occurred on 1 January 2012.

The fair values assumed at 30 June 2012 were provisional subject to information to be provided relating to available capital 
allowances of the asset base of ANSS. Since the acquisition, circumstances relating to the capital allowances have been finalised 
resulting in the recognition of a deferred tax asset of £755,000. This has resulted in the fair value of the assets being higher than 
on the original calculation of goodwill at 31 May 2012. This has resulted in a gain on bargain purchase of £528,000 which has 
been recognised in full in the statement of comprehensive income for the year ended 31 December 2012.

Identified assets acquired and liabilities assumed
The following table summarises the recognised amounts of assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition date.

Assets and liabilities acquired as a result of the acquisition of ANSS

Property, plant and equipment

Deferred tax asset

Trade receivables

Trade payables

Loans and borrowings

Total net assets

The following fair values have been determined:

Property, plant and equipment

Freehold land and building – Woodside Road, Aberdeen

Plant and equipment 

Leasehold buildings – Pocra Quay, Aberdeen

Total property plant and equipment

Goodwill and intangible assets
No goodwill has been recognised on the following basis:

Total consideration transferred

Non-controlling interest, based on the proportionate interest in the recognised amounts 
of the asset and liabilities of ANSS

Fair value of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed

Gain on bargain purchase

Fair
value
£’000

3,656

754

660

(387)

(1,000)

3,683

Fair
value
£’000

2,000

708

948

3,656

£’000

(2,050)

(1,105)

3,683

528

No intangible assets were acquired by the Group at the acquisition date. Total consideration net of cash and cash 
equivalents acquired was £2,043,000.

Acquisition related costs
The Group incurred acquisition related costs totalling £315,000 in 2011 and 2012 in legal fees and due diligence costs. 
These costs were recognised within exceptional items in the Group’s consolidated statement of comprehensive income 
at 31 December 2011 and 31 December 2012.

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Augean PLC Annual Report 2012

79

 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the financial statements continued
for the year ended 31 December 2012

