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J. Smart & Co. Contractors PLC

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FY2020 Annual Report · J. Smart & Co. Contractors PLC
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J. SMART & CO. (CONTRACTORS) PLC 

ANNUAL REPORT 
AND
STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS 
TO
31s t JULY 2020

1

J. Smart & Co. (Contractors) PLC

DIRECTORS 
DaviD W Smart, Chairman and Joint Managing Director
John r Smart, Joint Managing Director
alaSDair h roSS
Patricia Sweeney

COMPANY SECRETARY 
Patricia Sweeney 

REGISTERED OFFICE 
28 cramonD roaD South, 
eDinburgh, 
eh4 6ab

SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES 
mcGowan anD comPany (contractorS) limiteD 
cramonD real eState comPany limiteD 
thomaS menzieS (builDerS) limiteD 
concrete ProDuctS (KirKcalDy) limiteD 
c. & w. aSSetS limiteD
Smart ServiceD officeS limiteD 

REGISTRARS AND TRANSFER OFFICE 
equiniti limiteD, 
aSPect houSe,
SPencer roaD,
lancing,
bn99 6Da

BANKERS 
banK of ScotlanD, 
75 george Street, 
eDinburgh, 
eh2 3ew

AUDITOR 
french Duncan lLP, 
chartereD accountantS, 
133 finnieSton Street, 
glaSgow, 
g3 8hb 

SOLICITORS 
anDerSon Strathern llP, 
1 rutlanD court, 
eDinburgh, 
eh3 8ey

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J. Smart & Co. (Contractors) PLC

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING of the Company will be held at the Registered 
Office, 28 Cramond Road South, Edinburgh on 28th January 2021 at 12 noon, for the following purposes: 

1.  To receive and consider the Statement of Accounts for the year ended 31st July 2020 and the Report of the Directors 

and the Independent Auditor’s Report.

2.  To approve the Directors’ Remuneration Policy as set out on pages 24 to 26 in the Annual Report.

3.  To approve the Directors’ Remuneration Report for the financial year ended 31st July 2020 as set out on pages 24 to 

29 in the Annual Report.

4.  To declare a Final Dividend of 2.27p per share. 

5.  To re-elect John R Smart as a Director, who retires in accordance with provision 18 of the UK Corporate Governance 

Code.

6.   To re-elect Alasdair H Ross as a Director, who retires in accordance with provision 18 of the UK Corporate Governance 

Code.

7.   To re-elect Patricia Sweeney as a Director, who retires in accordance with provision 18 of the UK Corporate Governance 

Code. 

8.  To appoint BDO LLP as the Company’s auditor. 

9.  To authorise the Directors to determine the remuneration of the Auditor. 

10. To authorise the Company, via a special resolution, for the purposes of section 701 of the Companies Act 2006 to make 
market purchases (as defined in section 693(4) of the Companies Act 2006) of its ordinary shares of 2p each (ordinary 
shares) provided that:
(a) 

the Company does not purchase under this authority more than 10% of the nominal value of the Company’s issued 
share capital at the date of this notice;
the minimum price which the Company may pay for each ordinary share is 2p (exclusive of expenses); and
the maximum price which the Company may pay for each ordinary share is the higher of:
(i) 

105% (exclusive of expenses) of the average market value of the Company’s equity shares for the five 
business days prior to the day the purchase is made according to the Daily Official List of the London 
Stock Exchange; and
the higher of the price of the last independent trade and the highest current independent bid for an ordinary 
share on the trading venue where the purchase is carried out.

(b) 
(c) 

(ii)  

  This authority will expire at the earlier of 15 months from the date of passing of this resolution and the conclusion of the 
next Annual General Meeting, except that the Company may enter into a contract to purchase ordinary shares which will 
or may be completed or executed wholly or partly after this authority ends, the Company may purchase these ordinary 
shares  pursuant  to  any  contract  as  if  the  authority  had  not  ended.  Under  this  authority  any  shares  purchased  by  the 
Company will be cancelled.

11. To transact any other business of an Annual General Meeting. 

Explanatory notes providing information in relation to each of the proposed resolutions in this Notice of Meeting can be 
found on the Company’s website www.jsmart.co.uk.

A  member  entitled  to  attend  and  vote  at  this  Meeting  is  entitled  to  appoint  one  or  more  proxies  to  attend 
and  vote  on  a  poll  instead  of  him/her.  A  proxy  need  not  be  a  member.  Forms  of  proxy,  if  used,  must  be 
lodged  with  the  Registrars  of  the  Company  at  least  48  hours  before  the  time  fixed  for  the  Meeting.  Forms  of 
proxy  may  also  be  lodged  electronically  by  submitting  a  duly  completed  scanned  copy  of  the  proxy  card  to  
proxyvotes@equiniti.com.  You  may  not  use  the  electronic  address  provided  either  in  this  Notice  of  Meeting  or  any  
related  documents  (including  the  Form  of  Proxy)  to  communicate  with  the  Company  for  any  purpose  other  than  that  
expressly stated. 

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J. Smart & Co. (Contractors) PLC

In accordance with section 311A of the Companies Act 2006, the contents of this Notice of Meeting, details of the total 
number  of  shares  in  respect  of  which  members  are  entitled  to  exercise  voting  rights  at  the Annual  General  Meeting  
and,  if  applicable,  any  members’  statements,  members’  resolutions  or  members’  matters  of  business  received  by  the 
Company after the date of this Notice will be available on the Company’s website. 

Pursuant to section 319A of the Companies Act 2006, the Company must cause to be answered at the Annual General 
Meeting any question relating to the business being dealt with at the Annual General Meeting which is put by a member 
attending the meeting, except in certain circumstances, including if it is undesirable in the interests of the Company or 
the good order of the Meeting that the question be answered or if to do so would involve the disclosure of confidential 
information.

NOTE REGARDING ATTENDANCE AT ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Due to the continuing measures in place prohibiting gatherings indoors issued by the Scottish Government shareholders 
will not be allowed to attend the Annual General Meeting in person. The Company will ensure that the Annual General 
Meeting will be quorate.

The Company encourages all the shareholders to vote by proxy using the proxy card distributed along with this Notice of 
the Annual General Meeting and the Annual Report and Statement of Accounts.

The  Board  of  Directors  values  the  opportunity  to  meet  shareholders  at  the Annual  General  Meeting  and  answer  any 
questions that they raise. If any shareholder wishes to submit a question to be raised at the Annual General Meeting please 
do so by emailing your question to agm.questions@jsmart.co.uk at any time up to 10 am on the morning of the Annual 
General Meeting.

BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS 
Patricia Sweeney
Company Secretary

28 Cramond Road South,
Edinburgh
EH4 6AB 

22nd December 2020 

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J. Smart & Co. (Contractors) PLC

CHAIRMAN’S REVIEW 

ACCOUNTS

Headline Group profit for the year before tax, including an unrealised surplus in revalued property and a deficit in revalued 
available for sale financial assets, was £4,083,000 compared with £6,643,000.

Underlying profit before tax for the year of £1,283,000 was less than last year’s figure of £2,600,000. As before, our view 
is that discounting the increase in the revaluation of the commercial property portfolio and adjusting for the revaluation 
movement on available for sale financial assets provides a truer reflection of Group performance.

The  Board  is  recommending  a  Final  Dividend  of  2.27p  making  a  total  of  3.22p  which  compares  with  3.19p  for  the 
previous year. The Final Dividend will cost the Company no more than £963,000.

TRADING ACTIVITIES

Group construction activities including private residential sales on continuing operations increased by 19%. Headline 
Group  profit  before  tax  on  continuing  operations  decreased  by  43%  and  underlying  profit  before  tax  on  continuing 
operations decreased by 58%.

Trading activities in the second half of the financial year were impacted by the coronavirus crisis. All construction sites, 
head office and operational premises were closed from the end of March 2020 until the middle of June 2020, in line with 
Scottish Government guidance. Whilst construction activities ceased, home working ensured that all other facets of the 
business were able to progress during this period. Our site operatives were put on furlough and note must be made of 
the efficiency of HMRC in processing furlough payments. All necessary measures were put in place at our construction 
sites, head office, operational premises and the relevant areas of our commercial property portfolio to ensure coronavirus 
compliance in line with legislation and guidance.

The build contract for the Affordable Housing at West Bowling Green Street completed in October 2019. The completion 
of the social housing build contract at Ferrymuir was delayed due to the lockdown in March 2020 and will now not be 
completed until the end of 2020. Margins in these types of build contract and those in the build contracts of our subsidiary 
company, Thomas  Menzies  (Builders)  Limited,  continue  to  be  poor.  Measures  have  been  put  in  place  to  respectively 
correct these poor margins.

The vast majority of the sales in the private housing at West Bowling Green Street were completed prior to the lockdown 
in March 2020. Post lockdown, there were only six private housing units left to be sold at West Bowling Green Street and 
these sales have now completed, albeit delayed until after the end of the financial year.

Further sites for private housing were acquired in the financial year, notably two sites in Winchburgh, West Lothian. The 
first small detached housing site called The Courtyard started in September 2020. The second, named Canal Quarter, a 
much larger site providing approximately sixty flats and terraced houses, will start in April 2021.

Our  commercial  property  portfolio  has  been  remarkably  resilient  during  the  coronavirus  pandemic.  The  majority  of 
the  portfolio  is  in  multi-let  industrial  with  the  remainder  in  multi-let  offices,  and  this  has  fared  well  in  the  past  year. 
Rental growth and occupancy levels have continued to improve, as have property valuation levels. Concerns were raised 
regarding payment of rent, but rent collection levels at the last rent quarter payment date prior to the financial year end, 
currently sit at 96%. Regrettably, we have lost some tenants whose businesses have been affected by the coronavirus 
crisis. However, we have been able to fill these vacancies with new tenants.

The first unit at Gartcosh Business Park, developed through the joint venture company, Gartcosh Estates LLP, has now 
been successfully let. The second phase of development at this estate, providing two medium sized industrial units, will 
commence in early 2021.

Construction at the third and final phases at West Edinburgh Business Park, South Gyle and Inchwood Park, Bathgate 
is progressing well, with respective completions due in the year to 31st July 2021. Interest in these final phases at both 
estates is promising.

A site for future industrial development was acquired at Whitehill Industrial Estate, Bathgate in the reporting year.

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J. Smart & Co. (Contractors) PLC

CHAIRMAN’S REVIEW (continued) 

FUTURE PROSPECTS

Work in hand in contracting is again less than last year. Over and above the usual delays in the development process, 
progress in site acquisitions and negotiated tender work in the Housing Association sector has been hampered by the 
first lockdown and the coronavirus crisis. There was no new contracting work in the past financial year and those build 
contracts programmed for the current financial year may well be delayed until the next financial year.

As mentioned above, all the sales at West Bowling Green Street have now been completed. There will only be a small 
amount of private housing sales in the year to 31st July 2021. There are a number of substantial future private housing 
sites where we have just commenced the planning process but, due to general delays caused by the coronavirus crisis, it 
remains to be seen when development will commence on these sites.

Commercial  property  valuation  levels  have  improved  again,  as  mentioned  above,  and  we  expect  letting  and  positive 
rental growth to continue in our industrial properties. We have not yet seen any significant negative impact on our office 
properties due to the coronavirus crisis but that is no guarantee that there may be some in the future.

At this stage, with uncertainty due to the coronavirus crisis, it is difficult to make an informed forecast for the outcome 
of the year to 31st July 2021. The lull in contracting work and reduced private housing work this financial year makes it 
unlikely that the headline profit and underlying profit will improve.

I would like to make special mention of French Duncan LLP, who has served as auditor to your company for 45 years. 
This is the last set of accounts that French Duncan will audit due to company law and will unfortunately end a long-
standing relationship. A new auditor will be appointed shortly. I would like to offer my sincere gratitude to all at French 
Duncan, past and present, for all their hard work over many years.

Finally, I would like to pay tribute to all employees at J. Smart & Co. and the subsidiary companies in what has been and 
continues to be a turbulent time due to the coronavirus crisis. The dedication, skill and hard work of all was no better 
demonstrated in the considerable effort to shut down all operations in less than a twenty-four hour period in March of this 
year prior to the first lockdown.

22nd December 2020 

DaviD W Smart
Chairman

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J. Smart & Co. (Contractors) PLC

REPORT OF THE DIRECTORS 

31st JULY 2020 

The  Directors  present  their  Annual  Report  and  the  audited  financial  statements  of  the  Group  for  the  year  ended  
31st July 2020.

STRATEGIC REPORT

The Companies Act 2006 requires the Directors to prepare a Strategic Report which presents a fair review of the business 
during the year to 31st July 2020 and of the position of the Group at the end of the financial year.  The Strategic Report 
also includes a description of the principal risks and uncertainties faced by the Group.  The Strategic Report can be found 
on pages 11 to 16 and is incorporated into the Report of the Directors by reference.

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

The Company is required, as a premium listed company on the London Stock Exchange, to prepare a report on Corporate 
Governance  in  accordance  with  the  Financial  Reporting  Council’s  UK  Corporate  Governance  Code  (the  Code).   The 
information required by the Code and also the Disclosure and Transparency Rules and the Listing Rules can be found on 
pages 18 to 23 and is incorporated into the Report of the Directors by reference.

RESULTS AND DIVIDENDS

The profit of the Group after tax for the year ended 31st July 2020 amounted to £3,585,000 (2019, £6,236,000).

During the year the Company paid on 30th December 2019 a final dividend for the year to 31st July 2019 of 2.24p per 
share (2019, 2.21p) and paid on 1st June 2020 an interim dividend for the year to 31st July 2020 of 0.95p per share (2019, 
0.95p).

The Directors recommend a proposed final dividend for the year of 2.27p per share, making a total for the year of 3.22p. 
This final dividend is subject to approval by the shareholders at the Annual General Meeting in January 2021 and has  
not been included as a liability in these financial accounts. If this dividend is approved it will be paid to the members  
on the share register of the Company at the close of business on 15th January 2021. Dividend warrants will be posted on 
5th February 2021.

DIRECTORS  

The following were Directors of the Company during the financial year ended 31st July 2020:

− 

− 

− 

− 

David W Smart

John R Smart

Alasdair H Ross

Patricia Sweeney

Details of the Directors are given on page 17.

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J. Smart & Co. (Contractors) PLC

REPORT OF THE DIRECTORS (continued) 

31st JULY 2020

APPOINTMENT AND REPLACEMENT OF DIRECTORS

The  Company’s Articles  of Association  (the  Company’s Articles)  give  the  Directors  the  power  to  appoint  or  remove 
any  Director.    Initial  appointments  must  be  approved  by  the  Board  of  Directors  but  anyone  so  appointed  must  be  
re-elected  by  ordinary  resolution  at  the  next  Annual  General  Meeting  of  the  Company.    In  accordance  with  the 
Company’s Articles,  Directors  are  not  required  to  retire  by  rotation,  however,  in  accordance  with  provision18  of  the 
UK Corporate Governance Code, with the exception of the Chairman, all Directors must retire and offer themselves for  
re-election annually at the Annual General Meeting.

DIRECTORS’ INTERESTS

Details  of  Directors’  interests  in  the  ordinary  share  capital  of  the  Company  are  given  in  the  Directors’  Remuneration 
Report.  Details of changes in Directors’ interest between 31st July 2020 and 4th December 2020 are given on page 27.

Other  than  the  original  employment  contract  received  on  joining  the  company,  no  Director  has  been  issued  with  a 
Director’s Service Contract on appointment as a director.  No Director has a material interest in any contract to which the 
Company or any Subsidiary Company was a party to during the year.

DIRECTORS’ POWERS

The Company’s Articles state that the Directors may exercise all of the powers of the Company which also includes the 
right of the Directors to buy back the Company’s shares based on the authority given by the shareholders following the 
passing of a special resolution at the Company’s 2019 Annual General Meeting.

INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS

In accordance with the Company’s Articles and to the extent permitted by law, Directors are granted an indemnity by the 
Company in respect of liabilities incurred as a result of their office.  The Directors are also indemnified against the cost 
of defending any proceedings whether criminal or civil in which judgement is given in favour of the Director or in which 
the Director is acquitted or the charge is found not proven.  The Company has maintained Directors’ and Officers’ liability 
insurance cover throughout the financial year.

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J. Smart & Co. (Contractors) PLC

REPORT OF THE DIRECTORS (continued) 

31st JULY 2020

CAPITAL MANAGEMENT AND SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION

The  capital  structure  of  the  Company  consists  of  issued  share  capital,  reserves  and  retained  earnings  represented 
predominantly by investment properties, working capital and cash.

The Company’s issued ordinary share capital as at 31st July 2020 comprises a single class of ordinary share of 2p each.  
Details of the issued share capital are shown in note 26 to the Accounts.

At the 2019 Annual General Meeting the Company was authorised by the shareholders to purchase, in the market, up 
to 10% of the Company’s issued share capital, as permitted under the Company’s Articles.  The purpose of the market 
purchase is to enhance the earnings per share and/or the equity shareholders’ funds per share.  The Directors are seeking 
renewal of this authority at the 2020 Annual General Meeting.

During the year the Company made market purchases of 665,000 ordinary shares of 2p under the existing authority, for a 
total consideration of £793,000.  The shares purchased were subsequently cancelled, and represented less than 2% of the 
Company’s issued share capital at the start of the financial year.

All members who hold ordinary shares are entitled to attend and vote at a General Meeting. On a show of hands at a 
General Meeting every member present in person and every duly appointed proxy shall have one vote and on a poll, every 
member present in person or by proxy shall have one vote for every ordinary share held or represented.  The Company is 
not aware of any agreements between shareholders that may result in restrictions on voting rights of shareholders.  Rights 
attached to ordinary shares may only be varied by special resolution at a General Meeting.

There are no specific restrictions on the transfer of securities in the Company, other than those imposed by prevailing 
legislation and the requirements of the Listing Rules in respect of Company Directors.  The Company is not aware of any 
agreements between shareholders that may result in restrictions on the transfer of securities.

Details of substantial shareholders can be found in the Company’s Corporate Governance Report.

ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION

The Company’s Articles can only be amended by a special resolution at a General Meeting.  No amendments are proposed 
to be made to the existing Company Articles at the 2020 Annual General Meeting.

CHANGE OF CONTROL

The Company is not party to any significant agreements which take effect, alter or terminate upon change of control of 
the Company following a takeover bid.  The Company does not have any agreements with any Director or employee that 
would provide compensation for loss of office or employment, whether through resignation, purported redundancy or 
otherwise resulting from a takeover bid.

POLITICAL DONATIONS AND POLITICAL EXPENDITURE

It is the policy of the Group not to make donations for political purposes to EU Political Parties or incur EU Political 
Expenditure and accordingly neither the Company nor its Subsidiaries made donations or incurred such expenditure in 
the year.

GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS

The  Companies Act  2006  (Strategic  Report  and  Directors’  Report)  Regulation  2013  requires  all  quoted  companies  to 
report the greenhouse gas emissions for which they are responsible and on any environmental matters which are material 
to the company’s operations.

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J. Smart & Co. (Contractors) PLC

REPORT OF THE DIRECTORS (continued) 

31st JULY 2020

GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS (continued)

Carbon emissions and energy use:

Emissions from: 
Combustion of fuel and operation of facilities 
Electricity, heat, steam and cooling purchased for own use 
.   
Total emissions 

.   

. 

. 

. 

.   
.   
.   

. 
. 
. 

Group’s chosen intensity measurement: 
Emissions reported above normalised to per full time equivalent employee 
Emissions reported above normalised to per £million of revenues  

. 

2020 
Tonnes of CO2e 

2019
Tonnes of CO2e

1,026 
151 
1,177 

6.13     
70.00   

1,043
166
1,209

5.84
72.48

Overall the total greenhouse gas emissions of the Group have decreased in the year mainly due to the nature of the construction 
work undertaken in the year offset by the reduction in vacant properties in the Group’s investment property portfolio.

The increase in construction revenue due to the accounting for private house sales in the current year has caused the 
intensity measurement of emissions reported per £million of revenues to decrease significantly from that of the previous 
year. The decrease in the number of full time equivalent employees between this year and the previous year increased the 
reported intensity measure for full time equivalent employees.

We have reported on all the emission sources required under the Companies Act 2006 (Strategic Report and Directors’ 
Report) Regulations 2013. These sources fall within our Statement of Accounts. We do not have responsibility for any 
emission sources that are not included in our Statement of Accounts.

Our  greenhouse  gas  emissions  have  been  calculated  using  the  GHG  Protocol  Corporate  Accounting  and  Reporting 
Standard (revised edition), data gathered to fulfil our requirements under these Regulations, and emission factors from 
the UK Government’s GHG Conversion Factors for Company Reporting 2019 and 2020. Emissions are calculated on the 
location and contract based methodologies, using fuel mixes reported from 2019/20. The figures disclosed above for the 
year to 31st July 2019 have been restated to show the emissions as based on the same methodology as the current year.

WASTE MANAGEMENT

We  manage  waste  in  accordance  with  the  waste  hierarchy  and  ensure  compliance  with  all  applicable  environmental 
legislation across all our operations. Construction waste is managed through site waste management plans which ensure 
waste arising is minimised, reused or recycled. Waste reduction is considered at the building design stage and any waste 
arising in construction is segregated either on site or off site. Where possible, waste is reused on site and waste to landfill 
is minimised with preference given to recycling or energy recovery. Training is provided to all staff and subcontractors 
and waste champions are assigned to each site to ensure compliance with our waste policies and procedures.

GOING CONCERN

The Group’s business activities, performance and principal risks and uncertainties are set out in the Strategic Report.

The current financial year construction activities were impacted by the coronavirus pandemic which resulted in all of our 
construction sites having to close from the end of March 2020 to the middle of June 2020 which delayed the completion 
of those contracts. The commencement of new construction projects have been delayed by the virus and the lockdown 
and it is not known when these will start. Our investment property portfolio has remained resilient to date throughout 
the pandemic however the long term impact on our office properties is not known at this stage. The Directors have taken 
all these issues into account and believe that the Group is well placed to manage the risks arising from the coronavirus 
and all of its business risks successfully.  After making enquiries, the Directors have a reasonable expectation that the 
Company and Group have adequate financial resources without reliance on external funding to allow the Company and 
Group to continue in operational existence for a period of at least twelve months from the date of approval of the financial 
statements and therefore considers the adoption of the going concern basis as appropriate for the preparation of the Annual 
Report and Statement of Accounts.

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J. Smart & Co. (Contractors) PLC

REPORT OF THE DIRECTORS (continued) 

31st JULY 2020

FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS

It  is  not  anticipated  that  the  activities  of  the  Company  and  its  Subsidiaries,  as  described  in  the  Strategic  Report,  will 
substantially change in the immediate future.

POST BALANCE SHEET EVENTS

There have been no events occuring after the Balance Sheet date that the Directors consider should be brought to the 
attention of the shareholders.

AUDITOR

The Company’s auditor, French Duncan LLP have held office as from the year ending 31st July 1975. Under EU rulings 
for mandatory rotation of the external auditor which became part of Companies Act 2006 via Statutory Instrument: The 
Statutory Auditors and Third Country Auditors Regulation 2016 we have undertaken a tendering process to appoint new 
external auditors as for the year ending 31st July 2021. Following the conclusion of this tender process BDO LLP have 
been selected as the Company’s new external auditor and a resolution to appoint them as the external auditor will be 
proposed at the 2020 Annual General Meeting.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT 

The Chairman’s Review on pages 4 and 5 and the Strategic Report on pages 11 to 16 have been prepared to provide 
additional information to members of the Company to assess the Group’s strategy and the potential for the strategy to 
succeed.  It should not be relied on by any other party or for any other purpose.

This  Annual  Report  and  Statement  of  Accounts  contain  certain  forward-looking  statements  relating  to  operations, 
performance and financial status.  By their nature, such statements involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to events 
and depend upon circumstances that will occur in the future.  There are a number of factors, including both economic and 
business risk factors that could cause actual results or developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied 
by these forward-looking statements.  These statements are made by the Directors in good faith based on the information 
available to them up to the time of their approval of this Report.

STATEMENT OF DISCLOSURE TO AUDITOR 

The Directors who held office at the date of approval of the Report of the Directors, confirm that, so far as they are each 
aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the Company’s Auditor is unaware; and each of the Directors has 
taken all steps that they ought to have taken as a Director to make themselves aware of any relevant audit information and 
to establish that the Company’s Auditor is aware of that information. 

22nd December 2020 

BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS 

Patricia Sweeney
Company Secretary

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J. Smart & Co. (Contractors) PLC

STRATEGIC REPORT 

31st JULY 2020

The Directors present their Strategic Report of the Group for the year ended 31st July 2020.

The purpose of the Strategic Report is to provide the members of the Company with information to allow them to assess 
how the Directors have performed their duty to promote the success of the Company and Group.

OUR BUSINESS MODEL, STRATEGY AND OBJECTIVES

The Company was established in 1947 and was listed on the London Stock Exchange in 1965.

The  principal  activities  of  the  Group  are  building  and  civil  engineering  contracting,  residential  development  for  sale, 
the development of industrial and commercial property for lease and the provision of serviced office spaces.  All the 
construction work involved in these activities is carried out by the Company and its Subsidiaries.  Sub-contracting is kept 
to a minimum.  The main area of operations is the central belt of Scotland. 

The main construction activity undertaken by the Group is that of social housing for several housing associations and 
registered social  landlords  predominately in  the  Edinburgh  area  and  construction of  our  own  private housing  for  sale 
which is undertaken by the Company, J. Smart & Co. (Contractors) PLC.

