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London & Associated Properties PLC

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FY2018 Annual Report · London & Associated Properties PLC
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LONDON & 
ASSOCIATED  
PROPERTIES 

ANNUAL REPORT 2018

Contents

OVERVIEW
1 

LAP at a glance

2 

 Chairman’s statement and  
Chief Executive’s review 2018

STRATEGIC REPORT
4 

Financial and performance review

7 

Principal activities, strategy & business model

7  Risks and uncertainties

8  Bisichi risks and uncertainties

9  Key performance indicators

10  Corporate responsibility

GOVERNANCE
12  Directors & advisors

13  Directors’ report

17  Corporate Governance

19 

 Governance Statement by the 
Chairman of The Remuneration Committee

20  Annual remuneration report

24  Remuneration policy

26  Audit committee report

27  Directors’ responsibilities statement

28 

Independent auditor’s report

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 Consolidated income statement
32 

32 

 Consolidated statement of comprehensive income

33 

 Consolidated balance sheet

34 

 Consolidated statement of changes in  
shareholders’ equity 

35 

 Consolidated cash flow statement

36  Group accounting policies

42 

 Notes to the financial statements

69 

 Five year financial summary

Financial calendar

Annual General Meeting  
12 June 2019

Announcement of half year results to 30 June 2019 
Late August 2019

Payment of final dividend for 2018 (if approved) 
13 September 2019

Announcement of annual results for 2019 
Late April 2020

OVERVIEW

OVERVIEW

LAP at a glance

London & Associated Properties PLC (“LAP”) is a main market listed group 
which invests in industrial and retail property in the UK while also managing 
property assets for institutional clients. LAP owns and/or manages £196 
million of property investments. As a property company we look to create 
environments where tenants can thrive.

The Group also holds a substantial investment in Bisichi Mining PLC, which 
operates coal mines in South Africa and owns UK property investments. 
In accordance with IFRS 10 the results of Bisichi have been consolidated  
in the group accounts.

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

Fully diluted net  
assets per share

50.83p
2017: 53.74p

IFRS net assets

£55.7m
2017: £56.7m

Properties portfolio  
valuation*

£196m
2017: £222m
*Including properties under management,  
investment properties, assets held for sale  
and property inventory. 

OVERALL PORTFOLIO SPLIT

GROUP PORTFOLIO BY SECTOR

55%

45%

  Directly owned

   Investments  
and management

86%

42%

7%

   Retail

7%

   Residential  
development

  Industrial

KEY PROJECTS

HIGHLIGHT

   Directly owned

• Kings Square, West Bromwich

• West Ealing development

• Runcorn Manor Park Industrial Estate

• Orchard Square, Sheffield

   Investments  
and management

•  Kingsgate Centre, Dunfermline

• The Rushes Centre, Loughborough

•  The Vancouver Quarter Centre  

Kings Lynn

New asset management activities at Orchard Square, 
Sheffield

Ealing property acquired (jointly with Bisichi) for 
development in May 2018

Runcorn Industrial portfolio acquired in October 2018

Co-investment with Oaktree Capital Management 
and manage three of their shopping centres

   Coal production

•  In South Africa, Black Wattle produced 1.32 million metric tonnes of Run of Mine Coal in 2018  

(2017: 1.30 million metric tonnes)

London & Associated Properties PLC 2018 1

OVERVIEW

Chairman’s statement and  
Chief Executive’s review 2018

I am pleased to present our accounts for the 
12 months to 31st December 2018. 

As shareholders will be aware, 2018 has been a year in which 
retailing and the retail property markets have faced unprecedented 
change and challenge. The UK’s macroeconomic environment has 
affected consumer spending adversely, particularly for higher value 
or discretionary goods. At the same time, pressures such as high 
business rates and greater online sales, have impacted on the type 
and number of stores retailers require. 

The proliferation of retail insolvencies witnessed in 2018, which has 
continued unabated into 2019, has led to significant numbers of 
vacant units and has impacted negatively on rental levels and 
increased incentives required by retailers. In turn this has led, 
inevitably, to a decline in retail property values across the board. 

The increasingly difficult retail environment endorses our 2017 
decision to sell Brixton Markets for £37.25 million. We received 
£20.5 million in cash net of debt in April 2018. This cash has all been 
allocated or deployed away from the retail property sector and into 
non-retail property with greater potential for future growth through 
asset management or development opportunities. 

CONSOLIDATED RESULTS
Group (including Bisichi and Dragon) net assets at the year-end were 
£55.7 million (2017: £56.7 million).

As stated above market sentiment towards retail property is very 
negative. Our portfolio, while still generating good returns, has been 
marked down further by valuers. This has meant that the total net 
assets of LAP Group (including our net interest in Bisichi) have 
moved downwards, resulting in the net asset value per share 
declining to 50.83p from 53.74p last year. 

Total property assets owned by LAP, Bisichi and other companies in 
which LAP has a financial interest amounted to £196 million (2017: 
£222 million).

Group profit after valuation movements and before taxation for the 
year was £1.27 million (2017: £11.28 million). Figures for the 
previous year benefited materially from a £9.37 million uplift in 
property values due almost entirely to the Brixton sale and therefore 
are not directly comparable. A full breakdown of group income, cash 
flow and result by sector is included in the financial review and in the 
segmental analysis in Note 1 to the financial statements.

DEBT MANAGEMENT
On 30th June 2019, our five-year facilities with Santander and Europa 
Mezzanine expire. The total outstanding is £28.3 million, secured 
against Orchard Square in Sheffield and the Tanyard Shopping Centre 
in Wickersley, South Yorkshire. Shareholders will appreciate that this is 
a difficult time to borrow against retail property. However, we have 
engaged actively with both lenders who have indicated that they will 
work with us, either to refinance the loans or to facilitate a handover 
to a new lender. We have started marketing the loans and feedback to 
date is reasonably positive. However, there are no guarantees that we 
will be able to refinance on terms that enable us to maintain the 
current level of net cash flow or at all.

Importantly, both the Santander and Europa loans are non-recourse 
to the balance sheet of LAP PLC. These two properties are included 
in our balance sheet at an aggregate value of £36.65 million.

2  London & Associated Properties PLC 2018

We refinanced the remaining £3 million of the Prudential debenture 
which expired in August 2018 with a £3.93 million 10-year loan 
facility (with a 5-year mutual break option) from Metro Bank, a new 
lender to the Group. 

The loan to value covenant for Metro Bank is 65%, with amortisation 
based on a 20-year repayment profile. No hedging was required, and 
the new loan will deliver debt service savings of £0.2 million per 
annum.

LAP PROPERTY ACTIVITIES

Runcorn
The most significant purchase was the Manor Portfolio in Runcorn, 
Cheshire, which was acquired in October 2018 for £6.5 million in cash, 
including costs. This portfolio comprises nine industrial/warehousing 
units, fully let to eight tenants producing £0.6 million per annum, 
located in the heart of Runcorn’s logistics/warehousing area. 

We believe our existing skill-set, built up over many years of managing 
multi-let retail assets, is just as relevant to multi-let industrial assets. 
We were particularly attracted to this property by the relatively low 
rents of just over £4 per sq. ft, and I am pleased to say we have engaged 
actively with the tenants and remain confident that we can drive this 
level upward over the medium term. It remains fully let with the 
exception of one third of one unit on which we negotiated a surrender 
from the incumbent tenant and is now under offer at a higher rent. 

Ealing
In October 2018 we completed the £5.7 million acquisition of a 
mixed-use development site in West Ealing, London, before 
acquisition and subsequent development costs. This acquisition has 
been undertaken in a joint venture with Bisichi Mining Plc and 
Metroprop Ltd, an established property developer. 

LAP and Bisichi have each contributed an initial equity investment of 
£1.0 million for a combined 90% stake in the joint venture. The 
balance of £3.5 million was provided by Paragon via a short-term 
investment loan. The interest rate is 7.0% per annum and currently 
the interest is being rolled up. This loan will be refinanced with a 
development loan when we are in a position to develop the site. We 
do not anticipate that we will need to invest further equity into the 
transaction.

The site currently comprises five shops, of which one is vacant, and a 
service yard. The four let shops provide £0.14 million per annum 
which is sufficient to cover our operating costs as we prepare our 
planning application. We are looking to develop 55 flats. Initial 
responses from the Local Authority have been positive and we look 
forward to updating shareholders in due course.

Orchard Square, Sheffield
In view of market sentiment towards shopping centres and the size 
of this asset in relation to our portfolio, we have decided that it no 
longer fits our longer-term criteria for an investment property held to 
generate capital growth. Accordingly, we have decided to treat it as 
realisable inventory in our property dealing division. We are 
underway on a series of asset management initiatives and 
developments, more fully described below, and it is our intention to 
dovetail the sale of this asset with completion of those projects. 

OVERVIEW Chairman’s statement and  Chief Executive’s review 2018

We remain convinced of the enduring strength of Orchard Square. 
This has been evidenced by the strong lease renewals we have 
achieved over the last 12 months, where rents have proven to be 
relatively resilient. Despite market sentiment we are renewing units 
let at a previous combined total rent of £0.37 million at new annual 
rents of £0.31 million. 

BISICHI MINING PLC
 For the year ended 31st December 2018, Bisichi achieved earnings 
before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) of 
£8.6million (2017: £3.7 million) and operating profit before 
depreciation, fair value adjustments and exchange movements 
(Adjusted EBITDA) of £9.1 million (2017: £5.8 million). 

These results are attributable mainly to the strong performance from 
Black Wattle, Bisichi’s South African coal mining operation, which 
continued to benefit from the infrastructure improvements to the 
coal washing plant that were reported in 2017. These improvements 
have enabled the group to wash at consistent levels of production 
and achieve an increased overall yield compared to prior years. In 
addition, the mine was able to benefit from significantly improved 
coal prices achievable for its coal during the year. 

Looking forward, although global economic factors have impacted 
coal demand in some international markets, the demand for South 
African coal has continued to remain strong and Bisichi expects overall 
levels of future production from Black Wattle to remain consistent 
with 2018. Accordingly, it remains confident about the ability of its 
South African coal mining operations to contribute strongly to Group 
earnings and cash generation for the foreseeable future.

At the end of 2018 Black Wattle completed an agreement to acquire 
additional coal reserves. The new reserves have an expected run of 
mine tonnage of 1.9 million metric tonnes and are contiguous to 
Black Wattle’s operations. The acquisition is subject to local regulatory 
approval and is in line with the group’s strategy of actively seeking 
new opportunities to extend the life of mines within its existing 
mining operations. 

Bisichi’s UK retail property portfolio, which is managed by London & 
Associated Properties PLC for a fee, continues to perform well, with 
average rental yields for the portfolio remaining stable during the year. 

DIVIDEND
We are pleased to recommend a final dividend of 0.18p, an increase 
of over 2.9% on the 2017 dividend of 0.175p.

Finally, we would like to thank all of our directors, staff and advisers 
for their hard work during the year. The retail property world is 
very challenging and is likely to remain so for the foreseeable future. 
However, we believe LAP is well placed to meet these challenges 
and we therefore remain cautiously optimistic for the year ahead.

Sir Michael Heller, 
Chairman 

John Heller,  
Chief Executive

30 April 2019

We are exploring the opportunities for creating experiential 
alternative uses for some units, including restaurants and bars. We 
believe that this will increase the marketability of Orchard Square, by 
helping to reposition the Centre and make it more attractive to 
younger shoppers as well as increasing the amount of time 
customers spend there. 

During the course of the year River Island, which pays an annual rent 
of £0.5 million, exercised a break clause on its lease. At the time 
negotiations were already underway with a third party to take a lease 
on the entire store.

We have agreed lease documentation with the new occupier, but 
have not yet exchanged contracts. There remains, therefore, a risk 
that this unit might become vacant. However, we are confident that 
it is one of the best units in the city and will not remain empty for 
long even if the current potential occupier were to pull out for 
any reason.

Kings Square, West Bromwich
Kings Square achieved full occupancy during the year and continues 
to trade strongly for the discount retailers of the town. We let two 
units to an independent coffee shop and a restaurant thus considerably 
improving the leisure offer. Additionally, lease renewals at the Centre 
demonstrate that tenants trade well there. We believe that this sort 
of value-orientated shopping centre is cushioned to a certain extent 
from the general problems affecting retailing in the UK. 

Other
The rest of our portfolio, which is focused on community and value 
retailing, trades well. The LAP Group Portfolio has a void level of 
7.24% (2017: 2.06%). This increase is almost entirely accounted for 
by the two properties where tenants did not renew at lease expiry.

We have bid for a number of properties during the year to diversify 
further away from retail. Although we were not successful on those 
occasions, we remain determined not to overpay. 

Currently, we are in the process of selling a further small retail asset 
from our portfolio, and we will report to shareholders once the deal 
has completed. 

HARROGATE JOINT VENTURE
Our Harrogate joint venture with Oaktree Capital Management, 
which owns three shopping centres in Dunfermline, Kings Lynn and 
Loughborough, continues to trade satisfactorily. We have been able 
to negotiate a number of new leases and lease renewals across all 
three centres and are coming to the completion of a development 
of a new 15,000 sq. ft. store for H&M at Kings Lynn. 

DRAGON RETAIL PROPERTIES LTD
Dragon, a 50:50 joint venture with Bisichi Mining, completed a lease 
renewal with Boots, the principal tenant at its shop in Clifton, Bristol, 
on a new 10 year lease with a five-year break clause at £93,000, an 
increase of 1.1%.

London & Associated Properties PLC 2018 3

 
STRATEGIC 

REPORT

STRATEGIC 
REPORT

Financial and performance review

The financial statements for 2018 have been 
prepared to reflect the requirements of IFRS 
10. This means that the accounts of Bisichi 
Mining PLC (a London Stock Exchange main 
market quoted company – BISI) (“Bisichi”),  
have been consolidated with those of LAP.

Bisichi continues to operate as a fully independent company and 
currently LAP owns only 41.52% of the issued ordinary share capital. 
However, because related parties also have shareholdings in Bisichi 
and there is a wide disposition of other shareholdings, LAP is deemed 
under IFRS 10 to have effective control of Bisichi for accounting 
purposes. This treatment means that the income and net assets of 
Bisichi are disclosed in full and the value attributable to the “non-
controlling interest” (58.48%) is shown separately in the equity 
section as a non-controlling interest. There is no impact on the net 
assets attributable to LAP shareholders.

Dragon Retail Property Limited (“Dragon”) and West Ealing Projects 
Limited (West Ealing), are both 50:50 joint ventures with Bisichi and 
are also consolidated. Shareholders are aware that LAP is a property 
business with a significant investment in a listed mining company. 
The effect of consolidating the results, assets and liabilities of the 
property business and the mining company make the figures complex 
and less transparent. Property company accounts are already subject 
to significant volatility as valuations of property assets as well as 
derivative liabilities can be subject to major movements based on 
market sentiment. Most of these changes, though, have little or no 
effect on the cash position and it is, of course, self-evident that cash 
flow is the most important factor influencing the success of a 
property business. We explain the factors affecting the property 
business first, clearly separating these from factors affecting the 
mining business which we do not manage. Comments about Bisichi 
(the mining business) are based on information provided by the 
independent management of that company.

REVENUE RECOGNITION RESTATEMENT – 
PRESENTATION OF REVENUE & COSTS
During the review of revenue recognition in South Africa a revenue 
recognition error was identified in respect of the treatment of transport 
and loading costs to deliver export coal under certain export agreements. 
The costs in prior periods, have been recorded as a deduction 
against revenue rather than being shown as an operating cost. 

Although this impact has been correctly accounted for in the current 
year, the equivalent restatement in the prior year is to increase both 
revenue and operating costs by £2,891,000. There is no profit or net 
assets impact as a result of the prior year restatement. In prior year 
figures within the report where there has been an impact from the 
restatement, the column is reflected with the word “Restated”. 

LOANS
LAP’s debt (excluding Bisichi, Dragon and West Ealing which are detailed 
separately below), consists of a £28.3 million facility expiring in July 
2019, a debenture of £10 million repayable in August 2022 and a 
£3.9 million facility expiring in 2028. A debenture of £3 million was 
repaid in April 2018. As in previous years, all loans and debentures are 
secured on core property and cash deposits and are covenant compliant.

LAP’s five year £21.5 million non-recourse loan from Santander, as 
senior lender, is supported by a £6.8 million loan from Europa Capital 
Mezzanine Limited, as mezzanine lender. The senior loan facility is 
fully hedged and at the year end, 81% of the loan was swapped at a 
rate of 2.25% and the remaining 19% was covered by an interest cap 
at 2.25%. This gives a blended current interest rate of 5.33% for the 
total £28.3 million debt. 

CASH FLOW
The operating cash flow and net cash balances at the year-end were 
as follows:

CASH FLOW FROM OPERATIONS
LAP
Bisichi
Dragon
Group total

2018 
£'000
(5,675)
7,520
76
1,921

Note: The figures exclude inter-company transactions.

NET CASH BALANCES
LAP
Bisichi
Dragon
Group total

2018 
£'000
11,345
5,686
89
17,120

2017 
£'000
2,708
7,593
(14)
10,287

2017 
£'000
2,109
4,065
92
6,266

Our investment with Oaktree Capital Management (HRGT Shopping 
Centres LP), remains profitable and generates management fees (2018: 
£0.46 million and 2017: £0.46 million) for our wholly owned subsidiary 
(London & Associated Management Services Limited). We also received 
£nil (2017: £0.1 million) as a partial repayment of our loan.

Significant cash income and expenditure for LAP in the year includes:

•   The sale of Brixton Markets for £37.25 million, before costs, in 

April 2018

•  The repayment of £15.9 million of bank debt

•   The replacement of a £3 million 11.6 % fixed interest debenture 
with a £3.9 million 10 year term loan at 2.95% above base rate

•  The acquisition of an industrial portfolio for £6.5 million

Cash balances at 31 December 2018 have been allocated towards 
future profit generating activities, including the Group’s continued 
sector diversification.

4  London & Associated Properties PLC 2018

STRATEGIC REPORT Financial and performance review

INCOME STATEMENT
The segmental analysis in Note 1 to the financial statements gives more detail but the tables below give a clearer summary of the Group results. 

RESULTS BEFORE REVALUATIONS AND NON-CASH MOVEMENTS
LAP
Bisichi
Dragon
Group total

Note: The figures exclude inter-company transactions.

2018 
£'000
(2,818)
6,526
29
3,737

2017 
£'000
(130)
3,536
(29)
3,377

Bisichi’s improvement of £3.0 million is explained under Bisichi Mining PLC, in this review.

The Group property portfolio, including assets held for sale and inventory, decreased from £114.46 million to £88.27 million.

During the year the Group sold Brixton Markets held at a value of £36.44 million, acquired an industrial property in Runcorn at a cost of £6.54 
million and acquired and commenced a residential development, through its West Ealing joint venture, at a cost of £6.26 million.

The Group’s property portfolio decreased on revaluation by £2.57 million a 2.8% decrease.

PROFIT/(LOSS) BEFORE TAXATION
LAP
Bisichi
Dragon
Group profit before taxation

Note: The figures exclude inter-company transactions.