25 Financial instruments
The financial assets of the Group and Company are categorised as follows:

As at 31 December 2012

Goodwill 

Other intangible assets 

Investments in subsidiaries 

Investment in jointly controlled entity

Property, plant and equipment 

Deferred tax asset 

Inventories 

Trade and other receivables 

Current tax asset

Cash and cash equivalents 

As at 31 December 2011

Goodwill

Other intangible assets

Investments in subsidiaries

Investment in jointly controlled entity

Property, plant and equipment

Deferred tax asset

Inventories

Trade and other receivables

Assets held for resale

Cash and cash equivalents

Loans
and
receivables
£’000

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

7,254

—

5

Group

Non-
financial
assets
£’000

21,705

123

—

8

Total
£’000

21,705

123

—

8

39,561

39,561

1,231

218

1,614

—

—

1,231

218

8,868

—

5

7,259

64,460

71,719

Loans
and
receivables
£’000

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

Loans
and
receivables
£’000

Group

Non-
financial
assets
£’000

Loans
and
receivables
£’000

Total
£’000

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

7,069

—

4

21,705

21,705

49

—

16

49

—

16

35,415

35,415

854

217

591

200

—

854

217

7,660

200

4

7,073

59,047

66,120

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

Company

Non-
financial
assets
£’000

—

109

Total
£’000

—

109

57,631

57,631

502

817

41

—

916

209

—

502

817

41

—

916

209

—

60,225

60,225

Company

Non-
financial
assets
£’000

—

45

Total
£’000

—

45

55,581

55,581

492

767

50

—

376

—

—

492

767

50

—

376

—

—

57,311

57,311

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Balance
sheet
total
£’000

9,438

—

3,260

5,175

—

25 Financial instruments continued
The financial liabilities of the Group and Company are categorised as follows:

As at 31 December 2012

Financial 
liabilities at
amortised
cost
£’000

Group

Liabilities 
not within
scope of
IAS 39
£’000

 Balance
sheet
total
£’000

Financial 
liabilities at
amortised
cost
£’000

Company

Liabilities 
not within
scope of 
IAS 39
£’000

Trade and other payables – current 

6,510

1,769

8,279

9,215

223

Current tax liabilities 

Financial liabilities – current 

Financial liabilities – non-current 

Provisions 

As at 31 December 2011

—

549

5,175

—

12,234

Financial 
liabilities at
amortised
cost
£’000

197

288

108

7,045

9,407

Group

Liabilities 
not within
scope of
IAS 39
£’000

Trade and other payables – current

6,253

1,826

Current tax liabilities

Financial liabilities – current

Financial liabilities – non-current

Provisions

—

996

2,244

—

9,493

538

336

396

6,668

9,764

197

837

5,283

7,045

—

3,260

5,175

—

—

—

—

—

21,641

17,650

223

17,873

Financial 
liabilities at
amortised
cost
£’000

8,943

—

3,871

2,244

—

Company

Liabilities 
not within
scope of 
IAS 39
£’000

76

201

—

—

—

 Balance
sheet
total
£’000

8,079

538

1,332

2,640

6,668

Balance
sheet
total
£’000

9,019

201

3,871

2,244

—

19,257

15,058

277

15,335

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The Group and Company’s financial liabilities have contractual maturities (including interest payments where applicable) 
which are summarised overleaf. As these amounts are the contractual undiscounted amounts they do not agree to the 
amounts shown in the balance sheet for financial liabilities.

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Notes to the financial statements continued
for the year ended 31 December 2012

25 Financial instruments continued
Group

As at 31 December 2012

Trade and other payables – current 

Financial liabilities – current 

Financial liabilities – non-current 

Total

As at 31 December 2011

Trade and other payables – current

Financial liabilities – current

Financial liabilities – non-current

Total

Company

As at 31 December 2012

Trade and other payables – current 

Financial liabilities – current

Financial liabilities – non-current 

As at 31 December 2011

Trade and other payables – current

Financial liabilities – current

Financial liabilities – non-current

Amounts
due in
less than
one year
£’000

8,279

837

214

9,330

Amounts
due in
less than
one year
£’000

6,253

1,353

—

7,606

Amounts
due in
less than
one year
£’000

9,438

3,260

214

12,912

Amounts
due in
less than
one year
£’000

8,943

3,871

—

12,814

Amounts
due in
second to
fifth year
£’000

—

—

5,606

5,606

Amounts
due in
second to
fifth year
£’000

—

—

2,719

2,719

Amounts
due in
second to
fifth year
£’000

—

—

5,606

5,606

Amounts
due in
second to
fifth year
£’000

—

—

2,311

2,311

Total
financial
liabilities
£’000

8,279

837

5,820

14,936

Total
financial
liabilities
£’000

6,253

1,353

2,719

10,325

Total
financial
liabilities
£’000

9,438

3,260

5,820

18,518

Total
financial
liabilities
£’000

8,943

3,871

2,311

15,125

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25 Financial instruments continued
Financial risk management objectives and policies
Overview
The Group has exposure to the following risks arising from financial instruments:

 — liquidity risk;

 — credit risk; and

 — interest rate risk.

As the Group’s transactions take place solely in sterling there is no direct foreign currency risk.

The management of the Group’s financial risks and the related objectives and policies are the responsibility of the Executive 
Directors. The Directors regularly review the Group’s financial risk management policies and procedures to ensure that 
they appropriately reflect the changing nature of the market and business. The Group, through its training and management 
standards and procedures, aims to develop a disciplined and constructive control environment in which all employees 
understand their roles and obligations. The Group has maintained its policy that no trading in financial instruments shall 
be undertaken.

The Group’s principal financial instruments during the period comprised bank loans, cash and cash equivalents and finance 
leases. The main purpose of these financial instruments is to finance the Group’s operations. The Group’s other financial 
instruments include short term receivables and payables which arise directly from its operations. There was no material 
difference between the fair value of the financial assets and financial liabilities and their book value.