The  Group  has  a  portfolio  of  self-financed  industrial  and  commercial  properties  which  are  owned  and  managed  by 
subsidiary  company,  C.  &  W. Assets  Limited.    The  investment  properties  are  located  throughout  the  central  belt  of 
Scotland but primarily in the Edinburgh area, this being the area of the country we are familiar with and understand.  Our 
portfolio currently extends to almost 900,000 square feet.

The Group has five other subsidiaries, four of which are trading companies. Thomas Menzies (Builders) Limited carries out 
small to medium sized building and civil engineering work for a variety of clients.  McGowan and Company (Contractors) 
Limited provides plumbing support to the main construction companies.  Cramond Real Estate Company Limited, is the 
investment holding company of the Group and holds the Group’s equity investments and monies on bank deposits.  Smart 
Serviced  Offices  Limited  which  trades  as  Foxglove  Offices  provides  serviced  office  and  co-working  spaces  in  Leith.  
Concrete Products (Kirkcaldy) Limited ceased to trade in the year to 31st July 2019.

The Group also has interests in a number of Joint Venture Companies which were established for purposes of property 
development.

The Group operates out of premises in Edinburgh and Kirkcaldy, with the centralised administration and finance function 
being at the head office in Edinburgh.  Full support is given by the company Directors and the finance staff to all Group 
companies based at the two locations.

We maintain a core employee base which is beneficial to the growth and success of the Group due to the fact that they have 
the expertise to ensure the construction activities of the Group are efficiently run, achieve high level of quality of work 
and retain control over operations.  Employees who manage the Group’s investment property portfolio are fully aware of 
current market conditions and ensure that there is appropriate marketing of the Group’s investment property portfolio.  We 
employ our own maintenance team thereby ensuring that our investment property portfolio is always in good condition 
and ready for let. 

Our objectives are to identify and exploit promising business opportunities as they arise to the benefit of the Group, its 
shareholders and employees without over extending Group resources.  While endeavouring to complete all our operations as 
efficiently and to as high a standard as possible we do not set ourselves general performance yardsticks or volumetric targets.

To achieve these objectives our strategy is to continue to maintain and develop the relationships we have with social housing 
providers and develop relationships with new and existing partners to establish new areas of construction opportunities, 
retain our core workforce and only use specialist subcontractors with proven track records in the Group to ensure work 
quality.  We will continue to build both our residential properties and investment property portfolio within the central belt 
of Scotland, being the area of the country with which we are familiar.  We will build up our resources to ensure the Group 
has sufficient current working capital facilities and financing for future commercial and private residential developments.
In achieving our objectives we aim to generate value by creating long term and sustainable returns for our shareholders 
by growing our income and profits and increasing the value of our investment portfolio and the net assets of the Group.

10

11

J. Smart & Co. (Contractors) PLC

STRATEGIC REPORT (continued) 

31st JULY 2020 

PERFORMANCE REVIEW

Construction activities

Continuing Operations 
Revenue  
Operating loss  

. 
. 

. 
. 

. 
. 

. 
. 

. 
. 

. 
. 

. 
. 

. 
. 

. 
. 

. 
. 

. 
. 

2020  
£000) 
19,223) 
(3,472) 

        2019
        £000
     16,182)
(2,084)

Turnover in the year has increased from that of the previous year and this is due to the revenue from sales at our private 
housing  development  at  West  Bowling  Green  Street,  Edinburgh.  During  the  year  we  sold  a  further  41  flats  at  this 
development which meant as at 31st July 2020 we had sold 68 out of the total 74 flats. The remaining 6 flats have now 
been sold and will be included in revenue in the year to 31st July 2021. However, revenues from all of our other sources 
declined in the year.
In October 2019 we completed the social housing element of our development at West Bowling Green Street and this left 
us with only one other social housing development in the year at Ferrymuir. No new social housing contracts commenced 
in the year.
In the year we continued the construction of Phase 3 at our own industrial development at West Edinburgh Business Park 
and commenced construction at Phase 3 Inchwood Park, Bathgate. Both these sites were delayed due to the lockdown 
arising from coronavirus from March 2020 and both sites will be completed in the year to 31st July 2021. As a result of 
these two sites the value of our own construction work capitalised is significantly higher than that of the previous year.
Margins  on  construction  work  continue  to  be  very  poor  and  this,  plus  the  financial  impact  of  the  coronavirus  which 
resulted in additional costs including site security costs and costs of implementing safety measures for the safe working of 
the sites post lockdown based on Scottish Government guidance and payroll costs of employees not put on furlough, has 
resulted in the Group suffering another significant loss in construction activities. The Directors are taking steps to fully 
appraise contracts prior to acceptance to ascertain the likely outcome of the contract and to closely monitor and report on 
costs associated with the contracts during the construction phase to ensure they are not excessive.
Overheads continue to remain relatively constant over time however, the Directors continue to monitor these with a view 
to achieving any savings on costs were possible.

Investment activities

Income from investment properties . 
. 
Net surplus on valuation of investment properties  
. 
Operating profit from investment properties 

. 

. 
. 
. 

Income from available for sale financial assets 
. 
Profit on sale of available for sale financial assets . 
Net deficit on valuation of available for sale financial assets 

. 
. 

Share of (losses)/profits in Joint Ventures  . 

. 

. 

. 
. 
. 

. 
. 
. 

. 

. 
. 
. 

. 
. 
. 

. 

.  
.   
. 

.    
. 
. 

.    

. 
. 
.  

. 
. 
. 

. 

. 
. 
. 

. 
. 
. 

. 

2020  
£000  
7,198) 
3,179) 
7,820) 

50) 
16) 
(379) 

(13) 

        2019
        £000
       7,560)
4,052)
          9,051)

          53)
              26)
              (9)

       48

Rental income from the Group’s investment property portfolio fell in the year by 5% which is mainly due to the loss of 
income from one of our properties. This property was a large single industrial unit let to a tenant whose lease had come 
to an end. The industrial unit has since been demolished and the vacant land has been transferred within the Group at 
fair value and now is included within the Group’s inventories as land held for development. Excluding the rent from 
this property, over the remainder of our investment property portfolio our rental income has increased due to both rental 
growth and increased occupancy.

The coronavirus has affected many of our tenants but the rent recovery for the quarter commencing 1st May 2020, being 
the first quarter impacted upon by the virus has been particularly good with recovery currently being 96% of the rents due. 
To date recovery of rents due for quarters in the year to 31st July 2021 are also high. We have lost a number of tenants in 
the year but we have managed to fill the majority of these vacancies.

12

13

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
J. Smart & Co. (Contractors) PLC

STRATEGIC REPORT (continued) 

31st JULY 2020

PERFORMANCE REVIEW (continued)

Investment activities (continued)

Service charges and insurance receivable income has increased by10% which is mainly due to increased occupancy.

During the year construction of industrial units at West Edinburgh Business Park Phase 3 continued, however this has 
been delayed by the coronavirus and the lockdown which started in March 2020. Although it was anticipated that this site 
should have been completed in this current financial year it has now been delayed to the start of the new calendar year. 
Construction at Inchwood Phase 3 had just commenced prior to the lockdown in March 2020 and so this site has also 
taken longer to complete but will complete prior to July 2021. Interest in both these sites is positive.

There was one disposal in the year but as noted above this disposal was internal and the land is now held within inventories 
as land held for development.

Income from our available for sale financial assets has remained fairly consistent over time. There have been no additions 
in the year and the disposals in the year generated a profit of £16,000. As expected due to the worldwide pandemic the fair 
value for the shares held by the Group fell and as at the year end a deficit of £379,000 was recorded.

The share of the results in our Joint Ventures is a loss this year of £13,000 which is due to the fact that of the four Joint Ventures 
only one generated any income in the year but all incurred costs. Going forward income will be generated by Gartcosh Estates 
LLP following the successful letting of the completed unit which will help to improve the results of the Joint Ventures.

Group results and financial position

Profit before tax 
Net bank position 
Net assets 

. 
. 
. 

. 
. 
. 

. 
. 
. 

. 
. 
. 

. 
. 
. 

. 
. 
. 

. 
. 
. 

. 
. 
. 

  . 
 .  
. 

. 
. 
. 

. 
. 
. 

2020 
£000 
4,083 
13,062 
99,260 

2019
£000
6,643
12,887
100,282

Overall the Group has reported a profit for the year but at a lower level than the previous year. The profit earned on our 
investment properties has fallen and the increased loss on construction activities has resulted in the lower overall profit.

Our net bank position, which comprises monies held on deposit, cash and cash equivalents and the netting of our bank 
overdraft has only improved slightly in the year. Cashflows from operating activities have improved mainly due to the 
revenue from the sales of private housing in the year at our West Bowling Green Street development. There has been 
significant expenditure this year on our own work capitalised. The Group continues to be net debt free.

The Group’s net assets are impacted by the profit earned in the year, the movement on the retirement benefit scheme 
mainly due to the actuarial loss recognised in the year and the net of the shares bought back in the year and the dividends 
paid to shareholders.

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

The Group’s financial instruments consist of bank balances and cash, available for sale financial assets, trade receivables 
and trade payables. The main purpose of the financial instruments are to provide working capital for the Group’s continuing 
activities and provide funding for future activities whether in construction or investment. Given the nature of the Group’s 
financial instruments the main risk associated with these is credit risk, however this is minimised due to the fact that 
exposure is spread over a number of counterparties and customers. The Group is not exposed to interest rate risk as it 
does not have any net debt but it does suffer from fallen interest rates on the amount we can earn on monies on deposit.

TOTAL DIVIDEND

The  Directors  are  recommending  a  final  dividend  of  2.27p  per  share  which  taken  with  the  interim  dividend  of  0.95p 
already paid in the year gives a total dividend for the year of 3.22p (2019, 3.19p), being an increase of 1% on the dividend 
rate for 2019.

12

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J. Smart & Co. (Contractors) PLC

STRATEGIC REPORT (continued) 

31st JULY 2020 

GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS

The Group is required to report the greenhouse gas emissions for which it is responsible and on any environmental matters 
which are material to the Group’s operations.  Details of our emissions for the year to 31st July 2020 are set out in the 
Report of the Directors on pages 8 and 9.

PRINCIPAL RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES

The principal risks and uncertainties faced by the Group and the mitigating factors taken by the Group against these risks 
are detailed below.  The principal risks noted below are not all of the risks faced by the Group but are those risks which 
the Group perceives as those which could have a significant impact on the Group’s performance and future prospects.

Area of principal risk or uncertainty 
and impact 

By  focusing  external  construction 
activities in the social housing sector, 
which 
is  a  competitive  market, 
failure  to  win  new  contracts  would 
impact  on  our  volume  of  work  and 
therefore  the  workforce  required  by 
the Group.

availability 

Decline  in  home  buyer  confidence 
and 
affordable 
mortgages  resulting  in  stalling  of 
private house sales. 

of 

Social housing sector and in general 
is  highly 
the  housing  market 
competitive with tight margins.

Mitigating actions and controls 

•  Maintain  long  term  relationships  with  social  housing  providers,  resulting 
from  high  standards  of  service,  quality  and  post  construction  care  thus 
giving  the  Group  an  advantage  over  other  builders  when  contracts  are 
awarded on criteria other than cost only. 

•  Identify potential build sites or include the provider within private housing 
developments in relation to the element of affordable housing required.  
•  When workload is reduced workforce can be diverted to the Group’s own 

commercial and private residential developments.

•  Continue  to  acquire  land  for  development  for  either  private  housing 
developments or for resale to social housing providers as part of a construction 
contract.

•  Develop new areas of construction activities.
•  Develop new joint venture opportunities. 

•  Building developments in popular residential areas.
•  Building high quality specification homes with attention to detail which sets 
them apart from other new build homes and therefore attractive to buyers.
•  Building a range of homes within a development thus providing choice to 

buyers.

•  Providing sales incentives.
•  Consider letting of homes at market rates until the market improves.

•  We  are  an  ‘all  trades’  contractor  who  employs  our  own  personnel  in  all 
basic building trades who are supervised by site agents who are long serving 
employees of the Group, who have been promoted through their trades, thus 
ensuring control of labour costs on contracts.

•  We have invested heavily in plant and the maintenance thereof and therefore 
limit our costs on contracts by utilising own plant as opposed to incurring 
higher costs of hiring plant.

•  Subcontractors employed by the Group are specialists in their fields and in the 
main subcontractors have previously been used by the Group therefore quality 
of work and reliability is known.  No labour only subcontractors are employed.
•  In house architectural technicians and surveyors provide pre-contract design 
advice to resolve potential technical problems with the build and therefore 
potential costs.

•  Detailed appraisals of contract pre-land acquisiton and pre-construction.

14

15

J. Smart & Co. (Contractors) PLC

STRATEGIC REPORT (continued) 

31st JULY 2020

PRINCIPAL RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES (continued)

Area of principal risk or uncertainty 
and impact

Reduction 
in  rental  demand  for 
investment properties may result in a 
fall in property valuations. 

Reduction  in  demand  for  UK  real 
estate  from  investors  may  result  in  a 
fall in valuations within our investment 
property portfolio, this could result in 
delays  in  investment  decisions  which 
could impact on our activities.

Political  events  and  policies  result 
in  uncertainty  until  final  decisions 
have  been  made  and  the  impact  of 
decisions are known, this could result 
in  delays  in  investment  decisions 
which could impact on our activities.

Reduction of financial resources.

Mitigating actions and controls 

•  Only commence speculative developments after careful assessment of the 

market.

•  Restricting our operations to the central belt of Scotland being the area of 

the country with which we are familiar.

•  Continually  maintain  and  refurbish  existing  properties  to  retain  existing 

tenants and attract new tenants.

•  Provide necessary  financial incentives to retain existing tenants at end of 

current leases and attract new tenants.

•  The Directors regularly review the property market to ascertain if changes 
in the overall market present specific risks or opportunities to the Group.
•  Restricting our operations to the central belt of Scotland being the area of 

the country with which we are familiar.

•  Before any decisions are taken by the Directors in any area of the Group’s 
activities the level of uncertainty and range of potential outcomes arising 
from political events and policies are considered.

•  Ensure resources are not over committed and only undertake commercial 
and private housing developments after due consideration of the financial 
impact on the Group financial resources.

•  Build up resources to ensure the Group has sufficient finance for working capital 
requirements and financing of commercial and private housing developments.
•  Spread cash reserves over several banks taking account of the strength of 

the bank and interest rates attainable.

•  Invest  resources  in  equities  also  taking  account  of  the  security  of  the 

investment and the yields attainable.

the 
Continuing  uncertainty  of 
impact  of  coronavirus  on 
the 
Group’s  operational  and  financial 
performance.

•  Following all the legislation and guidance issued by Scottish Government 

for the safe working of our construction sites and offices.

•  Helping  current  tenants  in  our  investment  properties  with  rental  payment 

plans for those facing financial difficulties due to the coronavirus.

•  Regularly reviewing cash flow projections.

14

15

J. Smart & Co. (Contractors) PLC

STRATEGIC REPORT (continued) 

31st JULY 2020 

VIABILITY STATEMENT

The Directors have assessed the viability of the Group over a three year period to July 2023, taking account of the Group’s 
current financial strength, business model and strategy.  The Directors have also taken account of the principal risks and 
uncertainties facing the Group and the actions being taken to mitigate these risks as described above.

The assessment period of three years has been chosen as the Directors consider this period to be appropriate as it fits well 
with the Group’s development and investment property cycles.

The  Group’s  financial  planning  process  consists  of  cash  flow  projections  based  on  the  current  financial  position  and 
assumptions on future developments and investment property acquisitions and disposals and an assessment of the likely 
impact of coronavirus on future operational and financial commitments.  As the Group is net debt free the Directors are 
assessing the cash impact of their assumptions of future activity to ensure that this position is maintained.  The Directors 
vary their assumptions in terms of economic, investment and other factors to different scenarios to assess the impact on 
the Group’s cash position. Even with these sensitivities applied the Group is net debt free.  

Based on this assessment the Directors have a reasonable expectation that the Group will continue in operation and meet 
its liabilities as they fall due over the period to July 2023.

EMPLOYEES

The Group recognises the contribution of the staff to the success of the Group.  The Group operates with a core employee 
base who in the main have been with the Group for a considerable length of time and have gained a significant knowledge 
of the sectors the Group operates in and of the companies within the Group.  Where appropriate the Group promotes from 
within whether that be the Directors, staff or site employees.  The Group recognises the importance of retaining its core 
staff to ensure its future success.

The  Group  does  not  have  a  specific  Human  Rights  policy  but  it  does  have  policies  on  recruitment  and  retention  of 
employees and communication with employees which are aimed at ensuring employees are fairly treated during their 
employment with the Group.

The Group is committed to providing equal opportunities in recruitment and employment, full and fair consideration is given 
to all applicants for employment and to all existing employees for promotion.  Where employees become disabled during their 
employment and are unable to fulfil current duties they are offered suitable alternative employment within the Group, if feasible.

It is the Group’s policy that there should be effective communication with employees at all levels, on matters which affect 
their current jobs or future prospects and all Directors and senior staff members make themselves available to all staff 
to discuss any matters of concern.  In achieving this policy, the Directors are aware of the need to take account of the 
practical and commercial considerations of the Group, and the needs of the employees.  

A breakdown by gender of Directors, senior managers and all employees is given below:

Directors 
Senior Managers   
Total Employees   

Male 
      3 
      1 
  178 

Female
         1
         1
       14

22nd December 2020 

BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS 

Patricia Sweeney
Company Secretary

16

17

 
 
 
 
J. Smart & Co. (Contractors) PLC

DIRECTORS 

David W Smart, Chairman and Joint Managing Director Aged 47 
Joined the Company in 1998 
Appointed Director in 2010
Appointed Chairman and Joint Managing Director in 2017

John R Smart, Joint Managing Director Aged 50
Joined the Company in 2002
Appointed Director in 2013
Appointed Joint Managing Director in 2017

Alasdair H Ross Aged 58 
Joined the Company in 1989 
Appointed Director in 2012 

Patricia Sweeney Aged 51
Joined the Company in 2011
Appointed Director in 2017

16

17

J. Smart & Co. (Contractors) PLC

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE 

31st JULY 2020

COMPLIANCE STATEMENT

This statement details how the Company has applied the principles and provisions as set out in the Financial Reporting 
Council’s  UK  Corporate  Governance  Code  issued  July  2018  (the  Code). A  copy  of  the  Code  can  be  review  on  the 
Financial Reporting Council’s website at www.frc.org.uk.

The Board recognises that it has not complied fully with the Code in the areas of appointment of Non-Executive Directors 
and the establishment of Nomination, Audit and Remuneration Committees. It also has not complied with the principles 
relating to division of responsibilities, evaluation of the Board and individual Directors. The Board considers that due 
to the nature of the company including its size, lack of complexity and the ownership of the Company that to follow all 
the principles of the Code would be onerous and would provide no discernible benefit to the Company. Full details and 
explanations of principles and provisions not complied with are detailed below.

BOARD LEADERSHIP AND COMPANY PURPOSE 

The Board of Directors (the Board) is committed to ensuring that it maintains good corporate governance of the Company 
so  as  to  achieve  the  long-term  sustainable  success  of  the  Company.  The  Board  remains  committed  to  the  principles 
of openness, integrity and accountability in dealing with the Company’s affairs and believes it has always acted with 
probity in the best interests of the Company, its employees, shareholders and stakeholders without recourse to guidance 
or instruction from others and fully intends to continue to do so in the future.

The Board which is the executive management of the Company consists of the Chairman who is also one of the two Joint 
Managing  Directors  and  two  other  Executive  Directors. The  size  of  the  Board  results  in  efficient  management  of  the 
Company leading to the long-term sustainability and success of the Company and that the Directors fulfil their statutory 
duties under S172 Companies Act 2006. The objectives of the Company as stated in the Strategic Report have been set by 
the Board and are reviewed regularly to ensure that they are being met and that adequate financial and human resources 
are available to meet these objectives.

The Directors are involved in the day to day management of the Company supported by senior management. The Directors 
were all employees of the Company prior to their appointment as a director and therefore have the appropriate skills, 
experience in their particular fields and knowledge of the Company and its culture to ensure that the Board discharges 
its responsibilities effectively to ensure the continued success of the Company. The detailed involvement in the day to 
day management ensures that the Directors interact daily with Company employees and encourage an open approach 
to management allowing employees to raise any concerns they have directly with the Directors and ensures that actual 
workplace policies and practices align to the Company’s values.

The Directors have ascertained the risks and uncertainties which could impact on the continuing success of the Company 
and these are set out in the Strategic Report. The Directors have also established controls with the aim to mitigate these 
risks as best as possible. The risks and the controls in place are regularly reviewed and steps are taken as necessary to 
adapt the controls as it becomes apparent that changes are needed.

The Chairman always makes himself available to shareholders to answer any queries they may have throughout the year 
on matters relating to the governance and performance of the Company and ensures that the views and concerns of the 
shareholders are brought to the attention of the Board as a whole.

Decisions are taken by the Board quickly and effectively following ad hoc consultation among the Directors concerned 
as matters arise. The Board takes the view that this direct and flexible approach is preferable to the more cumbersome 
procedures prevalent in larger organisations and has made a considerable contribution to the Company’s continuing success 
and ensures that this approach best serves the interests of the Company, its employees, shareholders and stakeholders.
The Board confirms that it will consider and authorise any conflicts of interest between the Directors and the Company 
where there is no detrimental impact to the Company.

The Directors are aware of their responsibilities and duties under S172 Companies Act 2006 to promote the success of the 
Company for the benefit of its members whilst having regard to other stakeholders including the Company employees, 
suppliers, customers and tenants. Whenever decisions are being made by the Board they take into account the implications 
of these on all stakeholders.

18

19

J. Smart & Co. (Contractors) PLC

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE (continued) 

31st JULY 2020

BOARD LEADERSHIP AND COMPANY PURPOSE (continued) 

RELATIONS WITH SHAREHOLDERS
The Board has in the past and will continue to enter into dialogue with the shareholders wherever possible. The Chairman 
is responsible for ensuring that the views and concerns of the shareholders are communicated to the Board. The Chairman 
is also responsible for discussing governance and strategy matters with the shareholders.

All shareholders have an opportunity at the Annual General Meeting to participate in questions and answers with the 
Board on matters relating to the Company.

At the Annual General Meeting separate resolutions will be proposed on each substantially separate issue and the number 
of proxy votes received for, against and withheld for each resolution will be announced.

SUBSTANTIAL SHAREHOLDERS
As at 31st July 2020 and 4th December 2020, excluding holdings of Directors, the Company has been notified of the 
following holdings of substantial voting rights in respect of the issued share capital of the Company:
As at 31st July 2020 
Octet Investments Limited  
. 
A J Whitehead 

Number 
1,872,400 
2,311,495 

%
4.39
5.42

. 
.   

.   
.   

.   
. 

. 
. 

. 
. 

. 
. 

.   

As at 4th December 2020   
Octet Investments Limited  
. 
A J Whitehead 

.   

. 
.   

.   
. 

. 
. 

.   
.   

. 
. 

. 
. 

1,872,400 
2,311,495 

4.42
5.45

EMPLOYEES 
As stated in the Strategic Report the employees of the Company are an important part of the success of the Company. The 
Directors operate an open-door policy whereby any employee can discuss any matters arising from their employment 
with any of the Directors. The Managing Directors visit all sites on a weekly basis which allows all site-based staff to also 
communicate directly with the Directors on matters they wish to raise. The employees can also raise any matters with 
Human Resources.

SUPPLIERS AND SUBCONTRACTORS 
The Group prefers to use key suppliers and subcontractors which it has existing working relationships with and therefore 
is aware of the quality of products and services provided. The Group has a commitment to ensuring that all suppliers and 
subcontractors are paid within the terms of the supply.

CUSTOMERS AND TENANTS 
The main customers of the Group are those which the Group has worked with in the past and we have built up strong 
working relationships with them which has resulted in repeat work being awarded to the Group. We maintain dialogue 
throughout contracts with our customers to ensure that they are aware of the progress of all contracts and any issues which 
may arise can be resolved in a timely manner.

Our investment properties are maintained to a high standard with dedicated managers who regularly inspect them and 
communicate with tenants regarding any issues they have.

COMMUNITIES AND THE ENVIRONMENT 
The Group supports the local community by financially supporting local and national charities. The Group complies with 
all local authority guidance and planning conditions to ensure that all building sites are safe for employees, subcontractors 
and suppliers and do not interfere with surrounding neighbours.

The impact of our activities on Greenhouse Gas Emissions is disclosed in the Report of the Directors.

18

19

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
J. Smart & Co. (Contractors) PLC

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE (continued) 

31st JULY 2020

DIVISION OF RESPONSIBILITY

As mentioned above the Chairman of the Board is also one of the Joint Managing Directors who collectively act as the 
Chief Executive of the Company. Bearing in mind the size of the Company, the Board sees no value in splitting the role 
of Chairman and Managing Director, a policy which has served the Company well over many years. The Chairman is 
responsible for the leadership of the Board, ensuring that all the Directors receive accurate, timely and clear information 
on issues arising at formal and ad hoc Board meetings, setting Board agendas and ensuring adequate time is given to 
discussion of the agenda points.

The Board considers that appointing Non-Executive Directors would increase costs and impose an additional administrative 
burden on the Company for no discernible benefit and therefore would serve no useful purpose. As no Non-Executive 
Directors have been appointed the Company has not established Nomination, Remuneration or Audit Committees. The 
functions of these Committees are undertaken directly by the Board.