2018 
£'000
(4,723)
6,142
(151)
1,268

2017 
£'000
9,614
1,696
(32)
11,278

BALANCE SHEET
LAP has group net assets of £55.7 million (2017: £56.7 million) (see table below). 

Net assets attributable to equity shareholders of the Company at the year-end were 50.83p per share (2017: 53.74p per share).

2018
Investment properties
Other fixed assets
Other non current assets
Inventory–property
Assets held for sale
Other current assets
Current liabilities
Non-current liabilities
Net assets

2017
Investment properties
Other fixed assets
Other non current assets
Assets held for sale
Other current assets
Current liabilities
Non-current liabilities
Net assets

LAP
ORIGINAL 
GROUP
£'000
35,011
106
1,748
38,556
2,285
13,292
(38,180)
(16,666)
36,152

65,231
116
1,748
36,441
4,824
(8,588)
(59,377)
40,395

BISICHI
MINING PLC
GROUP
£'000
13,230
8,531
35
-
-
17,511
(16,718)
(4,529)
18,060

13,397
8,613
51
-
11,612
(8,844)
(9,858)
14,971

DRAGON
RETAIL
PROPERTIES
£'000
2,450
22
-
-
-
272
(73)
(1,197)
1,474

2,630
6
-
-
122
(123)
(1,291)
1,344

LAP
NET ASSETS
£'000 
50,691
8,659
1,783
38,556
2,285
31,075
(54,971)
(22,392)
55,686

81,258
8,735
1,799
36,441
16,558
(17,555)
(70,526)
56,710

London & Associated Properties PLC 2018 5

STRATEGIC REPORT Financial and performance review

BISICHI MINING PLC
Although the results of Bisichi Mining PLC have been consolidated in 
these financial statements, the Board of LAP has no direct influence 
over the management of Bisichi. The comments below are based on 
the published accounts of Bisichi. 

WEST EALING PROJECTS LIMITED
West Ealing is a 50:50 joint venture between LAP and Bisichi created 
with the purpose of delivering a residential development, through its 
90% owned subsidiary. West Ealing is included within the LAP 
segment as it is not intended to be a long term activity.

The Bisichi group results are stated in full in its published 2018 
financial statements which are available on its website: www.bisichi.co.uk.

The Bisichi group increased its EBITDA to £8.6 million (2017: £3.7 
million) mainly due to increased operating profits before depreciation 
from the mining activities of £8.2 million (2017: £4.9 million). 
Depreciation in the year relating to mining activities increased to 
£2.1 million (2017: £1.8 million). Profit for the year after tax was  
£6.0 million (2017: £1.5 million). Bisichi has two core revenue streams 
– investment in retail property in the UK and coal mining in South Africa.

The increase in operating profit was mainly attributable to the higher 
prices achieved for coal and increased mining production at Black 
Wattle offsetting the impact of the higher mining and washing costs.

The UK retail property portfolio was valued at the year end at 
£13.05 million (2017: £13.25 million). The property portfolio is 
actively managed by LAP and generated rental income of £1.1 
million in the year (2017: £1.1 million). 

A R100million bank overdraft facility, held by a subsidiary of Bisichi 
with Absa Bank Limited at the year end, was replaced in January 
2019 by a new structured trade finance facility for R100million. The 
new trade facility is renewable annually at 25 January and is secured 
against inventory, debtors and cash that are held in the group’s 
South African operations. 

In the UK, the Bisichi group signed a £6 million five-year term loan 
with Santander in December 2014. This loan is secured against UK 
investment property. No covenants were breached during the year.

Cash flow generated from operating activities decreased compared 
to the prior year to £4.8 million (2017: £7.3 million). The improved 
operating profit during the year of £6.5 million (2017: £3.8 million) 
was offset by an increase in income tax paid of £2.28 million (2017: 
£0.01 million) both as a result of the high profitability of Bisichi’s 
South African mining operations. In addition, cashflow generation 
from operating activities was impacted by a cashflow outflow from 
trade receivables of £0.9 million (2017: inflow of £0.9 million), as a 
result of an increase in the trade receivables balances of South 
African domestic coal customers, and a cashflow decrease from 
inventories of £0.8 million (2017: increase of £0.9 million), mainly as 
a result of reduced export coal sales from our South African mining 
operations in the last quarter of 2018 due to temporary weather 
related issues at Richards Bay Coal Terminal.

The Bisichi group’s financial position remains strong. Its net assets at 
31st December 2018 were £20.1 million (2017: £17.7 million). The group 
expects to continue achieving significant value in 2019 from its existing 
mining operation. In addition, Bisichi seeks to expand its operations 
in South Africa through the acquisition of additional coal reserves.

DRAGON RETAIL PROPERTIES LIMITED
Dragon is a UK property investment company. The company has a 
Santander bank loan of £1.16 million secured against its investment 
property and is covenant compliant. It paid management fees of 
£72,000 (2017: £84,000) split equally to the two joint venture 
partners. Its results continue to be near breakeven after taxation. 
Dragon has net assets of £1.5 million (2017: £1.4 million).

6  London & Associated Properties PLC 2018

During the year West Ealing’s subsidiary acquired a property and has 
commenced development activities. Costs incurred to 31 December 
2018 are £6.26 million and there is a development loan of £3.46 
million, described further in note 18.

ACCOUNTING JUDGEMENTS AND GOING CONCERN
The most significant judgements made in preparing these accounts 
relate to the carrying value of the properties, investments and 
interest rate hedges. The hedges have been valued by the hedge 
provider. The Group uses external property valuers to determine the 
fair value of most of its properties. 

Under IFRS10 the Group has included Bisichi Mining PLC in the 
consolidated accounts, as it is deemed to be under the effective 
control of LAP and has therefore been treated as a subsidiary.

The Directors exercise their commercial judgement when reviewing 
the Group’s cash flow forecasts and the underlying assumptions on 
which the forecasts are based. The Group’s business activities, 
together with the factors likely to affect its future development, are 
set out in the Chairman and Chief Executive’s Statement and in this 
review. In addition, the Directors consider that Note 20 to the 
financial statements sets out the Group’s objectives, policies and 
processes for managing its capital; its financial risk management 
objectives; details of its financial instruments and hedging activities; 
and its exposure to credit risk, liquidity risk and other risks.

With a quality property portfolio comprising a majority of tenants 
with long leases supported by suitable financial arrangements, the 
Directors believe the group is well placed to manage its business 
risks successfully, despite the continuing uncertain economic climate. 
The Directors therefore have a reasonable expectation that the 
Group and the Company have adequate resources to continue in 
operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus, they continue 
to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the 
annual financial statements.

TAXATION
The LAP Group tax strategy is to account for tax on an accurate and 
timely basis. We only structure our affairs based on sound 
commercial principles and wish to maintain a low tax risk position. 
We do not engage in aggressive tax planning.

The LAP Group (excluding Bisichi and Dragon) has unused tax losses 
and deductions with a potential value of £7.2 million (2017: £10.2 
million) of which only £0.9 million (2017: £4.7 million) has been 
recognised in the 2018 financial statements. As LAP returns to profit, 
these tax losses and deductions should be utilised.

DIVIDENDS AND FUTURE PROSPECTS
The directors are proposing a final dividend of 0.18p per ordinary 
share payable in September 2019. 

The Group remains cautiously confident about its trading and future 
outlook and it continues to look at ways in which it can further 
reduce its overhead costs and interest payable, while it stabilises its 
property income together with seeking suitable growth 
opportunities. 

STRATEGIC REPORT
STRATEGIC REPORT

Principal activities, strategy & business model

The LAP Group’s principal business model is the investment in and management and development of industrial and retail property through 
direct investment and joint ventures, where we manage the property ourselves and on behalf of our partners. 

The principal activity of Bisichi Mining PLC is coal mining in South Africa. Further information is available in its 2018 Financial Statements 
which are available on their web site: www.bisichi.co.uk

STRATEGIC PRIORITIES ARE

OUR STRATEGY IS

MAXIMISING INCOME

By achieving an appropriate tenant mix and shopping experience we can increase footfall 
through the centres, hence increase tenant demand for space and enhance income.

CREATING QUALITY PROPERTY

CAPITAL STRENGTH

MAINTAIN THE VALUE OF 
INVESTMENT IN BISICHI

We look to improve the consumer experience at all our centres by achieving an appropriate 
tenant mix and a vibrant trading environment through investment activity, enhancement, 
refurbishment and development.

We operate within a prudent and flexible financial structure. Our gearing policy provides 
financial stability whilst giving capacity and flexibility to look for further investments.

By encouraging the Bisichi management to maximise sustainable profits and cash distributions.

Risks and uncertainties

DESCRIPTION OF RISK
ASSET MANAGEMENT:

TENANT FAILURE

Financial loss.

DESCRIPTION OF IMPACT

MITIGATION

LEASES NOT RENEWED

Financial loss.

Initial and subsequent assessment of tenant 
covenant strength combined with an active credit 
control function.

Lease expiries regularly reviewed. Experienced teams 
with strong tenant and market knowledge who 
manage appropriate tenant mix.

ASSET LIQUIDITY (SIZE AND 
GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION)

Assets may be illiquid and affect flexing 
of balance sheet.

Regular reporting of current and projected position 
to the Board with efficient treasury management.

PEOPLE:

RETENTION AND RECRUITMENT OF 
STAFF

Unable to retain and attract the best 
people for the key roles. 

REPUTATION:

BUSINESS INTERRUPTION

Loss in revenue.

Impact on footfall.

Adverse publicity.

Potential for criminal/

civil proceedings.

FINANCING:

FLUCTUATION IN PROPERTY 

VALUES

Impact on covenants and other loan 
agreement obligations.

REDUCED AVAILABILITY OF 
BORROWING FACILITIES

Insufficient funds to meet existing debts/
interest payments and operational 
payments.

LOSS OF CASH AND DEPOSITS

Financial loss.

FLUCTUATION OF INTEREST RATES

Uncertainty of interest rate costs.

Nomination Committee and senior staff review 
skills gaps and succession planning. Training and 
development offered.

Documented Recovery Plan in place. 

General and terrorism insurance policies in place 
and risks monitored by trained security staff. 

Health and Safety policies in place. 

CCTV in centres.

Secure income flows. 

Regular monitoring of LTV and IC covenants and 
other obligations.

Focus on quality assets.

Efficient treasury management. 

Loan facilities extended where possible.

Regular reporting of current and projected position 
to the Board.

Only use a spread of banks and financial institutions 
which have a strong credit rating.
Manage derivative contracts to achieve a balance 
between hedging interest rate exposure and 
minimising potential cash calls.

London & Associated Properties PLC 2018 7

STRATEGIC REPORT
STRATEGIC REPORT

Bisichi risks and uncertainties

Bisichi (although it is consolidated into group accounts as required by IFRS 10) is managed independently of LAP. The risks outlined below are 
an abbreviated summary of the risks reported by the Directors of Bisichi to the shareholders of that Company. Full details are available in the 
published accounts of Bisichi (www.bisichi.co.uk).

These risks, although critical to Bisichi, are of less significance to LAP which only has a minority investment of 41.52% in the company. In the 
unlikely event that Bisichi was unable to continue trading, it would not affect the ability of LAP to continue operating as a going concern. 

DESCRIPTION OF RISK

DESCRIPTION OF IMPACT

MITIGATION

COAL PRICES CAN BE IMPACTED MATERIALLY 
BY MARKET AND CURRENCY VARIATIONS

Affects sales value and therefore 
margins.

Forward sales contracts are used to 
manage value expectations.

MINING OPERATIONS ARE INHERENTLY RISKY. 
MINERAL RESERVES, REGULATIONS, LICENSING, 
POWER AVAILABILITY, HEALTH AND SAFETY 
CAN ALL DAMAGE OPERATIONS

CURRENCY RISK

CASHFLOW VARIATION BECAUSE OF MINING 
RISKS, COMMODITY PRICE OR CURRENCY 
VARIATIONS

Loss of production causing loss of 
revenue.

Use of geology experts, careful 
attention to regulations, health and 
safety training, employee dialogue to 
minimise controllable risks.

Affects realised sales value and 
therefore margins.

Regular monitoring and review of 
forward currency situation.

Variations can deliver significant shifts 
in cash flow.

UK property investments used to offset 
high risk mining operations.

8  London & Associated Properties PLC 2018

STRATEGIC REPORT
STRATEGIC REPORT

Key performance indicators

The Group’s Key Performance Indicators are selected to ensure clear alignment between its strategy and shareholder interests.  
The KPIs are calculated using data from management reporting systems.

STRATEGIC PRIORITY
MAXIMISING INCOME – LIKE FOR LIKE PROPERTY INCOME

KPI 

PERFORMANCE

To increase the like-for-like 
income from each property 
year on year.

Like-for-like rental income as 
a percentage of the prior year 
rental.

The like-for-like rental income by 
property has remained broadly 
unchanged.

LIKE-FOR-LIKE INCOME*

MAXIMISING INCOME – OCCUPANCY

We aim to maximise the total 
income in our properties by 
achieving full occupancy.

The ERV of the empty units 
as a percentage of our total 
income.

In the continuing difficult trading 
environment, this is considered 
satisfactory. 

*Excluding service charges

Void levels increased to 7.24%, in the 
main due to development activity in 
Sheffield, on units that have become 
vacant.

CAPITAL STRENGTH – GROWTH IN NET ASSET VALUE PER SHARE

Movement in the net assets  
per share.

The net assets per share reduced 
by 2.91 pence per share (5.4%) to 
50.83p.

The net assets per share 
is the principal measure 
used by the group for 
monitoring its performance 
and is an indicator of the 
level of reserves available 
for distribution by way of 
dividend.

4.0

2.0

0.0

-4.0

-8.0

8.0

6.0

4.0

2.0

0.0

75.0

50.0

25.0

0.0

2016

2017

2018

VOIDS 

2016

2017

2018

NET ASSETS PER SHARE

2016

2017

2018

London & Associated Properties PLC 2018 9

STRATEGIC REPORT
STRATEGIC REPORT

Corporate responsibility

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Bisichi’s Black Wattle continues to strive to conduct business in a 
safe, environmentally and socially responsible manner. Some 
highlights of their Health, Safety and Environment performance in 
2018:

•  Black Wattle Colliery recorded one Lost Time Injury during 2018. 

•  No cases of Occupational Diseases were recorded. 

•   Zero claims for the Compensation for Occupational Diseases 

were submitted.

They continue to be compliant and make progress in terms of their 
Social and Labour Plan and their various BEE initiatives. A fuller 
explanation of these can be found in Bisichi’s 2018 Financial 
Statements which are available on their web site:  
www.bisichi.co.uk

GREENHOUSE GAS REPORTING
We have reported on all emission sources required under the 
Companies Act 2006 (Strategic Report and Directors’ Reports) 
Regulations 2013 for the reporting period 1st January 2018 to 
31st December 2018. The emissions are detailed in Tables 1, 2  
and 3 below. 

We have employed the Financial Control definition to outline our 
carbon footprint boundary, reporting Scope 1 & 2 emissions only. 
Emissions from both landlord & tenant-controlled areas of LAP 
owned shopping centres and facilities fall within the footprint 
boundary. LAP has landlord-controlled areas in Kings Square, 
Orchard Square, Brewery Street, Shipley and Bridgend. Properties 
that we manage on behalf of others or are not wholly owned by LAP 
are excluded from our footprint boundary. 

Emissions for landlord-controlled areas have been calculated based 
on actual consumption data collected from each shopping centre. 
Emissions from tenant-controlled areas have been calculated based 
on floor area and energy consumption benchmarks for general retail 
services in the UK. 

We have used the ISO14046-1 Standard (2006) and guidance 
provided by UK’s Department of Environment and Rural Affairs 
(DEFRA) on voluntary and mandatory carbon reporting. Emission 
factors were used from UK Government’s GHG Conversion Factors 
for Company Reporting 20181. 

As well as reporting Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions, the regulations 
require that at least one intensity ratio is reported for the given 
reporting period. The intensity figure below shows the emissions in 
tCO2e per thousand pounds revenue.

Table 1. Landlord & tenant controlled areas

Scope 1 emissions

Scope 2 emissions

EMISSIONS SOURCE
Natural gas (tCO2e)
Refrigerants (tCO2e)
Electricity (tCO2e)
Total tCO2e
Intensity ratio (tCO2e/£thousand)

Table 2. LAP controlled areas

Scope 1 emissions

Scope 2 emissions

EMISSIONS SOURCE
Natural gas (tCO2e)
Refrigerants (tCO2e)
Electricity (tCO2e)
Total tCO2e

Table 3. Tenant controlled areas

Scope 1 emissions

Scope 2 emissions

EMISSIONS SOURCE
Natural gas (tCO2e)
Refrigerants (tCO2e)
Electricity (tCO2e)
Total tCO2e

2018
169
0
2,519
2,688
0.514

2018
169
0
134
303

2018
0
0
2,385
2,385

2017
71
0
2,938
3,009
0.467

2017
71
0
176
247

2017
0
0
2,762
2,762

1.  2018 Guidelines to DEFRA / DECC's GHG Conversion Factors for Company Reporting”, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and Department 

for Energy and Climate Change (DECC).

10  London & Associated Properties PLC 2018

STRATEGIC REPORT Corporate responsibility

Table 4. Coal mining carbon footprint

Emissions source:
  Scope 1 Combustion of fuel & operation of facilities
  Scope 1 Emissions from coal mining activities
  Scope 2 Electricity, heat, steam and cooling purchased for own use
  Total
Intensity:

Intensity 1 Tonnes of CO2 per pound sterling of revenue
Intensity 2 Tonnes of CO2 per pound of coal produced

2018
CO2E
TONNES

21,348
27,428
12,177
60,953

0.0013
0.0462

2017
CO2E
TONNES

15,575
27,004
11,210
53,778

0.0014
0.0415

Note: Bisichi has recalculated emissions from coal mining activities using a more up to date methane conversion factor; because of this, 2017 emissions from coal mining 
activities have been restated.

DIVERSITY AND EQUALITY
The Board recognises the importance of diversity, both in its 
membership, and in the Group’s employees. It has a clear policy to 
promote diversity across the business. The Board considers that 
quotas are not appropriate in determining its composition and has 
therefore chosen not to set targets. All aspects of diversity, including 
but not limited to gender, are considered at every level of recruitment. 
Gender diversity of the Board and the Group is set out below.

DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES AND GENDER 
REPRESENTATION
At the year end the LAP Group (excluding Bisichi and Dragon), had 6 
directors (6 male, 0 female), 2 senior managers (2 male, 0 female) and 
23 employees (12 male, 11 female).

BISICHI MINING PLC
Bisichi Mining PLC’s Group at the year end had 7 directors (6 male, 
1 female), 7 senior managers (6 male, 1 female) and 246 employees 
(175 male, 71 female). 

Detailed information relating to the Bisichi Strategic Report is 
available in its 2018 financial statements.