Liquidity risk
Liquidity risk is the risk that the Group will encounter difficulty in meeting the obligations associated with its financial liabilities 
that are settled by delivering cash or another financial asset. The Group seeks to maintain a balance between continuity of 
funding and flexibility. The objective is to maintain sufficient resources to meet the Group’s funding needs for the foreseeable 
future. At 31 December 2012 the Group carried debt of £6.3m (2011: £4.0m) and short term flexibility is achieved through 
bank facilities comprising a £10m revolving credit and overdraft facility. 

The revolving credit and overdraft facility has recently been renegotiated with HSBC Bank PLC, which has ensured committed 
facilities until 2 March 2015, at a floating interest rate of 2.7% above LIBOR.

Credit risk
Credit risk is the risk of financial loss to the Group if a customer or counterparty to a financial instrument fails to meet 
its contractual obligations and arises principally from the Group’s receivables from customers.

The Group has a robust customer credit policy in place and the exposure to credit risk is monitored on a daily basis. 
The Group’s standard credit terms are 30 days from date of invoice. Invoices greater than 30 days old are assessed 
as overdue. The maximum exposure to credit risk is the carrying value of each financial asset included on the statement 
of financial position as summarised below:

Cash and cash equivalents

Trade and other receivables

Group

Company

2012
£’000

5

8,868

8,873

2011
£’000

4

8,152

8,156

2012
£’000

—

916

916

2011
£’000

—

868

868

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Notes to the financial statements continued
for the year ended 31 December 2012

25 Financial instruments continued
Financial risk management objectives and policies continued
Credit risk continued
At 31 December 2012 £4.3m (2011: £3.7m) of the Group’s trade receivables were past due. A provision of £0.1m (2011: £0.1m) 
is held to mitigate the exposure to potential bad and doubtful debts.

The ageing of the Group’s trade receivables past their due date but not impaired is as follows:

Greater than one but not more than four months old

More than four months old 

Total past due trade receivables

Trade receivables not yet past due – less than one month old

Total gross trade receivables

Bad debt provision

Total net trade receivables (note 14)

2012
£’000

3,733

532

4,265

2,989

7,254

(75)

7,179

2011
£’000

3,562

175

3,737

3,456

7,193

(124)

7,069

The Group’s management considers that all the above financial assets that are not impaired or past due for each of the 
reporting dates under review are of good quality.

The Company has no trade receivables.

The movement on the bad debt provision in the period is analysed below. The Group provides for bad debts on a specific 
basis with reference to the age profile of the trade receivables held at the year end.

Bad debt provision as at 31 December 2011

Amounts utilised 

Amounts provided 

Bad debt provision as at 31 December 2012

£’000

124

(124)

75

75

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25 Financial instruments continued
Financial risk management objectives and policies continued
Interest rate risk
The Group finances its operations through a mixture of free cash flow, overdraft facilities, bank borrowings and hire 
purchase leasing. Due to the relatively low level of the Group’s borrowings no interest rate swaps or other forms of interest 
risk management has been undertaken. The Group regularly reviews its exposure to fluctuations in underlying interest rates 
and will take appropriate action if required to minimise any impact on the performance and financial position of the Group.

The interest rate profile of the Group and Company’s financial liabilities at 31 December 2012 was:

Group

Bank loans 

Finance leases 

At 31 December 2012

At 31 December 2011

Company

Bank loans 

Finance leases 

At 31 December 2012

At 31 December 2011

Fixed
rate
£’000

—

—

—

33

Fixed
rate
£’000

—

—

—

—

Floating
rate
£’000

5,175

397

5,572

2,943

Floating
rate
£’000

5,175

—

5,175

2,244

Total
£’000

5,175

397

5,572

2,976

Total
£’000

5,175

—

5,175

2,244

The interest rate on the floating rate borrowings was 2.7% (2011: 2.5%) above LIBOR. In March 2012 the Group renegotiated 
its overdraft and loan facilities with HSBC until 2 March 2015 which attract an interest rate of 2.7% above LIBOR. A change in 
interest rate of 0.5% affects the annual interest cost for both the Group and Company by approximately £25,000 (2011: £11,000).