As the Company has no Non-Executive Directors then no director has been identified as an Independent Director.

During the year the Board held 8 formal board meetings all of which were attended by all the Directors.

Also,  during  the  year  the  Directors  met  regularly  on  an  ad  hoc  basis  to  undertake  the  executive  management  of  the 
Company and take decisions on all material matters quickly and effectively but with due care and diligence and therefore 
exercising  full  direction  and  control  of  the  Company. All  Directors  openly  express  their  views  and  make  a  valuable 
contribution to the running of the Company.

Due to the makeup and operation of the Board there is no requirement to formally set out in writing the responsibilities of 
the Chairman, Chief Executive or the Board.

All members of the Board have the ability to seek independent professional advice, at the Company’s expense, should they 
consider it necessary to enable them to fulfil their duties as a director. All Directors have access to the advice and services 
of the Company Secretary, who is responsible for ensuring that Board procedures are followed and that applicable rules 
and regulations are complied with.

The Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities is set out on page 30.

COMPOSITION, SUCCESSION AND EVALUATION

As the Company has no Non-Executive Directors it has not established a Nomination Committee for the appointment of 
Directors. Nominations of new directors are submitted by the Chairman for approval by the Board. All Directors of the 
Company are long-serving employees of the Company at the date of nomination and appointment which ensures that their 
skills, experience and knowledge are retained within the Company and onto the Board. Due regard is taken of the benefits 
of all types of diversity onto the Board when nominations are proposed.

No formal tailored induction upon joining the Board is required given all members of the Board are long-term employees. 
As all Board members are full-time employees of the Company they are fully committed to the Company and are able to 
allocate sufficient time to the Company in discharging their duties and responsibilities effectively.

There is no formal system of performance evaluation of the Board or the Directors individually. Directors are encouraged 
to receive any training they consider necessary to ensure they remain up-to-date with their skills and knowledge of the 
Company’s  business  and  that  they  remain  aware  of  the  risks  associated  with  the  Company  and  also  are  aware  of  the 
regulatory, legal, financial and other developments to enable them to fulfil their roles effectively.

All Directors, with the exception of the Chairman will be subject to annual re-election.

As the Chairman is one of the Joint Managing Directors, then the Chair will not retire after the nine years recommended 
in the Code.

20

21

J. Smart & Co. (Contractors) PLC

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE (continued) 

31st JULY 2020

AUDIT, RISK AND INTERNAL CONTROL

As the Company has no Non-Executive Directors it has not established an Audit Committee, it is therefore the responsibility 
of the Board to ensure the independence and effectiveness of the external audit function.

The Company does not have an internal audit function. The Board reviews the need for this function regularly and has 
concluded for the time being that no internal audit function is required. 

RISK MANAGEMENT AND INTERNAL CONTROLS 
The Directors have sole responsibility for the preparation of the Annual Report and Statement of Accounts which taken 
as a whole is fair, balanced and understandable and provides the information necessary for the shareholders to assess the 
Company’s performance, business model and strategy. The Directors are also responsible for the preparation of the Interim 
Report and other price-sensitive public reports and to ensure that these reports are also fair, balanced and understandable.

The  Board  is  responsible  for  and  annually  reviews  the  Group’s  system  of  internal  controls  in  relation  to  financial, 
operational, compliance and risk management to ensure their continued effectiveness. The systems adopted by the Board 
are designed to manage the risks of failure to achieve the Company’s business objectives as opposed to eliminate them, 
as any system of control can only provide reasonable but not absolute assurance against material misstatement or loss. 
The Strategic Report includes a description of the principal risks and uncertainties faced by the Group and the actions 
undertaken by the Group to mitigate these risks.

The Board, in accordance with the Code, has reviewed the effectiveness of the internal controls from the commencement 
of the accounting period to the date of approval of the Annual Report and Statement of Accounts. No significant failings or 
weaknesses have been identified in that period. There has also been a continual process of identification by the Directors 
of  key  areas  of  risk  within  the  Group  and  appropriate  action  taken  to  mitigate  and  monitor  such  risks. The  Directors 
confirm that they have carried out a robust assessment of the principal risks facing the Group, as detailed in the Strategic 
Report, including those which threaten the business model, future performance, solvency and liquidity of the Group.
The  main  features  of  the  Group’s  internal  control  and  risk  management  systems  in  relation  to  the  financial  reporting 
process are:
– 

contracts,  development  projects,  land  purchases  and  acquisition  of  property,  plant  and  equipment  are  
proceeded with after due consideration by the Directors;
monthly reports for each contract and development project are prepared and reviewed by the Directors;
subsidiary Company reports are prepared for consideration by the Directors; and
treasury and cash management are undertaken by the Directors to ensure Group remains net-debt free.

− 
− 
− 

GOING CONCERN AND VIABILITY
In order to ensure the Company and Group have adequate resources to ensure the continuing operations of the Company 
and Group for the foreseeable future the Directors consider current and future trading including taking account of potential 
impact  on  trading  due  to  the  coronavirus,  investment  property  acquisitions  and  disposals  and  cash  requirements. The 
Directors take account of prevailing market conditions in all areas of the Group’s activities and use their knowledge and 
experience  relating  to  the  Group’s  investment  property  portfolio.  Currently  our  construction  activities  are  continuing 
inline with government legislation and guidance and recoverability of rents from our tenants remains high. The Directors’ 
opinion is that the Company and Group have adequate financial resources to allow the Company and Group to continue 
in operational existence for a period of at least twelve months from the date of approval of these financial statements and 
therefore considers the adoption of the going concern basis as appropriate for the preparation of these Accounts.

The Directors also consider the viability of the Group over a longer period than twelve months from the date of approval 
of  these  financial  statements,  being  a  three-year  period  from  the  Balance  Sheet  date. The  Directors  statement  on  this 
review can be found in the Strategic Report.

20

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J. Smart & Co. (Contractors) PLC

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE (continued) 

31st JULY 2020

SIGNIFICANT JUDGEMENTS, KEY ASSUMPTIONS AND ESTIMATES 
As there is no Audit Committee, it is the responsibility of the Board to consider areas of the financial statements where 
there are significant areas of judgement regarding estimates and assumptions, which in turn have a significant effect on 
the amounts recognised in the financial statements. In respect of the 2020 financial statements these areas were:
− 

Investment Property Valuations – the valuation of the investment property portfolio is completed by the Directors.  
The  valuation  of  the  property  portfolio  is  inherently  subjective  and  requires  significant  judgements  and  
assumptions to be made. The Directors appoint external valuers to value a sample of properties in the portfolio  
to provide a sense check on their valuation. The valuations are discussed with the Auditor.
Long-term  Contract  Valuations  and  Provisions  –  the  Directors  consider  contract  performance  to  ensure  
appropriate revenue recognition. Future revenue and contract performance are considered and loss provisions  
determined where necessary. Both costs and revenues may require to be revised as future events unfold and  
uncertainties are resolved which would have a direct impact on overall performance of these contracts.
Retirement  Benefit  Deficit  –  the  valuation  of  the  retirement  benefit  obligation  is  dependent  upon  a  series  of  
assumptions which are determined after the Directors take expert advice from the Group’s Actuary. Changes in  
these assumptions could have a material affect on the deficit disclosed in the financial statements.

− 

− 

The Board discusses fully all issues relevant to the above areas and obtains where possible information and advice from 
external experts and our external Auditor and only when fully satisfied with the amounts associated with each area are 
they incorporated into the financial statements.

RELATIONSHIP WITH EXTERNAL AUDITOR
As the Company does not have an Audit Committee, it is the responsibility of the Chairman and the Company Secretary 
to maintain an appropriate relationship with the Group’s external Auditor and to review the scope and results of the audit 
and its cost effectiveness. The Board is responsible for monitoring and ensuring that the Auditor’s independence and 
objectivity is not compromised. The Board takes account of the external Auditor’s own policies and procedures regarding 
their integrity and independence and the professional standards they have to adhere to. The Board monitors non-audit 
services and in some cases the nature of the non-audit advice may make it more timely and cost effective for the Group’s 
external Auditor to perform this work. The Board is responsible for setting the remuneration of the Auditor.

AUDIT TENDER PROCESS
The Group’s current external Auditor has held office since 1975 and following the implementation of EU ruling which 
became  part  of  Companies  Act  2006  via  Statutory  Instrument:  The  Statutory  Auditors  and  Third  Country  Auditors 
Regulation 2016 this means that we have to appoint a new external auditor for the forthcoming year via a tender process.

The impact of coronavirus delayed the commencement of the tender process but it started in August 2020. Approaches 
were made to a number of firms advising that the tender process was due to commence and to invite them to confirm 
their interest in participating. Invitation to tender documents were issued to those firms which indicated a willingness to 
participate. Participating firms held discussions with staff members to obtain further information they required to allow 
them to submit proposal documents. Presentations were given by these firms. The Board then evaluated the proposals and 
the presentations and concluded that it proposed to award the external audit function as from 2021 to BDO LLP.

REMUNERATION

As the Company has no Non-Executive Directors it has not established a Remuneration Committee, it is therefore the 
responsibility of the Chairman to fix the remuneration packages of the Directors which are based on the scope of their 
duties and responsibilities.

The main components of Directors remuneration are detailed in the Directors Remuneration Report and consist of basic 
salary,  benefits  and  pension  contributions  based  on  basic  salary  only.  There  are  no  performance  or  incentive-based 
elements to the Directors Remuneration and there are no share award schemes in place.

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J. Smart & Co. (Contractors) PLC

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE (continued) 

31st JULY 2020

REMUNERATION (continued)

The Chairman takes account of the remuneration packages of the workforce when determining the level of remuneration 
of the Directors, benefits given are in line with those given to employees and all contributions for pension contributions 
are at the same rates as those for employees.

No  Director  has  a  service  contract  other  than  their  initial  employment  contract  and  therefore  periods  of  notice  and 
termination payments are structured in accordance with current Employment Law.

The remuneration policy, as approved by the shareholder at the 2017 Annual General Meeting, is regarded by the Chairman 
as fulfilling the provisions of the Code for:

− 

− 

− 

− 

– 

– 

Clarity – the policy is clear and understood by all Directors and by our shareholders who approved the policy.

Simplicity – the remuneration package does not include any complex structures.

Risk – as there are no performance-based elements to the remuneration it does not promote excessive risk taking  
by the Directors.

Predictability – as there are no performance-based elements to the remuneration the level of remuneration for the  
Directors can be predicted with reasonable accuracy.

Proportionality  –  remuneration  levels  are  based  on  duties  and  responsibilities  of  the  Directors  and  are  not  
considered to be excessive.

Alignment to culture – as there are no incentive schemes the remuneration package is considered to be in line  
with the Company’s values and strategy.

22nd December 2020 

BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS 

Patricia Sweeney
Company Secretary

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23

 
 
 
 
J. Smart & Co. (Contractors) PLC

DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION REPORT 

31st JULY 2020

ANNUAL STATEMENT

On behalf of the Board of Directors, I present the Directors’ Remuneration Report for the year ended 31st July 2020.

In  addition  to  this  statement  the  Report  includes  two  other  parts  being  the  Policy  Report  and  the Annual  Report  on 
Remuneration, which have been prepared in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act 2006 and Schedule 8 
of The Large and Medium-sized Companies and Groups (Accounts and Reports) (Amendment) Regulations 2013.  The 
Report also meets the requirements of the UK Listing Authority’s Listing Rules and the Disclosure and Transparency 
Rules.

The Policy Report has been developed taking account of the principles of the UK Corporate Governance Code 2018.  

The shareholders approved the previous Policy at the 2017 Annual General Meeting and the policy was effective for three 
years from that date.

The shareholders will be asked to approve the Policy at the 2020 Annual General Meeting and if approved will become 
effective from that date and will be effective for three years.

The Annual  Report  on  Remuneration  will  be  subject  to  a  vote  at  the  2020 Annual  General  Meeting.    Our Auditor  is 
required to report to the shareholders on certain information contained in the Annual Report on Remuneration and that it 
has been prepared in accordance with the Act and the Regulations. The information to be audited is appropriately marked.

There have been no substantial changes to Executive Directors’ remuneration in the year.  Our policy continues to be to 
provide remuneration packages that will retain and motivate the Directors to sustain the long term growth and value of 
the Company.

22nd December 2020 

THE POLICY REPORT

DaviD w Smart
Chairman

As stated in the Corporate Governance Statement the Company does not appoint Non-Executive Directors and therefore 
the  Company  does  not  have  a  Remuneration  Committee  to  set  the  Executive  Directors’  Remuneration  Policy.    The 
Chairman fulfils the function of the Remuneration Committee.

The Company’s remuneration policy is to provide remuneration packages that will retain and motivate the Directors to 
sustain the long term growth and value of the Company and is based on the scope of their duties and responsibilities.  
The Directors are not entitled to any performance related remuneration, long term incentive schemes or share options.  
The  remuneration  of  the  Directors  is  not  performance  related  therefore  no  element  of  their  remuneration  is  based  on 
performance measures.

The policy table below summarises the main components of Directors’ Remuneration:

ELEMENT

PURPOSE AND STRATEGY

OPERATION

BASE SALARY

To  pay  a  fair  salary  commensurate  with  the 
individual’s role, responsibilities and experience. 

Reviewed  annually  in  July  taking  account  of  the 
individual’s  role  and  experience  and  the  salary 
increases  of  employees  throughout  the  Group  as  a 
whole.  No maximum level is set.

24

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J. Smart & Co. (Contractors) PLC

DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION REPORT (continued) 

31st JULY 2020

ELEMENT 

PURPOSE AND STRATEGY 

                              OPERATION

BENEFITS 

To provide support to enable the Directors to carry out 
their duties effectively. 

PENSION

To provide appropriate levels of retirement benefits.

Benefits  include  cash  in  lieu  of  a  company  car  and 
private  medical  insurance.    No  maximum  level  is  set 
as  the  costs  of  providing  benefits  fluctuate  over  time; 
however the costs are monitored to ensure they remain 
reasonable.

Depending  on  when  a  Director  first  became  an 
employee of the Company will determine whether they 
are members of the Company’s Defined Benefit Pension 
Scheme or Defined Contribution Scheme.

Company contributions to the Defined Benefit Scheme 
are currently 35.4% of base salary.  Contribution levels 
are set in agreement between the scheme trustees and 
the Company and can therefore vary from time to time.

Company  contributions  to  the  Defined  Contribution 
Scheme are currently a minimum of 10% of base salary.

The  Chairman  retains  the  right  to  make  minor  amendments  to  the  above  policy,  to  take  account  of  regulatory,  tax, 
legislative or administrative changes without obtaining shareholder approval for these amendments.

No share options or long term incentive schemes are operated by the Company.  

Directors are entitled to claim relevant expenses incurred by them in respect of their duties.

There are no provisions for the recovery of sums paid to Directors or the withholding of the payment of any sums to 
Directors.

As all remuneration of Directors is fixed remuneration there is no need to illustrate, via a bar chart, the expected values of 
proposed remuneration as it does not contain any elements based on performance and therefore is not subject to change 
based on either the Company’s or Director’s performance. 

APPROACH TO RECRUITMENT OF DIRECTORS

The Company’s approach to appointing new Executive Directors is to appoint from within the Company.  As such the 
remuneration  of  the  Director  has  already  been  set  by  the  Company  and  the  package  held  by  the  employee  prior  to 
appointment as a Director will remain in place.  Consideration will be made of the increased duties and responsibilities 
that will apply post appointment as a Director and revision to their base salary may be made to reflect this.

SERVICE CONTRACTS AND POLICY ON CESSATION

No Director has a service contract with the Company, other than their initial employment contract and therefore periods 
of notice and termination payments are structured in accordance with current Employment Law.

CONSIDERATION OF EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS ELSEWHERE IN COMPANY

The  Chairman  when  considering  the  remuneration  of  the  Executive  Directors  takes  into  account  the  remuneration 
of employees across the Group as a whole.  However, the Chairman does not consult directly with employees on the 
remuneration of the Executive Directors but is mindful of salary increases which are applied across the Group as a whole.

24

25

 
J. Smart & Co. (Contractors) PLC

DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION REPORT (continued) 

31st JULY 2020 

CONSIDERATION OF SHAREHOLDER VIEWS

The Chairman considers all views and concerns he receives from shareholders especially at the Annual General Meeting 
when shareholders have the opportunity to ask questions of the Board on all matters relating to the Company including 
Directors’ Remuneration, or at any other time throughout the year.  

Although no direct communication was held by the Chairman with major shareholders prior to shaping the Remuneration 
Policy  he  believes  that  it  is  a  responsible  approach  to  remuneration  and  its  policies  in  the  past  and  for  the  future  as 
evidenced by the level of approval of the 2019 Directors’ Remuneration Report at the 2019 Annual General Meeting, 
details of which are given in the Annual Report on Remuneration below. 

ANNUAL REPORT ON REMUNERATION 

The following provides details of how the remuneration policy was implemented in the year to 31st July 2020. 

Single Total Figure of Remuneration for Executive Directors (Audited Information)
The following table presents the single figure for the total remuneration of each Executive Director for the year ended 
31st July 2020 and the prior year:

Salary 
£000 

Taxable 
Benefits 
£000 

David W Smart 
2020 
2019 

.   
.   

John R Smart 
.   
2020 
.   
2019 

Alasdair H Ross
2020 
2019 

.   
.   

. 
. 

. 
. 

. 
. 

Patricia Sweeney
2020 
2019 

.   
.   

. 
. 

90 
.   
.   

.   
.   

.   
.   

.   
.   

6 
.   
.   

.   
.   

.   
.   

.   
.   

96 
. 
. 

. 
. 

. 
. 

. 
. 

88
.       
.       

.       
.       

.       
.       

.       
.       

. 
. 

. 
. 

. 
. 

. 
. 

116 
113 

116 
113 

116 
113 

116 
113 

10 
10 

10 
10 

10 
10 

10 
10 

Pension 
£000 

Total 
£000 

531                     179
541 
177

14 
13 

551 
561 

14 
13 

140
136

181
179

140
136

1.  Pension value represents the cash value of pension accrued over one year multiplied by 20 in line with new regulations with allowance for inflation and employee contributions.

26

27

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
J. Smart & Co. (Contractors) PLC

DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION REPORT (continued) 

31st JULY 2020

DIRECTORS’ PENSION ENTITLEMENTS (AUDITED INFORMATION) 
David  W  Smart  and  Alasdair  H  Ross  are  members  of  the  Company’s  Defined  Benefit  Pension  Scheme  whilst  
John R Smart and Patricia Sweeney are members of the Company’s Group Personal Pension Plan.

The Company’s Defined Benefit Pension Scheme was closed to new members in 2003. The normal date of retirement 
based on the scheme rules is 65 and there is no automatic entitlement to early retirement. Contributions by the employer 
under the scheme are 35.4% of pensionable salary.

Accrued pension 
as at 31 July 2020 
£000 

42   

52 

Accrued pension
as at 31 July 2019
£000
39

     49

David W Smart 

Alasdair H Ross 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

SCHEME INTEREST AWARDS (AUDITED INFORMATION)
There were no scheme interests awarded in the year.

PAYMENTS TO PAST DIRECTORS (AUDITED INFORMATION)
No payments were made to past Directors in the year.

PAYMENTS FOR LOSS OF OFFICE (AUDITED INFORMATION)
No payments for loss of office were made to Directors in the year.

STATEMENT OF DIRECTORS’ SHAREHOLDING AND SHARE INTERESTS (AUDITED INFORMATION)
The Company has no policy that Directors are required to own shares in the Company, although all Directors are currently 
shareholders of the Company.

The interests of the Directors in the ordinary shares of the Company, including beneficial interests, are shown in the table 
below:

Beneficial holdings 
(including interests of the Director’s connected persons)
       4 December 2020  

31 July 2020 

         31July 2019

.   
David W Smart 
John R Smart 
.   
Alasdair H Ross  .   
Patricia Sweeney .   

. 
. 
. 
. 

.   
.   
.   
.   

.   
.   
.   
.   

. 
. 
. 
. 

   12,782,750 
   12,782,750 
        150,000 
        150,000 

   12,268,500 
   12,268,500 
        100,000 
          50,000 

          12,268,500
          12,268,500
               100,000
                 50,000

26

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J. Smart & Co. (Contractors) PLC

DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION REPORT (continued) 

31st JULY 2020 

PERFORMANCE GRAPH 

The graph below shows a comparison of the total shareholder return for the Company’s shares for each of the last five 
financial years against the total shareholder return for the companies comprised in the FTSE EPRA/NAREIT UK index 
which the Company deems to be the most relevant to the Company as it includes companies in the same sector as the 
Company.

The graph compares the value of £100 invested in J. Smart & Co. (Contractors) PLC, including re-invested dividends.

Total Shareholder Return over the last five financial years

£

140

120

100

80

60

40

20

0

J Smart & Co (Contractors) PLC

FTSE EPRA / NAREIT UK Index

2015                        2016                        2017                        2018                        2019                       2020

GROUP CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER’S TOTAL REMUNERATION

The following table details the Chief Executive Officer’s single figure of remuneration over the last five financial years:

2020 
£000  
  179  
    86 

David W Smart 
John M Smart 

2019 
£000 
 177 
  115 

2018 
£000 
  154 
  115 

2017 
£000 
  148 
  119 

2016 
£000 
  166 
  133

GROUP CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER’S CHANGE IN REMUNERATION

The  following  table  compares  the  change  in  remuneration  of  the  Group  Chief    Executive  Officer  and  that  of  the  
remuneration  of  the  Group’s  salaried  employees.    This  group  of  employees  was  chosen  as  it  represents  the  most  
comparable group.

Base salary 
Taxable benefits   

.   

. 
. 

.   
.   

. 
. 

. 
. 

  3 % 
  – % 

5 %
%

  –

CEO 
% change 2019-2020  

    Other employees
% change 2019-2020

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J. Smart & Co. (Contractors) PLC

DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION REPORT (continued) 

31st JULY 2020

RELATIVE IMPORTANCE OF SPEND ON PAY

The  following  table  compares  the  total  spend  on  remuneration  of  all  employees  of  the  Group,  including  Executive 
Directors, and the total amounts paid in distributions to shareholders for the years to 31st July 2020 and 31st July 2019:

2020 
£000 

2019 
£000 

Difference in  Difference as a
percentage
 %

spend 
£000 

Remuneration of employees 
Total distributions paid  
(being dividends and share buy backs) 

. 
. 

. 
. 

. 
. 

  9,015 
  1,588 

9,600                           (585) 
1,619                             (31) 

((6)
(2)

IMPLEMENTATION OF EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR REMUNERATION POLICY FOR 2021

After due consideration given the impact both operational and financial of coronavirus on the Company it was decided that 
there would be no increase in the base salaries awarded to any Director for the year to 31st July 2021.

 Base salary from 1st July 2020 
£   

David W Smart 
John R Smart 
Alasdair H Ross 
Patricia Sweeney 

.   
.   
.   
.   

. 
. 
. 
. 

.   
.   
.   
.   

. 
. 
. 
. 

.        
.        
.        
.        

. 
. 
. 
. 

. 
. 
. 
. 

115,625 
115,625 
115,625 
115,625 

Base salary from 1st July 2019
£
115,625
115,625
115,625
115,625

CONSIDERATIONS BY THE DIRECTORS OF MATTERS RELATING TO DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION

The Chairman is responsible for determining Directors’ Remuneration.  No advice was sought in the year in considering 
Directors’ Remuneration.  

SUMMARY OF SHAREHOLDER VOTING AT THE 2019 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
The  2019  Directors’  Remuneration  Report  was  put  to  the  shareholders  for  their  approval  at  the  2019 Annual  General 
Meeting.  The resolution was passed on a show of hands.  

Details of the proxy votes lodged, including those at the discretion of the Chairman, are as follows:

. 
. 

. 
.   
For 
. 
.   
Against 
Total votes cast (excluding votes withheld) 
Votes withheld 
. 
.   
Total votes cast (including votes withheld) 

.   
.   

.   

. 

.   
.   
. 
. 
. 

. 
. 
. 
. 
.  

 .    
 .    
. 
. 
.     

. 
. 
. 
. 
. 

Total number 
 of votes 
27,091,345 
              454 
27,091,799 
           3,600 
  27,095,399 

. 
. 
. 
. 
. 

% of votes cast

100
        –
    100

Votes withheld are not included in the proxy figures as they are not recognised as a vote in law.

22nd December 2020 

BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS 

Patricia Sweeney
Company Secretary

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J. Smart & Co. (Contractors) PLC

STATEMENT OF DIRECTORS’ RESPONSIBILITIES 

31st JULY 2020

STATEMENT OF DIRECTORS’ RESPONSIBILITIES IN RESPECT OF THE ANNUAL REPORT AND STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS

The  Directors  are  responsible  for  preparing  the  Annual  Report  and  the  Group  and  Parent  Company’s  Statement  of 
Accounts in accordance with applicable law and regulations.

Company law requires the Directors to prepare Group and Parent Company financial statements for each financial year.  
Under that law they are required to prepare the Group financial statements in accordance with International Financial 
Reporting Standards as adopted by the European Union (IFRS as adopted by the EU) and applicable law and have elected 
to prepare the Parent Company financial statements on the same basis.

Under company law the Directors must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true 
and fair view of the state of affairs of the Group and Parent Company and of their profit or loss for that period.  In preparing 
each of the Group and Parent Company financial statements, the Directors are required to:

− 

− 

− 

− 

select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;

make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;

state whether they have been prepared in accordance with IFRS as adopted by the EU; and

prepare  the  financial  statements  on  the  going  concern  basis  unless  it  is  inappropriate  to  presume  that  
the Group and the Parent Company will continue in business.

The Directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the Group 
and Parent Company’s transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Group 
and Parent Company and enable them to ensure that its financial statements comply with Companies Act 2006.  They 
have general responsibility for taking such steps as are reasonably open to them to safeguard the assets of the Group and 
to prevent and detect fraud and other irregularities.

Under  applicable  law  and  regulations,  the  Directors  are  also  responsible  for  preparing  the  Report  of  the  Directors, 
Strategic Report, Corporate Governance Statement and Directors’ Remuneration Report that complies with that law and 
those regulations.

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

DIRECTORS’ RESPONSIBILITY STATEMENT

Each of the Directors confirms to the best of their knowledge:
− 

− 

− 

the  financial  statements,  prepared  in  accordance  with  the  applicable  set  of  accounting  standards,  give  
a  true  and  fair  view  of  the  assets,  liabilities,  financial  position  and  profit  or  loss  of  the  Company  and  the  
undertakings included in the consolidation taken as a whole;
the  Report  of  the  Directors  and  the  Strategic  Report  include  a  fair  review  of  the  development  and  
performance  of  the  business  and  the  position  of  the  Company  and  undertakings  included  in  the  
consolidation  taken  as  a  whole,  together  with  a  description  of  the  principal  risks  and  uncertainties  that  
they face; and
the  Annual  Report  and  Statement  of  Accounts  taken  as  a  whole  are  fair,  balanced  and  understandable  
and  provide  the  information  necessary  for  the  shareholders  to  assess  the  Group’s  business  model,  
performance and strategy.

22nd December 2020 

BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS 

Patricia Sweeney
Company Secretary

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31

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
J. Smart & Co. (Contractors) PLC

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT  

31st JULY 2020

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF J. SMART & CO. (CONTRACTORS) PLC 

OPINION 

We have audited the financial statements of J. Smart & Co. (Contractors) PLC for the year ended 31st July 2020 which 
comprise the Consolidated Income Statement, the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income, the Consolidated 
and  Company  Statement  of  Changes  in  Equity,  the  Consolidated  and  Company  Statement  of  Financial  Position,  the 
Consolidated  and  Company  Statement  of  Cash  Flows  and  notes  to  the  accounts,  including  a  summary  of  significant 
accounting policies.  The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and 
International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the European Union (IFRS as adopted by EU) and, as regards 
the Parent Company financial statements, as applied in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act 2006.
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 
31st July 2020 and of the Group’s profit for the year then ended;
the Group financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with IFRS as adopted by the EU;
the Parent Company financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with IFRS as adopted by the EU 
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 and, as 
regards the Group financial statements, Article 4 of the IAS Regulations.

• 
• 

• 

Our opinion is consistent with any reporting to those charged with governance.

BASIS FOR OPINION 
We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law.  Our 
responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial 
statements section of our report.  We are independent of the Group in accordance with the ethical requirements that are 
relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard as applied to listed public 
interest entities, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements.  We believe 
that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

CONCLUSIONS RELATING TO PRINCIPAL RISKS, GOING CONCERN AND VIABILITY STATEMENT 
We have nothing to report in respect of the following information in the Annual Report, in relation to which the ISAs (UK) 
require us to report to you whether we have anything material to add or draw attention to:
• 

the disclosures in the Annual Report set out on pages 14 and 15 that describe the principal risks and explain how they 
are being managed or mitigated;
the Directors’ confirmation set out on page 21 in the Annual Report that they have carried out a robust assessment 
of the principal risks facing the Group, including those that would threaten its business model, future performance, 
solvency or liquidity;
the  Directors’  statement,  set  out  on  page  9  in  the  financial  statements,  about  whether  the  Directors  considered  it 
appropriate to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements and the Directors’ 
identification of any material uncertainties to the Group and the Parent company’s ability to continue to do so over a 
period of at least twelve months from the date of approval of the financial statements;

• 

• 

•  whether  the  Directors’  statement  relating  to  going  concern  required  under  the  Listing  Rules  in  accordance  with 

• 

Listing Rule 9.8.6R(3) is materially inconsistent with our knowledge obtained in the audit; or
the Directors’ explanation set out on page 16 in the Annual Report as to how they have assessed the prospects of the 
Group, over what period they have done so and why they consider that period to be appropriate, and their statement 
as to whether they have a reasonable expectation that the Group will be able to continue in operation and meet its 
liabilities as they fall due over the period of their assessment, including any related disclosures drawing attention to 
any necessary qualifications or assumptions.

However, because not all future events or conditions can be predicted, this statement is not a guarantee as to the Group’s 
and Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.

30

31

J. Smart & Co. (Contractors) PLC

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT (continued) 

31st JULY 2020 

KEY AUDIT MATTERS

Key audit matters are those matters that, in our professional judgement, were of most significance in our audit of the 
financial statements of the current period and include the most significant assessed risks of material misstatement (whether 
or not due to fraud) that we identified. These matters included those which had the greatest effect on: the overall audit 
strategy, the allocation of resources in the audit; and directing the efforts of the engagement team. These matters were 
addressed in the context of our audit of the financial statements as a whole, and in forming our opinion thereon, and we 
do not provide a separate opinion on these matters.

VALUATION OF THE INVESTMENT PROPERTY PORTFOLIO

As  described  in  note  1 Accounting  Policies  and  Estimation Techniques  and  note  15  Investment  Properties  the  Group 
carries investment properties at the Directors’ estimate of fair value. As at 31st July 2020 the Group held investment 
properties of £78,632,000.

Judgement is required by the Directors in terms of the assessment of the individual nature of each property, its location, 
expected future rental income, tenure and tenancy profiles, prevailing market yields and comparable market conditions. 
The  valuation  of  investment  properties  requires  significant  judgement  by  management.  Any  input  inaccuracies  or 
unreasonable bases used in these assumptions could result in a material misstatement in the financial statements. 

Due to the coronavirus pandemic and the shortage of comparable market evidence, the investment properties are subject to 
material valuation uncertainty in accordance with RICS valuation standards. Consequently less certainty can be attached 
to the valuation than would normally be the case.

How we addressed the key audit matter

To obtain assurance over management’s assumptions applied in calculating the fair value of investment properties we 
completed the following audit procedures among others:
• 

testing the integrity of the information used by the Directors in completing the valuation including agreement on a 
sample basis back to underlying leases;

• 

•  meeting with the Directors to challenge the valuation process, the performance of the portfolio and the significant 
assumptions and critical judgement areas, including future income and yields especially in light of coronavirus;
reviewing  the  results  of  a  valuation  completed  by  a  third  party  professional  valuer  of  a  sample  of  the  property 
portfolio, comparing this to the Directors’ valuation and discussing the results with the Directors, and the third party 
professional valuer; and
reviewing other available third party market data relevant to the location and sectors of the property portfolio.

• 

Material valuation uncertainty due to coronavirus 
We  considered  the  adequacy  of  the  disclosures  in  note  1  (Critical  Accounting  Estimates  and  Judgements)  and  note 
15  Investment  Properties  to  the  financial  statements. These  notes  explain  that  due  to  coronavirus  and  the  shortage  of 
comparable market evidence, the investment properties are subject to material valuation uncertainty. Consequently less 
certainty and a higher degree of caution should be attached to the valuations as at 31st July 2020. 
Based on our procedures, we noted no material exceptions and considered management’s key assumptions to be within 
reasonable ranges, and the disclosures in relation to the material valuation uncertainty within the financial statements are 
sufficient and appropriate to highlight the increased estimation uncertainty as a result of coronavirus.

CONTRACT ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES

As described in note 1 Accounting Policies and Estimation Techniques, note 19 Contract Balances and note 22 Trade and 
Other Payables the Group carries amounts recoverable on contracts of £423,000 and contract loss provisions of £98,000.

Judgement is required in preparing suitable estimates of the forecast costs and revenue on contracts. The Directors take 
into account the estimated costs to complete and the percentage stage of completion of current contracts when determining 
the recognition of profit or the requirement for a loss provision. An error in the contract outcome could result in a material 
variance in the amount of profit or loss recognised to date and therefore also in the current period.

32

33

J. Smart & Co. (Contractors) PLC

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT (continued) 

31st JULY 2020 

KEY AUDIT MATTERS (continued)

CONTRACT ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES (continued)

substantive testing of contract revenues, contract costs and private housing sales;

How we addressed the key audit matter
To obtain assurance over management’s assumptions in calculating contract outcomes we completed the following audit 
procedures among others:
• 
•  meeting with the Directors to challenge forecast revenues and costs to complete in relation to private housing sales;
•  meeting with the Directors to challenge key judgements inherent in the forecast costs to complete that are crucial in 
determining revenue and margin to be recognised and the identification of loss making contracts and the quantum of 
loss provisions;
substantive testing of costs to complete to contract information and costs incurred post year end; and 
performing site visits and reviewing contract terms for key contracts.

• 
• 

Overall based on these procedures, we are satisfied that contract balances are appropriately stated and that revenue and 
contract results have been recorded appropriately.

PENSION SCHEME VALUATION

As described in note 1 Accounting Policies and Estimation Techniques and note 30 Retirement Benefit Obligations the 
Group has a defined benefit pension plan in the UK. At 31st July 2020, the Group recorded a net retirement benefit liability 
of £1,076,000, comprising scheme assets of £40,355,000 and scheme liabilities of £41,431,000.
The pension valuation is dependent on market conditions and key assumptions made, in particular, relating to investment 
returns, discount rate, inflation expectations and life expectancy assumptions.
The setting of these assumptions is complex and requires the exercise of significant management judgement with the 
support of third party actuaries.  Any unreasonable bases used in these assumptions could result in a material misstatement 
in the financial statements, refer to sensitivity analysis in note 30.

How we addressed the key audit matter
To obtain assurance over managements judgements in the determination of the pension scheme surplus we completed the 
following audit procedures among others:
•  we reviewed the key assumptions with management;
•  we reviewed the key assumptions with the actuary;
•  we benchmarked key assumptions against available empirical data;
•  we verified the scheme assets and the base information used in the actuarial valuation; and
•  we also reviewed the disclosure of the pension scheme assumptions in the financial statements.

Based on our procedures, we noted no material exceptions and considered management’s key assumptions to be within 
reasonable ranges.

CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC

The coronavirus pandemic continues to have a major impact on economies despite the Government measure introduced. 
In  order  to  assess  the  impact  of  coronavirus  on  the  Group,  the  Directors  have  reviewed  and  updated  their  forecasts 
of revenue, profits, cashflow and operational activities for the next twelve months and over the next three years. The 
Directors have used these forecasts in their business viability and going concern assessments.
The most significant impact to the financial statements has been the valuation of investment properties as described in the 
relevant key audit matter above.
In making their assessment the Directors have considered the ability of the Group to remain net debt free. After considering 
all these factors, the Directors have concluded that the financial statements can continue to be prepared on a going concern 
basis.

32

33

J. Smart & Co. (Contractors) PLC

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT (continued) 

31st JULY 2020 

KEY AUDIT MATTERS (continued)

CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC (continued)

How we addressed the key audit matter
To obtain assurance over managements assessment of viability and going concern including the impact of coronavirus, we 
completed the following audit procedures among others:
•  we  reviewed  management’s  assessment  including  evidence  of  the  operational  impact  and  consistency  with  other 

available information;
• 
our procedures in respect of the valuation of investment properties are set out in the relevant key audit matter above;
•  we assessed the financial statement disclosures in relation to coronavirus and their consistency with the evidence 

obtained in our audit; and

•  we assessed management’s going concern analysis in light of coronavirus and the sensitivities used in the forecasts.
Based on our procedures we are satisfied that the impact on the business including the consideration of going concern in 
light of coronavirus has been adequately assessed and disclosed.

OUR APPLICATION OF MATERIALITY 

We apply the concept of materiality both in planning and performing our audit, and in evaluating the effect of misstatements 
on our audit and on the financial statements.  For the purposes of determining whether the financial statements are free from 
material misstatement we define materiality as the magnitude of misstatements that makes it probable that the economic 
decisions of a reasonably knowledgeable person relying on the financial statements would be changed or influenced.
The  materiality  for  the  Group  financial  statements  as  a  whole  was  set  at  £865,000.    This  has  been  determined  with 
reference to a benchmark of Group total assets (of which it represents 0.75%) which we consider to be one of the principal 
considerations for members of the Company in assessing the financial position of the Group.  We also considered the 
overall  property  portfolio  valuation  and  the  extent  and  significance  of  the  construction  business  in  concluding  on  the 
appropriate level of materiality. 
We agreed with the Board of Directors to report to it all corrected and uncorrected misstatements we identified through 
our audit with a value in excess of £43,000, in addition to other audit misstatements below that threshold that we believe 
warranted reporting on qualitative grounds.
There were no misstatements identified during the course of our audit that were individually, or in aggregate, considered 
to be material in terms of their absolute monetary value or on qualitative grounds.

AN OVERVIEW OF THE SCOPE OF OUR AUDIT 

The Group financial statements are a consolidation of the seven trading entities including the parent entity and the Group’s 
four joint ventures.  Except for one of the joint ventures all entities were audited to their own individual materiality levels.
In establishing the overall approach to the Group audit, we obtained an understanding of the Group and its environment, 
including  group-wide  controls,  and  assessed  the  risks  of  material  misstatement  at  the  Group  level.    This  assessment 
determined the type of audit work required to enable us to conclude whether sufficient audit evidence had been obtained 
as a basis for our opinion on the Group financial statements.
There were no changes in the scope of our audit during the year.
Our audit work at Group level on the four areas highlighted in the key audit matters is described above.
In addition we assessed the capability of the audit in detecting irregularies including fraud. The main risk from either 
fraud  or  irregularity  with  respect  to  the  Group  financial  statements  was  the  possibility  of  management  override  of 
controls. In particular, we looked at where the Directors made subjective judgements, for example in respect of significant 
accounting estimates that involved making assumptions and considering future events that are inherently uncertain.  We 
also addressed the risk of management override of internal controls, including evaluating whether there was evidence of 
bias by the Directors that represented a risk of material misstatement due to fraud. There are inherent limitations in the 
audit procedures noted above where the risk of not detecting a material misstatement due to fraud is higher than the risk 
of not detecting one resulting from error, as fraud may involve deliberate concealment by for example forgery, intentional 
misrepresentations or through collusion.

34

35

J. Smart & Co. (Contractors) PLC

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT (continued) 

31st JULY 2020 

OTHER INFORMATION

The other information comprises the information included in the Annual Report set out on pages 4 to 79 other than the 
financial statements and our Auditor’s report thereon. The Directors are responsible for the other information. Our opinion 
on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in 
our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. In connection with our audit of the financial 
statements, our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so consider whether the other information is 
materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the audit or otherwise appears to be 
materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required 
to determine whether there is a material misstatement in the financial statements or a material misstatement of the other 
information. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of the other 
information, we are required to report that fact.

We have nothing to report in this regard.

In this context, we also have nothing to report in regard to our responsibility to specifically address the following items 
in the other information and to report as uncorrected material misstatements of the other information where we conclude 
that those items meet the following conditions:

•  Fair, balanced and understandable - the statement given by the Directors on page 30 that they consider the Annual 
Report and financial statements taken as a whole is fair, balanced and understandable and provides the information 
necessary for shareholders to assess the Group’s business model, performance and strategy, is materially inconsistent 
with our knowledge obtained in the audit; or

•  Audit committee reporting - the explanation set out on page 21 as to why the Annual Report does not include a 
section describing the work of the audit committee is materially inconsistent with our knowledge obtained in the 
audit; or

•  Directors’  statement  of  compliance  with  the  UK  Corporate  Governance  Code  –  the  parts  of  the  Directors’ 
statement, set out on page 18 to 23, required under the Listing Rules relating to the Company’s compliance with the 
UK Corporate Governance Code containing provisions specified for review by the auditor in accordance with Listing 
Rule 9.8.10R(2) do not properly disclose a departure from a relevant provision of the UK Corporate Governance 
Code.

OPINION ON OTHER MATTERS PRESCRIBED BY THE COMPANIES ACT 2006

In our opinion, the part of the Directors’ Remuneration Report to be audited has been properly prepared in accordance 
with the Companies Act 2006.

In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:
•  The information given in the Report of the Directors’ and the Strategic Report for the financial year for which the 
financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements and those reports have been prepared in 
accordance with applicable legal requirements.

MATTERS ON WHICH WE ARE REQUIRED TO REPORT BY EXCEPTION

In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the Group and the Parent company and its environment obtained in the 
course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in:
•  The Report of the Directors’ or the Strategic Report; or
•  The information about internal control and risk management systems in relation to financial reporting processes and 

about share capital structures, given in compliance with rules 7.2.5 and 7.2.6 of the FCA Rules.

34

35

J. Smart & Co. (Contractors) PLC

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT (continued) 

31st JULY 2020 

MATTERS ON WHICH WE ARE REQUIRED TO REPORT BY EXCEPTION (continued)

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which 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 and the part of the Directors’ Remuneration Report to be audited 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.

• 

RESPONSIBILITIES OF DIRECTORS

As explained more fully in the Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities set out on page 30 the Directors are responsible for 
the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal 
control as the Directors determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material 
misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.
In preparing the financial statements, the Directors are responsible for assessing the Group’s and the Parent Company’s 
ability  to  continue  as  a  going  concern  disclosing  as  applicable,  matters  related  to  going  concern  and  using  the  going 
concern basis of accounting unless the Directors either intend to liquidate the Group or the Parent Company or to cease 
operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

AUDITOR’S RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THE AUDIT OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material 
misstatement,  whether  due  to  fraud  or  error,  and  to  issue  an  auditor’s  report  that  includes  our  opinion.  Reasonable 
assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will 
always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered 
material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of 
users taken on the basis of these financial statements.
A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located in the Financial Reporting 
Council’s website at: www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor’s report.

USE OF THIS REPORT

This report is made solely to the Company’s shareholders, 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 shareholders 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 shareholders as a 
body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

OTHER MATTERS WHICH WE ARE REQUIRED TO ADDRESS

We were appointed by the Directors to audit the financial statements for the year ending 31st July 1975 and subsequent 
financial periods. The period of total uninterrupted engagement is 45 years, covering the years ending 31st July 1975 to 
31st July 2020.
The non-audit services prohibited by the FRC’s Ethical Standard were not provided to the Group or the Parent Company 
and we remain independent of the Group and the Parent company in conducting our audit.

133 Finnieston Street 
Glasgow 
G3 8HB 
22nd December 2020 

antony J Sinclair
Senior Statutory Auditor
for and on behalf of FRENCH DUNCAN LLP
Statutory Auditor and Chartered Accountants

36

37

 
J. Smart & Co. (Contractors) PLC

CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT
for the year ended  31st JULY 2020 

CONTINUING OPERATIONS
Group construction activities  
. 
Less: Own construction work capitalised 

. 

REVENUE     
Cost of sales 

GROSS PROFIT 

. 
. 

. 

. 
. 

. 

Other operating income  . 
Net operating expenses  . 

. 
. 

. 

. 
. 

. 
. 

. 

. 
. 

. 
. 

. 
. 

. 

. 
. 

OPERATING PROFIT BEFORE NET SURPLUS 
ON VALUATION OF INVESTMENT PROPERTIES  . 

Net surplus on valuation of investment properties 

. 
. 

. 
. 

. 

. 
. 

. 

. 

. 
. 

. 
. 

. 

. 
. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 
. 
OPERATING PROFIT 
Share of (losses)/ profits  in Joint Ventures 
. 
. 
Income from available for sale financial assets 
. 
. 
Profit on sale of available for sale financial assets 
Net deficit on valuation of available for sale financial assets  
. 
Finance income  . 
. 
. 
Finance costs 

. 
. 
. 
. 

. 
. 

. 
. 

. 
. 

. 
. 

. 

PROFIT BEFORE TAX 

Taxation 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

PROFIT FOR THE YEAR FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS 

DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS 
Loss for the year from discontinued operations 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

PROFIT FOR YEAR ATTRIBUTABLE TO EQUITY SHAREHOLDERS 

EARNINGS/(LOSS) PER SHARE 
From continuing operations – basic and diluted 

From discontinued operations – basic and diluted 

. 

. 

. 

. 

From continuing and discontinued operations – basic and diluted 

36

37

Notes 

2020 
£000 

2019
£000

19,223 
   (2,410) 

16,182
    (147) 

16,813 
 (16,764) 

16,035
 (14,416)

49 

1,619

7,198 
   (6,078) 

7,560
  (6,264) 

1,169 

2,915)

    3,179) 

   4,052)

4,348            6,967)
48
53
26
((9)
185

(13) 
50  
16 
4(379) 
130  

         (12)                  –  

4,140             7,270  

3 

4 

15 

6 
16 
7 

8 
8 

9 

      (508) 

     (529) 

3,632             6,741  

10                  (47)            (505) 

11               3,585            6,236 

13                8.46p         15.47p 

13              (0.11)p         (1.16)p

13                8.35p          14.31p 

. 
. 

. 
. 

. 

. 
. 

. 

. 

. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
J. Smart & Co. (Contractors) PLC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME 
for the year ended 31st JULY 2020

PROFIT FOR THE YEAR 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

               3,585             6,236

Notes 

2020  
£000  

2019 
£000 

OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS   
Items that will not be subsequently reclassified to Income Statement: 
. 
Actuarial loss recognised in defined benefit pension scheme  
(3,961)  
.                  24                  942) 
. 
Deferred taxation on actuarial loss 

30 

. 

. 

. 

((1,118)
       190)

TOTAL ITEMS THAT WILL NOT BE SUBSEQUENTLY 
RECLASSIFIED TO INCOME STATEMENT . 

. 

TOTAL OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME FOR THE YEAR, NET OF TAX 

ATTRIBUTABLE TO EQUITY SHAREHOLDERS 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

            (3,019) 

      (928)

             (3,019)              (928)

        566             5,308) 

      566  

        5,308)

38

39

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
J. Smart & Co. (Contractors) PLC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY 
as at 31st JULY 2020

                                   Capital 
Share  Redemption 
Reserve  

Capital 
£000  

Retained  
Earnings         Total
£000             £000          £000

At 1st August 2018  

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 
Profit for the year 
. 
Other comprehensive loss 
. 
TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME FOR THE YEAR 

. 
. 

. 
. 

. 
. 
.    

. 

. 
. 
. 

. 

880                  128 

       95,585       96,593

.                      –                    –              6,236        6,236
.                      – 
          –)              (928)        (928)
.                      –                     –)           5,308)       5,308)

TRANSACTIONS WITH OWNERS, RECORDED DIRECTLY IN EQUITY 
. 
Shares purchased and cancelled  
Transfer to Capital Redemption Reserve 
. 
Dividends  

.   
.   
.   

. 
. 
. 

. 
. 
. 

. 

. 

. 

TOTAL TRANSACTIONS WITH OWNERS  . 

At 31st July 2019    

. 

. 
Profit for the year 
Other comprehensive loss 

. 

. 
. 

. 

. 
. 

. 

. 

. 
. 

TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME FOR THE YEAR 

. 

. 

. 
. 
. 

. 

. 

. 
. 
. 

         2,436 
TRANSACTIONS WITH OWNERS, RECORDED DIRECTLY IN EQUITY 
Shares purchased and cancelled  
. 
Transfer to Capital Redemption Reserve 
. 
Dividends  

. 
. 
. 

. 
. 
. 

. 
. 
. 

. 

. 

. 

TOTAL TRANSACTIONS WITH OWNERS  . 

At 31st July 2020  . 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

.     

.     

. 

. 

38

39

.                   (14)                    –              (792)         (806)
. 
. 

           –                      –              (813)          (813)

14                 (14)              –

–   

 .                (14)                  14            (1,619)      (1,619)

 .                866                 142 )  

 99,274      100,282

–                      –             3,585        3,585
.     
.                      –)                   –            (3,019)     (3,019)
.                      –)                    –               566           566

      3,064

.                   (13)                   –               (780)       (793)
–                    13                (13)              –
. 
           –                      –)               (795)         (795)
. 

.                   (13)                 13           (1,588)     (1,588)

.                  853                 155           98,252        99,260

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
                               
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
J. Smart & Co. (Contractors) PLC

COMPANY STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY 
as at 31st JULY 2020

Capital 
Share  Redemption  
Reserve 
£000 

Capital 
£000 

Retained  
Earnings 
£000 

880 

128 

8,987 

Total
£000

9,995

At 1st August 2018 

. 

Loss for the year  
. 
Other comprehensive loss 

. 

. 
. 

. 

. 
. 

. 

. 
. 

 – 
              – 

– 
             – 

TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE LOSS FOR THE YEAR 

             –                      – 

TRANSACTIONS WITH OWNERS, RECORDED DIRECTLY IN EQUITY
. 
Shares purchased and cancelled  
Transfer to Capital Redemption Reserve 
. 
Dividends  

             – 

. 
. 
.  

(14) 

– 
–                    14  
             – 

. 

. 

. 

(1,404) 
       (928) 

   (2,332) 

(1,404)
       (928)

    (2,332)

(792) 
(14) 
       (813) 

(806)
–
       (813)

TOTAL TRANSACTIONS WITH OWNERS  . 

. 

         (14) 

          14 

   (1,619) 

    (1,619)

At 31st July 2019  . 

. 

Profit for the year 
. 
Other comprehensive loss 

. 

. 
. 

. 

.               866                  142   

    5,036    

     6,044

.     
. 

. 
. 