Approved on behalf of the board of directors

Jonathan Mintz 
Finance Director

30 April 2019

ENVIRONMENT
United Kingdom
The Group’s principal UK activity is property investment, which 
involves renting premises to commercial businesses. We seek to 
provide those tenants with good quality premises from which they 
can operate in an efficient and environmentally friendly manner. 
Where possible, improvements, repairs and replacements are made 
in an environmentally efficient manner and waste re-cycling 
arrangements are in place at all the Company’s locations.

South Africa
The Bisichi group’s principal activity in South Africa is coal mining. 
Under the terms of the mine’s Environmental Management 
Programme approved by the Department of Mineral Resource 
(“DMR”), Black Wattle undertakes a host of environmental protection 
activities to ensure that the approved Environmental Management 
Plan is fully implemented. A performance assessment audit was 
conducted to verify compliance to their Environmental Management 
Programme and no significant deviations were found.

EMPLOYEE, SOCIAL, COMMUNITY AND HUMAN 
RIGHTS
The Group’s policy is to attract staff and motivate employees by 
offering competitive terms of employment. The Group provides 
equal opportunities to all employees and prospective employees 
including those who are disabled and operates in compliance with all 
relevant national legislation.

The Group believes that it is in the interest of shareholders to 
consider social and human rights issues when conducting business. 
Various policies and initiatives implemented by the Group that fall 
within these areas are discussed within this report.

ANTI-SLAVERY AND HUMAN TRAFFICKING
The Group is committed to the prevention of the use of forced 
labour and has a zero tolerance policy for human trafficking and 
slavery. The Group’s policies and initiatives in this area can be found 
within the Group’s Anti-slavery and human trafficking statement 
found on the Group’s website at www.lap.co.uk. 

London & Associated Properties PLC 2018 11

 
 
GOVERNANCE

GOVERNANCE

Directors & advisors

SECRETARY & REGISTERED OFFICE
Jonathan Mintz FCA 
24 Bruton Place 
London W1J 6NE 

AUDITOR
RSM UK Audit LLP 

PRINCIPAL BANKERS
Santander UK plc 
Abbey National Treasury Services plc 
Europa Capital Mezzanine Ltd

SOLICITORS
Olswang LLP 
Pinsent Masons LLP

STOCKBROKER
Stockdale Securities Limited 

REGISTRARS & TRANSFER OFFICE
Link Asset Services 
Shareholder Services 
The Registry 
34 Beckenham Road 
Beckenham 
Kent 
BR3 4TU 

UK telephone: 0871 664 0300 
International telephone: +44 371 664 0300 
(Calls cost 12p per minute plus your phone company’s access charge. 
Calls outside the United Kingdom will be charged at the applicable 
international rate). 

Lines are open between 9.00am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, 
excluding public holidays in England and Wales. 

Website: www.linkassetservices.com 
Email: enquiries@linkgroup.co.uk

Company registration number 
341829 (England and Wales)

WEBSITE
www.lap.co.uk

E-MAIL
admin@lap.co.uk

EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS
Sir Michael Heller MA FCA*  
(Chairman)

John A Heller LLB MBA  
(Chief Executive)

Anil K Thapar FCCA  
(Finance Director) resigned 31 December 2018

Jonathan Mintz FCA  
(Finance Director) Appointed 11 February 2019

NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS 
Howard D Goldring BSC (ECON) ACA† 
Howard Goldring is Executive Chairman of Delmore Holdings 
Limited which specialises in the discretionary management of 
investment portfolios for pension funds, charities, family trusts and 
private clients. He also acts as an advisor providing high level asset 
allocation advice to family offices and pension schemes. He has been 
a member of the LAP Board since July 1992, and has almost 40 
years’ experience of the real estate market. He was a director of 
Baronsmead VCT 2 PLC from 2010-2016, and has specialised in 
providing many companies with investor relations support.

Clive A Parritt FCA CF FIIA #†  
Clive Parritt joined the board on 1 January 2006. He is a chartered 
accountant with over 40 years’ experience of providing strategic, 
financial and commercial advice to businesses of all sizes. He is a 
director of Jupiter US Smaller Companies plc, chairman of BG 
Training Limited and a member of the Performance, Audit and Risk 
Committee of Arts Council England. Until April 2016 he was Group 
Finance Director of Audiotonix Limited (an international 
manufacturer of audio mixing consoles). He has chaired and been a 
director of a number of other public and private companies. Clive 
Parritt was President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in 
England and Wales in 2011-12. He is Chairman of the Audit 
Committee and as Senior Independent Director he chairs the 
Nomination and Remuneration Committees.

Robin Priest MA 
Robin Priest joined the board on 31 July 2013. He is a senior advisor 
to Alvarez & Marsal LLP (“A&M”) and to a major listed German real 
estate investment fund manager. He has more than 38 years’ 
experience in real estate and structured finance. He was formerly 
Managing Director of A&M’s real estate practice, advising private 
sector and public sector clients on both operational and financial real 
estate matters. Prior to joining A&M, Robin was lead partner for Real 
Estate Corporate Finance in London with Deloitte LLP and before 
this he founded and ran a property company backed by private 
equity. He is also a trustee of London’s Oval House Theatre.

*    Member of the nomination committee 
†   Member of the audit, remuneration and nomination committees 
#   Senior independent director 

12  London & Associated Properties PLC 2018

GOVERNANCE

Directors’ report

The Directors submit their report and the 
audited financial statements for the year 
ended 31 December 2018.

STRATEGIC REPORT
A comprehensive review and assessment of the Group’s activities during 
the year as well as its position at the year end and prospects for the 
forthcoming year are included in the Chairman and Chief Executive’s 
Statement and the Strategic Report. These reports can be found on 
pages 2 to 11 and should be read in conjunction with this report.

ACTIVITIES
The principal activities of the Group during the year were property 
investment and development, as well as investment in joint ventures 
and an associated company. The associated company is Bisichi 
Mining PLC (Bisichi) in which the Company holds a 41.52 % interest. 
Bisichi is listed on the main market of the London Stock Exchange 
and operates in England and South Africa with subsidiaries which are 
involved in overseas mining and mining investment. The results, 
together with the assets and liabilities, of Bisichi are consolidated with 
those of LAP in accordance with the terms of IFRS 10 even though 
the Group only has a minority interest – under IFRS 10 the 58.48% 
majority interest is disclosed as a “non-controlling interest”.

BUSINESS REVIEW AND POST BALANCE SHEET EVENTS

Review of the Group’s development and performance
A review of the Group’s development and performance can be found 
below and should be read in conjunction with the Strategic Report 
on pages 4 to 11.

Details of any post balance sheet events are disclosed in Note 29 to 
the financial statements.

FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS
The Group continues to look for new opportunities to acquire real 
estate assets where it feels it can increase value by applying its intensive 
management skills. At the same time, it seeks to reduce its interest 
payments on its loans as they expire or where opportunities arise to 
refinance on better terms. We also seek to improve our existing estate 
through the continued pursuit of asset management initiatives.

PROPERTY ACTIVITIES
The Group is a long-term investor in property. It acquires properties, 
actively manages those assets to improve rental income, and thus seeks 
to enhance the value of its properties over time. In reviewing performance, 
the principal areas regularly monitored by the Group include:

•   Rental income – the aim of the Group is to maximise the 
maintainable income from each property by careful tenant 
management supported by sympathetic and revenue enhancing 
development. Income may be affected adversely by the inability of 
tenants to pay their rent, but careful monitoring of rent collection 
and tenant quality helps to mitigate this risk. Risk is also minimised 
by a diversified tenant base, which should limit the impact of the 
failure of any individual tenant.

•   Cash flow – allowing for voids, acquisitions, development expenditure, 
disposals and the impact of operating costs and interest charges, 
the Group aims to maintain a positive cash flow over time.

•   Financing costs – the exposure of the Group to interest rate 
movements is managed partly by the use of swap and cap 
arrangements (see Note 20 for full details of the contracts in place) 
and also by using loans with fixed terms and interest rates. These 
arrangements are designed to ensure that our interest costs are 
known in advance and are always covered by anticipated rental 
income. 

•   Property valuations – market sentiment and economic conditions 

have a direct effect on property valuations, which can vary 
significantly (upwards or downwards) over time. Bearing in mind 
the long term nature of the Group’s business, valuation changes 
have little direct effect on the ongoing activities or the income and 
expenditure of the Group. Tenants generally have long term leases, 
so rents are unaffected by short term valuation changes. 
Borrowings are secured against property values and if those values 
fall very significantly, this could limit the ability of the Group to 
develop the business using external borrowings. The risk is 
minimised by trying to ensure that there is adequate cover to allow 
for fluctuations in value on a short term basis. 

It continues to be the policy of the Group to realise property assets 
when the valuation of those assets reaches a level at which the directors 
consider that the long-term rental yield has been reached. The Group 
also seeks to acquire additional property investments on an opportunistic 
basis when the potential rental yields offer scope for future growth.

INVESTMENT ACTIVITIES
The investments in joint ventures and Bisichi are for the long term.

LAP manages the UK property assets of Bisichi. However, the principal 
activity of Bisichi is overseas mining investment (in South Africa). 
While IFRS 10 requires the consolidation of Bisichi, the investment is held 
to generate income and capital growth over the longer term. It is 
managed independently of LAP and should be viewed by shareholders as 
an investment and not a subsidiary. The other listed investments are 
held as current assets to provide the liquidity needed to support the 
property activities while generating income and capital growth. 

Investments in property are made through joint ventures when the 
financing alternatives and spreading of risk make such an approach 
desirable. 

DIVIDEND
The directors are recommending payment of a final dividend for 
2018 of 0.18p per share (2017: 0.175p per share). 

Subject to shareholder approval, the ordinary final dividend will be 
payable on Friday 13 September 2019 to shareholders registered at 
the close of business on Friday 16 August 2019. 

London & Associated Properties PLC 2018 13

Brief details of the Directors offering themselves for re-election, are 
as follows:

Sir Michael Heller is Executive Chairman and has been a Director 
since 1971. He has a contract of service determinable upon six 
months’ notice. Sir Michael Heller is a chartered accountant and a 
member of the nomination committee. He is Executive Chairman of 
Bisichi Mining PLC, our associate company. The board has 
considered the re-appointment of Sir Michael Heller and 
recommends his re-election as a Director.

Howard Goldring has been a Director since 1992 and has a contract 
of service determinable upon three months’ notice. He is an 
Independent Director and a member of the audit, nomination and 
remuneration committees. Howard Goldring is a chartered 
accountant and global asset allocation specialist. He is Executive 
Chairman of Delmore Holdings Limited. His specialized economic 
knowledge and broad commercial experience are of significant 
benefit to the business. The board has considered the re-
appointment of Howard Goldring and recommends his re-election as 
a Director.

Jonathan Mintz was appointed a Director on 11 February 2019 and 
is also the Company Secretary. He has a contract of employment 
determinable upon three months’ notice. Jonathan Mintz is an ACA 
qualified Finance Director experienced in real estate, consultancy, 
and construction in the UK and internationally. He has worked in the 
property and infrastructure sector for the majority of his career, 
holding senior positions with listed and private property and 
construction businesses. The board has considered the appointment 
of Jonathan Mintz and recommends his election as a Director. 

DIRECTORS’ INTERESTS 
The interests of the Directors in the ordinary shares of the Company, 
including family and trustee holdings, where appropriate, can be 
found on page 22 of the Annual Remuneration Report.

SUBSTANTIAL SHAREHOLDINGS 

Sir Michael Heller  
and family
Cavendish Asset 
Management Limited
James Hyslop
Maland Pension Fund

31 DEC 2018

31 DEC 2017

%
NO.
48,080,511 56.35

NO.
%
48,080,063 56.35

8,061,044

9.45

7,909,464

9.27

4,886,258
2,931,198

5.73
3.44

4,846,258
–

5.68
0.00

The Company does not consider that the Heller family has a 
controlling share interest irrespective of the number of shares held 
as no individual party holds a majority and there is no legal obligation 
for shareholders to act in concert. The Directors do not consider that 
any single party has control.

The Company is not aware of any other holdings exceeding 3 per 
cent of the issued share capital.

GOVERNANCE Directors & advisors

THE COMPANY’S ORDINARY SHARES HELD IN TREASURY
At 31 December 2018, 218,197 (2017: 221,061) ordinary shares 
were held in Treasury with a market value of £56,731 (2017: 
£54,160). At the Annual General Meeting (AGM) in June 2018 
members renewed the authority for the Company to purchase up to 
10 per cent of its issued ordinary shares. The Company will be asking 
members to renew this authority at the next AGM to be held on 
Wednesday 12 June 2019. 

Treasury shares held at 1 January 2018  
at 31 December 2018

221,061 
218,197

Treasury shares are not included in issued share capital for the 
purposes of calculating earnings per share or net assets per share 
and they do not qualify for dividends payable.

INVESTMENT PROPERTIES
The freehold and long leasehold properties of the Company, its 
subsidiaries and Bisichi were revalued as at 31 December 2018 by 
independent professional firms of chartered surveyors – Allsop LLP, 
London (69.13 per cent of the portfolio), Carter Towler, Leeds (27.5 
per cent) – and by the Directors (3.37 per cent). The valuations, 
which are reflected in the financial statements, amount to £47.4 
million (2017: £78 million). 

Property of £2.3 million (2017: £36.4 million) is included under 
current assets, as assets held for sale. 

Property of £38.6 million (2017: £nil) is included under current 
assets, as inventory.

Taking account of prevailing market conditions, the valuation of the 
properties at 31 December 2018 resulted in a decrease of £2.6 
million (2017: increase of £9.37 million). The proportion of this 
revaluation attributable to the Group (net of taxation) is reflected in 
the consolidated income statement and the consolidated balance 
sheet. 

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS 
Note 20 to the financial statements sets out the risks in respect of 
financial instruments. The board reviews and agrees overall treasury 
policies, delegating appropriate authority for applying these policies 
to the Chief Executive and Finance Director. Financial instruments 
are used to manage the financial risks facing the Group and 
speculative transactions are prohibited. Treasury operations are 
reported at each board meeting and are subject to weekly internal 
reporting. Hedging arrangements are in place for the Company, its 
subsidiaries and joint ventures in order to limit the effect of higher 
interest rates upon the Group. Where appropriate, hedging 
arrangements are covered in the Chairman and Chief Executive’s 
Statement and the Financial Review. 

DIRECTORS
Sir Michael Heller, J A Heller, A K Thapar, H D Goldring, C A Parritt 
and R Priest were Directors of the company for the whole of 2018.

A K Thapar retired as a Director on 31 December 2018.

Sir Michael Heller and H D Goldring are retiring by rotation at the 
Annual General Meeting in 2019 and offer themselves for re-
election.

J Mintz was appointed as an executive Director on 11 February 
2019 and will offer himself for election at the Annual General 
Meeting in 2019.

14  London & Associated Properties PLC 2018

GOVERNANCE Directors & advisors

SHARE CAPITAL AND TAKEOVER DIRECTIVE
The Company has one class of share capital, namely ordinary shares. 
Each ordinary share carries one vote. All the ordinary shares rank pari 
passu. There are no securities issued by the Company which carry 
special rights with regard to control of the Company. 

The identity of all significant direct or indirect holders of securities in 
the Company and the size and nature of their holdings is shown in 
“Substantial Shareholdings” above.

The rights of the ordinary shares to which the HMRC approved 
Share Incentive Plan relates are exercisable by the trustees on behalf 
of the employees.

There are no restrictions on voting rights or on the transfer of 
ordinary shares in the Company, save in respect of treasury shares. 
The rules governing the appointment and replacement of Directors, 
alteration of the articles of association of the Company and the 
powers of the Company’s Directors accord with usual English 
company law provisions. Each Director is subject to re-election at 
least every three years. The Company has requested authority from 
shareholders to buy back its own ordinary shares and there will be a 
resolution to renew the authority at this year’s AGM (Resolution 11). 

The Company is not party to any significant agreements that take 
effect, alter or terminate upon a change of control of the Company 
following a takeover bid. The Company is not aware of any 
agreements between holders of its ordinary shares that may result in 
restrictions on the transfer of its ordinary shares or on voting rights.

There are no agreements between the Company and its Directors or 
employees providing for compensation for loss of office or 
employment that occurs because of a takeover bid.

STATEMENT AS TO DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION 
TO THE AUDITOR
The Directors in office at the date of approval of the financial 
statements have confirmed that, so far as they are aware, there is no 
relevant audit information of which the auditor is unaware. Each of 
the Directors has confirmed that they have taken all the steps that 
they ought to have taken as a Director in order to make them aware 
of any relevant audit information and to establish that it has been 
communicated to the auditor.

INDEMNITIES AND INSURANCE 
The Articles of Association of the company provide for it to 
indemnify, to the extent permitted by law, directors and officers 
(excluding the Auditor) of the company, including officers of 
subsidiaries and associated companies, against liabilities arising from 
the conduct of the Group’s business. The indemnities are qualifying 
third party indemnity provisions of the Companies Act 2006 and 
each of these qualifying third party indemnities was in force during 
the course of the financial year ended 31 December 2018 and as at 
the date of this Directors’ report. No amount has been paid under 
any of these indemnities during the year.

The Group maintains Directors and officers insurance, which is 
reviewed annually and is considered to be adequate by the Company 
and its insurance advisers.

DONATIONS
No political donations were made during the year (2017: £Nil). 
£2,800 of donations for charitable purposes were made during the 
year (2017: £1,000).

CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY
Environment
The environmental considerations of the group’s South African coal 
mining operations are covered in the Bisichi Mining PLC Strategic Report.

The group’s UK activities are principally property investment whereby 
premises are provided for rent to commercial businesses. The group 
seeks to provide those tenants with good quality premises from which 
they can operate in an efficient and environmentally efficient manner and 
waste re-cycling arrangements are in place at all the company’s locations.

Greenhouse gas emissions
Details of the group’s greenhouse gas emissions for the year ended 
31 December 2018 can be found on pages 10 and 11 of the 
Strategic Report.

Employment
The group’s policy is to attract staff and motivate employees by 
offering competitive terms of employment. The group provides equal 
opportunities to all employees and prospective employees including 
those who are disabled. The Bisichi Mining PLC Strategic Report 
gives details of the Bisichi group’s activities and policies concerning 
the employment, training, health and safety and community support 
and social development concerning the Bisichi group’s employees in 
South Africa.

GOING CONCERN
The directors have reviewed the cash flow forecasts of the Group 
and the underlying assumptions on which they are based. The 
Group’s business activities, together with the factors likely to affect 
its future development, are set out in the Chairman’s and Chief 
Executive’s Statement and Financial Review. In addition, Note 20 to 
the financial statements sets out the Group’s objectives, policies and 
processes for managing its capital; its financial risk management 
objectives; details of its financial instruments and hedging activities; 
and its exposure to credit risk and liquidity risk.

With secured long term banking facilities, sound financial resources 
and long term leases in place the Directors believe it remains 
appropriate to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in 
preparing the annual financial statements.

The Bisichi directors continue to adopt the going concern basis of 
accounting in preparing the Bisichi annual financial statements.