The hire purchase agreements of the Group under a floating rate contract have a weighted average interest rate of 2.4% 
(2011: 3.1%) and a weighted average duration of four (2011: five) years. The Group no longer has any hire purchase agreements 
under a fixed rate contract. At 31 December 2011, the hire purchase agreements of the Group under a fixed rate contract 
had a weighted average interest rate of 6.8% and a weighted average duration of two years.

The maturity profile of the Group’s financial liabilities is shown in note 16.

The Board recognises that there is continuing debate as to how to deal with the European sovereign debt and banking crisis 
and this is borne in mind throughout all key strategic decision-making processes. The Board feels that the current risk management 
policies described above continue to be appropriate but that they will be regularly assessed to ensure this remains the case.

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Notes to the financial statements continued
for the year ended 31 December 2012

25 Financial instruments continued
Financial risk management objectives and policies continued
Capital management policies and procedures
The Group defines the capital that it manages as the Group’s share capital and financial liabilities, as shown in the table below:

Share capital

Financial liabilities

Note

18

16

2012
£’000

9,970

(6,121)

2011
£’000

9,970

(3,972)

The Group’s capital management objectives, which have remained unchanged during the year, are:

 — to ensure the Group’s ability to continue as a going concern; and

 — to provide a strong financial base to deliver growth and adequate return to shareholders.

The Group’s primary sources of capital are equity (as shown in the statement of changes in shareholders’ equity), bank debt 
and finance leases (note 23) secured against certain assets. By pricing products and services commensurately with the level 
of risk and focusing on the effective collection of cash from customers, the Group aims to maximise revenues and operating 
cash flows. Cash flow is further controlled by ongoing justification, monitoring and reporting of capital investment expenditures 
and regular monitoring and reporting of operating costs. Working capital fluctuations are managed through employing 
the overdraft facility available, which at the year end was £549,000 (2011: £996,000).

The capital structure of the Group has been altered by way of a capital reduction; see note 19 to the financial statements. 
The capital reduction has reduced retained losses in the Group by eliminating the share premium account. This has 
allowed the Group to be in a position to propose a dividend from distributable reserves (note 7).

The Group considers that the current capital structure will provide sufficient flexibility to ensure that appropriate investment 
can be made, if required, to implement and achieve the longer term growth strategy of the Group. The primary source 
of funding would be achieved through drawing on the recently renewed loan facility, which has £4.7m of headroom at 
31 December 2012 (2011: £6.7m).

Management sets targets against the following measures and monitors the Group’s performance against each throughout 
the year:

 — bank facility covenants, which include net debt to EBITDA and EBIT to net debt costs;

 — net debt to equity ratio; and

 — free cash flow generated.

The performance against each of these capital measures is shown in the table below:

Net debt to EBITDA

EBIT to total net debt costs

Net debt to equity (%)

Free cash flow (£’000)

2012
Actual

1.0

4.5

12.5%

2012
Target

<2.5

>2.5

1%

674

3,251

2011
Actual

0.6

3.5

8.5%

(479)

The level of free cash flow for 2012 reflects a number of one off investments in the business which were required during 
the year. These included continued investment at the ENRMF to accept Low Level Waste and investment in the incinerator 
at East Kent and in the acquisition of Augean North Sea Services.

The value of net debt and free cash flow is monitored on a daily basis and balances of finance leases are reviewed monthly 
as repayments are made and balances reduce.