–                      – 
               – 

                – 

1,920) 
   (3,019) 

1,920)
    (3,019)

TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE LOSS FOR THE YEAR   

                – 

               – 

   ( 1,099) 

    (1,099)

TRANSACTIONS WITH OWNERS, RECORDED DIRECTLY IN EQUITY 
Shares purchased and cancelled  
. 
Transfer to Capital Redemption Reserve 
. 
Dividends  

(13) 
          –  
                – 

.  
. 
. 

. 

. 

. 

– 
13 
              – 

(780) 
(13) 
      (795) 

(793)
–
       (795)

TOTAL TRANSACTIONS WITH OWNERS  . 

.                (13) 

          13 

   (1,588) 

      (1,588) 

At 31st July 2020  . 

. 

. 

. 

.                853 

        155 

    2,349 

     3,357 

40

41

 
 
 
 
           
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
          
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
J. Smart & Co. (Contractors) PLC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION
as at 31st JULY 2020

. 

NON-CURRENT ASSETS 
Property, plant and equipment  . 
Investment properties 
. 
. 
Investments in Joint Ventures 
Available for sale financial assets 
. 
Trade and other receivables 
. 
Retirement benefit surplus 
. 
. 
Deferred tax assets 

CURRENT ASSETS 
. 
Inventories 
. 
Contract assets 
Corporation tax asset 
Trade and other receivables 
Monies held on deposit   
Cash and cash equivalents 

. 
. 
. 

TOTAL ASSETS 

. 

. 

NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES 
. 
Deferred tax liabilities 
Lease liabilities 
. 
Retirement benefit deficit 

CURRENT LIABILITIES 
Trade and other payables 
. 
Lease liabilities 
Corporation tax liability  
. 
Bank overdraft 

TOTAL LIABILITIES 

NET ASSETS 

. 

. 

. 

EQUITY 
Called up share capital 
Capital redemption reserve  
Retained earnings 

. 

. 

TOTAL EQUITY 

. 

. 

. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 

. 

. 
. 
. 

. 
. 
. 
. 

. 

. 

. 
. 
. 

. 

  Notes 

2020  
£000  

2019 
£000 

. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 

. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 

. 

. 
. 
. 

. 
. 
. 
. 

. 

. 

. 
. 
. 

. 

. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 

. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 

. 

. 
. 
. 

. 
. 
. 
. 

. 

. 

. 
. 
. 

. 

. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 

. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 

. 

. 
. 
. 

. 
. 
. 
. 

. 

. 

. 
. 
. 

. 

. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 

. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 

. 

. 
. 
. 

. 
. 
. 
. 

. 

. 

. 
. 
. 

. 

14 
15 
16 
17 
20 
30 
24 

18 
19 
25 
20 
21 
21 

24 
25 
30 

22 
25 

26 

. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 

. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 

. 

. 
. 
. 

. 
. 
. 
. 

. 

. 

. 
. 
.  

. 

1,268  
78,632  
901  
886  
250  
–  
        313  

1,304
73,874
914
1,309 
250 
2,899
         101 

   82,250  

   80,651

6,181  
423  
139  
2,823  
48  
   23,118  

8,643
549
– 
2,835 
48
   25,699 

   32,732    

   37,774

  114,982  

 118,425

1,265  
205  
     1,076   

1,735 
– 
           –

     2,546  

    1,735

3,072  
–  
–  
     10,104  

3,394
– 
154
    12,860

   13,176  

   16,408

    15,722   

   18,143 

   99,260   

 100,282

853  
155  
   98,252   

866
142
   99,274 

   99,260  

  100,282 

40

41

The financial statements on pages 37 to 79 were approved by the Board of Directors and authorised for issue on 
22nd December 2020 and were signed on its behalf by:

DaviD w Smart 
Director 

Company Number SC025130

John r Smart
Director

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
J. Smart & Co. (Contractors) PLC

COMPANY STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION
as at 31st JULY 2020

  Notes 

2020 
£000 

2019 
£000 

NON-CURRENT ASSETS 
Property, plant and equipment  . 
. 
Investments in Subsidiaries and Joint Ventures 
. 
Trade and other receivables 
. 
Retirement benefit surplus 
. 
. 
Deferred tax asset 

. 
. 
. 

. 
. 
. 

. 

CURRENT ASSETS 
. 
Inventories 
Contract assets 
. 
Trade and other receivables 
Corporation tax asset 
Cash and cash equivalents  

. 
. 

. 

TOTAL ASSETS 

. 

. 

NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES 
Deferred tax liabilities 
. 
Retirement benefit deficit 

CURRENT LIABILITIES 
Trade and other payables 
. 
Bank overdraft 

TOTAL LIABILITIES 

NET ASSETS 

. 

. 

. 

EQUITY 
Called up share capital 
Capital redemption reserve 
Retained earnings 

. 

. 

TOTAL EQUITY 

. 

. 

. 
. 
. 
. 
. 

. 

. 
. 

. 
. 

. 

. 

. 
. 
. 

. 

. 
. 
. 
. 
. 

. 

. 
. 

. 
. 

. 

. 

. 
. 
. 

. 

. 
. 
. 
. 
. 

. 

. 
. 

. 
. 

. 

. 

. 
. 
. 

. 

. 
. 
. 
. 
. 

. 
. 
. 
. 
. 

. 

. 
. 

. 
. 

. 

. 

. 
. 
. 

. 

. 
. 
. 
. 
. 

. 
. 
. 
. 
. 

. 

. 
. 

. 
. 

. 

. 

. 
. 
. 

. 

14 
16 
20 
30 
24 

18 
19 
20 

21 

24 
30 

22 

26 

. 
. 
. 
. 
. 

. 
. 
. 
. 
. 

. 

. 
. 

. 
. 

. 

. 

. 
. 
. 

. 

529 
1,565 

587
1,565 
250                    250 
–                 2,899 
            –

        204 

     2,548 

     5,301

6,090 
277 
4,175 
869 
            – 

8,569
408 
2,103 
607 
            – 

   11,411 

   11,687 

   13,959 

   16,988

26 
     1,076 

518 
            – 

     1,102 

        518

     2,150 
     7,350 

     1,765
     8,661

     9,500 

   10,426 

   10,602 

   10,944

     3,357 

     6,044 

853 
155 
     2,349 

866 
142
     5,036

      3,357 

        6,044 

The financial statements on pages 37 to 79 were approved by the Board of Directors and authorised for issue 
on 22nd December 2020 and were signed on its behalf by:

DaviD w Smart 
Director 

Company Number SC025130

John r Smart
Director

42

43

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
J. Smart & Co. (Contractors) PLC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS 
for the year ended 31st JULY 2020

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES 

Tax paid 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

NET CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 
. 

. 
. 

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES 
. 
Additions to property, plant and equipment 
Additions to investment properties 
. 
Expenditure on own work capitalised - investment properties 
. 
. 
. 
Sale of property, plant and equipment  . 
. 
Purchase of available for sale financial assets   
. 
. 
Proceeds of sale of available for sale financial assets  
. 
. 
. 
Interest received   
. 
. 
. 
Interest costs 
. 
. 
Dividend received from Joint Ventures . 

. 
. 
. 

. 
. 

. 
. 

NET CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES 

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES 
Purchase of own shares  . 
. 
Dividends paid 

. 
. 

. 
. 

. 

. 
. 

NET CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES 

INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS  . 

. 

. 
. 

. 

. 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF YEAR 

. 

. 
. 

. 

. 

. 

  Notes 

2020 
£000 

2019 
£000

.     27 (a)                  (5,387)                3,762)

. 

. 

. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
.  
. 
. 
. 

. 

. 
. 

. 

. 

     (531) 

     (448)

                    4,856) 

    3,314)

(355) 
(483) 
(2,410) 
29 
–) 
(8760) 
78 
(12) 
          – 

(424)
(143) 
(147)
193
(380)
187
71
–)
        59

   (3,093) 

     (584)

(793) 
     (795) 

(806)
     (813)

  (1,588) 

  (1,619)

                      175) 

   1,111)

.  27 (b) 

  12,839 

 11,728

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF YEAR  

. 

.  

.  27 (b) 

  13,014 

 12,839

42

43

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
J. Smart & Co. (Contractors) PLC

COMPANY STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS 
for the year ended 31st JULY 2020

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES 

Tax received 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

NET CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES 

. 

. 

. 

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Additions to property, plant and equipment 
Sale of property, plant and equipment  . 
. 
Interest received  . 
Dividend received from subsidiaries and Joint Ventures 

. 
. 
. 

. 
. 
. 

. 

. 

NET CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES 

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES 
Purchase of own shares  . 
. 
Dividends paid 

. 
. 

. 
. 

. 

. 
. 

NET CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES 

. 

. 
. 

. 

INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF YEAR 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF YEAR 

. 

  Notes 

2020)  
£000)  

2019) 
£000)

.  28 (a) 

(2,251)  

(432)

. 

. 

. 
. 
. 
. 

. 

. 
. 

. 

. 

      227)  

      142)

  (2,024)  

     (290)

(86) 
9   
–  
    5,000)  

   (148)
48) 
1) 
        59)

    4,923)  

       (40)

(793) 
      (795) 

(806)
    (813)

   (1,588) 

  (1,619)

     1,311)  

 (1,949)

.  28 (b) 

   (8,661) 

 (6,712) 

.  28 (b) 

   (7,350) 

        (8,661)

. 

. 

. 

. 
. 
. 
. 

. 

. 
. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

44

45

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
J. Smart & Co. (Contractors) PLC

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS 

31st JULY 2020

1. 

ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATION TECHNIQUES 

GENERAL INFORMATION 
J. Smart & Co. (Contractors) PLC which is the ultimate Parent Company of the J. Smart & Co. (Contractors) PLC 
Group is a public limited company registered in Scotland, incorporated in the United Kingdom and listed on the 
London Stock Exchange. 

STATEMENT OF COMPLIANCE 
The  accounts  are  prepared  in  accordance  with  International  Financial  Reporting  Standards  (IFRS)  and 
the 
International  Financial  Reporting  Interpretations  Committee  (IFRIC)  Interpretations  endorsed  by 
European Union (EU) and with those parts of the Companies Act 2006 applicable to companies reporting under 
IFRS. 

STANDARDS, AMENDMENTS TO STANDARDS AND INTERPRETATIONS EFFECTIVE IN THE YEAR TO 31st JULY 2020 

The following new standards and amendments to standards and interpretations relevant to the Group have been 
issued by the International Accounting Standards Board and are mandatory for the first time for the financial year 
to 31st July 2020:

• 
• 
• 
• 

IFRS 16: Leases. 
IAS 12 (amended): Income Taxes.
IAS 19 (amended): Employee Benefits.
IFRIC 23: Uncertainty over Income Tax Treatments.

Other than IFRS 16: Leases none of the above amendments to standards or the new interpretation had a significant 
impact on the Group’s financial statements. Details of the impact of IFRS 16 are given below.

IFRS 16: Leases became effective as from 1st August 2019 for the Group.  IFRS 16: Leases replaced IAS 17: 
Leases and requires the Group to incorporate a right-of-use asset and corresponding lease liability in the Statement 
of Financial Position for those assets held under leases for which the new standard applies. This standard will 
impact on ground leases on which the Group has built investment properties and which the rent payable to the 
lessor under the leases is not contingent on the rents received by the Group from its tenants.  The standard requires 
the  current  operating  lease  charges,  which  were  disclosed  in  Operating  Profit  to  be  replaced  by  a  depreciation 
charge on the right-of-use asset.  As our leases relate to land there will be no depreciation charge but there will be 
an impact relating to the revaluation movement on the land.  There will also be interest costs in relation to the lease 
liability which will be recognised in Finance Costs.  The standard does not have an impact on the Group where the 
Group is the Lessor in respect of leases granted to tenants in our investment properties. 

IFRS 16 outlines several options for the initial recognition on adoption of the standard.  The Group chose to apply 
the modified retrospective approach which allowed the Group to incorporate the right-of-use asset and the lease 
liability as at the transition date of 1st August 2019 without the requirement to restate prior periods.  The lease 
liability is calculated as the discounted present value of the outstanding rental payments and the right-of-use asset 
is set as being equal to the liability therefore there is no impact on the net assets of the Group on adoption of this 
standard.  On the transition date the lease liability and right-of-use asset recognised amounted to £205,000.

44

45

J. Smart & Co. (Contractors) PLC

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (continued) 

31st JULY 2020 

1. 

ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATION TECHNIQUES (continued)

NEW STANDARDS, AMENDMENTS TO STANDARDS AND INTERPRETATIONS NOT YET APPLIED
The following new standards, amendments to standards and interpretations relevant to the Group have been issued 
by  the  International Accounting  Standards  Board  but  are  not  yet  effective  for  the  Group  at  the  date  of  these 
financial statements, and have not been adopted early:

• 
• 

IAS 1 (amended): Presentation of financial statements (effective in the year ending 31st July 2023).
IAS 37 (amended): Provisions, Contingent Liabilities and Contingent Assets (effective in the year ending 31st 
July 2022).

The Directors do not consider that the application of these amendments to standards will have a material impact 
on the financial statements. 

BASIS OF PREPARATION 
The accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention except where the measurement of balances 
at fair value is required as noted below for investment properties, available for sale financial assets and assets held 
by the defined benefit pension scheme.
The accounting policies set out below have been consistently applied to all periods presented in these accounts. 
The  preparation  of  financial  statements  requires  management  to  make  estimates  and  assumptions  concerning  
the  future  that  may  affect  the  application  of  accounting  policies  and  the  reported  amounts  of  assets  and  
liabilities  and  income  and  expenses.    Management  believes  that  the  estimates  and  assumptions  used  in  the 
preparation of these accounts are reasonable.  However, actual outcomes may differ from those anticipated. 

GOING CONCERN 
The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis. The Directors have reviewed their forecasts 
and cashflows taking into account current available information. They have considered future trading expectations 
and opportunities under various scenarios and in light of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Based on the review 
the Group is expected to remain net debt free. Taking the above information into account the Directors are of the 
opinion that the Company and Group have adequate financial resources to continue in operational existence for a 
period of at least twelve months from the date of approval of these financial statements and therefore considers the 
adoption of the going concern basis as appropriate for the preparation of these Accounts.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES AND JUDGEMENTS 
INVESTMENT PROPERTIES 
Investment properties are revalued annually by the Directors in accordance with the RICS Valuation Standards. 
The valuations are subjective due to, among other factors, the individual nature of the property, its location and the 
expected future rental income.  As a result, the valuation of the Group’s investment property portfolio incorporated 
into the financial statements is subject to a degree of uncertainty and is made on the basis of assumptions which 
may prove to be inaccurate, particularly in periods of volatility or low transaction flow in the property market.
The assumptions used by the Directors are market standard assumptions in accordance with the RICS Valuation 
Standards and include matters such as tenure and tenancy details, ground conditions of the properties and their 
structural conditions, prevailing market yields and comparable market conditions.  If any of the assumptions used 
by the Directors prove to be incorrect this could result in the valuation of the Group’s investment property portfolio 
differing from the valuation incorporated into the financial statements and the difference could have a material 
effect on the financial statements.
The current global pandemic of coronavirus has impacted the investment property market as there is a shortage 
of comparable market evidence and as such the valuation of the property portfolio at the year end is subject to 
material valuation uncertainty in accordance with RICS valuation standards. As a result, there is less certainty in 
the valuation of the investment properties and a higher degree of caution should be attached to the valuation.

46

47

J. Smart & Co. (Contractors) PLC

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (continued) 

31st JULY 2020

1. 

ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATION TECHNIQUES (continued)

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES AND JUDGEMENTS (continued) 
LONG TERM CONTRACT PROVISIONS 
Judgement is required in the area of provisions for losses on long term contracts. The Directors take into account 
the estimated costs to complete and the percentage stage of completion of current contracts when determining the 
provision for losses. The Directors consider adequate, but not excessive provisions have been made in this respect. 

RETIREMENT BENEFIT OBLIGATION 
The valuation of the retirement benefit obligation is dependent upon a series of assumptions, mainly discount rates, 
mortality rates, investment returns, salary inflation and the rate of pension increases, which are determined after 
taking expert advice from the Group’s Actuary.  If different assumptions were used then this could materially affect 
the results disclosed in the financial statements.  These are set out in note 30 to the Accounts. 

BASIS OF CONSOLIDATION 
The Group accounts consolidate the accounts of J. Smart & Co. (Contractors) PLC and all of its Subsidiaries made up 
to 31st July each year. Subsidiaries are entities controlled by the Company. Control is assumed where the Company 
has the power to govern the financial and operating policies of an entity so as to obtain benefits from its activities. 
Intra-group  balances  and  any  income  or  expenses  arising  from  intra-group  transactions  are  eliminated  in 
preparing the Group accounts. 
No Income Statement is presented for the Parent Company as provided by section 408 of the Companies Act 2006. 

BUSINESS COMBINATIONS AND GOODWILL
Subsidiaries  acquired  in  the  year  are  accounted  for  using  the  acquisition  method  of  accounting.    Identifiable 
assets acquired and liabilities assumed are measured at their fair values at the acquisition date.  The consideration 
transferred  for  the  acquisition  is  the  fair  value  of  the  assets  given,  equity  instruments  issued  and  liabilities  
incurred  or  assumed  at  the  acquisition  date.    The  excess  of  the  cost  of  acquisition  over  the  fair  value  of  the  
Group’s share of the identifiable net assets acquired is recorded as goodwill. 

INVESTMENT IN JOINT VENTURES 
Joint  Ventures  are  those  entities  over  which  the  Company  has  a  50%  holding  and  exercises  joint  control 
under  a  contractual  arrangement.  The  results  of  Joint  Venture  undertakings  are  accounted  for  using  the 
equity method of accounting. Under this method the investment is initially recorded at cost and is subsequently 
adjusted to reflect the Group’s share of the net profit or loss in the Joint Venture. 
The Accounts of the Group’s Joint Ventures have been prepared in accordance with UK GAAP. The Group’s interest 
in the assets and liabilities of the Joint Ventures have only been restated in accordance with International Financial 
Reporting Standards where such restatement is considered material to an understanding of the Group’s interest.

CAPITAL MANAGEMENT 
Group  objectives  in  managing  capital  are  to  safeguard  the  interests  of  the  Group  to  operate  as  a  net 
debt free going concern, of its employees to maintain wherever possible security of employment, remuneration 
and retirement provisions and of its shareholders to maintain continuity of dividends and stability of share price. 
The  capital  structure  of  the  Group  consists  of  issued  share  capital,  reserves  and  retained  earnings  represented 
predominantly by investment properties, working capital and cash. 
These  assets  are  purchased,  managed  and  maintained  by  the  Group’s  management  and  employees,  advised 
where  appropriate  by  independent  outside  professionals.  Refer  to  pages  14  and  15  of  this  report  for  details  of 
relevant risk factors and management measures.
The Group has sufficient cash reserves and readily realisable assets available to meet its foreseeable commitments. 

46

47

J. Smart & Co. (Contractors) PLC

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (continued) 

31st JULY 2020 

1. 

ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATION TECHNIQUES (continued)

INVESTMENT PROPERTIES 

Investment properties are properties which are either owned or leased by the Group which are held for long term 
rental income or for capital appreciation or both.

Investment properties, whether completed or under development, are initially recognised at cost and revalued at the 
Balance Sheet date to fair value as determined by the Directors in accordance with the RICS Valuation Standards.  
Fair  value  is  based  on  the  market  value  of  properties  at  the  Balance  Sheet  date.    Surpluses  or  deficits  from  the 
changes in fair value are included in the Income Statement in the year in which they arise.  In accordance with IAS 
40: Investment Property, as the Group uses the fair value model, no depreciation is provided in respect of investment 
properties including integral plant.

Additions to investment properties consist of costs of a capital nature and, in the case of properties under construction, 
includes certain internal staff and associated costs directly attributable to the management of the development of 
these properties.  Acquisition of properties are treated as acquired when the Group assumes control of the properties.  
Properties  are  treated  as  disposed  when  control  of  the  property  is  transferred  to  the  buyer.    Profits  or  losses  on 
disposal are determined as the difference between the sales proceeds and the carrying value amount of the asset at the 
beginning of the accounting period plus any capital expenditure in the period to the date of disposal.  Profits or losses 
are presented separately in the Income Statement.

Some of the Group’s investment properties are built on leasehold land on which the Group pays ground rent.  Under 
IFRS 16: Leases where the rent on the land is not contingent on the rents the Group receives from tenants on the 
investment properties built on the land then a right-of-use asset is required to be incorporated into the accounts for 
the land and an associated lease liability also requires to be incorporated into the accounts.  The lease liability is 
calculated as the discounted present value of the outstanding rental payments and the right-of-use asset is set as being 
equal to the liability.  As the right-of-use asset relate to investment properties after initial recogition these will be 
included at fair value. 

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT 
Items of property, plant and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. 
Subsequent costs are included in the asset’s carrying value or recognised as a separate asset, as appropriate, only 
when it is probable that future economic benefits associated with the item will flow to the Group and the cost of 
them can be measured reliably. All other repairs and maintenance expenditure is charged to the Income Statement 
as incurred. 

DEPRECIATION 
Depreciation  is  provided  on  all  items  of  property,  plant  and  equipment,  other  than  investment  properties  and 
freehold land, at rates calculated to write off the cost of each asset over its expected useful life, as follows: 
Freehold buildings 
Plant and machinery 
Office furniture and fittings 
Motor vehicles 

-  over 40 to 66 years 
-  25% to 33 1⁄3% reducing balance 
-  20% to 33 1⁄3% reducing balance 
-  33 1⁄3% reducing balance 

IMPAIRMENT REVIEWS 
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT 

Individual assets are grouped for impairment assessment purposes at the lowest level at which there are identifiable 
cash inflows independent of the cash inflows of other groups of assets.

48

49

J. Smart & Co. (Contractors) PLC

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (continued) 

31st JULY 2020

1. 

ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATION TECHNIQUES (continued)

IMPAIRMENT REVIEWS (continued) 
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT (continued) 

The Group assesses at each Balance Sheet date whether there is an indication that an asset may be impaired. If an 
indication exists the Group makes an estimate of the recoverable amount of each asset group, being the higher of 
its fair value less costs to sell and its value in use as is determined for an individual asset, unless the asset does not 
generate cash inflows that are largely independent of those from other assets or groups of assets. An impairment 
loss is recognised where the recoverable amount is lower than the carrying value of assets.
If there is an indication that previously recognised impairment losses may have decreased or no longer exist, a 
reversal of the loss may be made. The carrying amount of the asset is increased to its recoverable amount only up 
to the carrying amount that would have resulted, net of depreciation, had no impairment loss been recognised for 
the asset in prior years.
Impairment losses and any subsequent reversals are recognised in the Income Statement.

INVENTORIES AND WORK IN PROGRESS 

Inventories are valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value.  Where necessary, provision is made to reduce 
cost to no more than net realisable value after having regard to the nature, condition, and sales value of inventory. 
Land held for development is included at the lower of cost and net realisable value. 
Work in progress is valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value. 
Cost includes materials, on a first-in first-out basis and direct labour plus attributable overheads based on normal 
operating activity, where applicable. Net realisable value is the estimated selling price less anticipated disposal costs.

LONG TERM CONTRACTS 
Amounts  due  from  customers  for  construction  contracts  which  have  not  yet  been  invoiced  are  disclosed  as 
Contract Assets and are stated at cost as defined above, plus attributable profit to the extent that this is reasonably 
certain after making provision for maintenance costs, less any losses incurred or foreseen in bringing contracts to 
completion, and less amounts received as progress payments. 
For any contracts where receipts exceed the book value of work done, the excess is included in trade and other 
payables as payments on account. 

INCOME TAX 
The  charge  for  current  UK  corporation  tax  is  based  on  results  for  the  year  as  adjusted  for  items  that  are  non-
assessable or disallowed and any adjustments for tax payable in respect of previous years. It is calculated using 
rates that have been enacted or substantially enacted at the Balance Sheet date.

DEFERRED TAXATION 

Deferred tax is provided using the liability method in respect of temporary differences between the carrying value 
of assets and liabilities in the financial statements and the corresponding tax bases used in the computation of 
taxable profit. Deferred tax is provided on all temporary differences.  The measurement of deferred tax reflects the 
tax consequences that would follow the manner in which the Group expects, at the end of the reporting period, to 
recover or settle the carrying amounts of its assets and liabilities for Investment Properties that are measured at 
fair value.
Deferred tax is determined using tax rates that have been enacted or substantially enacted by the Balance Sheet 
date and are expected to apply when the deferred tax asset is realised or the deferred tax liability is settled.  It is 
recognised in the Income Statement except when it relates to items credited or charged directly to Equity, in which 
case the deferred tax is also dealt with in Equity. 
Deferred  tax  assets  are  recognised  to  the  extent  that  it  is  probable  that  future  taxable  profits  will  be  available 
against which the temporary differences can be utilised. 

48

49

J. Smart & Co. (Contractors) PLC

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (continued) 

31st JULY 2020 

1. 

ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATION TECHNIQUES (continued)

PENSIONS 
The  Group  operates  a  defined  benefit  pension  scheme,  which  was  closed  to  new  members  during  the  year 
to 31st July 2003 and which requires contributions to be made to an administered fund. 

The  obligations  of  the  scheme  represent  benefits  accruing  to  employees  and  are  measured  at  discounted 
present  value  while  scheme  assets  are  measured  at  their  fair  value.  The  discount  rate  used  is  the  yield  on 
AA credit rated corporate bonds that have maturity dates approximating to the terms of the Group’s obligations. 
The calculation is performed by a qualified actuary using the projected unit credit method. 