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
The Corporate governance report can be found on pages 17 and 18 
of the annual report and accounts.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
The Annual General Meeting will be held at 24 Bruton Place, 
London, W1J 6NE on Wednesday 12 June 2019 at 10.00 a.m. Items 
1 to 9 will be proposed as ordinary resolutions. More than 50 per 
cent. of shareholders’ votes cast at the meeting must be in favour for 
those ordinary resolutions to be passed. Items 10 to 12 will be 
proposed as special resolutions. At least 75 per cent. of shareholders’ 
votes cast at the meeting must be in favour for those special 
resolutions to be passed. The Directors consider that all of the 
resolutions to be put to the meeting are in the best interests of the 
Company and its shareholders as a whole and accordingly the board 
unanimously recommends that shareholders vote in favour of all of 
the resolutions as the Directors intend to do in respect of their own 
beneficial holdings of ordinary shares. Please note that the following 
paragraphs are only summaries of certain of the resolutions to be 
proposed at the Annual General Meeting and do not represent the 
full text of the resolutions. You should therefore read this section in 
conjunction with the full text of the resolutions contained in the 
notice of Annual General Meeting which accompanies this Directors’ 
Report.

London & Associated Properties PLC 2018 15

GOVERNANCE Directors & advisors

ORDINARY RESOLUTIONS

Resolution 9 – Authority to allot securities
Paragraph 9.1.1 of Resolution 9 would give the Directors the 
authority to allot shares in the Company and grant rights to 
subscribe for or convert any security into shares in the Company up 
to an aggregate nominal value of £2,836,478. This represents 
approximately 1/3 (one third) of the ordinary share capital of the 
Company in issue (excluding treasury shares) as at 26 April 2019 
(being the last practicable date prior to the publication of this 
Directors’ Report).

In line with guidance issued by the Institutional Voting Information 
Service (IVIS), paragraph 9.1.2 of Resolution 9 would give the 
directors the authority to allot shares in the Company and grant 
rights to subscribe for or convert any security into shares in the 
Company up to a further aggregate nominal value of £2,836,478, in 
connection with an offer by way of a rights issue. This amount 
represents approximately another 1/3 (one third) of the ordinary 
share capital of the Company in issue (excluding treasury shares) as 
at 26 April 2019 (being the last practicable date prior to the 
publication of this Directors’ Report).

The Directors’ authority will expire on the earlier of 31 August 2020 
or the next AGM. The Directors do not currently intend to make use 
of this authority. However, if they do exercise the authority, the 
Directors intend to follow best practice as recommended by the IVIS 
regarding its use (including as regards the Directors standing for 
re-election in certain cases).

SPECIAL RESOLUTIONS
The following special resolutions will be proposed at the Annual 
General Meeting:

Resolution 10 – Disapplication of pre-emption rights
Under English company law, when new shares are allotted or 
treasury shares are sold for cash (otherwise than pursuant to an 
employee share scheme) they must first be offered at the same price 
to existing shareholders in proportion to their existing shareholdings. 
This special resolution gives the Directors authority, for the period 
ending on the date of the next annual general meeting to be held in 
2020, to: (a) allot shares of the Company and sell treasury shares for 
cash in connection with a rights issue or other pre-emptive offer; and 
(b) otherwise allot shares of the Company, or sell treasury shares, for 
cash up to an aggregate nominal value of £425,472 representing, in 
accordance with IVIS guidelines, approximately 5 per cent. of the 
total ordinary share capital in issue as at 26 April 2019 (being the last 
practicable date prior to the publication of this Directors’ Report) in 
each case as if the pre-emption rights in English company law did not 
apply. 

Save in respect of issues of shares in respect of employee share 
schemes and share dividend alternatives, the Directors do not 
currently intend to make use of these authorities. The board intends 
to adhere to the provisions in the Pre-emption Group’s Statement of 
Principles not to allot shares for cash on a non-pre-emptive basis in 
excess of an amount equal to 7.5 per cent. of the Company’s 
ordinary share capital within a rolling three-year period without prior 
consultation with shareholders. The Directors’ authority will expire 
on the earlier of 31 August 2020 or the date of next AGM.

16  London & Associated Properties PLC 2018

Resolution 11 – Purchase of own ordinary shares
The effect of Resolution 11 would be to renew the Directors’ current 
authority to make limited market purchases of the Company’s 
ordinary shares of 10 pence each. The power is limited to a 
maximum aggregate number of 8,509,435 ordinary shares 
(representing approximately 10 per cent. of the Company’s issued 
share capital as at 26 April 2019 (being the latest practicable date 
prior to publication of this Directors’ Report)). The minimum price 
(exclusive of expenses) which the Company would be authorised to 
pay for each ordinary share would be 10 pence (the nominal value of 
each ordinary share). The maximum price (again exclusive of 
expenses) which the Company would be authorised to pay for an 
ordinary share is an amount equal to 105 per cent. of the average 
market price for an ordinary share for the five business days 
preceding any such purchase. The authority conferred by Resolution 
11 will expire at the conclusion of the Company’s next annual 
general meeting to be held in 2020 or 15 months from the passing 
of the resolution, whichever is the earlier. Any purchases of ordinary 
shares would be made by means of market purchases through the 
London Stock Exchange.

If granted, the authority would only be exercised if, in the opinion of 
the Directors, to do so would result in an increase in earnings per 
share or asset values per share and would be in the best interests of 
shareholders generally. In exercising the authority to purchase 
ordinary shares, the Directors may treat the shares that have been 
bought back as either cancelled or held as treasury shares (shares 
held by the Company itself). No dividends may be paid on shares 
which are held as treasury shares and no voting rights are attached 
to them. 

Resolution 12 – Notice of General Meetings
Resolution 12 shall be proposed to allow the Company to call 
general meetings (other than an Annual General Meeting) on 14 
clear days’ notice. A resolution in the same terms was passed at the 
Annual General Meeting in 2018. The notice period required by the 
Companies Act 2006 for general meetings of the Company is 21 
days, unless shareholders approve a shorter notice period, which 
cannot however be less than 14 clear days. Annual General 
Meetings must always be held on at least 21 clear days’ notice. It is 
intended that the flexibility offered by this resolution will only be 
used for time-sensitive, non-routine business and where merited in 
the interests of shareholders as a whole. The approval will be 
effective until the Company’s next Annual General Meeting, when it 
is intended that a similar resolution will be proposed.

OTHER MATTERS
RSM UK Audit LLP has expressed its willingness to continue in office 
as auditor. A proposal will be made at the Annual General Meeting 
for its reappointment.

By order of the board 

Jonathan Mintz 
Secretary

30 April 2019 
24 Bruton Place  
London 
W1J 6NE

GOVERNANCE

Corporate Governance

The Company has adopted the Corporate 
Governance Code for Small and Mid-Size 
Quoted Companies (the QCA Code) published 
by the Quoted Companies Alliance. The QCA 
Code provides governance guidance to small 
and mid-size quoted companies. The 
paragraphs below set out how the Company 
has applied this guidance during the year. The 
Company has complied with the QCA Code 
throughout the year. 

PRINCIPLES OF CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
The board promotes good corporate governance in the areas of risk 
management and accountability as a positive contribution to business 
prosperity. The board endeavours to apply corporate governance 
principles in a sensible and pragmatic fashion having regard to the 
circumstances of the business. The key objective is to enhance and 
protect shareholder value.

BOARD STRUCTURE
During the year the board comprised the Chairman, the Chief 
Executive, one other executive Director and three non-executive 
Directors. Their details appear on page 12 The board is responsible 
to shareholders for the proper management of the Group.

The Directors’ responsibilities statement in respect of the accounts is 
set out on page 27. The non-executive Directors have a particular 
responsibility to ensure that the strategies proposed by the executive 
Directors are fully considered. To enable the board to discharge its 
duties, all Directors have full and timely access to all relevant 
information and there is a procedure for all Directors, in furtherance 
of their duties, to take independent professional advice, if necessary, 
at the expense of the Group. The board has a formal schedule of 
matters reserved to it and normally has eleven regular meetings 
scheduled each year. Additional meetings are held for special 
business when required. 

The board is responsible for overall Group strategy, approval of major 
capital expenditure and consideration of significant financial and 
operational matters.

The board committees, which have written terms of reference, deal 
with specific aspects of the Group’s affairs: 

•   The nomination committee is chaired by C A Parritt and comprises 
one other non-executive Director and the executive Chairman. 
The committee is responsible for proposing candidates for 
appointment to the board, having regard to the balance and 
structure of the board. In appropriate cases recruitment 
consultants may be used to assist the process. All Directors are 
subject to re-election at a maximum of every three years.

•   The remuneration committee is responsible for making 

recommendations to the board on the Company’s framework of 
executive remuneration and its cost. The committee determines 
the contract terms, remuneration and other benefits for each of 

the executive directors, including performance related bonus 
schemes, pension rights, option grants and compensation 
payments. The board itself determines the remuneration of the 
non-executive Directors. The committee comprises two non-
executive Directors and it is chaired by C A Parritt. The executive 
Chairman of the board is normally invited to attend. The Annual 
Remuneration Report is set out on pages 20 to 23.

•   The audit committee comprises two non-executive Directors and 

is chaired by C A Parritt. The audit committee report, with its terms 
of reference, is set out on page 26 The Chief Executive and 
Finance Director are normally invited to attend.

BOARD AND BOARD COMMITTEE MEETINGS HELD 
IN 2018
The number of regular meetings during the year and attendance was 
as follows:

Sir Michael Heller  Board

Nomination committee

J A Heller 

A K Thapar 

C A Parritt

H D Goldring 

R Priest

Remuneration 
committee
Board

Audit committee
Board

Audit committee
Board

Audit committee

Nomination committee

Remuneration 
committee
Board

Audit committee

Nomination committee

Remuneration 
committee
Board

MEETINGS 
HELD
10

MEETINGS 
ATTENDED
10

1

3

10

2
10

2
10

2

1

3

10

2

1

3

10

1

3

10

2
10

2
10

2

1

3

10

2

1

3

9

PERFORMANCE EVALUATION – BOARD, 
BOARD COMMITTEES AND DIRECTORS
The performance of the board as a whole, its committees and the 
non-executive Directors is assessed by the Chairman and the Chief 
Executive and is discussed with the senior independent non-
executive Director. Their recommendations are discussed at the 
nomination committee prior to proposals for re-election being 
recommended to the board. The performance of executive Directors 
is discussed and assessed by the remuneration committee. The 
senior independent Director meets regularly with the Chairman, 
executive and non-executive Directors individually outside of formal 
meetings. The Directors will take outside advice in reviewing 
performance but have not found this to be necessary to date.

London & Associated Properties PLC 2018 17

GOVERNANCE Corporate Governance

INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS
The senior independent non-executive Director is C A Parritt. The 
other independent non-executive Directors are H D Goldring and R 
Priest. Delmore Holdings Limited (Delmore) is a Company in which H 
D Goldring is the majority shareholder and the Executive Chairman. 
Delmore provides consultancy services to the Company on a fee 
paying basis. R Priest provides services to the Company on a fee 
paying basis. C A Parritt also provides some advisory services as part 
of his accounting practice.

The board encourages all three non-executive Directors to act 
independently and does not consider that length of service of any 
individual non-executive Director, nor any connection with the 
above mentioned consultancy and advisory companies, has resulted 
in the inability or failure to act independently. In the opinion of the 
board the three non-executive Directors continue to fulfil their roles 
as independent non-executive Directors. 

The independent Directors exchange views regularly between board 
meetings and meet when required to discuss corporate governance 
and other issues concerning the Group.

INTERNAL CONTROL
The Directors are responsible for the Group’s system of internal 
control and for reviewing its effectiveness at least annually, and for 
the preparation and review of its financial statements. The board has 
designed the Group’s system of internal control in order to provide 
the Directors with reasonable assurance that assets are safeguarded, 
that transactions are authorised and properly recorded and that 
material errors and irregularities are either prevented or would be 
detected within a timely period. However, no system of internal 
control can eliminate the risk of failure to achieve business objectives 
or provide absolute assurance against material misstatement or loss. 
The key elements of the control system in operation are:

•   The board meets regularly on full notice with a formal schedule of 

matters reserved for its decision and has put in place an 
organisational structure with clearly defined lines of responsibility 
and with appropriate delegation of authority;

•   There are established procedures for planning, approval and 

monitoring of capital expenditure and information systems for 
monitoring the Group’s financial performance against approved 
budgets and forecasts;

18  London & Associated Properties PLC 2018

•   The departmental heads are required annually to undertake a full 
assessment process to identify and quantify the risks that face 
their departments and functions, and assess the adequacy of the 
prevention, monitoring and modification practices in place for 
those risks. In addition, regular reports about significant risks and 
associated control and monitoring procedures are made to the 
executive Directors. The process adopted by the Group accords 
with the guidance contained in the document “Internal Control 
Guidance for Directors on the Combined Code” issued by the 
Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales. The 
audit committee receives reports from external auditors and from 
executive Directors of the Group. During the period the audit 
committee has reviewed the effectiveness of the system of 
internal control as described above. The board receives periodic 
reports from all committees.

•   There are established procedures for the presentation and review 

of the financial statements and the Group has in place an 
organisational structure with clearly defined lines of responsibility 
and with appropriate delegation of authority. 

There are no internal control issues to report in the annual report 
and financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2018. Up 
to the date of approval of this report and the financial statements, 
the board has not been required to deal with any related material 
internal control issues. The Directors confirm that the board has 
reviewed the effectiveness of the system of internal control as 
described during the period.

COMMUNICATION WITH SHAREHOLDERS
Prompt communication with shareholders is given high priority. 
Extensive information about the Group and its activities is provided 
in the Annual Report. In addition, a half-year report is produced for 
each financial year and published on the Company’s website. The 
Company’s website www.lap.co.uk is updated promptly with 
announcements and Annual Reports upon publication. Copies from 
previous years are also available on the website. 

The Company’s share price is published daily in the Financial Times. 

The share price history and market information can be found at 
http://www.londonstockexchange.com/prices-and-markets/markets/
prices.htm. The company code is LAS. 

There is a regular dialogue with the Company’s stockbrokers and 
institutional investors. Enquiries from individuals on matters relating 
to their shareholdings and the business of the Group are dealt with 
promptly and informatively.

The Company’s website is under continuous development to enable 
better communication with both existing and potential new shareholders. 

THE BRIBERY ACT 2010
The Company is committed to acting ethically, fairly and with 
integrity in all its endeavours and compliance with the Company's 
anti–bribery code is monitored closely. 

GOVERNANCE

Governance Statement by the Chairman 
of The Remuneration Committee

The remuneration committee is pleased to present 
its report for the year ended 31 December 2018. 
The report is presented in two parts in accordance 
with the remuneration regulations.

The first part is the Annual Remuneration Report which details 
remuneration awarded to Directors and non-executive Directors 
during the year. The shareholders will be asked to approve the 
Annual Remuneration Report as an ordinary resolution (as in 
previous years) at the AGM in June 2019. 

The second part is the Remuneration Policy which details the 
remuneration policy for Directors. This policy was subject to a 
binding vote by shareholders at the AGM in 2017 and was approved 
for a 3 year period commencing from then. The committee reviewed 
the existing policy and deemed that no changes were necessary to 
the current arrangements. 

Both of the reports have been prepared in accordance with The 
Large and Medium-sized Companies and Groups (Accounts and 
Reports) (Amendment) Regulations 2013.

The Company’s auditor, RSM UK Audit LLP is required by law to 
audit certain disclosures and where disclosures have been audited 
that is indicated.

C A Parritt 
Chairman, Remuneration Committee

30 April 2019

London & Associated Properties PLC 2018 19

GOVERNANCE

Annual remuneration report

THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION HAS BEEN AUDITED 

Single total figure of remuneration for the year ended 31 December 2018 

Executive Directors
Sir Michael Heller*
Sir Michael Heller - Bisichi
J A Heller
A K Thapar

Non-executive Directors
H D Goldring*+
C A Parritt*+
R Priest*

Total 

SALARY AND 
FEES
£'000

BONUSES
£'000

BENEFITS
£'000

PENSIONS
£'000

7
82
533
161
783

18
40
35
93
876

350
200
300
60
910

-
-
-
-
910

55
2
37
11
105

8
-
-
8
113

-
-
-
10
10

-
-
-
-
10

Single total figure of remuneration for the year ended 31 December 2017 

Executive Directors
Sir Michael Heller*
Sir Michael Heller - Bisichi
J A Heller
A K Thapar

Non-executive Directors
H D Goldring*+
C A Parritt*+
R Priest*

Total 

* Note 25 “Related party transactions”

SALARY AND 
FEES
£'000

BONUSES
£'000

BENEFITS
£'000

PENSIONS
£'000

7
75
333
157
572

17
38
35
90
662

-
-
100
30
130

-
-
-
-
130

49
-
37
9
95

7
-
-
7
102

-
-
17
10
27

-
-
-
-
27

+ Members of the remuneration committee for years ended 31 December 2017 and 31 December 2018

Benefits include the provision of car, health and other insurance and subscriptions.

TOTAL  
BEFORE 
SHARE 
OPTIONS
£'000 

412
284
870
242
1,808

26
40
35
101
1,909

TOTAL  
BEFORE 
SHARE 
OPTIONS
£'000 

56
75
487
206
824

24
38
35
97
921

SHARE 
OPTIONS
£'000 

TOTAL 2018
£'000 

n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
-

n/a
n/a
n/a
-
-

412
284
870
242
1,808

26
40
35
101
1,909

SHARE 
OPTIONS
£'000 

TOTAL 2017
£'000 

n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
-

n/a
n/a
n/a
-
-

56
75
487
206
824

24
38
35
97
921

Sir Michael Heller is a director of Bisichi Mining PLC, (a subsidiary for 
IFRS 10 purposes) and received a salary from that company of 
£82,500 (2017: £75,000) for services. 

Although Sir Michael Heller receives reduced remuneration in 
respect of his services to LAP, the Company does supply office 
premises, property management, general management, accounting 
and administration services for a number of companies in which Sir 
Michael Heller has an interest. The board estimates that the annual 
value of these services, if supplied to a third party, would have been 
£300,000 (2017: £300,000). Further details of these services are set 
out in Note 25 to the financial statements “Related party 
transactions”.

J A Heller is a director of Dragon Retail Properties Limited, (a 
subsidiary for IFRS 10 purposes) and received benefits from that 
company of £6,500 (2017: £10,698) for services. This is included in 
the remuneration figures disclosed above.

The remuneration figures disclosed for H D Goldring include fees 
paid to his company, Delmore Holdings Limited for consultancy 
services provided to the Group. This is detailed in Note 25 to the 
financial statements.

The remuneration figures for C A Parritt include fees paid to his 
accountancy practice for consultancy services provided to the 
Group. This is detailed in Note 25 to the financial statements.

R Priest provides consultancy services to the Group. This is detailed 
in Note 25 to the financial statements.