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25 Financial instruments continued
Financial risk management objectives and policies continued
Capital management policies and procedures continued
Free cash flow represents net operating cash flows adjusted for capital investment and finance lease repayments. This is 
reconciled to the statement of cash flows as follows:

Net operating cash flow (note 22) 

Purchase of property, plant and equipment

Repayments of obligations under finance leases

Free cash flow 

2012
£’000

4,595

2011
£’000

4,121

(3,585)

(4,186)

(336)

674

(414)

(479)

26 Retirement benefit obligations
The Group operates defined contribution retirement benefit schemes for all qualifying employees. The assets of the schemes 
are held separately from those of the Group in funds under the control of trustees. Where there are employees who leave 
the schemes prior to vesting fully in the contributions, the contributions payable by the Group are reduced by the amount 
of forfeited contributions.

The total cost charged to income of £280,000 (2011: £218,000) represents contributions payable to these schemes by the 
Group at rates specified in the rules of the schemes. As at 31 December 2012, contributions of £30,000 (2011: £3,000) due 
in respect of the current reporting period had not been paid over to the schemes.

27 Contingent liabilities and cross guarantees
In accordance with environmental permitting, the Group has to make such financial provision as is deemed adequate by the 
Environment Agency to discharge its obligations under the relevant site permits for its landfill sites. Consequently guarantees 
have been provided in favour of the Environment Agency in respect of the Group’s landfill sites. Total guarantees outstanding 
at the year end were £7.3m (2011: £7.4m). Future site restoration costs for each landfill site have been provided as disclosed 
in note 18.

The Group suffered an incident at its Cannock site in November 2010, which resulted in an explosion in one of the on-site 
treatment processes. The incident is the subject of an ongoing investigation by the Health and Safety Executive. At this 
stage it is still too early to establish the likelihood of any legal action or quantum of any fines which may or may not follow 
the investigation.

28 Related party disclosures
IAS 24 ‘Related Party Transactions’ requires the disclosure of the details of material transactions between reporting entities 
and related parties. The Group has taken advantage of the exemption under IAS 24 not to disclose transactions between 
subsidiaries which are eliminated on consolidation. 

Related party transactions of the Group which are not eliminated on consolidation and related party transactions of the 
Company are both as follows:

Transactions and balances with jointly controlled entity 

Group 

Transactions with Terramundo Limited:

– revenue

– costs 

2012
£’000

2011
£’000

—

—

—

—

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Augean PLC Annual Report 2012

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Notes to the financial statements continued
for the year ended 31 December 2012

28 Related party disclosures continued
Transactions and balances with jointly controlled entity continued 

Amounts owed by Terramundo Limited:

– more than one year 

2012
£’000

502

502

2011
£’000

492

492

The balance owed by Terramundo Limited to Augean was reclassified as a non-current asset. This reflects Augean’s 
investment in the long term future of the venture and the expectation that this balance will be recovered in more than twelve months 
from the balance sheet date. When Terramundo starts to trade generating profits from which it can repay its liabilities to its 
parent companies, this classification will be re-assessed. Further details regarding Terramundo Limited are disclosed in note 9.

Related party transactions of the Company are noted below:

Amounts owed to Terramundo Limited:

– less than one year 

Amounts owed by Terramundo Limited:

– more than one year 

2012
£’000

—

502

502

2011
£’000

—

492

492

Transactions and balances with subsidiary undertakings
Included within current trade and other payables (note 15) are amounts owed to subsidiary undertakings of £8.9m 
(2011: £8.2m), including a loan to Augean North Sea Services of £1.0m (2011: £nil). Interest received on the loan in 2012 
was £10,000 (2011: £nil). All other transactions with Augean North Sea Services are disclosed in note 24.

The movement in the Company’s balances with its subsidiaries reflects the Group’s banking facilities and arrangements 
operating during the year.

29 Post-balance sheet events
There has been one significant event which has occurred post year end, as follows:

Acquisition of waste transfer site at Tullos, Aberdeen
On 31 January 2013, Augean North Sea Services acquired the long term lease for a waste transfer site at Tullos, Aberdeen, 
from Veolia ES (UK) Limited. The acquisition also includes a number of assets on the site.