The  operating  and  financial  costs  of  such  plans  are  recognised  separately  in  the  Income  Statement,  service 
costs are spread systematically over the working lives of the employees concerned and financing costs are recognised 
in the year in which they arise.  Actuarial gains and losses are recognised immediately in the Consolidated Statement 
of Comprehensive Income. 

The Group also operates a defined contribution Group Personal Pension Plan for eligible employees. The plan is 
externally administered and professionally managed. Contributions payable are expensed to the Income Statement 
as incurred. 

LEASES 
Leases  are  classified  according  to  the  substance  of  the  transaction.  A  lease  that  transfers  substantially  all 
the risks and rewards of ownership to the lessee is classified as a finance lease. All other leases are classified as 
operating leases. 

GROUP AS A LESSEE 
In  accordance  with  IAS  40:  Investment  Property,  leases  of  investment  property  are  assessed  on  a  property 
by property basis.  For ground leases where payments to the lessors are not contingent on rents received by the 
Group from tenants then a right-of-use asset has to be recognised and a corresponding lease liability has also to 
be recognised.  On initial recognition the liability is calculated as the discounted present value of the outstanding 
rental payments.  The lease payments are allocated between the liability and finance charges which are recognised 
in Finance Costs in the Income Statement. 

For ground leases where payments to the lessors are contingent on rents received by the Group from tenants then 
these leases are classified as operating leases and the Group recognises the lease payments as ground rent payable 
and are charged to the Income Statement on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease.

Other leases are classified as operating leases and rentals payable are charged to the Income Statement on a straight 
line basis over the term of the lease. 

GROUP AS A LESSOR 
Properties leased out under operating leases are included in investment property, with rental income recognised on 
a straight line basis over the lease term. 

50

51

 
J. Smart & Co. (Contractors) PLC

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (continued) 

31st JULY 2020 

1. 

ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATION TECHNIQUES (continued)

REVENUE 
IFRS  15:  Revenue  from  Contracts  with  Customers  establishes  a  five  step  model  to  determine  the  amount  and 
timing of revenue recognition.

Revenue is recognised by the Group from long and short term construction contracts, sale of private residential 
housing and from sale of manufactured concrete products.

Revenue from long term construction contracts is based on the stage of completion of the contract at the balance 
sheet date. The stage of completion is based on valuations agreed with third party surveyors. Invoices are raised 
to customers based on these agreed valuations. The Group uses the output method to recognise revenue where it is 
recognised over time. Prior to raising invoices, the Group will recognise a contract asset for work performed, only 
when the invoice is raised will the contract asset be reclassified to trade receivables. When it is probable that the 
total costs of construction will exceed the total contract revenue, the expected loss is recognised immediately in the 
Income Statement. When it is probable that total revenue will exceed the total costs of construction the anticipated 
profit will only be accounted for when the profit is reasonably certain. This policy requires judgement to be made 
on the anticipated costs to complete and the Group has in place procedures to ensure that the evaluation of the total 
costs of the contract and its revenues is based on reliable estimates.

Construction contracts consist of the structure being built and all associated external and internal services. Contracts 
for construction are typically accounted for as one performance obligation. Modification to contracts are assessed 
on a case by case basis but are generally modifications of the existing performance obligation and are therefore 
accounted for under the existing obligation.

The value of construction work undertaken by the Group for its investment properties is excluded from revenue.

Revenue from sale of private residential housing is recognised at the point in time when there is legal completion 
of the sale and the transfer of title. Revenue is recognised at the fair value of the consideration received.

Revenue for the sale of manufactured concrete products is recognised at the point in time when the goods are 
transferred to the customer.

The Group has no obligations for returns or warranties.

Rental income from investment properties leased out under an operating lease is recognised in the Income Statement 
on a straight line basis over the term of the lease and is disclosed under Other operating income.

Revenue for service charges and insurance receivable for the year in relation to the Group’s investment properties are 
based on annual invoices to tenants and are also disclosed under Other operating income in the Income Statement.

All revenue is stated net of Value Added Tax.

All invoices raised are due for payment no later than 30 days from date of invoice, therefore the Group does not 
adjust transaction prices for the time value of money. 

GOVERNMENT GRANTS AND ASSISTANCE 
Government assistance provided under the UK Government’s Job Retention Scheme for payroll costs for employees 
placed on furlough due to the coronavirus pandemic has been accounted for directly to the Income Statement on a 
received basis. The amount received has been disclosed within payroll costs.

50

51

J. Smart & Co. (Contractors) PLC

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (continued) 

31st JULY 2020 

1. 

ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATION TECHNIQUES (continued) 

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS 

Financial assets and financial liabilities are recognised in the Group’s Statement of Financial Position when the 
Group becomes a party to the contractual provision of the instrument. The principal treasury objective is to provide 
sufficient liquidity to meet operational cash requirements. The Group operates controlled treasury policies which 
are monitored by the Board to ensure that the needs of the Group are met as they arise. 

AVAILABLE FOR SALE FINANCIAL ASSETS 
Available for sale financial assets represent investments in quoted shares which are recognised at fair value at the 
year end. The movement in fair value is accounted for in the Consolidated Income Statement.

TRADE AND OTHER RECEIVABLES 
Trade  and  other  receivables  are  recognised  at  invoiced  value  less  provisions  for  impairment. A  provision  for 
impairment of trade receivables is established where there is objective evidence that the Group will not be able to 
collect all amounts due according to the terms of the receivables concerned. 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS 
Cash  and  cash  equivalents  comprise  cash  in  hand,  deposits  with  banks  and  other  short-term  highly  liquid 
investments  with  original  maturities  of  three  months  or  less.  For  the  Statement  of  Cash  Flows,  cash  and  cash 
equivalents consist of cash and cash equivalents as defined above, net of outstanding bank overdrafts.

MONIES HELD ON DEPOSIT 
Monies  held  on  deposit  with  original  maturity  dates  exceeding  three  months  are  disclosed  separately  in  the 
Statement of Financial Position.  As these monies originated from investing activities any movements in the year 
on these monies are disclosed under Investing Activities in the Statement of Cash Flows.

TRADE AND OTHER PAYABLES 
Trade and other payables are non-interest bearing and are recognised at invoiced amount. 

52

53

J. Smart & Co. (Contractors) PLC

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (continued) 

31st JULY 2020 

1. 

ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATION TECHNIQUES (continued)

MEASUREMENT OF FAIR VALUES

A  number  of  the  Group’s  accounting  policies  and  disclosures  require  the  measurement  of  fair  values,  for  both 
financial and non-financial assets and liabilities.

When measuring the fair value of an asset or a liability, the Group uses market observable data as far as possible.  
Fair values are categorised into different levels in a fair value hierarchy based on the inputs used in the valuation 
techniques as follows:
•  Level 1: quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
•  Level 2: inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either  
  directly (i.e. as prices) or indirectly (i.e. derived from prices).
•  Level 3: inputs for the asset or liability that are not based on observable market data (unobservable inputs).

If the inputs used to measure the fair value of an asset or a liability might be categorised in different levels of the 
fair value hierarchy, then the fair value measurement is categorised in its entirety in the same level of the fair value 
hierarchy as the lowest level input that is significant to the entire measurement.

The Group recognises transfers between levels of the fair value hierarchy at the end of the reporting period during 
which a change has occurred.

Further information about the assumptions made in measuring fair values is included in the following notes:
•  Note 15 – Investment Properties;
•  Note 17 – Available for Sale Financial Assets;
•  Note 23 – Financial Instruments;
•  Note 30 – Retirement Benefit Obligations.

DIVIDENDS 
Final Dividends are recognised as a liability in the year in which they are approved by the Company’s shareholders. 
Interim Dividends are recognised when they are paid. 

52

53

J. Smart & Co. (Contractors) PLC

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (continued) 

31st JULY 2020 

2. 

SEGMENTAL INFORMATION 

IFRS 8: Operating Segments requires operating segments to be identified on the basis of internal reporting about 
components of the Group that are regularly reviewed by the chief operating decision maker to allow the allocation 
of resources to the segments and to assess their performance. The chief operating decision maker has been identified 
as the Board of Directors. 
All revenue arises from activities within the UK and therefore the Board of Directors does not consider the business 
from a geographical perspective. The operating segments are based on activity and performance of an operating 
segment is based on a measure of operating results.

External 
Revenue 

Internal 
Revenue 

Total 
Revenue 

Operating
Profit / (Loss)

2020 
Construction activities
- continuing operations 
Construction activities 
- discontinued operations 
Investment activities 
- continuing operations 
Investment activities 
- discontinued operations 

2019 
Construction activities  
- continuing operations 
Construction activities 
- discontinued operations 
Investment activities 
- continuing operations 
Investment activities 
- discontinued operations 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

£000) 

£000) 

                 2020)                2019
£000)

£000) 

£000) 

16,813) 

2,410) 

19,223) 

(3,472) 

1) 

7,198) 

–) 

–) 

1) 

(57) 

7,198) 

7,820) 

–)

–)

–)

           9) 

          –) 

         9) 

           –) 

         –) 

   24,021) 

   2,410) 

26,431) 

    4,291) 

         –)

16,035) 

147) 

16,182) 

645) 

7,560) 

–) 

–) 

645) 

7,560) 

–) 

–) 

(–) 

(2,084)

(627)

9,051)

           6) 

          –) 

         6) 

           –) 

         –) 

   24,246) 

      147) 

24,393) 

           –) 

  6,340)

. 

OPERATING PROFIT  
. 
Share of results of Joint Ventures 
Finance and investment income  
. 
Finance and investment costs 

. 
. 
. 
. 

. 
. 
. 
. 

PROFIT ON ORDINARY ACTIVITIES BEFORE TAX  

. 
. 
. 
. 

. 

. 
. 
. 
. 

. 

. 
. 
. 
. 

. 

. 
. 
. 
. 

. 

 . 
.      
.      
.       

. 

  4,291  
(13) 
196  
(391)

    4,083) 

6,340) 
48)  
264)  
        (9)

  6,643) 

Internal revenue relates to own work capitalised, all other internal transactions are eliminated on consolidation. 
The Group had sales from construction activities from one customer amounting to £2,498,000 (2019, sales from 
construction activities from two customers amounting to £4,010,000).

54

55

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
J. Smart & Co. (Contractors) PLC

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (continued) 

31st JULY 2020 

2. 

SEGMENTAL INFORMATION (continued) 

OTHER SEGMENTAL INFORMATION 

            Non-Current 

2020 
Construction activities - continuing operations . 
Construction activities 
- discontinued operations 
. 
Investment activities 
. 
Joint Ventures 

. 
. 
. 

. 
. 
. 

. 
. 
. 

. 

Allocation of corporation tax debtor 

. 

. 

2019 
Construction activities - continuing operations . 
Construction activities 
- discontinued operations 
. 
Investment activities 
. 
Joint Ventures 

. 
. 
. 

. 
. 
. 

. 
. 
. 

. 

Allocation of corporation tax debtor 

. 

. 

                  Asset Additions  Depreciation 
                                   £000                £000 

Segment 
Segment 
    Assets  Liabilities 
£000 

£000 

. 

. 
. 
 .) 

. 

. 

. 
. 
. 

. 

 .              322)                330 

)12,516) 

10,636)

 .                  –)                    –) 
 .           2,926)                  50 
 .                  –)                   –) 

27) 
102,465) 
       901) 

591)
5,422)
            –)

. 

. 

. 

. 

115,909) 
      (927) 

16,649)
      (927)

114,982) 

   15,722)

.               260)                320 

)18,227) 

11,577)

.                  –)                     8) 
.              454)                   48) 
.                  –)                    –) 

161) 
99,995) 
       914) 

500)
6,938)
            –)

. 

. 

. 

. 

119,297) 
      (872) 

19,015)
      (872)

118,425) 

   18,143)

3. 

REVENUE
 The Group derives its revenue from contracts with customers for the transfer of goods over time in relation to construction 
contracts and also at point in time in relation to housing sales and sale of concrete products. This is consistent with the 
revenue information that is disclosed for Construction Activities segment under IFRS 8: Operating Segments.

Construction contracts are generally for social housing or industrial and commercial properties. The Group provides 
a complete service including architectural and surveyor services from the pre-contract design through to completion. 

Disaggregation of Revenue
Continuing operations:   
. 
Social housing 
. 
Civil engineering  
. 
Industrial   
. 
. 
General construction 
. 
Private house sales 

Discontinued operations: 
. 
Concrete products 

. 
. 
. 
. 
. 

. 

. 
. 
. 
. 
. 

. 

. 
. 
. 
. 
. 

. 

. 
. 
. 
. 
. 

. 

. 
. 
. 
. 
. 

. 

. 
. 
. 
. 
. 

. 

. 
. 
. 
. 
. 

. 

. 
. 
. 
. 
. 

. 

2020) 
£000) 
3,229) 
3,833) 
148) 
2) 
    9,601) 
16,813) 

2019) 
£000
4,610) 
4,388) 
1,193) 
144) 
    5,700) 
16,035) 

           1)               645) 

  16,814)  

  16,680) 

The transaction price allocated to unsatisfied performance obligations at 31st July 2020 are as set out below.

Social housing 
. 
Civil engineering  
Industrial   
. 
Private house sales 

. 
. 
. 
. 

. 
. 
. 
. 

. 
. 
. 
. 

. 
. 
. 
. 

. 
. 
. 
. 

. 
. 
. 
. 

. 
. 
. 
. 

. 
. 
. 
. 

. 
. 
. 
. 

1,337) 
334) 
280) 
    1,886) 

4,290) 
980) 
143) 
  11,251) 

The Directors expect that 93% (2019, 84%) of the transaction price allocated to the unsatisfied contracts as at 31st 
July 2020 will be recognised as revenue in the year to 31st July 2021.

54

55

 
 
 
 
 
 
         
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
J. Smart & Co. (Contractors) PLC

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (continued) 

31st JULY 2020 

4. 

OTHER OPERATING INCOME   

Rental income 
Service charges and insurance receivable 
Sundry income 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

Direct property costs 

Net rental income 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 
. 
. 

. 

. 

. 
. 
. 

. 

. 

. 
. 
. 

. 

. 

. 
. 
. 

. 

. 

. 
. 
. 

. 

. 

. 
. 
. 

. 

. 

2020) 
£000) 

2019) 
£000

6,365) 
833) 
           –) 

6,673) 
757) 
       130) 

7,198) 

7,560) 
   (2,383)          (2,362) 

    4,815)  

    5,198) 

Direct property costs included £652,000 (2019, £466,000) in respect of investment properties that did not generate 
rental income in the year. 

5. 

STAFF COSTS AND DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION  

          2018)            2017) 

Staff costs during the year amounted to: 
Wages, salaries and short term benefits. 
Government assistance – HMRC Job Retention Scheme  
. 
Social security costs 
Post-employment benefits 

.  . 
.  . 

.  . 

. 
. 

. 
. 

. 
. 

. 

. 
Continuing operations 
Discontinued operations  

. 
. 

. 
. 

.  . 
.  . 

. 
. 

. 
. 
. 
. 

. 
. 

. 
. 
. 
. 

. 
. 

. 
. 
. 
. 

. 
. 

. 
. 
. 
. 

. 
. 

The average weekly number of employees during the year was made up as follows: 

Construction and related services. 
Office and management . 

. 

Continuing operations 
. 
Discontinued operations  

. 
. 

Directors’ remuneration: 

– Salaries and short term benefits 
. 
– Post-employment benefits 

Continuing operations 
. 
Discontinued operations  

. 
. 

. 
. 

. 
. 

. 
. 

. 
. 

.  . 
.  . 

.  . 
.  . 

.  . 
.  . 

.  . 
.  . 

. 
. 

. 
. 

. 
. 

. 
. 

. 
. 

. 
. 

. 
. 

. 
. 

. 
. 

. 
. 

. 
. 

. 
. 

. 
 . 

. 
. 

. 
.  

. 
. 

. 
. 

. 
. 

. 
. 

. 
. 

7,188) 
(853) 
779) 
     1,048) 

7,589)         
–)  
817)  
    1,194)  

     8,162)  

     9,600)  

8,162) 
            –) 

9,169)  
       431)  

     8,162)  

     9,600)  

No.) 

No.) 

171) 
          21)  

182) 
         25) 

        192)  

       207) 

192) 
            –) 

192)  
         15)  

        192)  

        207)  

£000) 
504) 
        109) 

£000) 
492)
         99)

        613) 

       591) 

613) 
            –) 

591)  
           –)  

        613)  

        591)  

David W Smart and Alasdair H Ross are members of the Group’s defined benefit pension scheme.

John R Smart and Patricia Sweeney are members of the Group’s defined contribution Group Personal Pension Plan.

Key management is comprised solely of the Directors of the Company. Full details of Directors’ remuneration is 
given in the Directors’ Remuneration Report on pages 24 to 29.

56

57

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
J. Smart & Co. (Contractors) PLC

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (continued) 

31st JULY 2020 

6. 

OPERATING PROFIT 

This is stated after charging/(crediting):
. 
Cost of inventories recognised as an expense  . 
. 
.  . 
Staff costs (per note 5)  . 
. 
.  . 
Hire of plant and machinery 
. 
.  . 
Ground rents 
. 
Depreciation of owned assets 
.  . 
Profit on disposal of property, plant and equipment 
. 
Auditor remuneration and expenses – audit services  . 

. 
. 
. 
. 

. 
. 
. 
. 

. 

. 

. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 

. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 

. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 

The audit fees for the Parent Company are £42,000 (2019, £42,000). 

7. 

INCOME FROM INVESTMENTS 

Dividend income from available for sale financial assets 

. 

. 

. 

8. 

FINANCE INCOME AND COSTS 

Income: 

Interest on short term deposits  . 
. 

. 
  Other interest 
. 
. 
  Net interest income on retirement benefit obligations  

. 
. 

. 
. 

. 

Costs: 

Interest on leases  

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

9. 

TAXATION  

UK Corporation Tax
Current tax on income for the year 
Corporation tax under/(over) provided in previous years 

. 

. 

. 

Deferred taxation (note 24) 

. 

. 

Current Tax Reconciliation  
Profit on ordinary activities before tax . 
Share of  losses/(profits) of Joint Ventures 

. 

. 
. 

. 

. 
. 

. 
. 

. 

. 
. 

. 

. 

Current tax at 19.00% (2019, 19.00%) . 
Effects of: 
Expenses not deductible for tax purposes 
Non taxable income including revaluation surplus 
Effect of change in tax rate 
. 
Adjustments to corporation tax charge in respect of prior years 
Adjustments to deferred tax charge in respect of prior years  
. 
Deferred tax not recognised 

. 
. 
. 

. 
. 
. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 
. 

. 

. 
. 

. 

. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 

.  
. 
. 

. 

. 
. 

. 

. 
. 

. 

. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 

2020)  
£000) 

       2019) 
£000)

10,883) 
8,162) 
473) 
100) 
372) 
(18) 

          95)    

5,138) 
9,169) 
489) 
110)
368)
(17) 
         94)

)

          50) 

         53

78) 
–) 
          52) 

70)
1)
        114)

        130) 

       185) 

          12) 

           –)

)

239)      

            9) 

632)
        (11)

248) 

621)

         260) 

         (92)

         508) 

       529)

4,140) 
         13) 

7,270)
        (48)

     4,153) 

    7,222)

789)      

1,372)

19) 
(689)     
195)   
 9)   
 194)   
          (9) 

3)
(798)
3)
(11)
(16)
        (24)

         508) 

       529)

. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 

. 

) 

. 
. 
. 

. 

. 
. 

) 

. 

. 
. 

. 

. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 

56

57

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
J. Smart & Co. (Contractors) PLC

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (continued) 

31st JULY 2020 

9. 

TAXATION (continued)  

The Finance Act 2020, which received Royal Ascent on 22nd July 2020, states that the corporation tax rate for the 
financial year commencing 1st April 2020 is 19%.

The effective corporation tax rate is 19.00% (2019, 19.00%) being the average rate applicable over the period.  
Deferred tax provisions have been calculated using the 19% rate.

In addition to amounts charged to the Income Statement, a deferred tax credit of £942,000 (2019, credit £190,000) 
relating to actuarial losses on the defined benefit pension scheme has been recognised directly to Equity. 

The value of the deferred tax asset in respect of capital losses not recognised in the financial statements amounted 
to £426,000 (2019, £16,000).

There are no income tax consequences attached to dividends paid or proposed by the Company to its shareholders.

10. 

DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS  

In the year to 31st July 2019 Concrete Products (Kirkcaldy) Limited ceased trading.

The results of the discontinued operation, which have been included in the profit for the year, were as follows:

Revenue 
Cost of sales 

Gross Loss  

. 
. 

. 

. 
. 

. 

Other operating income   
Net operating expenses  . 

Loss Before Tax 

. 

Taxation 
Corporation tax  . 
. 
Deferred tax 

. 

. 
. 

. 
. 

. 

. 
. 

. 

. 
. 

. 
. 

. 

. 
. 

. 

. 
. 

. 
. 

. 

. 
. 

. 

. 
. 

Net loss attributable to discontinued operations 
(attributable to owners of the Company) 

. 

. 
. 

. 

. 
. 

. 

. 
. 

. 

The operating loss is stated after charging/(crediting): 
. 
Cost of inventories recognised as an expense  . 
. 
. 
Staff costs (per note 5)  . 
. 
. 
Hire of plant and machinery 
. 
Depreciation of owned assets 
. 
. 
Profit on disposal of property, plant and equipment 
. 
Auditor remuneration and expenses 

. 
. 
. 

. 
. 
. 

. 

. 

. 
. 

. 

. 
. 

. 

. 
. 

. 

. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 

. 
. 

.   

. 
. 

. 

. 
. 

. 

. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 

. 
. 

. 

. 
. 

. 

. 
. 

. 

. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 

. 
. 

. 

. 
. 

. 

. 
. 

. 

. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 

2020) 
£000) 
5,1) 
       (18) 

2019) 
£000
645) 
      (817) 

(17) 

(172) 

5,9) 

6) 
       (49)             (461) 

(57) 

(627) 

5,10) 
          –) 

137) 
        (15) 

        10) 

       122) 

       (47)  

     (505) 

5,14) 
5,–) 
5,–) 
5,8) 
5,–) 
          4) 

664) 
431) 
4) 
8) 
(124) 
           8) 

During the year, Concrete Products (Kirkcaldy) Limited had cash outflows of £417,000 (2019, £76,000) in relation 
to Operating activities and contributed £nil (2019, contributed £138,000) in respect of Investing activities.

58

59

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
J. Smart & Co. (Contractors) PLC

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (continued) 

31st JULY 2020 

11. 

PROFIT  FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR   

)2020)  
£000) 

       2019)
£000)

CONTINUED AND DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS 

. 
Dealt with in the accounts of the Parent Company 
Retained by Subsidiary and Joint Venture Companies 

. 
. 

. 
. 

. 
. 

. 
. 

1,920) 
     1,665) 

((1,404)
   7,640

    3,585) 

    6,236)

The Group uses underlying profit before tax as an alternative performance measure, which is the profit before 
tax excluding net surplus or deficit on valuation of investment properties and available for sale financial assets 
accounted for through the Income Statement. As the net surplus or deficit on valuation of investment properties and 
available for sale financial assets can fluctuate from year to year and is not a realised surplus or deficit by excluding 
this amount a truer reflection of actual Group performance is obtained. Analysis of this alternative performance 
measure is as follows:

Profit before tax   
. 
Surplus on valuation of investment properties  
Deficit on valuation of available for sale financial assets 

. 
. 

. 

. 

. 

12. 

DIVIDENDS 

2018 Final Dividend of 2.21p per share, after waivers 
2019 Interim Dividend of 0.95p per share 
.  
2019 Final Dividend of 2.24p per share, after waivers 
. 
2020 Interim Dividend of 0.95p per share 

. 

. 

. 
. 
. 

. 
. 
. 
. 

. 
. 
. 

. 
. 
. 
. 

. 
. 
. 

. 
. 
. 
. 

. 
. 
. 

. 
. 
. 
. 

4,083) 
(3,179) 
        379) 

(6,643)
((4,052)
          9)

    1,283) 

    2,600)

)

–) 
–) 
390) 
       405) 

402)
411)
–)
           –)

       795) 

       813) 

The Board is proposing a Final Dividend of 2.27p per share (2019, 2.24p) which will cost the Company no more 
than £963,000. 

The proposed Final Dividend is subject to approval by the shareholders at the Annual General Meeting and has not 
been included as a liability in these financial statements. 

58

59

 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
J. Smart & Co. (Contractors) PLC

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (continued) 

31st JULY 2020 

13. 

 EARNINGS/(LOSS) PER SHARE 

CONTINUING OPERATIONS 
Profit attributable to Equity shareholders   £000 
Basic Earnings per share 

. 

. 

. 

DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS 
Loss attributable to Equity shareholders 
. 
Basic Loss per share 

. 

. 

£000 
. 

CONTINUING AND DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS 
Profit attributable to Equity shareholders  £000 
Basic Earnings per share 

. 

. 

. 

. 
. 

. 
. 

. 
. 

. 
. 

. 
. 

. 
. 

. 
. 

. 
. 

. 
. 

. 
. 

. 
. 

. 
. 

2020)  

       2019)

. 
. 

3,632) 
      8.46p 

6,741)
  15.47p

. 
(47) 
.                   (0.11)p 

(505)
  (1.16)p

. 
3,585) 
.                        8.35p 

6,236)
   14.31p

Basic earnings per share are calculated by dividing the profit attributable to equity shareholders by the weighted 
average number of shares in issue during the year.