20  London & Associated Properties PLC 2018

 
GOVERNANCE Annual remuneration report

Summary of directors’ terms

Executive Directors
Sir Michael Heller
John Heller
Anil Thapar
Non-executive Directors
H D Goldring
C A Parritt
R Priest

DATE OF CONTRACT

UNEXPIRED TERM

NOTICE PERIOD

1 January 1971
1 May 2003
1 January 2015

1 July 1992
1 January 2006
31 July 2013

Continuous
Continuous
Continuous

Continuous
Continuous
Continuous

6 months
12 months
3 months

3 months
3 months
3 months

TOTAL PENSION ENTITLEMENTS 
One director had benefits under money purchase schemes. Under his contract of employment, he was entitled to a regular employer 
contribution (currently £10,000 a year). There are no final salary schemes in operation. No pension costs are incurred on behalf of non-
executive Directors.

SHARE INCENTIVE PLAN (SIP)
In 2006 the Directors set up an HMRC approved share incentive plan (SIP). The purpose of the plan, which is open to all eligible LAP 
executive Directors and head office based staff, is to enable them to acquire shares in the Company and give them a continuing stake in the 
Group. The SIP comprises four types of share – (1) free shares under which the Company may award shares of up to the value of £3,000 
each year, (2) partnership shares, under which members may save up to £1,500 per annum to acquire shares, (3) matching shares, through 
which the Company may award up to two shares for each share acquired as a partnership share, and (4) dividend shares, acquired from 
dividends paid on shares within the SIP.

1. Free shares: No free shares were issued for 2018 bonuses or for 2017 bonuses. 

2. Partnership shares: No partnership shares were issued between November 2017 and October 2018.

3.  Matching shares: The partnership share agreements for the year to 31 October 2018 provide for two matching shares to be awarded free 
of charge for each partnership share acquired. No partnership shares were acquired in 2018 (2017: nil). Matching shares will usually be 
forfeited if a member leaves employment in the Group within five years of their grant.

4.  Dividend shares: Dividends on shares acquired under the SIP will be utilised to acquire additional shares. Accumulated dividends received 

on shares in the SIP to 31 December 2018 amounted to £Nil (2017: Nil).

Dividend shares issued:

Directors:

J A Heller
  A K Thapar
Staff
Total at 31 December 

NUMBER OF MEMBERS

NUMBER OF SHARES

VALUE OF SHARES

2018 

2017

2018

2017

1
1
-
2

-
-
-
-

448
579
-
1,027

-
-
-
-

2018
£

125
161
-
286

2017
£

-
-
-
-

The SIP is set up as an employee benefit trust. The trustee is London & Associated Securities Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of LAP, and 
all shares and dividends acquired under the SIP will be held by the trustee until transferred to members in accordance with the rules of the SIP. 

SHARE OPTION SCHEMES
The Company has an HMRC approved scheme (Approved Scheme). It was set up in 1986 in accordance with HMRC rules to gain HMRC 
approved status which gave the members certain tax advantages. There are no performance criteria for the exercise of options under the 
Approved Scheme, as this was set up before such requirements were considered to be necessary. No Director has any options outstanding 
under the Approved Scheme nor were any options granted under the Approved Scheme for the year ended 31 December 2018.

A share option scheme known as the “Non-approved Executive Share Option Scheme” (Unapproved Scheme) which does not have HMRC 
approval was set up during 2000. At 31 December 2018 there were no options to subscribe for ordinary shares outstanding. The exercise of 
options under the Unapproved Scheme is subject to the satisfaction of objective performance conditions specified by the remuneration 
committee which conforms to institutional shareholder guidelines and best practice provisions. Further details of this scheme are set out in 
Note 23 “Share Capital” to the financial statements.

London & Associated Properties PLC 2018 21

 
GOVERNANCE Annual remuneration report

PAYMENTS TO PAST DIRECTORS 
No payments were made to past Directors in the year ended 31 December 2018.

PAYMENTS FOR LOSS OF OFFICE
No payments for loss of office were made in the year ended 31 December 2018. 

STATEMENT OF DIRECTORS’ SHAREHOLDING AND SHARE INTEREST

Directors’ interests
The interests of the Directors in the ordinary shares of the Company, including family and trustee holdings, where appropriate, were as follows:

Sir Michael Heller
H D Goldring
J A Heller 
C A Parritt 
R Priest
A K Thapar

BENEFICIAL 
 INTERESTS

NON-BENEFICIAL 
INTERESTS

31 DEC 18
5,753,541
19,819
1,867,841
36,168
-
121,074

1 JAN 18
5,753,541
19,819 
1,867,393
36,168
-
120,495

31 DEC 18
19,277,931
-
†14,073,485
-
-
-

1 JAN 18
19,277,931
-
†14,073,485
-
-
-

†These non-beneficial holdings are duplicated with those of Sir Michael Heller.

The beneficial holdings of Directors shown above include their interests in the Share Incentive Plan.

THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS UNAUDITED:
The graph illustrates the Company’s performance as compared with a broad equity market index over a five year period. Performance is 
measured by total shareholder return. The directors have chosen the FTSE All Share – Total Return Index as a suitable index for this 
comparison as it gives an indication of performance against a large spread of quoted companies. 

The middle market price of London & Associated Properties PLC ordinary shares at 31 December 2018 was 26p (2017: 24.50p). During the 
year the share middle market price ranged between 22p and 31p. 

Total Shareholder Return

150

130

110

90

70

50

30

31/12/2014

31/12/2015

31/12/2016

31/12/2017

31/12/2018

31/12/2019

–– London & Associated Properties

–– FTSE All Share Index

22  London & Associated Properties PLC 2018

GOVERNANCE Annual remuneration report

REMUNERATION OF THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OVER THE LAST TEN YEARS 

YEAR
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008

CEO
J A Heller
J A Heller
J A Heller
J A Heller
J A Heller
J A Heller
J A Heller
J A Heller
J A Heller
J A Heller
J A Heller

CHIEF EXECUTIVE SINGLE  
TOTAL FIGURE OF  
REMUNERATION 
£'000
870
487
569
762
835
716
417
671
577
982
688

ANNUAL BONUS PAYMENT 
AGAINST MAXIMUM 
OPPORTUNITY*
%
20%
11%
18%
41%
49%
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a

LONG-TERM INCENTIVE 
VESTING RATES  
AGAINST MAXIMUM 
OPPORTUNITY*
%
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a

*There were no formal criteria or conditions to apply in determining the amount of bonus payable or the number of shares to be issued prior to 2014.

PERCENTAGE CHANGE IN CHIEF EXECUTIVE’S REMUNERATION (AUDITED) 
The table below shows the percentage change in Chief Executive remuneration for the prior year compared to the average percentage 
change for all other Head Office based employees. To provide a meaningful comparison, the same group of employees (although not 
necessarily the same individuals) appears in the 2017 and 2018 group. The remuneration committee chose head office based employees as 
the comparator group as this group forms the closest comparator group.

Base salary and allowances
Taxable benefits
Annual bonus
Total

CHIEF EXECUTIVE 
£'000

HEAD OFFICE EMPLOYEES 
£'000

2018
533
37
300
870

2017
333
37
100
470

% CHANGE
60.1%
0%
200%
85.1%

2018
675
93
460
1,228

2017
643
81
80
804

% CHANGE
5%
14.8%
475%
52.7%

RELATIVE IMPORTANCE OF SPEND ON PAY
The total expenditure of the Group on remuneration to all employees (Note 26 refers) is shown below:

Employee Remuneration
Distributions to shareholders

STATEMENT OF IMPLEMENTATION OF 
REMUNERATION POLICY
The policy was approved at the AGM in June 2017 and was effective 
from 6 June 2017. The vote on the remuneration policy is binding in 
nature. The Company may not then make a remuneration payment or 
payment for loss of office to a person who is, is to be, or has been a 
director of the Company unless that payment is consistent with the 
approved remuneration policy, or has otherwise been approved by a 
resolution of members. It is to be presented for approval at the 2020 AGM.

2018
£'000 
9,889
256

2017
£'000 
8,113
141

CONSIDERATION BY THE DIRECTORS OF MATTERS 
RELATING TO DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION
The Remuneration Committee considered the executive Directors’ 
remuneration and the Board considered the non-executive Directors’ 
remuneration in the year ended 31 December 2018. The balance 
between bonuses and basic remuneration payable to the Chief Executive 
was varied to better reflect market conditions. 

SHAREHOLDER VOTING
At the Annual General Meeting on 19 June 2018, there was an 
advisory vote on the resolution to approve the Remuneration Report, 
other than the part containing the remuneration policy.

In addition, on 6 June 2017, there was a binding vote on the resolution 
to approve the Remuneration Policy. The results are detailed below:

Resolution to approve the Remuneration Report (19 June 2018)
Resolution to approve the Remuneration Policy (6 June 2017)

% OF VOTES  
FOR 
73.95 
83.14 

% OF VOTES  
AGAINST 
26.05 
16.69 

NUMBER OF VOTES 
WITHHELD
2,173,594
89,602

London & Associated Properties PLC 2018 23

GOVERNANCE

Remuneration policy

INTRODUCTION

Set out below is the LAP Group policy on directors’ 
remuneration (excluding Bisichi). This policy was 
approved at the 2017 AGM and it is effective from 
6 June 2017. Unless changed it will be presented 
next for approval at the AGM in 2020.

A copy of the full policy can be found at www.lap.co.uk.

In setting the policy, the Remuneration Committee has taken 
the following into account:

•   The need to attract, retain and motivate individuals of a 

calibre who will ensure successful leadership and 
management of the company

FUTURE POLICY TABLE

ELEMENT
PURPOSE
EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS

Base salary 

Pension 

To recognise:
Skills  
Responsibility 
Accountability  
Experience 
Value
To provide competitive retirement benefits

Benefits 

To provide a competitive benefits package

Annual  
bonus

To reward and incentivise

POLICY

OPERATION

OPPORTUNITY AND PERFORMANCE CONDITIONS

Considered by remuneration committee on appointment
Set at a level considered appropriate to attract, retain, motivate and 
reward the right individuals

Reviewed annually whenever there is a change  

There is no prescribed maximum salary or maximum rate of increase

of role or operational responsibility

Paid monthly in cash

No individual director will be awarded a base salary in excess of £700,000 a year

No specific performance conditions are attached to base salaries

Company contribution offered at up to 10% of base salary as part of 
overall remuneration package

Contractual benefits include:
Car or car allowance
Group health cover
Death in service cover
Permanent health insurance
In assessing the performance of the executive team, and in particular to 
determine whether bonuses are merited the remuneration committee 
takes into account the overall performance of the business, as well as  
individual contribution to the business in the period

Share  
options 

To provide executive directors with  
a long-term interest in the company

Share options may be granted under existing schemes (see page 21)
Where it is necessary to attract, retain, motivate and reward the right 
individuals, the directors may establish new schemes to replace any 
expired schemes

Share incentive 
plan (SIP)

To offer a shorter term incentive in the 
company and to give directors a stake  
in the group

NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS 

To recognise:
Skills 
Responsibility 
Experience 
Risk 
Value

Base salary

Pension
Benefits

Share  
options

Offered to executive directors and head office staff

Maximum participation levels are set by HMRC Of any bonus awarded, Directors may opt to have maximum of £3,000 per year paid 

Considered by the board on appointment
Set at a level considered appropriate to attract, retain and motivate the 
individual 
Experience and time required for the role are considered on 
appointment

No pension offered
No benefits offered except to one non-executive director who is 
eligible for health cover (see annual remuneration report page 20) 

Non-executive directors do not participate in the share option schemes

Notes to the Remuneration Policy
The remuneration committee considers the performance measures outlined in the table above to be appropriate measures of performance 
and that the KPIs chosen align the interests of the directors and shareholders. 

24  London & Associated Properties PLC 2018

The contribution payable by the Company is 

Company contribution offered at up to 10% of base salary as part of overall 

included in the director’s contract of employment 

remuneration package

Paid into money purchase schemes

No specific performance conditions are attached to pension contributions

The committee retains the discretion to approve 

The costs associated with benefits offered are closely controlled and reviewed on an 

changes in contractual benefits in exceptional 

circumstances or where factors outside the 

control of the Group lead to increased costs  

(e.g. medical inflation)

annual basis

No director will receive benefits of a value in excess of 30% of their base salary

No specific performance conditions are attached to contractual benefits

The remuneration committee determines the 

level of bonus on an annual basis

The current maximum bonus will not exceed 200% of base salary in any one year 

but the remuneration committee reserves the power to award up to 300% in an 

In assessing performance consideration is given 

exceptional year

to the level of net rental income, cash flow, voids, 

Performance conditions will be assessed on an annual basis

The performance measures applied may be financial, non-financial, corporate, 

divisional or individual and in such proportion as the remuneration committee 

considers appropriate

realised development gains and income from 

managing joint ventures. Achieved results are 

then compared with expectation taking account 

of market conditions

Bonuses are generally offered in cash or shares

Offered at appropriate times by the  

remuneration committee 

Entitlements to share options granted under the Approved Option scheme are not 

subject to performance criteria. Share Options granted under the Unapproved Scheme 

are subject to the performance criteria specified in the Scheme rules

The aggregate number of shares over which options may be granted under all of the 

company’s option schemes (including any options and awards granted under the 

company’s employee share plans) in any period of ten years, will not exceed, at the 

time of grant, 10 % of the ordinary share capital of the company from time to time

Share options will be offered by the remuneration committee as appropriate

in ‘Free Shares’ under the SIP scheme rules

Reviewed annually

No individual non-executive director will be awarded a base salary in excess of 

£40,000 a year

No performance conditions are attached to base salaries

The committee retains the discretion to approve 

The costs associated with benefits offered are closely controlled and reviewed on an 

changes in contractual benefits in exceptional 

circumstances or where factors outside the 

control of the Group lead to increased costs  

(e.g. medical inflation)

annual basis

No non-executive director will receive benefits in excess of £10,000 a year

No specific performance conditions are attached to contractual benefits

GOVERNANCE Remuneration policy

•   The LAP Group’s general aim of seeking to reward all employees 
fairly according to the nature of their role and their performance

•  Remuneration packages offered to similar companies within the 

same sector

•  The need to align the interests of shareholders as a whole with 

the long-term growth of the Group; and

•  The need to be flexible and adjust with operational changes 

throughout the term of this policy

The remuneration of non-executive directors is determined by the 
board, and takes into account additional remuneration for services 
outside the scope of the ordinary duties of non-executive directors.

POLICY

OPERATION

OPPORTUNITY AND PERFORMANCE CONDITIONS

Considered by remuneration committee on appointment

Set at a level considered appropriate to attract, retain, motivate and 

reward the right individuals

Reviewed annually whenever there is a change  
of role or operational responsibility
Paid monthly in cash

There is no prescribed maximum salary or maximum rate of increase
No individual director will be awarded a base salary in excess of £700,000 a year
No specific performance conditions are attached to base salaries

The contribution payable by the Company is 
included in the director’s contract of employment 
Paid into money purchase schemes
The committee retains the discretion to approve 
changes in contractual benefits in exceptional 
circumstances or where factors outside the 
control of the Group lead to increased costs  
(e.g. medical inflation)

Company contribution offered at up to 10% of base salary as part of overall 
remuneration package
No specific performance conditions are attached to pension contributions
The costs associated with benefits offered are closely controlled and reviewed on an 
annual basis
No director will receive benefits of a value in excess of 30% of their base salary
No specific performance conditions are attached to contractual benefits

The remuneration committee determines the 
level of bonus on an annual basis
In assessing performance consideration is given 
to the level of net rental income, cash flow, voids, 
realised development gains and income from 
managing joint ventures. Achieved results are 
then compared with expectation taking account 
of market conditions
Bonuses are generally offered in cash or shares
Offered at appropriate times by the  
remuneration committee 

The current maximum bonus will not exceed 200% of base salary in any one year 
but the remuneration committee reserves the power to award up to 300% in an 
exceptional year
Performance conditions will be assessed on an annual basis
The performance measures applied may be financial, non-financial, corporate, 
divisional or individual and in such proportion as the remuneration committee 
considers appropriate

Entitlements to share options granted under the Approved Option scheme are not 
subject to performance criteria. Share Options granted under the Unapproved Scheme 
are subject to the performance criteria specified in the Scheme rules
The aggregate number of shares over which options may be granted under all of the 
company’s option schemes (including any options and awards granted under the 
company’s employee share plans) in any period of ten years, will not exceed, at the 
time of grant, 10 % of the ordinary share capital of the company from time to time
Share options will be offered by the remuneration committee as appropriate

Share incentive 

plan (SIP)

To offer a shorter term incentive in the 

company and to give directors a stake  

in the group

Offered to executive directors and head office staff

Maximum participation levels are set by HMRC Of any bonus awarded, Directors may opt to have maximum of £3,000 per year paid 

in ‘Free Shares’ under the SIP scheme rules

Considered by the board on appointment

Set at a level considered appropriate to attract, retain and motivate the 

Reviewed annually

No individual non-executive director will be awarded a base salary in excess of 
£40,000 a year
No performance conditions are attached to base salaries

The committee retains the discretion to approve 
changes in contractual benefits in exceptional 
circumstances or where factors outside the 
control of the Group lead to increased costs  
(e.g. medical inflation)

The costs associated with benefits offered are closely controlled and reviewed on an 
annual basis
No non-executive director will receive benefits in excess of £10,000 a year
No specific performance conditions are attached to contractual benefits

London & Associated Properties PLC 2018 25

FUTURE POLICY TABLE

ELEMENT

PURPOSE

EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS

Base salary 

To recognise:

Skills  

Responsibility 

Accountability  

Experience 

Value

Pension 

To provide competitive retirement benefits

Company contribution offered at up to 10% of base salary as part of 

Benefits 

To provide a competitive benefits package

Contractual benefits include:

overall remuneration package

Car or car allowance

Group health cover

Death in service cover

Permanent health insurance

Annual  

bonus

To reward and incentivise

In assessing the performance of the executive team, and in particular to 

determine whether bonuses are merited the remuneration committee 

takes into account the overall performance of the business, as well as  

individual contribution to the business in the period

Share  

options 

To provide executive directors with  

a long-term interest in the company

Share options may be granted under existing schemes (see page 21)

Where it is necessary to attract, retain, motivate and reward the right 

individuals, the directors may establish new schemes to replace any 

expired schemes

NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS 

Base salary

To recognise:

Skills 

Responsibility 

Experience 

Risk 

Value

Pension

Benefits

Share  

options

Experience and time required for the role are considered on 

individual 

appointment

No pension offered

No benefits offered except to one non-executive director who is 

eligible for health cover (see annual remuneration report page 20) 

Non-executive directors do not participate in the share option schemes

GOVERNANCE

Audit committee report

The committee’s terms of reference have been 
approved by the board and follow published 
guidelines, which are available on request from 
the company secretary.

At the year end the audit committee comprised two of the non-
executive directors – H D Goldring and C A Parritt, both of whom 
are Chartered Accountants.

The audit committee’s primary tasks are to:

MEETINGS
The committee meets at least twice prior to the publication of the 
annual results and discusses and considers the half year results prior 
to their approval by the board. The audit committee meetings are 
attended by the external audit partner, chief executive, finance 
director and company secretary. During the year the members of the 
committee also meet on an informal basis to discuss any relevant 
matters which may have arisen. Additional formal meetings may be 
held as necessary.