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Guidance for shareholders

We are pleased to be writing to you with details of our 2013 Annual General Meeting (the AGM) which we are holding at the 
offices of FTI Consulting, Holborn Gate, 26 Southampton Buildings, London WC2A 1PB on Thursday 6 June 2013 at 10.00am. 
The formal notice of Annual General Meeting is set out on pages 90 to 91 of this document.

In addition to the routine business of the AGM, there are two items of special business to be transacted, as summarised 
and explained below:

Authority to allot shares (Resolution 6)
Article 4.6(a) of the Company’s Articles of Association contains a general authority for the Directors to allot shares in the 
Company for a period (not exceeding five years) (the “Section 551 prescribed period”) and up to a maximum aggregate 
nominal amount (the “Section 551 amount”) approved by a special or ordinary resolution of the Company. 

The existing authority to allot shares granted at the Company’s last annual general meeting is due to expire at the AGM.

Resolution 6, which will be proposed as an ordinary resolution, seeks to renew the allotment authority so that the Section 551 
amount shall be £3,323,313.80 (being an amount equal to one third of the issued ordinary share capital of the Company at 
the date of this document) and the Section 551 prescribed period shall be the period from the date Resolution 6 is passed 
to 5 December 2014 or the conclusion of the Company’s next annual general meeting, whichever is earlier. 

Disapplication of pre-emption rights (Resolution 7)
Article 4.6(b) of the Company’s Articles of Association empowers the Directors for a period (not exceeding five years) 
(the “Section 561 prescribed period”) to allot shares for cash in connection with a rights issue and also to allot shares in 
any other circumstances up to a maximum aggregate nominal amount approved by a special resolution of the Company 
(the “Section 561 amount”) without having to comply with statutory pre-emption rights.

The existing authority to disapply pre-emption rights granted at the Company’s last annual general meeting is due to expire 
at the AGM.

Resolution 7, which will be proposed as a special resolution and which will only be effective if Resolution 6 is passed, seeks 
to renew the disapplication authority so that the Section 561 amount shall be £498,497 (representing approximately 5% of 
the Company’s issued share capital at the date of this document) and the Section 561 prescribed period shall be the period 
from the date Resolution 7 is passed to 5 December 2014 or the conclusion of the Company’s next annual general meeting, 
whichever is earlier.

Action to be taken by shareholders
Whether or not you intend to be present at the AGM you are requested to complete and submit a proxy appointment in 
accordance with the notes to the Notice of AGM set out on page 91. To be valid, the proxy appointment must be received 
at the address for delivery specified in the notes by no later than 10.00am on Tuesday 4 June 2013. The completion and 
return of a proxy appointment form will not preclude you from attending and voting at the meeting, should you so wish. 
A hard copy proxy appointment form is enclosed for your use. 

Recommendation
The Directors consider that the proposals set out above are in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders 
as a whole. They recommend that you vote in favour of the resolutions set out in the Notice of meeting as they intend 
to do in respect of their own beneficial holdings.

www.augeanplc.com

Augean PLC Annual Report 2012

89

 
 
 
 
 
Notice of annual general meeting

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the 2013 Annual General Meeting of Augean plc (the “Company”) will be held at the offices 
of FTI Consulting, Holborn Gate, 26 Southampton Buildings, London WC2A 1PB on Thursday 6 June 2013 at 10.00am 
for the purpose of considering and, if thought fit, passing the resolutions set out below. Resolution 7 will be proposed 
as a special resolution. All other resolutions will be proposed as ordinary resolutions.

1. 

 THAT the reports of the Directors and the auditors and the audited financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2012 
be received.

2.  THAT Andrew Bryce be re-elected as a Director of the Company.

3. 

 THAT Grant Thornton UK LLP be re-appointed auditors of the Company, to hold office until the next meeting at which 
accounts are laid before the Company.

4.  THAT the directors be authorised to determine the auditors’ remuneration.

5.  THAT a dividend of 0.25 pence per share be declared.

6. 

7. 