The weighted average number of shares for the year to 31st July 2020 amounted to 42,948,000 (2019, 43,580,000).

There is no difference between basic and diluted earnings per share.

60

61

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
J. Smart & Co. (Contractors) PLC

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (continued) 

31st JULY 2020

14. 

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

(a) GROUP 

Cost: 
  At 1st August 2019 
  Additions 
  Disposals 

. 
. 

  At 31st July 2020 

. 
. 
. 

. 

Depreciation:  
  At 1st August 2019 
. 
  Provided during year . 
. 
  Disposals 

. 

  At 31st July 2020 

Net book value: 
  At 31st July 2020 

Cost: 
  At 1st August 2018 
  Additions 
  Disposals 

. 
. 

  At 31st July 2019 

. 

. 

. 
. 
. 

. 

Depreciation: 
. 
  At 1st August 2018 
  Provided during year . 
. 
  Disposals 

. 

  At 31st July 2019 

Net book value: 
  At 31st July 2019 

. 

. 

. 
. 
. 

. 

. 
. 
. 

. 

. 

. 
. 
. 

. 

. 
. 
. 

. 

. 

. 
. 
. 

. 

. 
. 
. 

. 

. 

. 
. 
. 

. 

. 
. 
. 

. 

. 

. 
. 
. 

. 

. 
. 
. 

. 

. 

. 
. 
. 

. 

. 
. 
. 

. 

. 

. 
. 
. 

. 

. 
. 
. 

. 

. 

. 
. 
. 

. 

. 
. 
. 

. 

. 

. 
. 
. 

. 

. 
. 
. 

. 

. 

. 
. 
. 

. 

. 
. 
. 

. 

. 

. 
. 
. 

. 

. 
. 
. 

. 

. 

. 
. 
. 

. 

. 
. 
. 

. 

. 

Land and 
buildings 
Freehold 
£000 

Plant,)
equipment)
and vehicles) 
£000) 

Total) 
£000) 

896 
– 
            – 

4,806) 
355) 
      (304) 

5,702) 
355
     (304)

        896 

     4,857) 

     5,753)

635 
16 
            – 

3,763) 
364) 
        (293) 

4,398) 
380) 
     (293)

        651 

     3,834) 

     4,485)

        245 

     1,023) 

     1,268)

896 
– 
            – 

5,954) 
424) 
    (1,572) 

6,850) 
424)
  (1,572)

        896 

     4,806) 

   5,702)

619 
16 
            – 

4,923) 
360) 
    (1,520) 

5,542) 
376) 
  (1,520) 

        635 

     3,763) 

    4,398)

        261 

     1,043) 

    1,304) 

Included within Freehold Land and Buildings is land costing £13,000 (2019, £13,000) which is not depreciated.

60

61

 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
J. Smart & Co. (Contractors) PLC

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (continued) 

31st JULY 2020 

14. 

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT (continued) 

(b) COMPANY 

                       Land and) 
            buildings) 

Plant,) 
equipment) 
 Freehold)  and vehicles) 
£000) 

£000) 

Total)
£000)

. 
. 
. 

. 

. 
. 
. 

.  

. 

. 
. 
. 

. 

. 
. 
. 

 . 

.  

. 
. 
. 

. 

. 
. 
. 

. 

. 

361) 
–) 
             –) 

2,617) 
86) 
        (163) 

2,978) 
86) 
       (163) 

        361) 

      2,540) 

     2,901)

130) 
5) 
             –) 

2,261) 
132) 
        (156) 

2,391) 
137)
       (156) 

         135) 

      2,237) 

     2,372)             

         226) 

         303) 

        529)

. 
.        
. 

361) 
–) 
            –) 

2,694) 
148) 
       (225) 

3,055)
148)
       (225)

. 

. 
. 
. 

. 

. 

         361) 

      2,617)  

     2,978)

125) 
5) 
            –) 

2,292) 
156) 
       (187) 

2,417) 
161)
       (187)

         130) 

      2,261) 

     2,391)

         231) 

         356) 

        587)

Cost: 
  At 1st August 2019 
  Additions 
  Disposals 

. 
. 

  At 31st July 2020 

. 
. 
. 

. 

Depreciation: 
  At 1st August 2019 
. 
  Provided during year . 
. 
  Disposals 

. 

  At 31st July 2020 
) 
Net book value: 
  At 31st July 2020 

Cost: 
  At 1st August 2018 
  Additions 
  Disposals 

. 
. 

  At 31st July 2019 

. 

. 

. 
. 

. 

Depreciation: 
  At 1st August 2018 
. 
  Provided during year . 
. 
  Disposals 

. 

  At 31st July 2019 

Net book value: 
  At 31st July 2019 

. 

. 

. 
. 
. 

. 

. 
. 
. 

. 

. 

. 
. 
. 

. 

. 
. 
. 

. 

. 

. 
. 
. 

. 

. 
. 
. 

. 

. 

. 
. 
. 

. 

. 
. 
. 

. 

. 

. 
. 
. 

. 

. 
. 
. 

. 

. 

. 
. 
. 

. 

. 
. 
. 

. 

. 

. 
. 
. 

.  

. 
. 
. 

.  

. 

. 
. 
. 

. 

.  
. 
. 

. 

. 

62

63

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
J. Smart & Co. (Contractors) PLC

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (continued) 

31st JULY 2020

15. 

INVESTMENT PROPERTIES 

Cost or valuation: 
  At 1st August 2019 
. 
  Adoption of IFRS 16  

. 
. 

. 
  Additions 
  Disposals 
. 
  Surplus/(deficit) on valuation 

. 
. 

. 
. 

  At 31st July 2020 

. 

. 

Cost or valuation: 
. 
  At 1st August 2018 
  Additions 
. 
  Surplus on valuation   

. 

  At 31st July 2019 

. 

. 
. 
. 

. 

            Land and)      Land and)
            buildings)      buildings        Right-of-use)
 Freehold)     Leasehold                   Asset) 
£000 
       £000)              £000   

Total  
£000) 

.                62,043)           11,831)                      –   
.                        –)                     –)                   205  

73,874) 
205) 

                62,043) 

     11,831)                   205) 

   74,079)

.                     865)             2,028)                      –   
.                (1,519)                     –)                      –  
        (769)                       –) 
.                        3,948) 

2,893) 
(1,519) 
     3,179) 

.                65,337) 

     13,090)                   205) 

   78,632)

.                58,423) 
11,109) 69,               5–2 
.                       55)                235)                       –  
          487)                       –) 
.                        3,565) 

69,532) 
290) 
     4,052) 

.                62,043) 

     11,831)                       –) 

   73,874)

. 
. 

. 
. 
. 

. 

. 
. 
. 

. 

. 
. 

. 
. 
. 

. 

. 
. 
. 

. 

Valuation Process
The Group’s investment properties are valued by David W Smart, MRICS, who is a Director of the Parent Company, 
on  the  basis  of  fair  value,  in  accordance  with  the  RICS Valuation  –  Global  Standards  2017,  incorporating  the 
International Valuations Standards, and RICS Professional Standards UK January 2014 (revised April 2015).  As 
in previous years, external valuers have reviewed a sample of the Group’s investment properties and provided 
a  report  to  the  Group  detailing  the  valuations  they  would  have  placed  on  the  sample  of  investment  properties 
reviewed.  The valuations prepared by the Director and the external valuers are compared to ensure that there are 
no material variations between the valuations. 

Investment properties, excluding ongoing developments, are valued using the investment method of valuation.  
This  approach  involves  applying  capitalisation  yields  to  current  and  estimated  future  rental  streams  and  then 
allowing for voids arising from vacancies and rent free periods and associated running costs.  The capitalisation 
yields and rental values are based on comparable property and leasing transactions in the market, using the valuers’ 
professional judgment and market observations.  Other factors taken into account in the valuations include the 
tenure of the property, tenancy details and ground and structural conditions.

The coronavirus pandemic has resulted in the year end investment property valuations being subject to material 
valuation uncertainty as disclosed on page 46, Critical Accounting Estimates and Judgements. 

In the case of ongoing developments, the approach applied is the residual method of valuation, which is the same as 
the investment method, as described above, with a deduction for all costs necessary to complete the development, 
together with a further allowance for remaining risk.

In accordance with IAS 40: Investment Property, net annual surpluses or deficits are taken to the Income Statement 
and no depreciation is provided in respect of these properties.

62

63

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
J. Smart & Co. (Contractors) PLC

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (continued) 

31st JULY 2020

15. 

INVESTMENT PROPERTIES (continued)

The Group considers all of its investment properties fall within ‘Level 3’ of the fair value hierarchy as described 
by IFRS 13: Fair Value Measurement.  Level 3 valuations are those using inputs for the asset or liability that are 
not based on observable market data.  The main unobservable inputs relate to estimated rental value and equivalent 
yield.  There have been no transfers of properties in the fair value hierarchy in the financial year.  

The  table  below  summarises  the  key  unobservable  inputs  used  in  the  valuation  of  the  Group’s  Freehold  and 
Leasehold investment properties as at 31st July 2020:

Fair Value 
at 31 July 
2020 
£000 

20,569 
57,858 

Investment
Commercial 
Industrial 

      Estimated Rental Value 
£ per sq ft 
Low  Average   High 

11.00 
4.00 

15.25 
7.00 

19.50 
10.00 

Equivalent Yield
%
High

Low  Average 

6.41 
7.02 

8.42 
7.76 

9.97
9.46

The following table illustrates the impact of changes in the key unobservable inputs (in isolation) on the fair value 
of the Group’s Freehold and Leasehold investment properties as at 31st July 2020:

Fair Value 
at 31 July 
2020 
£000 

20,569 
57,858 

      5% change in estimated 
rental value 
Decrease 
£000 

Increase 
     £000 

   25bps change in equivalent 
yield
    Increase
 £000

 Decrease 
£000 

194 
983 

(194) 
(983) 

91 
630 

(86)
(592)

Investment
Commercial 
Industrial 

The Group had obligations of £1,583,000 (2019, £1,271,000) in respect of future developments and repair costs of 
investment properties at the Balance Sheet date.

16. 

INVESTMENTS 

Shares in Subsidiaries at Cost  . 
. 
Joint Ventures 

. 

. 

Group 

2020 
£000 

2019 
£000 

Company 

2020) 
£000) 

2019) 
£000) 

. 
. 

. 
. 

. 
. 

– 
         901 

– 
        914 

708) 

708) 
         857)               857 )

         901 

        914 

      1,565)  

      1,565) 

64

65

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
J. Smart & Co. (Contractors) PLC

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (continued) 

31st JULY 2020 

16. 

INVESTMENTS (continued) 

(a)  JOINT VENTURES 

The Directors considered Gartcosh Estates LLP to be a material joint venture. The following table summarises the 
financial information as included in its own financial statements adjusted for differences in accounting policies.

Non-Current assets 

. 

. 

Current assets 
. 
     Of which are cash and cash equivalents 

. 

. 

 . 

. 
 . 

. 

. 
. 

. 

. 
. 

. 

. 
. 

. 

. 
. 

Non-Current liabilities 
    Of which are financial liabilities excluding trade and other payables and provisions 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

Current liabilities  
    Of which are financial liabilities excluding trade and other payables and provisions 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

Net assets  

. 

. 

Group’s interest in net assets 

Revenue 

. 

. 

Other Operating Income  

Total comprehensive loss 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

 . 

. 

 . 

. 

Group’s share of total comprehensive loss 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

20191
2020) 
£000)            £000)

      1,822) 

      1,822)

         149) 
         87) 

      147)
      114)

         (250) 
            (250) 

      (250)
            (250)

         (6) 
                  –) 

      (4)
                 –)

      1,715) 

      1,715)

         827) 

         843)

             –) 

             –)

             –) 

             –)

          (30) 

          (30)

          (15) 

          (15)

. 

. 
. 

. 
. 

. 
. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 
. 

. 
. 

. 
. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

The Group accounts for all Joint Ventures using the equity method of accounting.

64

65

 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
J. Smart & Co. (Contractors) PLC

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (continued) 

31st JULY 2020

16. 

INVESTMENTS (continued) 

(a) JOINT VENTURES (continued) 

The Group’s interests in its other Joint Venture companies are not considered to be material and the aggregate 
financial information for these associated companies is as follows: 

Aggregate carrying amount of individually immaterial joint ventures 

Aggregate carrying amount of the Group’s share of:    
. 
Profit after tax and total comprehensive income 
. 
. 
. 
Dividend received 

. 

. 

Total comprehensive income 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 
. 

. 

. 
. 

. 

2020) 
£000) 
           74) 

2019)
£000)
          71)

. 

.                          2                  63
        (59)
. 

              –) 

.                         2) 

            4)

. 

. 
. 

. 

Name of Joint Venture 
Northrigg Limited 
Duff Street Limited 
Invertiel Developments Limited 
Gartcosh Estates LLP 

Registered in and 
Principal Country 
of Operation 
Scotland 
Scotland 
Scotland 
Scotland 

J. Smart & Co. (Contractors) PLC 
Interest in Joint Venture’s Capital 
50% 
50% 
50% 
50% 

Name of Joint Venture 

Jointly managed with 

Issued Share capital 

Northrigg Limited  

William Sanderson 

Duff Street Limited 

Kiltane Developments 
Limited 

Invertiel Developments  
Limited 

DKG Estates LLP 

2 ordinary £1 
shares split equally
into A & B shares
and ranking equally
in all respects 

100 ordinary £1 
shares split equally
into A & B shares
and ranking equally
in all respects

100 ordinary £1 
shares split equally
into A & B shares
and ranking equally
in all respects 

Issued shares held
by J. Smart & Co.
(Contractors) PLC

1 A Share

50 A Shares

50 A Shares 

Gartcosh Estates LLP 

Fusion Assets Limited 

Partnership Interest 

50 A Shares

All  of  the  Joint  Venture  companies  were  established  for  the  purposes  of  property  development  and  all  have 
accounting years ending on 31st July.

Invertiel Developments Limited was dissolved on 22nd September 2020. 

66

67

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
J. Smart & Co. (Contractors) PLC

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (continued) 

31st JULY 2020

16. 

INVESTMENTS (continued) 

(b) SUBSIDIARIES 

At 1st August 2019 and 31st July 2020  

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

2020) 
£000) 
         708) 

2019)
£000)
        708)

At 31st July 2020 the Company held the entire issued share capital of the following companies, all of which are 
registered in and operate in Scotland: 

McGowan and Company (Contractors) Limited  Plumbing contractors 
Cramond Real Estate Company Limited 
Thomas Menzies (Builders) Limited 
Concrete Products (Kirkcaldy) Limited 
C. & W. Assets Limited 
Smart Serviced Offices Limited 

Investment holding 
Civil Engineering contractors 
Non trading 
Investment Property company
Serviced office and co-working space provider

17.   AVAILABLE FOR SALE FINANCIAL ASSETS 

Group 

2020) 
£000) 

2019) 
£000) 

Listed investments 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

        886) 

     1,309)

Fair value movement on shares held at 31st July 2020 before tax amounted to £(379,000) (2019, £(9,000)).

There has been no impairment adjustment on available for sale financial assets in this or the previous year.

As the Group’s available for sale financial assets consisted entirely of equities of companies listed on quoted markets 
then these fall within ‘Level 1’ of the fair value hierarchy as described by IFRS 13: Fair Value Measurement.  Level 
1 valuations are those using inputs which are quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or 
liabilities the Company can access at the year end date.

18. 

INVENTORIES 

. 
Work in progress  
. 
Land held for development 
Raw materials and consumables 

. 

. 
. 
. 

. 
. 
. 

CONTRACTS IN PROGRESS AT 
THE BALANCE SHEET DATE: 
Aggregate amount of costs incurred and 
recognised profits less recognised losses to date 
Retentions outstanding  . 
. 
Advances received 

. 
. 

. 
. 

. 
. 

66

Net value of contracts in progress 

. 

. 

2020) 
£000) 
1,863) 
4,195) 
      123) 

Group 

Company 

2019) 
£000) 
8,193) 
354) 
         96) 

2020) 
£000) 
1,863) 
4,195) 
         32) 

2019) 
£000) 
8,193)
354)
         22)

   6,181) 

    8,643) 

   6,090) 

    8,569)

7,433) 
217) 
     (7,150) 

6,699) 
200) 
   (6,596) 

4,804) 
146) 
       (4,560) 

4,347)
140)
   (4,289)

       500) 

         303) 

       390) 

        198)

 . 
 . 
 . 

 . 
 . 
 . 

 . 

67

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
J. Smart & Co. (Contractors) PLC

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (continued) 

31st JULY 2020 

19. 

CONTRACT BALANCES
The timing of revenue recognition results in amounts due from customers for construction contracts, those which 
have  not  yet  been  invoiced  are  disclosed  as  Contract Assets  and  once  invoiced  they  are  disclosed  as  Trade 
Receivable (note 20). The Group does not receive deposits or payments in advance for contracts and therefore 
has no Contract Liabilities to disclose. The Group did not incur costs to obtain contracts.

Contract Assets  . 

. 

. 

. 

. 

As at 1st August 2019 
 . 
. 
Transfers from contract assets recognised at the 
 . 
beginning of the year to trade receivables 
Increase related to services provided in the year 

. 

. 

As at 31st July 2020 

. 

. 

. 

. 

20. 

TRADE AND OTHER RECEIVABLES 

NON-CURRENT ASSETS: 
Loan to Joint Venture companies 

. 

CURRENT ASSETS: 
Trade receivables  
. 
Amounts owed by Subsidiaries . 
. 
Other receivables  
Prepayments and accrued income 
Loans to Joint Venture companies 

. 

. 

. 
. 
. 
. 
. 

. 

. 
. 
. 
. 
. 

Group 

2020) 
£000) 

2019) 
£000) 

Company 

2020) 
£000) 

2019) 
£000) 

      423) 

       549) 

      277) 

       408)

549) 

770) 

408) 

659)

(549) 
          423) 

(770) 
       549) 

(408) 
           277) 

(659)
       408)

       423) 

       549) 

       277) 

       408)

       250) 

       250) 

       250) 

       250)

894  
–  
1,555  
198  
     176  

1,474  
–  
997  
188  
      176  

118  
3,174  
563  
144  
       176  

305  
1,481  
9  
132  

       176

   2,823  

    2,835  

    4,175  

    2,103

 . 

. 

. 
 . 

 . 

. 

. 
. 
. 
. 
. 

Trade receivables are shown net of provision for doubtful debts of £59,000 (2019, £3,000).

The ageing of past due but not impaired trade debtors is as follows:

Less than 30 days 
30 to 60 days 
 Greater than 60 days 

. 
. 
. 

. 
. 
. 

. 
. 
. 

. 
. 
. 

. 
. 
. 

640  
230  
        24  

1,196  
266  
         12  

118  
–  
           –  

305
–
           –

      894  

    1,474  

       118  

       305

Trade  receivables  and  amounts  recoverable  on  contracts  includes  £135,000  (2019,  £182,000)  in  respect  of 
outstanding retentions. 

The loans to Joint Venture companies (note 16(a)) are repayable on demand, with the exception of the loan to 
Gartcosh Estates LLP.  Given the expected future repayment profile this loan has been disclosed as due after one 
year.

Amounts owed by subsidiaries are repayable on demand and are interest free.

The Directors consider that the carrying amount of trade and other receivables approximates to their fair value.

68

69

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
J. Smart & Co. (Contractors) PLC

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (continued) 

31st JULY 2020

21. 

BANK 
Cash and cash equivalents comprise the following: 

Cash at bank and on hand 
. 
Short term deposits 

. 
. 

. 
. 

. 
. 

. 
. 

Group 

2020 
£000  
10,121 
   12,997 

2019 
£000 
12,903 
   12,796 

Company

2020 
£000  
– 
            – 

2019 
£000
–
            –

   23,118 

   25,699 

             – 

            –

Monies  held  on  deposit  of  £48,000  (2019,  £48,000)  are  held  in  bank  accounts  which  have  original  maturity 
dates exceeding three months and therefore do not meet the criteria of cash and cash equivalents as defined in  
IAS 7: Statement of Cash Flows.

The  bank  has  been  granted  guarantees  and  letters  of  offset  by  each  member  of  the  Group  in  favour  of 
the bank on account of all other members of the Group as a continuing security for all monies, obligations and 
liabilities owing or incurred to the bank. 

22. 

TRADE AND OTHER PAYABLES 
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Trade payables 
. 
Amounts owed to Subsidiaries  . 
Other taxes and social security costs 
Other creditors and accruals 

. 

. 

. 

. 
. 
. 
. 

. 
. 
. 
. 

. 
. 
. 
. 

798 
– 
244 
     2,030 

1,197 
– 
509 
     1,688 

488 
82 
168 
    1,412 

724 
– 
250
        791 

     3,072 

     3,394 

    2,150 

     1,765

Included in Other creditors and accruals are contract loss provisions.

23. 

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS 

The Group’s financial instruments comprise of bank balances and cash, available for sale financial assets, trade 
receivables and trade payables. The amounts presented in relation to trade receivables are net of allowances for 
doubtful receivables. 

The carrying amount of these assets approximates to their fair value. 

CREDIT RISK 

In relation to the Group’s financial assets, the Group has no significant concentration of credit risk, as exposure is 
spread over a number of counterparties and customers. 

There is no significant impairment loss recognised or significant receivables that are past due but not impaired.

The Group has assessed that there is no significant credit risk in relation to loans to Joint Venture companies given 
the underlying value of the assets within these entities.

IFRS 7:  Financial  Instrument  Disclosures  requires  a  company  to  undertake  a  sensitivity  analysis  on  its 
financial  instruments  which  are  affected  by  changes  in  interest  rates.  The  Group  financial  instruments 
affected  by  interest  rate  fluctuations  are  bank  deposits  and  bank  overdrafts.    Based  on  the  Group’s  net 
position  at  the  year  end,  a  1%  increase  or  decrease  in  the  interest  rates  would  change  the  Group’s  profit 
before  tax  by  approximately  £87,000  and  £78,000  respectively  (2019,  £146,000  and  £70,000  respectively).

68

69

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
J. Smart & Co. (Contractors) PLC

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (continued) 

31st JULY 2020

24. 

DEFERRED TAXATION 

DEFERRED TAX ASSETS    

At 1st August 2018 
. 
Credited to Income Statement – continuing operations 
Charged to Income Statement – discontinued operations 

. 

. 

. 

. 

At 31st July 2019 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 
. 
. 

. 

(Charged)/Credited to Income Statement – continuing operations 
. 
Credited to Equity 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

Group 

Company
                           Retirement
  Retirement 
        Benefit 
                                    Benefit 
 Obligations           Other          Total           Obligations
£000
94                     –
24                     –
          –)

                 £000           £000          £000 
. 
. 
. 

         94
             – 
             – 
         24
             –          (17) 

    (17) 

.                 –

    101

   101

        –

.       (2,347)             8       (2,339) 
      2,551             –)       2,551 
. 

(2,347)
  2,551)

At 31st July 2020 

. 

. 

. 

. 

.  

. 

.           204)        109)         313) 

     204)

Deferred tax assets arising in respect of valuation surpluses on Investment Properties of £426,000 (2019, £16,000) 
have not been recognised because it is not probable that relevant future taxable profits will be available against 
which the Group can use the benefits therefrom.

DEFERRED TAX LIABILITIES
GROUP 

. 
. 

At 1st August 2018  
Credited to Equity 
Credited to Income Statement
– continuing operations  . 
Credited to Income Statement 
– discontinued operations 

At 31st July 2019  

. 

. 
. 

. 

. 

. 

. 
. 

. 

. 

. 

. 
Charged to Equity 
Charged/(credited) to Income Statement 
. 
– continuing operations  . 

. 

. 

. 

At 31st July 2020 

. 

. 

. 

COMPANY 

. 
At 1st August 2018 
Credited to Equity 
. 
(Credited)/charged to Income Statement 

. 
. 

. 
. 

At 31st July 2019 

. 

. 

. 

Charged to Equity 
. 
(Credited)/charged to Income Statement 

. 

. 

At 31st July 2020 

. 

. 

. 

  Accelerated  
Capital  

Retirement 
Benefit 
Value   Differences  
  Allowances   Obligations 
£000  
£000  
£000 
                £000  
25  
13   
715 
.         1,242
–  
.                –)            (190 )               –  

Other
Timing

Fair  

Total
£000  
1,995  
 (190) 

.             (25)             (32 )              (8) 

(3) 

 (68) 

.                –)                  –)               –                  (2)  

          (2) 

.        1,217              493               5                20  

    1,735

.                –           1,609 )§§§§§§   –     

–  

 1,609) 

 .            27)         (2,102)              (5)               1)  

  (2,079)

 .        1,244

             –

           –                  21  

    1,265

 Accelerated      Retirement                Other

                      Capital             Benefit              Timing  
               Allowances      Obligations       Differences  
                         £000                 £000                  £000  
7              715                 19  
–             (190)                 –  
                         3)             (32)                (4) 

Total
£000
741  
 (190)
        (33) 

           10              493

          15            518

– 

1,609 )                 –  
            –)        (2,102)                 1) 

1,609)
   (2,101) 

           10                 –

         16              26

. 
. 
. 

. 

. 
. 

. 

70

71

. 
. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 
. 
. 

. 

. 
. 

. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
J. Smart & Co. (Contractors) PLC

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (continued) 

31st JULY 2020 

25. 