•   review the scope of external audit, to receive regular reports from 

During the past year the committee:

RSM UK Audit LLP and to review the half-yearly and annual 
accounts before they are presented to the board, focusing in 
particular on accounting policies and areas of management 
judgement and estimation;

•   monitor the controls which are in force to ensure the integrity  

of the information reported to the shareholders;

•   act as a forum for discussion of internal control issues and 
contribute to the board’s review of the effectiveness of the 
Group’s internal control and risk management systems and 
processes; 

•   to review the risk assessments made by management, consider key 
risks with action taken to mitigate these and to act as a forum for 
discussion of risk issues and contribute to the board’s review of 
the effectiveness of the Group’s risk management control and 
processes; 

•  consider once a year the need for an internal audit function;

•   advise the board on the appointment of the external auditors,  
the rotation of the audit partner every five years and on their 
remuneration for both audit and non-audit work; discuss the 
nature and scope of their audit work and undertake a formal 
assessment of their independence each year, which includes:

 i)     a review of non-audit services provided to the Group and 

related fees;

ii)    discussion with the auditors of their written report detailing  
all relationships with the Company and any other parties that 
could affect independence or the perception of independence;

iii)   a review of the auditors’ own procedures for ensuring the 

independence of the audit firm and partners and staff involved 
in the audit, including the regular rotation of the audit partner; 
and

iv)   obtaining a written confirmation from the auditors that, in their 

professional judgement, they are independent.

•   met with the external auditors, and discussed their reports to the 

audit committee;

•  approved the publication of annual and half year financial results;

•  considered and approved the annual review of internal controls;

•   decided that there was no current need for an internal audit function;

•   agreed the independence of the auditors and approved their fees 
for both audit and non-audit services as set out in Note 2 to the 
financial statements; and

•   the chairman of the audit committee has also had separate 
meetings and discussions with the external audit partner.

FINANCIAL REPORTING 
As part of its role, the Audit Committee assessed the audit findings 
that were considered most significant to the financial statements, 
including those areas requiring significant judgement and/or 
estimation. When assessing the identified financial reporting matters, 
the committee assessed quantitative materiality primarily by 
reference to the carrying value of the group’s total assets, given  
that the group operates a principally asset based business. When 
determining quantitative materiality, the Board also gave 
consideration to the value of revenues generated by the group and 
net asset value, given that they are key trading and business KPIs. 
The qualitative aspects of any financial reporting matters identified 
during the audit process were also considered when assessing their 
materiality. Based on the considerations set out above we have 
considered quantitative errors individually or in aggregate in excess 
of approximately £1.5 million in relation to the consolidated balance 
sheet and £0.4 million for underlying profitability and £0.3 million for 
the Bisichi group to be material.

EXTERNAL AUDITOR
RSM UK Audit LLP held office throughout the period under review. 
In the United Kingdom London & Associated Properties PLC 
provides extensive administration and accounting services to Bisichi 
Mining PLC, which has its own audit committee and employs BDO 
LLP, a separate and independent firm of registered auditor.

C A Parritt  
Chairman – Audit Committee

30 April 2019

26  London & Associated Properties PLC 2018

 
 
 
 
GOVERNANCE

Directors’ responsibilities statement

DIRECTORS’ STATEMENT PURSUANT TO THE 
DISCLOSURE GUIDANCE AND TRANSPARENCY RULES
Each of the directors, whose names and functions are listed on 
page 12, confirms that to the best of each person’s knowledge:

a.  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 of the Company 
and the undertakings included in the consolidation taken as a 
whole; and

b.  the Strategic Report contained in the Annual Report includes a fair 
review of the development and performance of the business and 
the position of the Company and the undertakings included in the 
consolidation taken as a whole, together with a description of the 
principal risks and uncertainties that they face.

The Directors are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of 
the corporate and financial information included on the London & 
Associated Properties PLC website.

Legislation and regulations in the United Kingdom governing the 
preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ 
from legislation and regulations in other jurisdictions.

The Directors are responsible for preparing the 
Strategic Report and the Directors’ Report, the 
Directors’ Remuneration Report and the 
financial statements in accordance with 
applicable law and regulations.

English company law requires the Directors to prepare Group and 
Company financial statements for each financial year. The Directors 
are required under the Listing Rules of the Financial Conduct 
Authority to prepare Group financial statements in accordance with 
International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) as adopted by 
the European Union (“EU”) and have elected under English company 
law to prepare the Company financial statements in accordance with 
United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (United 
Kingdom Accounting Standards and applicable law) including FRS101 
‘Reduced Disclosure Framework’. 

The Group financial statements are required by law and IFRS 
adopted by the EU to present fairly the financial position and 
performance of the Group; the Companies Act 2006 provides in 
relation to such financial statements that references in the relevant 
part of that Act to financial statements giving a true and fair view are 
references to their achieving a fair presentation.

Under English company law the Directors must not approve the 
financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true 
and fair view of the state of affairs of the Group and the Company 
and of the profit or loss of the Group for that period. 

In preparing each of the Group and Company financial statements, 
the Directors are required to:

a.  select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;

b.  make judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable 

and prudent;

c.  for the Group financial statements, state whether they have been 
prepared in accordance with IFRS adopted by the EU and for the 
company financial statements state whether applicable UK 
accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material 
departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; 
and

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

The Directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting 
records that are sufficient to show and explain the Group’s and the 
Company’s transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at  
any time the financial position of the Group and the Company and 
enable them to ensure that the financial statements and the 
Directors’ Remuneration Report comply with the Companies Act 
2006 and, as regards the Group financial statements, Article 4 of the 
IAS Regulations. They are also responsible for safeguarding the 
assets of the Group and the Company and hence for taking reasonable 
steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

London & Associated Properties PLC 2018 27

GOVERNANCE

Independent auditor’s report
TO THE MEMBERS OF LONDON & ASSOCIATED PROPERTIES PLC

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of 
London & Associated Properties Plc (the ‘parent 
company’) and its subsidiaries (the ‘group’) for the 
year ended 31 December 2018 which comprise 
the consolidated income statement, the 
consolidated statement of comprehensive 
income, the consolidated balance sheet, the 
consolidated statement of changes in 
shareholders’ equity, the consolidated cash flow 
statement, the company balance sheet, the 
company statement of changes in equity and 
notes to the financial statements, including a 
summary of significant accounting policies. The 
financial reporting framework that has been 
applied in the preparation of the group financial 
statements is applicable law and International 
Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as adopted 
by the European Union. The financial reporting 
framework that has been applied in the 
preparation of the parent company financial 
statements is applicable law and United Kingdom 
Accounting Standards including FRS 101 “Reduced 
Disclosure Framework (United Kingdom Generally 
Accepted Accounting Practice).  

In our opinion:

•   the financial statements give a true and fair view of the state of 

the group’s and of the parent company’s affairs as at 31 December 
2018 and of the group’s profit for the year then ended;

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

•   the parent company financial statements have been properly 

prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted 
Accounting Practice; 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 Regulation. 

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 and parent company 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 GOING CONCERN 
We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in 
relation to which the ISAs (UK) require us to report to you where:

•   the directors’ use of the going concern basis of accounting in the 

preparation of the financial statements is not appropriate; or

•   the directors have not disclosed in the financial statements any 
identified material uncertainties that may cast significant doubt 
about the group’s or the parent company’s ability to continue to 
adopt the going concern basis of accounting for a period of at 
least twelve months from the date when the financial statements 
are authorised for issue. 

KEY AUDIT MATTERS 
Key audit matters are those matters that, in our professional 
judgment, were of most significance in our audit of the group and 
parent company 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 group and parent company financial 
statements as a whole, and in forming our opinion thereon, and we 
do not provide a separate opinion on these matters.

THE VALUATION AND PRESENTATION OF PROPERTIES 
The group’s properties are accounted for in the financial statements 
as investment properties under IAS 40 and held at fair value, or as 
inventory where appropriate and held at the lower of cost and net 
realisable value. The majority of investment properties are valued by 
two firms of independent external valuers and these valuations are 
adopted in the financial statements. At 31 December 2018 
investment property valued at £47.4 million (note 8) was disclosed 
within non-current assets in the financial statements. Separately, 
investment property valued at £2.3 million (note 10) was disclosed as 
assets held for sale, within current assets, and property inventory 
was carried at £38.6 million (note 12).

The directors’ assessment of the value and presentation of 
properties is considered a key audit matter due to the relative 
importance of these assets to the group’s financial statements, the 
potential impact of movements in the fair values of the assets, and 
the subjectivity and complexity of the valuation process, which 
involves significant judgements and estimates as disclosed on page 
37 of the financial statements. 

28  London & Associated Properties PLC 2018

GOVERNANCE Independent auditor’s report

The valuations are carried out by two firms of professional external 
valuers, together with, in respect of one property, an internal valuer 
in accordance with the methodology described in note 8. 

Our response to the key audit matter included: 

•   agreeing the valuations of all properties recorded in the financial 
statements and subject to the external valuation process to the 
valuation reports prepared by the valuers. These reports covered 
all of the value of investment properties, except one property 
valued at £1.6 million which was subject to internal valuation;

•   agreeing the carrying value (sales price less estimated costs to sell) 

of the property included as assets held for sale, to the draft 
agreement for sale;

•   discussing with management and reviewing the documentation on 
the development activities undertaken which resulted in the transfer 
of the Sheffield property from investment property to inventory:

•   agreeing the cost of properties held as inventory to underlying 
records including, for the Sheffield property held at a value of 
£32.3 million, to the valuation report prepared by third party 
valuers and used as the basis of cost for the transfer of that 
property from investment property to inventory;

•   assessing the qualifications and expertise of the valuers, and 

considering their objectivity and any threats to their 
independence. We concluded that there was no threat which 
might impair the valuers’ independence and objectivity; 

•   meeting the valuers, both external and internal, to discuss and 

challenge the assumptions used and the movements in valuations 
observed in the year;  and 

•   comparing the key inputs to the valuation model to the underlying 
records of the leases and records of rents received and against our 
knowledge of market yields.

Key observations 
•  The carrying values of the properties are consistent with the 

valuation reports provided for investment properties. Properties 
held in inventory are carried at the lower of cost and net realisable 
value and, in the case of the asset held for sale, with the agreed 
selling price less estimated costs to sell. The presentation of the 
properties is consistent with management’s intent

REVENUE RECOGNITION
As disclosed in note 1, the Group generated revenues from coal 
sales, rental income and service charge income. It was considered 
appropriate, as this is the first year of application of IFRS 15, to 
assess the appropriateness of management’s revenue recognition 
policies and their application for compliance with IFRS. In addition, 
it was considered that there was a risk of coal sales revenue being 
recorded in the incorrect period.

As reported under the group accounting policies, during the course 
of the audit a material error was identified in respect of the Bisichi 
sub group’s accounting treatment of transport costs to deliver export 
coal to the export terminal under a specific agreement. Such transport 
costs were previously incorrectly recorded as a deduction from revenue. 
Management has revised the accounting treatment in 2018 and 
restated the prior year revenue and operating costs accordingly.

The impact is to increase revenue and operating costs by £3.1m for 
the year ended 31 December 2018. The impact of the prior year 
restatement was to increase revenue and operating costs by £2.9m. 
There is no profit or net assets effect of the restatement.

The responses to the key audit matter included:

•   management’s revenue recognition policy for domestic and export 
coal sales was assessed for compliance with the relevant accounting 
standard. In doing so, sales contracts and terms with material 
customers were reviewed;

•   controls over domestic coal sales were tested, focused on the 

authorisation and recording of revenue. Tests of detail, verifying 
a sample of domestic revenue to supporting documentation, 
were performed;

•   third party confirmations were obtained which were agreed to 
amounts recorded in the ledgers for export sales and a sample 
of sales was confirmed to contract terms;

•   the recording of revenue around the year end was tested and the 
revenue recognition point was assessed for consistency with the 
group’s revenue recognition policy, customer terms and supporting 
documents regarding despatch/delivery as applicable;

•   credit notes around the year end were reviewed for indications 

that revenue had been inappropriately recorded;

•   in respect of the change in accounting treatment for transport 

costs and associated restatement of the prior year revenues and 
operating costs, the relevant contract was reviewed and the 
appropriateness of the accounting treatment under relevant 
accounting standards for the current and prior period was assessed. 
In doing so, financial reporting technical experts were consulted;

•   a sample of the costs was agreed to supporting documentation 
and the general ledgers were reviewed in detail to check the 
completeness and accuracy of the adjustments in the current 
and prior period. 

Key observations
The Group’s revenue recognition policies were found to be compliant 
with IFRS and, subsequent to the restatement and adjustment, revenue 
is recorded in line with the group’s stated policies. Service charge 
income of £0.9 million is now included gross in revenue, whereas in 
prior years such income had been netted off expenses, as disclosed 
in note 1.

There are no key audit matters in relation to the parent company.

London & Associated Properties PLC 2018 29

GOVERNANCE Independent auditor’s report

OUR APPLICATION OF MATERIALITY 
When establishing our overall audit strategy, we set certain thresholds 
which help us to determine the nature, timing and extent of our audit 
procedures. When evaluating whether the effects of misstatements, 
both individually and on the financial statements as a whole, could 
reasonably influence the economic decisions of the users we take 
into account the qualitative nature and the size of the misstatements.

During planning materiality for the group statements as a whole was 
calculated as £1.5 million, which was not significantly changed during 
the course of our audit. Materiality for the parent company financial 
statements as a whole was calculated as £0.4 million, which was 
revised to £0.65 million as the audit progressed.

The London & Associated Properties plc group consists of two distinct 
components: a UK based property investment group, and a fully 
listed mining group carrying out mining operations in South Africa 
with a relatively small investment property portfolio. 

Our materiality levels in respect of these components were 
determined at:

•   for the London & Associated Properties plc property investment 

sub group balance sheet, £1.2 million and to underlying profitability 
£0.4 million; and

•   for the Bisichi Mining plc coal mining and property investment 

sub group, £0.3 million. 

We agreed with the audit committee that we would report to them 
all unadjusted differences in excess of £15,000 for both components 
of the group. We also agreed to report other differences below that 
threshold which, in our view, warranted reporting on qualitative 
grounds.

AN OVERVIEW OF THE SCOPE OF OUR AUDIT 
The group comprises 30 trading, or active holding, companies and 12 
dormant companies. Full scope audits, using component materiality, 
were performed on 25 of the active entities with the other five 
entities subjected to desktop review. Six of the full scope audits and 
four of the desktop reviews were performed by component auditors 
whose work we evaluated and reviewed for the purpose of the 
group audit. 

This resulted in coverage of 100% of total revenues and profit before 
tax of the group, and 100% of total gross assets of the group. 

OTHER INFORMATION 
The other information comprises the information included in the 
annual report, 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 this other information, we 
are required to report that fact. 

We have nothing to report in this regard.

30  London & Associated Properties PLC 2018

OPINIONS 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 strategic report and the directors’ 

report for the financial year for which the financial statements are 
prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and 

•   the strategic report and the directors’ report 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 their environment obtained in the course of 
the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the 
strategic report or the directors’ report.

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 required 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 directors’ responsibilities statement set 
out on page 27, 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.

GOVERNANCE Independent auditor’s report

As part of our audit, we will consider the susceptibility of the group 
and parent company to fraud and other irregularities, taking account 
of the business and control environment established and maintained 
by the directors, as well as the nature of transactions, assets and 
liabilities recorded in the accounting records. Owing to the inherent 
limitations of an audit, there is an unavoidable risk that some material 
misstatements of the financial statements may not be detected, even 
though the audit is properly planned and performed in accordance 
with the ISAs. However, the principal responsibility for ensuring that 
the financial statements are free from material misstatement, 
whether caused by fraud or error, rests with management who 
should not rely on the audit to discharge those functions. 

A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the 
financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council’s 
website at: http://www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This 
description forms part of our auditor’s report. 

OTHER MATTERS WHICH WE ARE REQUIRED TO 
ADDRESS 
Following the recommendation of the audit committee, we were 
appointed by the Board of Directors on 27 July 1987 to audit the 
financial statements for the year ended 31 December 1987 and 
subsequent financial periods. The period of total uninterrupted 
engagement is 32 years, covering the years ending 31 December 
1987 to 31 December 2018. 

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. 

During the period under review agreed upon procedures were 
completed in respect of a number of the group’s service charge 
accounts. 

Our audit opinion is consistent with the additional report to the 
audit committee. 

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

Geoff Wightwick (Senior Statutory Auditor) 
For and on behalf of RSM UK Audit LLP, Statutory Auditor 
Chartered Accountants 
25 Farringdon Street 
London 
EC4A 4AB

30 April 2019

London & Associated Properties PLC 2018 31

financial state-

ments

FINANCIAL 
STATEMENTS

Consolidated income statement
for the year ended 31 December 2018

Group revenue
Operating costs
Gain on disposal of other investments 
Operating profit
Finance income
Finance expenses
Debenture break cost
Result before revaluation and other movements

Non–cash changes in valuation of assets and liabilities and other movements
(Decrease)/increase in value of investment properties
Write off investment in joint venture
Decrease in value of trading investments
Adjustment to interest rate derivative
Profit for the year before taxation
Income tax charge
Profit for the year

Attributable to:
Equity holders of the Company
Non–controlling interest
Profit for the year

Earnings per share
Profit/(loss) per share – basic and diluted

NOTES

1

4
4
20

8

20
2
5

24

2018
£'000

 (cid:404)(cid:1141),(cid:1141)(cid:404)1 
(49,293)
– 
 7,3(cid:404)8 
 (cid:1141)1 
(3,(cid:1141)82)
– 
 3,737 

(2,(cid:404)(cid:1141)(cid:404))
– 
(1(cid:1141)9)
 2(cid:1141)(cid:404) 
 1,2(cid:1141)8 
((cid:1141)7(cid:404))
 (cid:404)93 

(2,082)
 2,(cid:1141)7(cid:404) 
 (cid:404)93 

2017
£'000 
RESTATED

 47,870 
(40,319)
 3 
 7,554 
 105 
(4,268)
(14)
 3,377 

 9,373 
(1,827)
– 
 355 
 11,278 
(2,982)
 8,296 

 7,686 
 610 
 8,296 

7

(2.44)p

9.01p

A revenue recognition error was identified in respect of Bisichi’s prior year. An amount of £2,891,000 had been incorrectly recorded as a 
deduction against revenue rather than shown as an operating cost. The above comparatives have been restated accordingly.