 THAT the authority to allot shares and grant rights to subscribe for or to convert any security into shares, conferred 
on the Directors by Article 4.6(a) of the Company’s Articles of Association, be granted for the period commencing 
on the date of the passing of this resolution and expiring on 5 December 2014 or at the conclusion of the Company’s 
next annual general meeting (whichever is the earlier) and for that period the Section 551 amount is £3,323,313.80.

 THAT, subject to the passing of resolution 6, the power to allot equity securities as if s561(1) of the Companies Act 2006 
did not apply to any such allotment conferred on the Directors by Article 4.6(b) of the Company’s articles of association 
be granted for the period commencing on the date of the passing of this resolution and expiring on 5 December 2014 
or at the conclusion of the Company's next annual general meeting (whichever is the earlier) and for that period the 
Section 561 amount is £498,497. 

By order of the Board

Richard Allen, ACMA
Company Secretary
26 March 2013

Registered Office
4 Rudgate Court 
Walton 
Near Wetherby 
West Yorkshire LS23 7BF

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NOTES:
(a) 

 Only those shareholders entered on the relevant register of members (the “Register”) for certificated or uncertificated shares of the 
Company (as the case may be) at 6.00p.m. on Tuesday 4 June 2013 (the “Specified Time”) will be entitled to attend and vote at the AGM 
in respect of the number of shares registered in their name at the time. Changes to entries on the Register after the Specified Time will be 
disregarded in determining the rights of any person to attend and vote at the AGM. 

(b)   Any member may appoint a proxy to attend, speak and vote on his/her behalf. A member may appoint more than one proxy in relation 

to the AGM provided that each proxy is appointed to exercise the rights attached to a different share or shares of the member, but must 
attend the meeting in person. A proxy need not be a member. Completion of a proxy appointment form does not prevent a member from 
attending and voting in person if he/she is entitled to do so and so wishes.

(c) 

 Hard copy appointment of proxies: A hard copy proxy appointment form is enclosed for use at the AGM. To be valid, it must be completed 
in accordance with the instructions that accompany it and delivered, together with any authority under which it is executed or a copy of the 
authority certified notarially, by post or (during normal business hours only) by hand to Computershare Investor Services plc, The Pavilions, 
Bridgwater Road, Bristol BS99 6ZY so as to be received no later than 10.00a.m. on Tuesday 4 June 2013. 

 To appoint more than one proxy you may photocopy the hard copy proxy form. Please indicate the proxy holder’s name and the number 
of shares in relation to which they are authorised to act as your proxy (which, in aggregate, should not exceed the number of shares held 
by you). Please also indicate if the proxy instruction is one of multiple instructions being given. All forms must be signed and should be 
returned together in the same envelope. 

(c) 

 Electronic appointment of proxies: As an alternative to completing the hard-copy proxy form, you can appoint a proxy electronically 
by going to www.eproxyappointment.com. You will be asked to enter the Control Number, the Shareholder Reference Number and 
PIN all found on the front sheet of your hard copy proxy form. For an electronic proxy appointment to be valid, your electronic message 
confirming the details of the appointment in accordance the relevant instructions must be transmitted so as to be received by 
Computershare Investor Services plc no later than 10.00a.m. on Tuesday 4 June 2013.

(d)   Appointment of proxies through CREST: CREST members who wish to appoint a proxy or proxies by utilising the CREST electronic 

proxy appointment service may do so for the AGM and any adjournment(s) of it by using the procedures described in the CREST 
Manual (available from https://www.euroclear.com/site/public/EUI). CREST Personal Members or other CREST sponsored members, 
and those CREST members who have appointed a voting service provider(s), should refer to their CREST sponsor or voting service 
provider(s), who will be able to take the appropriate action on their behalf.

 In order for a proxy appointment made by means of CREST to be valid, the appropriate CREST message (a “CREST Proxy Instruction”) must 
be properly authenticated in accordance with Euroclear UK & Ireland Limited’s (“EUI”) specifications and must contain the information required 
for such instructions, as described in the CREST Manual. The message must be transmitted so as to be received by Computershare Investor 
Services plc as the issuer’s agent (ID Reference: 3RA50) by 10.00a.m. on Tuesday 4 June 2013. For this purpose, the time of receipt will 
be taken to be the time (as determined by the timestamp applied to the message by the CREST Applications Host) from which the 
issuer’s agent is able to retrieve the message by enquiry to CREST in the manner prescribed by CREST.