LEASE LIABILITIES 

Amounts payable under leases:
Within one year   
. 
In two – five years exclusively  . 
. 
After five years 

. 

Present value of lease liabilities  . 

. 
. 
. 

. 

. 
. 
. 

. 

. 
. 
. 

. 

. 
. 
. 

. 

. 
. 
. 

. 
. 
. 

.            . 

Due for settlement within one year (shown in current liabilities) 

. 

Due for settlement after one year (shown in non-current liabilities)  

26. 

SHARE CAPITAL 

. 

. 

  2020 

                           Group

2020 

2019) 

. 
. 
.              205) 

– 
– 

–) 
–) 
             –) 

.              205) 

             –)

.                  –) 

             –) 

.              205) 

             –)

. 
. 
. 

. 

. 

. 

2019

Issued and fully paid ordinary shares of 2p each
. 
At 1st August 2019 
. 
. 
Purchased and cancelled  

. 
. 

. 
. 

At 31st July 2020 

. 

. 

. 

. 

 Number  

£000  

Number  

£000

. 
. 

. 

43,275,000  
    (665,000) 

866  
     (13) 

43,988,000  
   (713,000) 

880
       (14)

42,610,000  

    853  

43,275,000   

      866

During the year to 31st July 2020 the Company purchased for cancellation 665,000 ordinary shares of 2p each with 
a nominal value of £13,000 for a consideration of £793,000.
All shareholders of ordinary shares have a right to receive dividends paid by the Company in accordance with their 
shareholding. Each shareholder has the right to attend and vote at a General Meeting and each share attracts one 
vote. There are no restrictions on the distribution of dividends or repayment of capital.

27.  NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS 

(a) RECONCILIATION OF PROFIT BEFORE TAX TO CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 
. 
. 

. 
. 
. 

. 
. 
. 
. 

. 
Profit before tax  . 
. 
Share of losses/(profits) from Joint Ventures 
. 
Depreciation 
Unrealised surplus on valuation of investment properties 
. 
Unrealised deficit on valuation of available for sale financial assets  
. 
Profit on sale of property, plant and equipment 
. 
Profit on sale of available for sale financial assets 
. 
Change in retirement benefits 
. 
. 
Interest received . 
. 
. 
Interest paid 
. 
. 
Change in inventories 
. 
. 
Change in contract assets 
. 
Change in receivables – non-current 
. 
Change in receivables – current  
. 
Change in payables 
. 
. 
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES 

. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 

. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 

. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 

. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 

. 
. 
. 
. 
. 

. 

70

71

(b) CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS FOR STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS 
. 
Cash and cash equivalents 
. 
. 
Bank overdraft 
. 
. 
Net position 

. 
. 
. 

. 
. 
. 

. 
. 
. 

. 
. 
. 

. 
. 
. 

. 
. 

. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 

. 
. 
. 

. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 

. 
. 
. 

2020  
£000  
4,083  
13) 
380  
(3,179) 
379) 
(18) 
(16) 
14) 
(78) 
12) 
3,981) 
126) 
 –) 
12) 
      (322) 
     5,387)  

2019  
£000  
6,643
(48)
376
(4,052)
9)
(141)
(26)
188) 
(71) 
–) 
164) 
221) 
(250) 
(935)
        (186)
      3,762)

£000) 
23,118  
  (10,104) 
   13,014   

£000
25,699  
   (12,860)
    12,839

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
J. Smart & Co. (Contractors) PLC

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (continued) 

31st JULY 2020 

27.  NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (continued) 

(c) ANALYSIS OF NET FUNDS 

Cash and cash equivalents 
.  
Bank overdraft 

. 

Net funds  

. 

. 

. 
 . 

. 

. 
. 

. 

. 
. 

. 

. 
. 

. 

. 
. 

. 

. 
. 

 . 

At 1st  
 August 2019  
£000  
25,699  
  (12,860)  

Cash  
Flow  
£000  
(2,581) 
    2,756)  

At 31st  
July 2020  
£000  
23,118     
 (10,104)

   12,839  

       175) 

   13,014

28.  NOTES TO THE COMPANY STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS 

(a) RECONCILIATION OF PROFIT/(LOSS) BEFORE TAX TO CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES 

. 

. 
. 

. 
. 

. 
. 

. 
. 
. 

. 
Profit/(loss) before tax 
Depreciation 
. 
Profit  on sale of property, plant and equipment 
Dividend received from Subsidiaries and Joint Ventures 
Change in retirement benefits 
. 
Interest received . 
Change in inventories 
. 
Change in contract assets 
Change in receivables – non-current 
Change in receivables – current  
. 
Change in payables 

. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 

. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 

. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 

. 
. 
. 
. 

. 

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES 

. 

. 

. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 

. 

. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 

. 

(b) CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS FOR STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS 
. 
Cash and cash equivalents 
. 
. 
Bank overdraft 

. 
. 

. 
. 

. 
. 

. 
. 

. 
. 

(c) ANALYSIS OF NET FUNDS  

Cash and cash equivalents 
. 
Bank overdraft 

. 
. 

. 
. 

. 
. 

. 
. 

. 
. 

. 
. 

. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 

. 

. 
. 

. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 

. 

. 
. 

2020  
£000  

2019
£000  

1,677) 
137  
(2) 
(5,000) 
14) 
–) 
2,479) 
131) 
                   –) 
(2,072) 
       385) 

(((1,705)
161
(10)
 (59)
188)
(1) 
80)
251)
(250) 
(1,559)
      (646)

    (2,251) 

      (432)

–  
   (7,350) 

–
   (8,661)

     (7,350)       (8,661)

At 1st    
  August 2019  
£000  
.              2,9 –  
.             (8,661) 

Cash        At 31st
Flow    July 2020
£000            £000  

(2,94–) 
    1,311) 

–
   (7,350)

    (8,661)  

     1,311) 

   (7,350)

29. 

FUTURE CAPITAL EXPENDITURE 

There were no amounts of Capital Expenditure relating to Property, plant and equipment contracted for at 31st July 
2020 or 31st July 2019. 
The Group’s share of Capital Expenditure contracted for by its Joint Ventures as at 31st July 2020 amounted to 
£nil (2019, £nil). 

72

73

 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
J. Smart & Co. (Contractors) PLC

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (continued) 

31st JULY 2020 

30. 

RETIREMENT BENEFIT OBLIGATIONS 

The Group operates a defined benefit pension scheme for certain active and former employees of the Group.  The 
scheme was closed to new members in the year to 31st July 2003. The scheme is subject to the funding legislation 
outlined in the Pensions Act 2004 together with documents issued by the Pensions Regulator and Guidance Notes 
adopted by the Financial Reporting Council.

The  scheme  is  administered  by  a  separate  Board  of  Trustees  which  is  composed  of  employer  nominated 
representatives and member nominated Trustees and is a separate legal entity.  The assets of the scheme are held 
separately from the assets of the Group and are administered and managed professionally under the supervision 
of the Trustees.  The Trustees are required by law to act in the best interests of all classes of beneficiaries to the 
scheme and are responsible for the investment policy and the day-to-day running of the scheme.  The Trustees 
are also responsible for jointly agreeing with the employer the level of contributions due to the Pension scheme.

The scheme provides qualifying employees with an annual pension based on final pensionable salary on attainment 
of a normal retirement age of 65.  Active members also benefit from life assurance cover. However the payment of 
these benefits are at the discretion of the Trustees of the scheme.

The  pension  scheme’s  independent  qualified Actuary  carries  out  a  triennial  valuation  using  the  Projected  Unit 
Credit Method to determine the level of the scheme’s surplus or deficit.  The last completed triennial valuation was 
as at 31st October 2018 which revealed a surplus of £1,451,000, representing a funding level of 104%. Following 
this latest triennial valuation the Group and the scheme Trustees agreed that employer contributions to the scheme 
as from 31st October 2019 would increase from 31.9% to 35.4% and employee contributions are to remain at 3%.

There were no outstanding contributions at the year end.

The Group expects to pay a contribution of £544,000 during the financial year to 31st July 2021.                                

ASSUMPTIONS
The financial assumptions used to calculate scheme liabilities under IAS 19 (amended): Employee Benefits are: 

. 
. 

. 
. 
Valuation method 
. 
Discount rate 
. 
. 
. 
Inflation rate - Retail price index 
Inflation rate - Consumer price index  . 
. 
Salary increases  . 
. 
Pension increases 

. 
. 

. 
. 

2020 
Projected Unit 
1.3% 
3.1% 
             2.2% 
             3.1% 
1.8% – 3.4% 

. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 

2019 
Projected Unit 
1.8% 
3.4% 
2.5% 
3.4% 
1.9% – 3.5% 

2018
Projected Unit 
2.7% 
3.2%
2.3%
3.2%
1.8% – 3.4% 

. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 

The mortality assumptions imply the following expectations of years of life from age 65: 

2016 
21.9 
24.2 
23.2 
25.6 

. 
. 
. 
. 

2015 
21.8 
24.0 
23.1 
25.5 

2014
21.8 
23.7
22.8 
24.9

Man currently aged 65  . 
Woman currently aged 65 
Man currently aged 45  . 
Woman currently aged 45 

. 
. 
. 
. 

. 
. 
. 
. 

. 
. 
. 
. 

. 
. 
. 
. 

73

72

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
J. Smart & Co. (Contractors) PLC

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (continued) 

31st JULY 2020

30. 

RETIREMENT BENEFIT OBLIGATIONS (continued) 

SENSITIVITY TO KEY ASSUMPTIONS

The  scheme  exposes  the  Group  to  actuarial  risks,  such  as  interest  rate  risk,  inflation  risk,  longevity  risk  and 
investment risk.  The key assumptions used for IAS 19 are discount rate, inflation rates and mortality.  If different 
assumptions were used then this could materially affect the results disclosed in the financial statements.  Movements 
in the key assumptions would have the following effect on the level of the deficit:

 Change in assumption 

Discount rate 
Inflation rate 
Mortality rate 

. 
 Decrease of 0.25% 
 Increase of 0.25% 
. 
 Increase in life expectancy of 1 year 

. 
. 

. 
. 

Increase in scheme liabilities
2019
£000

2020 
£000 

. 
. 
. 

.  
. 
 . 

. 
. 
. 

1,517 
304 
1,873 

 1,413
344
1,662

The sensitivity information has been prepared using the same methodology as the calculation of the current year 
scheme obligations.

BALANCE SHEET DISCLOSURES 

The investments held by the scheme and the reconciliation of the scheme assets and liabilities to the Balance Sheet 
were:

EQUITIES   
UK 
. 
Overseas   
Multi-asset diversified funds 
Absolute return funds 

. 
. 

. 
. 

. 

BONDS 
Government 
Corporate  

OTHER 
Cash 

. 

. 
. 

. 

. 
. 

. 

. 
. 
. 
. 

. 
. 

. 

Fair value of scheme assets 
Present value of scheme liabilities 

. 

Asset ceiling adjustment  
Scheme (deficit)/surplus  
Deferred taxation  
. 
Net pension scheme (deficit)/surplus 

. 
. 
. 

Valuation  
2019  
£000  

14,672  
15,586  
3,500  
921  

1,332  
2,979  

    2,551  

41,541  
(38,642) 
2,899  
           –) 
2,899  
     (493) 
   2,406  

Valuation
2018
£000

13,068
16,605
3,039
890

1,130
2,596

   2,754

40,082
(32,497)
7,585
  (3,380)
4,205
     (715)
   3,490

. 
. 
. 
. 

. 
. 

. 

. 

. 
. 
. 
. 

  Valuation  
2020  
£000  

. 
. 
. 
. 

. 
. 

. 

. 

. 
. 
. 
. 

11,054  
17,846  
3,399  
952  

1,302  
3,824  

   1,978  

40,355  
(41,431) 
(1,076) 
           –) 
(1,076) 
       204) 
      (872) 

74

75

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
J. Smart & Co. (Contractors) PLC

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (continued) 

31st JULY 2020 

30. 

RETIREMENT BENEFIT OBLIGATIONS (continued) 

The  assets  of  the  scheme  are  invested  in  funds  managed  by  Standard  Life  Wealth,  in  direct  investments  via 
Rathbone Brothers PLC, in insurance policies with companies belonging to the Royal London Group and in bank 
accounts.  The assets do not include any directly owned ordinary shares issued by J. Smart & Co. (Contractors) 
PLC.  The fair value of the assets of the pension scheme are determined based on publicly available market prices 
wherever available.

The following amounts are incorporated into the financial statements 

Analysis of amounts charged to operating profit: 
. 
Current service cost 
. 
Past service cost   

. 
. 

. 
. 

. 
. 

Total service cost  

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 
. 

. 

Analysis of amounts charged to net finance income: 
Interest income 
Interest costs 

. 
. 

. 
. 

. 
. 

. 
. 

. 
. 

. 
. 

. 
. 

. 

. 
. 

. 
. 

. 

. 
. 

. 
. 
. 

Movement in present value of defined benefit obligations:
. 
. 
. 
At 1st August 2019 
. 
. 
. 
Service cost 
. 
. 
. 
Interest cost 
. 
. 
Charges paid 
. 
. 
. 
Employee contributions  
. 
. 
Benefit payments  
. 
. 
. 
Actuarial movements due to scheme experiences 
Actuarial movements due to changes in demographic assumptions  . 
. 
Actuarial movements due to changes in financial assumptions 

. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 

. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 

. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 

. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 

At 31st July 2020 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

74

75

. 
. 

. 

. 
. 

. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 

. 

. 
. 

. 

. 
. 

. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 

. 

2020  
£000  

2019
£000  

(629) 
          –) 

(606)      
     (251)

     (629) 

     (857)

741  
    (689) 

980       
     (866)

        52  

       114

32,497

  38,642  
857  
629  
866
689  
(60) 
–) 
43  
38  
(1,187) 
(1,372) 
((372)         1,479)  
(543) 
    4,875)

778) 
   2,214) 

     41,431  

  38,642

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
J. Smart & Co. (Contractors) PLC

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (continued) 

31st JULY 2020

30. 

RETIREMENT BENEFIT OBLIGATIONS (continued) 

. 
. 

. 
. 

Movement in fair value of scheme assets:
. 
. 
At 1st August 2019 
. 
Interest income    
. 
. 
Interest income relating to asset ceiling adjustment 
. 
Employer contributions . 
. 
Employee contributions . 
. 
. 
Benefits paid 
Charges paid 
. 
. 
Return on plan assets excluding amount shown in interest income  . 

. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 

. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 

. 
. 
. 
. 

. 
. 
. 
. 

. 
. 
. 
. 

. 
. 

. 
. 

At 31st July 2020 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

Movement in scheme (deficit)/surplus: 
. 
. 
At 1st August 2019 
. 
. 
Current service cost 
. 
. 
Past service cost   
. 
Contributions 
. 
. 
Net finance income included in finance income 
. 
Actuarial remeasurement of pension scheme liability  
. 
Effect of asset ceiling adjustment 

. 
. 
. 
. 

. 
. 
. 
. 

. 
. 
. 
. 

. 

. 

At 31st July 2020 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 

. 

. 

. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 

. 

2020  
£000  

2019
£000  

41,541  
741  
–  
563  
38  
(1,187) 
 –) 
    (1,341) 

40,082  
980

91  
555  
43  
(1,372) 
(60) 
    1,222) 

   40,355  

  41,541

2,899  
(629) 
 –) 
563  
52  

4,205
(606)
(251)
555  
114  
     (3,961)      (4,589)
    3,471)

            –) 

    (1,076) 

    2,899

. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 

. 

. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 

. 

. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 

. 

. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 

. 

Analysis of the actuarial loss included in the statement of comprehensive income:
Return on scheme assets excluding amounts shown in interest income 
Changes in assumptions underlying present value of scheme liabilities 
Effect of asset ceiling adjustment 

. 
. 
. 

. 
. 
. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

(1,341) 

1,222)
      (2,620)       (5,811)
   3,471)

            –) 

At 31st July 2020 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

.  

    (3,961) 

   (1,118)

The asset ceiling adjustment incorporated in the accounts for the year to 31st July 2018 was to reflect the difference 
between the projected value of future contributions compared with the pure surplus of the scheme, as under IAS 19 
(amended): Employee Benefits the maximum surplus that can be recognised is the value of future contributions. 
This adjustment was reversed in the accounts for the year to 31st July 2019 net of £91,000 relating to interest on 
the adjustment. 

History of experience gains and losses: 
Return on scheme assets 
Amount (£000) 
. 
Percentage of market value of scheme assets 
Changes in assumptions underlying present value of
scheme liabilities 

. 

. 

. 

. 
.  

. 

. 

. 

Amount (£000) 
. 
Percentage of market value of scheme liabilities  . 
Total amounts included in Consolidated Statement of 
Comprehensive Income 
Amount (£000) 
. 
Percentage of market value of scheme liabilities  .  

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

2020 

2019 

2018 

2017 

2016  

(1,341) 
3.3% 

1,222        2,219) 
5.5% 
2.9% 

2,833 
7.5% 

1,694 
4.9% 

(2,650) 
6.4% 

(5,811)        1,272) 
3.9% 
15.0% 

473  (3,950) 
1.4%  11.4%

(3,961) 
9.6% 

(1,118) 
2.9% 

111 

3,306  (2,256) 
0.3%         9.7%   6.5% 

. 
. 

. 
. 

. 
. 

76

77

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
J. Smart & Co. (Contractors) PLC

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (continued) 

31st JULY 2020

30. 

RETIREMENT BENEFIT OBLIGATIONS (continued) 

DEFINED CONTRIBUTION SCHEMES

In the year to 31st July 2003 the Group commenced operation of a defined contribution Group Personal Pension 
Plan for eligible employees. The plan is externally administered and managed professionally by AEGON UK. The 
net contribution to the plan for the year was £314,000 (2019, £246,000) and are expensed through the Income 
Statement as incurred. 

STAKEHOLDER SCHEMES

The Group has stakeholder pension arrangements for those employees not eligible for membership of either the 
Defined Benefit or Defined Contribution schemes.  The Group makes contributions to these schemes and has no 
liability beyond these contributions.  The contributions to these schemes in the year amounted to £90,000 (2019, 
£78,000) and are expensed through the Income Statement as incurred. 

MULTI EMPLOYER SCHEME

The Group was also a member of the multi-employer pension scheme, Plumbing & Mechanical Services (UK) 
Industry  Pension  Scheme  which  closed  to  future  benefit  buildup  effective  30th  June  2019.   The  Group  makes 
contributions to this scheme which in the year amounted to £13,000 (2019, £14,000) and are expensed through the 
Income Statement as incurred.

No provision has been made for amounts payable by the Group in respect of Section 75 pension liabilities relating 
to the Group’s participation in this scheme given that, as at the date of these financial statements, any potential 
liability has not yet been assessed.

31. 

CONTINGENT LIABILITIES 

The  Company  and  certain  of  its  Subsidiaries  have,  in  the  normal  course  of  business,  entered  into  
counter-indemnities  in  respect  of  performance  bonds  relating  to  their  contracts.    As  at  31st  July  2020  these  
amounted to £nil.

32.  OPERATING LEASE ARRANGEMENTS 

GROUP – AS LESSEE 
Future minimum lease payments payable under non-cancellable operating leases: 

Within one year  . 
. 
In two – five years exclusively  . 
. 
After five years  . 

. 

. 

. 
. 
. 

. 
. 
. 

. 
. 
. 

. 
. 
. 

. 
. 
. 

. 
. 
. 

. 
. 
. 

2020 
£000 
129 
250 

2019
£000 
117
317
       172                1,307

       551 

     1,741

GROUP – AS LESSOR
Gross property rental income earned in the year amounted to £6,374,000 (2019, £6,679,000).  At the Balance Sheet 
date, the Group had contracted with its tenants for the following future minimum lease payments:

Within one year  . 
. 
In two – five years exclusively  . 
. 
After five years  . 

. 

. 

. 
. 
. 

. 
. 
. 

. 
. 
. 

. 
. 
. 

6,727 
16,516 
    9,761 

6,201
15,833
   10,826 

  33,004 

   32,860

. 
. 
. 

. 
. 
. 

. 
. 
. 

77

76

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
J. Smart & Co. (Contractors) PLC

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (continued) 

31st JULY 2020

33. 

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

(a) SUBSIDIARIES 
Transactions  between  the  Company  and  its  Subsidiaries,  which  are  related  parties  of  the  Company,  have  been 
eliminated on consolidation. Details of transactions between the Company and Subsidiaries are as follows: 

SUBSIDIARY 

2020 
£000 

2019 
£000 

Sale of goods 
 and services 

2020 
£000 

2019 
£000 
Purchase of goods 
     and services 

McGowan and Company (Contractors) Limited  
Cramond Real Estate Company Limited 
Thomas Menzies (Builders) Limited 
. 
Concrete Products (Kirkcaldy) Limited 
. 
. 
C. & W. Assets Limited . 
. 
Smart Serviced Offices Limited  

. 
. 
. 
. 
. 

. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 

. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
.       

125 
– 
146 
13 
3,413 
         120 

126 
– 
125 
66 
1,188 
         126 

457 
– 
3 
1 
– 
           –  

488
– 
5
14
–
           –

During the year the Company received a dividend of £5,000,000 from C. & W. Assets Limited (2019, £nil).

SUBSIDIARY 

Amounts owed 
by Subsidiaries 

Amounts owed 
to Subsidiaries 

McGowan and Company (Contractors) Limited 
Cramond Real Estate Company Limited 
Thomas Menzies (Builders) Limited 
. 
Concrete Products (Kirkcaldy) Limited 
. 
C. & W. Assets Limited . 
. 
. 
Smart Serviced Offices Limited  

. 
. 
. 
. 
. 

. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
. 

. 
. 
. 
. 
. 
.       

– 
– 
– 
– 

49 
– 
62 
76 
       3,173          1,174 
         770 
         861 

782 
– 
– 
– 

– 
–
– 
– 
             –                – 
           –

           –  

During the year the Company advanced a further £210,000 to its subsidiary Smart Serviced Offices Limited and as 
at 31st July 2020 the total due from the subsidiary was £860,000.  As at 31st July 2020 the Company has provided 
in full against this debt.  No other provision for bad or doubtful debts have been made against any other amounts 
due from Subsidiary companies.

The Company has also incorporated a provision against the net liabilities of Concrete Products (Kirkcaldy) Limited 
amounting to £455,000 due to the fact that the Company is providing financial support to this subsidiary to meet all 
of its liabilities as they fall due for a period of twelve months from the date of approval of its financial statements.

(b) JOINT VENTURE COMPANIES

Transactions between the Group and its Joint Venture Companies were the sale of materials and services of £nil 
(2019, £1,155,000), receipt of dividends of £nil (2019, £59,000).

During  the  year  the  Group  was  repaid  £nil  (2019,  £nil)  of  outstanding  loans  to  Joint  Venture  Companies  and 
advanced £nil (2019, £250,000) to Joint Venture Companies. 

As at 31st July 2020 loans outstanding from Joint Venture Companies amounted to £426,000 (2019, £426,000).

The amounts outstanding are unsecured and will be settled for cash.  No expense has been recognised in the year 
for bad or doubtful debts in respect of the amounts owed by Joint Venture Companies.

78

79

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
J. Smart & Co. (Contractors) PLC

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (continued) 

31st JULY 2020

33. 

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS (continued)

(c) DIRECTORS’ INTEREST IN CONTRACTS 

David W Smart and John R Smart, throughout the year had material beneficial interests in Plean Precast Limited, 
Sterling Precast Limited and The Roofing and Building Supply Co. Limited, which have interests in continuing 
contracts for the purchase of materials and services from and for the sale of materials and services to the Group. 

During the year to 31st July 2020 the Group purchased materials amounting to £51,000 (2019, £157,000) from 
these companies and sold materials and services amounting to £51,000 (2019, £60,000) to these companies. 

All transactions were at normal commercial rates.

As at 31st July 2020 the Group owed these companies £3,000 (2019, £3,000) and was owed £nil (2019, £35,000).

(d) DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION 

The remuneration of the Directors, who are the only key management of the Company, is set out in note 5 to the 
Accounts with further information contained in the audited part of the Directors’ Remuneration Report.

(e) DIRECTORS’ DIVIDENDS 

During the year the Directors received dividends from the Company as follows: 

. 
David W Smart 
John R Smart 
. 
Alasdair H Ross  . 
Patricia Sweeney . 

. 
. 
. 
. 

. 
. 
. 
. 

. 
. 
. 
. 

. 
. 
. 
. 

. 
. 
. 
. 

. 
. 
. 
. 

. 
. 
. 
. 

. 
. 
. 
. 

. 
. 
. 
. 

(f) DIRECTORS’ TRANSACTIONS 

2020 
£000 
117 
117 
3 
2 

The following Directors received goods and services from Group Companies in the year amounting to:
. 
David W Smart 
John R Smart 
. 
Alasdair H Ross  . 
Patricia Sweeney . 

1 
84 
– 
– 

. 
. 
. 
. 

. 
. 
. 
. 

. 
. 
. 
. 

. 
. 
. 
. 

. 
. 
. 
. 

. 
. 
. 
. 

. 
. 
. 
. 

. 
. 
. 
. 

. 
. 
. 
. 

2019
£000
117
117
3
2

7
6
–
–

All transactions were at normal commercial rates.

(g) PENSION SCHEMES

Disclosures in relation to the pension schemes are included in note 30 to the Accounts.

During the year the Company paid fees and expenses on behalf of the defined benefit pension scheme amounting 
to £171,000 (2019, £225,000).

78

79

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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81

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Printed by Multiprint (Scotland) Limited, Kirkcaldy

82