Consolidated statement of comprehensive income
for the year ended 31 December 2018

Profit for the year
Other comprehensive income/(expense):
Items that may be subsequently recycled to the income statement:
Exchange differences on translation of Bisichi Mining PLC foreign operations
Transfer of gain on available for sale investments
Taxation
Other comprehensive (expense)/income for the year net of tax
Total comprehensive (expense)/income for the year net of tax
Attributable to: 
Equity shareholders
Non–controlling interest

32  London & Associated Properties PLC 2018

2018
£'000
 (cid:404)93 

(430)
– 
– 
(430)
 1(cid:1141)3 

(2,239)
 2,402 
 1(cid:1141)3 

2017
£'000
 8,296 

 91 
 103 
(20)
 174 
 8,470 

 7,753 
 717 
 8,470 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Consolidated balance sheet
at 31 December 2018

Non–current assets
Market value of properties attributable to Group
Present value of head leases
Property
Mining reserves, plant and equipment
Investments
Deferred tax

Current assets
Inventories–property
Inventories–mining
Assets held for sale
Trade and other receivables
Interest rate derivatives
Investments
Cash and cash equivalents

Total assets
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables
Borrowings
Interest rate derivatives
Current tax liabilities

Non–current liabilities
Borrowings
Interest rate derivatives
Present value of head leases on properties
Provisions
Deferred tax liabilities

Total liabilities
Net assets
Equity attributable to the owners of the parent
Share capital
Share premium account
Translation reserve (Bisichi Mining PLC)
Capital redemption reserve
  Retained earnings (excluding treasury shares)
  Treasury shares
Retained earnings 
Total equity attributable to equity shareholders
Non–controlling interest
Total equity

Net assets per share
Diluted net assets per share

NOTES

2018
£'000

2017
£'000

8
28

9
14
21

12
13
10
15
20
16

17
18

18
20
29
19
22

23

23

24

7
7

 47,430 
 3,2(cid:1141)1 
 (cid:404)0,(cid:1141)91 
 8,(cid:1141)(cid:404)9 
 1,783 
– 
 (cid:1141)1,133 

38,(cid:404)(cid:404)(cid:1141)
1,(cid:404)11
 2,28(cid:404) 
 8,022 
– 
 887 
 20,(cid:1141)(cid:404)(cid:404) 
71,91(cid:1141)
133,049

(13,341)
(41,388)
(1(cid:1141)9)
(73)
((cid:404)4,971)

(1(cid:404),2(cid:404)(cid:404))
– 
(3,2(cid:1141)1)
(1,(cid:404)71)
(2,30(cid:404))
(22,392)
(77,3(cid:1141)3)
 (cid:404)(cid:404),(cid:1141)8(cid:1141) 

 8,(cid:404)(cid:404)4 
 4,8(cid:1141)(cid:1141) 
(8(cid:404)2)
 47 
 30,90(cid:1141) 
(144)
 30,7(cid:1141)2 
 43,377 
 12,309 
 (cid:404)(cid:404),(cid:1141)8(cid:1141) 

(cid:404)0.83p
(cid:404)0.83p

 78,025 
 3,233 
 81,258 
 8,735 
 1,799 
– 
 91,792 

–
828
 36,441 
 7,132 
 1 
 1,069 
 7,528 
 52,999 
 144,791 

(12,909)
(4,288)
– 
(358)
(17,555)

(61,661)
(435)
(3,233)
(1,349)
(3,848)
(70,526)
(88,081)
 56,710 

 8,554 
 4,866 
(695)
 47 
 33,227 
(145)
 33,082 
 45,854 
 10,856 
 56,710 

53.74p
53.74p

These financial statements were approved by the board of directors and authorised for issue on 30 April 2019 and signed on its behalf by:

Sir Michael Heller 
Director 

 Jonathan Mintz 
 Director 

Company Registration No. 341829 

London & Associated Properties PLC 2018 33

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Consolidated statement of changes in 
shareholders’ equity 
for the year ended 31 December 2018

Balance at 1 January 2017
Profit for year
Other comprehensive income:
Currency translation
Gain on available for sale investments 
(net of tax)
Total other comprehensive income
Total comprehensive income
Transactions with owners:
Dividends – equity holders
Dividends – non–controlling interests
Transactions with owners 
Balance at 31 December 2017
Profit for year
Other comprehensive expense:
Currency translation
Total other comprehensive expense
Total comprehensive income/(expense)
Transactions with owners:
Share options charge
Dividends – equity holders
Dividends – non–controlling interests
Disposal of own shares
Transactions with owners 
Balance at 31 December 2018

SHARE 
CAPITAL 
(cid:364)’000
 8,554 
– 

SHARE  
PREMIUM 
(cid:364)’000
 4,866 
– 

TRANSLATION 
RESERVES  
(cid:364)’000
(728)
– 

CAPITAL 
REDEMPTION 
RESERVE 
(cid:364)’000
 47 
– 

TREASURY  
SHARES 
(cid:364)’000
(145)
– 

– 

– 
– 
– 

– 

– 
– 
– 

– 
– 
– 
 8,554 
– 

– 
– 
– 
 4,866 
– 

– 
– 
– 

– 
– 
– 

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
 8,554 

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
 4,866 

 33 

– 
 33 
 33 

– 
– 
– 
(695)
– 

(157)
(157)
(157)

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
(852)

– 

– 
– 
– 

– 
– 
– 
 47 
– 

– 
– 
– 

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
 47 

– 

– 
– 
– 

 34 
 34 
 7,720 

– 
– 
– 
(145)
– 

(141)
–
(141)
 33,227 
(2,082)

– 
– 
– 

– 
– 
(2,082)

– 
– 
– 
 1 
 1 
(144)

 17 
(256)
– 
– 
(240)
 30,906 

RETAINED  
EARNINGS 
EXCLUDING  
TREASURY  
SHARES 
(cid:364)’000
 25,648 
 7,686 

TOTAL 
EXCLUDING 
NON(cid:1156) 
CONTROLLING 
INTERESTS 
(cid:364)’000
 38,242 
 7,686 

NON(cid:1156) 
CONTROLLING 
INTERESTS 
(cid:364)’000

TOTAL 
EQUITY 
(cid:364)’000
 10,389 48,631 
 610   8,296 

– 

 33 

 58 

 91 

 34 
 67 
 7,753 

(141)
–
(141)
 45,854 
(2,082)

(157)
(157)
(2,239)

 17 
(256)
–
 1 
(239)
 43,377 

 83 
 49 
 107 
 174 
 717   8,470 

– 
(250)
(250)

(141)
(250)
(391)
 10,856 56,710 
 593 

 2,675 

(273)
(273)
 2,402 

(430)
(430)
 163 

 7 
–
(956) 
– 

 24 
(256)
(956)
 1 
(948) (1,187)
 12,309 55,686 

34  London & Associated Properties PLC 2018

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Consolidated cash flow statement
for the year ended 31 December 2018

Operating activities
Profit for the year before taxation
Finance income
Finance expense
Debenture break cost
Realised gain on disposal of other investments
(Increase)/decrease in value of investment properties
Write off investment in joint venture
Increase in trading investments
Adjustment to interest rate derivative
Depreciation
Profit on disposal of non-current assets
Share based payment expense
Exchange adjustments
Change in inventories
Development expenditure on inventories
Change in receivables
Change in payables
Cash generated from operations
Income tax paid
Cash inflows from operating activities
Investing activities
Disposal of assets held for sale
Acquisition of investment properties, mining reserves, plant and equipment
Sale of plant and equipment
Interest received
Cash (outflows)/inflows from investing activities
Financing activities
Interest paid
Interest obligation under finance leases
Debenture stock break costs paid 
Receipt of bank loan - Bisichi Mining PLC
Repayment of bank loan - Bisichi Mining PLC
Repayment of bank loan - Dragon Retail Properties Ltd
Receipt of bank loan
Repayment of bank loan
Short term loan from joint ventures and related parties
Repayment of debenture stocks 
Equity dividends paid
Equity dividends paid - non-controlling interests
Cash outflows from financing activities
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
Exchange adjustment
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

2018 
(cid:364)’000

 1,2(cid:1141)8 
((cid:1141)1)
 3,(cid:1141)82 
– 
– 
2,(cid:404)(cid:1141)(cid:404)
– 
 1(cid:1141)9 
(2(cid:1141)(cid:404))
 2,122 
– 
 18 
 (cid:1141)(cid:404) 
(797)
((cid:1141),2(cid:404)(cid:1141))
(23(cid:404))
(3(cid:404)4)
1,921
(2,281)
(3(cid:1141)0)

3(cid:1141),474
(9,438)
1
 199 
27,23(cid:1141)

(3,711)
(178)
– 
 7(cid:404)3 
(19)
((cid:1141)(cid:404))
7,202
(1(cid:1141),438)
(30)
(3,000)
(2(cid:404)(cid:404))
(309)
(1(cid:1141),0(cid:404)0)
 10,82(cid:1141) 
 (cid:1141),2(cid:1141)(cid:1141) 
 28 
 17,120 

2017  
£’000

 11,278 
(105)
 4,268 
 14 
(3)
(9,373)
 1,827 
– 
(355)
 1,804 
(3)
– 
 258 
 896 
–
 196 
(415)
 10,287 
(14)
 10,273 

(56)
(1,771)
 29 
 137 
(1,661)

(3,963)
(178)
(14)
 23 
(25)
– 
– 
– 
(30)
(750)
(141)
(250)
(5,328)
 3,284 
 2,931 
 51 
 6,266 

Cash and cash equivalents
For the purpose of the cash flow statement, cash and cash equivalents comprise the following balance sheet amounts:

Cash and cash equivalents (before bank overdrafts)
Bank overdrafts
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

2018
(cid:364)’000
 20,(cid:1141)(cid:404)(cid:404) 
(3,(cid:404)3(cid:404))
 17,120 

2017 
£’000
 7,528 
(1,262)
 6,266 

£340,000 of cash deposits at 31 December 2018 were charged as security to debenture stocks (2017: £120,000).

£500,000 of cash deposits at 31 December 2018 were charged as security to bank loans (2017: nil).

London & Associated Properties PLC 2018 3(cid:404)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Group accounting policies

The following are the principal Group accounting policies:

BASIS OF ACCOUNTING
The Group financial statements are prepared in accordance with 
International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), as adopted by the 
European Union and with those parts of the Companies Act 2006 
applicable to companies reporting under IFRS. 

The Company has elected to prepare the parent company’s financial 
statements in accordance with Financial Reporting Standard 101 
’Reduced Disclosure Framework’ (FRS 101) and Companies Act 2006 
and these are presented in Note 30. The financial statements are 
prepared under the historical cost convention, except for the 
revaluation of freehold and leasehold properties and financial assets 
at fair value through profit and loss as well as fair value of interest 
derivatives. 

The Group financial statements are presented in Pounds Sterling and 
all values are rounded to the nearest thousand pounds (£’000) 
except when otherwise stated.

The functional currency for each entity in the Group is the currency of the 
country in which the entity has been incorporated. Details of the country 
in which each entity has been incorporated can be found in note 11.

The exchange rates used in the accounts were as follows:

(cid:364)1 STERLING: 
RAND

(cid:364)1 STERLING: 
DOLLAR

Year-end rate
Annual average

2018
18.3723
17.(cid:404)20(cid:404)

2017 
16.6686
17.1540

2018 
1.2(cid:1141)90
1.309(cid:1141)

2017 
1.35028
1.29174

London & Associated Properties PLC (“LAP”), the parent company, is 
a listed public company incorporated and domiciled in England and 
quoted on the London Stock Exchange. The Company registration 
number is 341829. LAP and its subsidiaries (“the Group”) consists of 
LAP, all of its subsidiary undertakings, including Bisichi Mining PLC 
(“Bisichi”) and Dragon Retail Properties Limited (“Dragon”). The 
Group without Bisichi and Dragon is referred to as LAP Group.

REVENUE RECOGNITION RESTATEMENT
During the review of revenue recognition in South Africa a revenue 
recognition error was identified in respect of the treatment of 
transport and loading costs to deliver export coal under certain 
export agreements. The costs in prior periods, had been incorrectly 
recorded as a deduction against revenue rather than shown as an 
operating cost. In the current year such costs have been recorded in 
operating costs and the comparatives restated accordingly.

The impact on the current year is to increase both revenue and 
operating costs by £3,101,000 and the prior year requires an 
equivalent restatement totalling £2,891,000. There is no profit or net 
assets impact as a result of the prior year restatement. 

GOING CONCERN
In reviewing going concern it is necessary to consider separately the 
position of LAP Group and Bisichi. Although both are consolidated into 
group accounts (as required by IFRS 10), they are managed independently 
and in the unlikely event that Bisichi was unable to continue trading 
this would not affect the ability of LAP Group to continue operating 
as a going concern. The same would be true for Bisichi in reverse.

3(cid:1141)  London & Associated Properties PLC 2018

The directors have reviewed the cash flow forecasts of the LAP 
Group and the underlying assumptions on which they are based. The 
LAP Group’s business activities, together with the factors likely to 
affect its future development, are set out in the Chairman and Chief 
Executive’s Statement and Financial Review. In addition, Note 20 to 
the financial statements sets out the Group’s objectives, policies and 
processes for managing its capital; its financial risk management 
objectives; details of its financial instruments and hedging activities; 
and its exposure to credit risk and liquidity risk.

The directors believe that the LAP Group has adequate resources to 
continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future and that 
the LAP Group is well placed to manage its business risks. Thus they 
continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing 
the annual financial statements.

The Bisichi directors continue to adopt the going concern basis of 
accounting in preparing the Bisichi annual financial statements.

INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL REPORTING 
STANDARDS (IFRS)
The Group has adopted all of the new and revised Standards and 
Interpretations issued by the International Accounting Standards 
Board (“IASB”) that are relevant to its operations and effective for 
accounting periods beginning 1 January 2018. 

IFRS 1(cid:404) ‘Revenue from Contracts with Customers’ was issued by the 
IASB in May 2014. It is effective for accounting periods beginning on 
or after 1 January 2018. The new standard replaces the existing 
accounting standards, and provides enhanced detail on the principle 
of recognising revenue to reflect the transfer of goods and services 
to customers at a value which the company expects to be entitled to 
receive. The standard also updates revenue disclosure requirements. 
The standard was endorsed by the EU on 22 September 2017. The 
new standard has not caused any material impacts on the financial 
statements for the year ended 31 December 2018.

IFRS 9 was published in July 2014 and is effective for the group from 
1 January 2018. The standard was endorsed by the EU on 22 
November 2017. IFRS 9 supersedes IAS 39 “Financial Instruments: 
Recognition and Measurement” and is applicable to financial assets and 
financial liabilities, and covers the classification, measurement, 
impairment and de-recognition of financial assets and financial liabilities 
together with a new hedge accounting model. The adoption of IFRS 9 
has resulted in changes in the Group's accounting policies for the 
recognition, classification and measurement of financial assets and 
financial liabilities and impairment of financial assets. IFRS 9 modifies the 
classification and measurement of certain classes of financial assets and 
liabilities and required the Group to reassess classification of financial 
assets into three primary categories (amortised cost, fair value through 
profit and loss, fair value through other comprehensive income), 
reflecting the business model in which assets are managed and their 
cash flow characteristics. Financial liabilities continue to be measured at 
either fair value through profit and loss or amortised cost. In addition, 
IFRS 9 introduced an expected credit loss (“ECL”) impairment model, 
which means that anticipated as opposed to incurred credit losses are 
recognised which may result in earlier recognition of impairments. 
Application of IFRS 9 has not had a significant impact on the Group’s 
reported results or its credit risk management policies.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Group accounting policies

The Group has not adopted any Standards or Interpretations in advance 
of the required implementation dates. The following new and revised 
IFRS standards, which are applicable to the group, were issued but are 
not yet effective: 

IFRS 1(cid:1141) ‘Leases’ – IFRS 16 ‘Leases’ was issued by the IASB in January 
2017 and is effective for accounting periods beginning on or after 1 
January 2019. The new standard will replace IAS 17 ‘Leases’ and will 
eliminate the classification of leases as either operating leases or finance 
leases and, instead, introduce a single lessee accounting model. The 
standard, which has been endorsed by the EU, provides a single lessee 
accounting model, specifying how leases are recognised, measured, 
presented and disclosed. The Directors are currently evaluating the 
financial and operational impact of this standard including the 
application to the Bisichi group's service contracts at the mine 
containing leases. The review of the impact of IFRS 16 will require an 
assessment of all leases and the impact of adopting this standard cannot 
be reliably estimated until this work is substantially complete.

The Directors do not anticipate that the adoption of the other standards 
and interpretations not listed above will have a material impact on the 
accounts. Certain of these standards and interpretations will, when 
adopted, require addition to or amendment of disclosures in the accounts. 

We are committed to improving disclosure and transparency and will 
continue to work with our different stakeholders to ensure they 
understand the detail of these accounting changes. We continue to 
remain committed to a robust financial policy.

KEY JUDGEMENTS AND ESTIMATES
The preparation of the financial statements requires management to 
make assumptions and estimates that may affect the reported 
amounts of assets and liabilities and the reported income and 
expenses, further details of which are set out below. Although 
management believes that the assumptions and estimates used are 
reasonable, the actual results may differ from those estimates. Further 
details of the estimates and judgements which may have a material 
impact on next year's financial statements are contained in the 
Directors’ Report.

PROPERTY OPERATIONS

Fair value measurements of investment properties and investments 
An assessment of the fair value of certain assets and liabilities, in 
particular investment properties, is required to be performed. In such 
instances, fair value measurements are estimated based on the 
amounts for which the assets and liabilities could be exchanged 
between market participants. To the extent possible, the assumptions 
and inputs used take into account externally verifiable inputs. 
However, such information is by nature subject to uncertainty. 

Inventory 
When the Group begins to redevelop an existing investment property 
with a view to sell, the property is transferred to inventory and held as 
a current asset. The property is re-measured to fair value as at the date 
of the transfer with any gain or loss being taken to the income 
statement. The re-measured amount becomes the deemed cost at 
which the property is then carried in trading properties. The Board 
have decided that Orchard Square, Sheffield no longer fits our 
longer-term criteria for an investment property held to generate capital 
growth. Accordingly, it has been transferred to inventory. A series of 
asset management initiatives and developments are underway, and it 
is our intention to sell this asset on completion of those projects.

MINING OPERATIONS

Life of mine and reserves
The directors consider their judgements and estimates surrounding the 
life of the mine and its reserves to have significant effect on the 
amounts recognised in the financial statements and to be an area where 

the financial statements are at most risk of a significant estimation 
uncertainty. The life of the mine remaining is currently estimated at 4 
years. This life of mine is based on the Groups existing coal reserves and 
excludes future coal purchases and coal reserve acquisitions. The 
Group’s estimates of proven and probable reserves are prepared and 
subject to assessment by an independent Competent Person 
experienced in the field of coal geology and specifically opencast and 
pillar coal extraction. Estimates of coal reserves impact assessments of 
the carrying value of property, plant and equipment, depreciation 
calculations and rehabilitation and decommissioning provisions. There 
are numerous uncertainties inherent in estimating coal reserves and 
changes to these assumptions may result in restatement of reserves. 
These assumptions include geotechnical factors as well as economic 
factors such as commodity prices, production costs and yield.