 CREST members and, where applicable, their CREST sponsors or voting service providers should note that EUI does not make available 
special procedures in CREST for any particular messages. Normal system timings and limitations will therefore apply in relation to the 
input of CREST Proxy Instructions. It is the responsibility of the CREST member concerned to take (or, if the CREST member is a CREST 
personal member or sponsored member or has appointed a voting service provider(s), to procure that his CREST sponsor or voting 
service provider(s) take(s)) such action as shall be necessary to ensure that a message is transmitted by means of the CREST system 
by any particular time. In this connection, CREST members and, where applicable, their CREST sponsors or voting service providers 
are referred, in particular, to those sections of the CREST Manual concerning practical limitations of the CREST system and timings.

 The Company may treat as invalid a CREST Proxy Instruction in the circumstances set out in Regulation 35(5)(a) of the Uncertificated 
Securities Regulations 2001.

(e) 

 Any corporation which is a member can appoint one or more corporate representatives who may exercise on its behalf all of its powers 
as a member provided that they do not do so in relation to the same shares. Any such representative should bring to the meeting written 
evidence of his appointment, such as a certified copy of a Board resolution of, or a letter from, the corporation concerned confirming 
the appointment.

(f) 

 Website giving information regarding the AGM is available from www.augeanplc.com. A member may not use any electronic address 
provided by the Company in this document or with any Proxy Form or in any website for communicating with the Company for any 
purpose in relation to the AGM other than as expressly stated in it. 

(g)   As at 25 March 2013 (being the last business day prior to the publication of this document) the Company’s issued share capital consisted 

of 99,699,414 ordinary shares of £0.10 each, carrying one vote each. Therefore, the total voting rights in the Company as at 25 March 2013 
are 99,699,414. 

www.augeanplc.com

Augean PLC Annual Report 2012

91

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Advisers and company information

Secretary
Richard Allen, ACMA

Registered office
4 Rudgate Court 
Walton 
Wetherby 
West Yorkshire LS23 7BF

Registered number
5199719
(incorporated and registered in England and Wales)

Website
www.augeanplc.com

Broker and nominated adviser
N+1 Singer Capital Markets
One Bartholomew Lane
London EC2N 2AX

Auditor
Grant Thornton UK LLP
No 1 Whitehall Riverside 
Whitehall Road 
Leeds LS1 4BN

Solicitors
Walker Morris
Kings Court 
12 King Street 
Leeds LS1 2HL

Bankers
HSBC Bank PLC
City Point 
29 King Street 
Leeds LS1 2HL

Registrars
Computershare Investor Services plc
The Pavilions 
Bridgwater Road 
Bristol BS13 8AE

92

Augean PLC Annual Report 2012

www.augeanplc.com

Augean PLC
4 Rudgate Court 
Walton 
Wetherby 
West Yorkshire LS23 7BF

Tel: 01937 844980 
Fax: 01937 844241 
www.augeanplc.com 
contact@augeanplc.com

Contacting Augean
To find out about how Augean can help 
your business call us on 01937 844980, 
fax us on 01937 844241 or email us 
at contact@augeanplc.com to arrange 
for a sales adviser to call you.

Augean’s commitment to environmental issues is reflected in this 
annual report, which has been printed on Satimat Green comprising 
75% recycled fibre and 25% virgin fibre certified by the FSC® and produced 
at mills with ISO 14001 environmental management systems.

This report was printed by Pureprint Group using their environmental print 
technology which minimises the impact of printing on the environment. 
Vegetable based inks have been used and 99% of dry waste is diverted 
from landfill. Pureprint Group is a CarbonNeutral® company.

Both the printer and the paper mill are registered to ISO 14001.

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