Depreciation, amortisation of mineral rights, mining development 
costs and plant & equipment
The annual depreciation/amortisation charge is dependent on 
estimates, including coal reserves and the related life of the mine, 
expected development expenditure for probable reserves, the 
allocation of certain assets to relevant ore reserves and estimates of 
residual values of the processing plant. The charge can fluctuate 
when there are significant changes in any of the factors or 
assumptions used, such as estimating mineral reserves which in turn 
affects the life of mine or the expected life of reserves. Estimates of 
proven and probable reserves are prepared by an independent 
Competent Person. Assessments of depreciation/amortisation rates 
against the estimated reserve base are performed regularly. Details 
of the depreciation/amortisation charge can be found in note 9.

Provision for mining rehabilitation including restoration and 
de-commissioning costs 
A provision for future rehabilitation including restoration and 
decommissioning costs requires estimates and assumptions to be made 
around the relevant regulatory framework, the timing, extent and costs 
of the rehabilitation activities and of the risk free rates used to 
determine the present value of the future cash outflows. The provisions, 
including the estimates and assumptions contained therein, are 
reviewed regularly by management. The Group engages an independent 
expert to assess the cost of restoration and decommissioning annually 
as part of management’s assessment of the provision. Details of the 
provision for mining rehabilitation can be found in note 19. 

Mining impairment 
Property, plant and equipment representing the Group’s mining 
assets in South Africa are reviewed for impairment at each reporting 
date. The impairment test is performed using the approved Life of 
Mine plan and those future cash flow estimates are discounted using 
asset specific discount rates and are based on expectations about 
future operations. The impairment test requires estimates about 
production and sales volumes, commodity prices, proven and 
probable reserves (as assessed by the Competent Person), operating 
costs and capital expenditures necessary to extract reserves in the 
approved Life of Mine plan. Changes in such estimates could impact 
recoverable values of these assets. Details of the carrying value of 
property, plant and equipment can be found in note 9. 

The impairment test indicated significant headroom as at 31 
December 2018 and therefore no impairment is considered 
appropriate. The key assumptions include: coal prices, including 
domestic coal prices based on recent pricing and assessment of 
market forecasts for export coal; production based on proven and 
probable reserves assessed by the independent Competent Person 
and yields associated with mining areas based on assessments by the 
Competent Person and empirical data. A 15% reduction in average 
forecast coal prices or a 17% reduction in yield would give rise to a 
breakeven scenario. However, the Bisichi directors consider the 
forecasted yield levels and pricing to be achievable.

London & Associated Properties PLC 2018 37

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Group accounting policies

BASIS OF CONSOLIDATION
The Group accounts incorporate the accounts of LAP and all of its 
subsidiary undertakings, together with the Group’s share of the 
results and net assets of its joint ventures. 

Non–controlling interests in subsidiaries are presented separately 
from the equity attributable to equity owners of the parent company. 
When changes in ownership in a subsidiary do not result in a loss of 
control, the non–controlling shareholders’ interests are initially 
measured at the non–controlling interests’ proportionate share of 
the subsidiaries’ net assets. Subsequent to this, the carrying amount 
of non–controlling interests is the amount of those interests at initial 
recognition plus the non–controlling interests’ share of subsequent 
changes in equity. Total comprehensive income is attributed to 
non–controlling interests even if this results in the non–controlling 
interests having a deficit balance.

SUBSIDIARIES
Subsidiaries are entities controlled by the Group. The Group controls 
an entity when it is exposed to, or has rights to, variable returns from 
its involvement with the entity and has the ability to affect those 
returns through its power over the entity. Subsidiaries acquired 
during the year are consolidated using the acquisition method. Their 
results are incorporated from the date that control passes. 

All intra Group transactions, balances, income and expenses are 
eliminated on consolidation. Details of the Group’s trading subsidiary 
companies are set out in Note 11.

The directors are required to consider the implications of IFRS 10 on the 
LAP investment in Bisichi Mining PLC (“Bisichi”). Related parties also 
have shareholdings in Bisichi. When combined with the 42% held by 
LAP and, taking account of the wide disposition of other shareholders, 
there is potential for LAP and these related parties to exercise voting 
control over Bisichi. IFRS 10 makes it clear that possible voting control is 
of more significance than actual management control. 

For this reason the directors have concluded that there is a 
requirement to consolidate Bisichi with LAP. While, in theory, they 
could achieve control, in practice they do not get involved in the day 
to day operations of Bisichi. The directors have presented 
consolidated accounts using the published accounts of Bisichi but it 
is important to note that any figures, risks and assumptions 
attributable to that company are the responsibility of the Bisichi 
Board of directors who are independent from LAP.

This includes the effect of lease incentives to tenants, which are 
normally in the form of rent free periods. Contingent rents, being the 
difference between the rent currently receivable and the minimum 
lease payments, are recognised in property income in the periods in 
which they are receivable. Rent reviews are recognised when such 
reviews have been agreed with tenants.

Service charge income
Service charge income and management fees are recorded as income 
in the period in which they are earned.

Reverse surrender premiums
Payments received from tenants to surrender their lease obligations 
are recognised immediately in the income statement.

Dilapidations
Dilapidations monies received from tenants in respect of their lease 
obligations are recognised immediately in the income statement.

Other revenue
Revenue in respect of listed investments held for trading represents 
investment dividends received and profit or loss recognised on 
realisation. Dividends are recognised in the income statement when 
the dividend is received. 

PROPERTY OPERATING EXPENSES
Operating expenses are expensed as incurred and any property 
operating expenditure not recovered from tenants through service 
charges is charged to the income statement. 

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

Share based remuneration 
The Company operates a long–term incentive plan and two share 
option schemes. The fair value of the conditional awards on shares 
granted under the long–term incentive plan and the options 
granted under the share option scheme is determined at the date 
of grant. This fair value is then expensed on a straight–line basis 
over the vesting period, based on an estimate of the number of 
shares that will eventually vest. At each reporting date, the fair 
value of the non–market based performance criteria of the long–
term incentive plan is recalculated and the expense is revised. In 
respect of the share option scheme, the fair value of options 
granted is calculated using a binomial method.

As a result of treating Bisichi as a subsidiary, Dragon Retail Properties 
Limited and West Ealing Properties Limited are also subsidiaries for 
accounting purposes, as LAP and Bisichi each own 50% of these 
joint venture businesses.

PENSIONS
The Company operates a defined contribution pension scheme. The 
contributions payable to the scheme are expensed in the period to 
which they relate. 

GOODWILL
Goodwill arising on acquisition is recognised as an intangible asset 
and initially measured at cost, being the excess of the cost of the 
acquired entity over the Group’s interest in the fair value of the 
assets and liabilities acquired. Goodwill is carried at cost less 
accumulated impairment losses. Goodwill arising from the difference 
in the calculation of deferred tax for accounting purposes and fair 
value in negotiations is judged not to be an asset and is accordingly 
impaired on completion of the relevant acquisition. 

REVENUE
Revenue comprises sales of coal, property rental income and 
property management fees. 

Rental income
Rental income arises from operating leases granted to tenants. An 
operating lease is a lease other than a finance lease. A finance lease 
is one whereby substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership 
are passed to the lessee. Rental income is recognised in the Group 
income statement on a straight–line basis over the term of the lease. 

38  London & Associated Properties PLC 2018

FOREIGN CURRENCIES
Monetary assets and liabilities are translated at year end exchange rates 
and the resulting exchange rate differences are included in the 
consolidated income statement within the results of operating activities 
if arising from trading activities, including inter-company trading 
balances and within finance cost / income if arising from financing.

For consolidation purposes, income and expense items are included 
in the consolidated income statement at average rates, and assets 
and liabilities are translated at year end exchange rates. Translation 
differences arising on consolidation are recognised in other 
comprehensive income. Foreign exchange differences on 
intercompany loans are recorded in other comprehensive income 
when the loans are not considered trading balances and are not 
expected to be repaid in the foreseeable future. Where foreign 
operations are sold or closed, the cumulative exchange differences 
attributable to that foreign operation are recognised in the consolidated 
income statement when the gain or loss on disposal is recognised. 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Group accounting policies

Transactions in foreign currencies are translated at the exchange rate 
ruling on transaction date. 

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
Financial assets and financial liabilities are recognised in the Group’s 
consolidated statement of financial position when the group 
becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the instrument. 

Financial assets
Financial assets are classified as either financial assets at amortised 
cost, at fair value through other comprehensive income (“FVTOCI”) 
or at fair value through profit or loss (“FVPL”) depending upon the 
business model for managing the financial assets and the nature of 
the contractual cash flow characteristics of the financial asset. 

A loss allowance for expected credit losses is determined for all 
financial assets, other than those at FVPL, at the end of each 
reporting period. The Group applies a simplified approach to 
measure the credit loss allowance for trade receivables using the 
lifetime expected credit loss provision. The lifetime expected credit 
loss is evaluated for each trade receivable taking into account 
payment history, payments made subsequent to year end and prior 
to reporting, past default experience and the impact of any other 
relevant and current observable data. The group applies a general 
approach on all other receivables classified as financial assets. The 
general approach recognises lifetime expected credit losses when 
there has been a significant increase in credit risk since initial 
recognition.

The Group derecognises a financial asset when the contractual rights 
to the cash flows from the asset expire, or when it transfers the 
financial asset and substantially all the risks and rewards of 
ownership of the asset to another party. The Group derecognises 
financial liabilities when the Group’s obligations are discharged, 
cancelled or have expired.

Investments
Investments comprise of (a) a loan to a limited property partnership, 
included in non-current investments, and (b) investments in shares of 
listed companies. Current and non-current Investments are initially 
measured at fair value and are subsequently measured at fair value 
through profit and loss, based on both the business model within 
which such assets are held and the contractual cash flow 
characteristics of the financial asset. Fair value movements are 
recognised in profit or loss.

 Financial assets are derecognised when the rights to receive cash 
flows have expired or have been transferred and the Group has 
transferred substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership. 
When there is no reasonable expectation of recovering part or all of 
a financial asset, its carrying value is written off.

Trade and other receivables
Trade receivables are accounted for at amortised cost. Trade 
receivables do not carry any interest and are stated at their nominal 
value as reduced by appropriate expected credit loss allowances for 
estimated recoverable amounts as the interest that would be 
recognised from discounting future cash payments over the short 
payment period is not considered to be material.

Trade and other payables
Trade and other payables are non-interest bearing and are stated at 
their nominal value, as the interest that would be recognised from 
discounting future cash payments over the short payment period is 
not considered to be material.

Bank loans and overdra(cid:91)s
Bank loans and overdrafts are included as financial liabilities on the 
Group balance sheet net of the unamortised discount and costs of 
issue. The cost of issue is recognised in the Group income Statement 
over the life of the bank loan. Interest payable on those facilities is 
expensed as a finance cost in the period to which it relates.

Debenture loans
The debenture loan is included as a financial liability on the balance 
sheet net of the unamortised costs on issue. The cost of issue is 
recognised in the Group income statement over the life of the 
debenture. Interest payable to debenture holders is expensed in the 
period to which it relates. 

Finance lease liabilities
Finance lease liabilities arise for those investment properties held 
under a leasehold interest and accounted for as investment property. 
The liability is calculated as the present value of the minimum lease 
payments, reducing in subsequent reporting periods by the 
apportionment of payments to the lessor. Lease payments are 
allocated between the liability and finance charges so as to achieve a 
constant financing rate. Contingent rents payable, such as rent 
reviews or those related to rental income, are charged as an expense 
in the period in which they are incurred. 

Interest rate derivatives
The Group uses derivative financial instruments to hedge the 
interest rate risk associated with the financing of the Group’s 
business. No trading in such financial instruments is undertaken. At 
each reporting date, these interest rate derivatives are recognised at 
their fair value to the business, being the Net Present Value of the 
difference between the hedged rate of interest and the market rate 
of interest for the remaining period of the hedge. 

Ordinary shares
Shares are classified as equity when there is no obligation to transfer 
cash or other assets. Incremental costs directly attributable to the 
issue of new shares are shown in equity as a deduction, net of tax, 
from the proceeds.

Treasury shares 
When the Group’s own equity instruments are repurchased, 
consideration paid is deducted from equity as treasury shares until 
they are cancelled. When such shares are subsequently sold or 
reissued, any consideration received is included in equity. 

INVESTMENT PROPERTIES

Valuation
Investment properties are those that are held either to earn rental 
income or for capital appreciation or both, including those that are 
undergoing redevelopment for future use as an investment property. 
They are reported on the Group balance sheet at fair value, being 
the amount for which an investment property could be exchanged 
between knowledgeable and willing parties in an arm’s length 
transaction. The directors’ property valuation is at fair value. 

The external valuation of properties is undertaken by independent 
valuers who hold recognised and relevant professional qualifications 
and have recent experience in the locations and categories of 
properties being valued. Surpluses or deficits resulting from changes 
in the fair value of investment property are reported in the Group 
income statement in the period in which they arise. 

London & Associated Properties PLC 2018 39

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Group accounting policies

Capital expenditure 
Investment properties are measured initially at cost, including related 
transaction costs. Additions to capital expenditure, being costs of a 
capital nature, directly attributable to the redevelopment or 
refurbishment of an investment property held for future use as an 
investment property, up to the point of it being completed for its 
intended use, are capitalised in the carrying value of that property. 
Where there is a change of use, such as commencement of 
development with a view to sell, the property is transferred to 
inventory at deemed cost, which is its fair value on the date of the 
change in use. Capitalised interest is calculated with reference to the 
actual rate payable on borrowings for development purposes, or for 
that part of the development costs financed out of borrowings the 
capitalised interest is calculated on the basis of the average rate of 
interest paid on the relevant debt outstanding. 

Disposal 
The disposal of investment properties is recorded on completion of 
the contract. On disposal, any gain or loss is calculated as the 
difference between the net disposal proceeds and the valuation at the 
last year end plus subsequent capitalised expenditure in the period. 

Depreciation and amortisation
In applying the fair value model to the measurement of investment 
properties, depreciation and amortisation are not provided in respect 
of investment properties. 

OTHER ASSETS AND DEPRECIATION
The cost, less estimated residual value, of other property, plant and 
equipment is written off on a straight–line basis over the asset’s 
expected useful life. Residual values and useful lives are reviewed, 
and adjusted if appropriate, at each balance sheet date. Changes to 
the estimated residual values or useful lives are accounted for 
prospectively. The depreciation rates generally applied are: 

Motor vehicles
Office equipment

25–33 per cent per annum
10–33 per cent per annum

ASSETS HELD FOR SALE
Non-current assets, or disposal groups comprising assets and 
liabilities, are classified as held-for-sale if it is highly probable that 
they will be recovered primarily through sale rather through 
continuing use. Such assets, or disposal groups, are generally 
measured at the lower of their carrying amount and fair value less 
costs of sale. Any impairment loss on a disposal group is allocated 
first to goodwill and then to the remaining assets and liabilities on a 
pro rata basis, except that no loss is allocated to inventories, financial 
assets, deferred tax assets, employee benefit assets, or investment 
property which continues to be measured in accordance with the 
Group’s other accounting policies. Impairment losses on initial 
classification as assets held-for-sale and subsequent gains and losses 
on remeasurement are recognised in profit or loss. Once classified as 
held-for-sale, intangible assets and property, plant and equipment 
are no longer amortised or depreciated, and any equity-accounted 
investment is no longer equity accounted.

INVENTORIES–PROPERTY
Those properties held as trading inventory which are being 
developed with a view to sell. Inventories are recorded at the lower 
of cost and net realisable value. The net realisable value of inventory 
is determined by a professional external valuer at each reporting 
date. If the net realisable value of inventory is lower than its carrying 
value, an impairment loss is recorded in the income statement. If, in 
subsequent periods, the net realisable value of inventory that was 
previously impaired increases above its carrying value, the 
impairment is reversed to align the carrying value of the property 
with the net realisable value. Inventory are presented on the balance 
sheet within current assets.

40  London & Associated Properties PLC 2018

INCOME TAXES
The charge for current taxation is based on the results for the year as 
adjusted for disallowed or non–assessable items. Tax payable upon 
realisation of revaluation gains recognised in prior periods is recorded 
as a current tax charge with a release of the associated deferred tax. 
Deferred tax is the tax expected to be payable or recoverable on 
differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities in 
the financial statements and the corresponding tax bases used in the 
tax computations and is recorded using the balance sheet liability 
method. Deferred tax liabilities are generally recognised for all 
taxable temporary differences and deferred tax assets are recognised 
to the extent that it is probable that taxable profits will be available 
against which deductible temporary differences can be utilised. In 
respect of the deferred tax on the revaluation surplus, this is 
calculated on the basis of the chargeable gains that would crystallise 
on the sale of the investment portfolio as at the reporting date. The 
calculation takes account of indexation on the historic cost of 
properties and any available capital losses. Deferred tax is calculated 
at the tax rates that are expected to apply in the period when the 
liability is settled or the asset is realised. Deferred tax is charged or 
credited in the Group income statement, except when it relates to 
items charged or credited directly to equity, in which case it is also 
dealt with in equity. 

DIVIDENDS
Dividends payable on the ordinary share capital are recognised as a 
liability in the period in which they are approved.

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
Cash comprises cash in hand and on-demand deposits. Cash and 
cash equivalents comprises short-term, highly liquid investments that 
are readily convertible to known amounts of cash and which are 
subject to an insignificant risk of changes in value and original 
maturities of three months or less. 

The cash and cash equivalents shown in the cashflow statement are 
stated net of bank overdrafts that are repayable on demand as per 
IAS 7. This includes the structured trade finance facility held in South 
Africa as detailed in note 20. These facilities are considered to form 
an integral part of the treasury management of the Group and can 
fluctuate from positive to negative balances during the period.

BISICHI MINING PLC

Mining revenue
Revenue is recognised when the customer has a legally binding 
obligation to settle under the terms of the contract when the 
performance obligations has been satisfied, which is once control of 
the goods and/or services have transferred to the buyer. Revenue is 
measured based on consideration specified in the contract with a 
customer on a per metric tonne basis.

Mining costs
Expenditure is recognised in respect of goods and services received. 
Where coal is purchased from third parties at point of extraction the 
expenditure is only recognised when the coal is extracted and all of 
the significant risks and rewards of ownership have been transferred.

Mining reserves, plant and equipment
The cost of property, plant and equipment comprises its purchase 
price and any costs directly attributable to bringing the asset to the 
location and condition necessary for it to be capable of operating in 
accordance with agreed specifications. Freehold land is not 
depreciated. Other property, plant and equipment is stated at 
historical cost less accumulated depreciation. The cost recognised 
includes the recognition of any decommissioning assets related to 
property, plant and equipment.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Group accounting policies

Post production stripping
In surface mining operations, the Group may find it necessary to 
remove waste materials to gain access to coal reserves prior to and 
after production commences. Prior to production commencing, 
stripping costs are capitalised until the point where the overburden 
has been removed and access to the coal seam commences. 
Subsequent to production, waste stripping continues as part of the 
extraction process as a run of mine activity. There are two benefits 
accruing to the Group from stripping activity during the production 
phase: extraction of coal that can be used to produce inventory and 
improved access to further quantities of material that will be mined 
in future periods. Economic coal extracted is accounted for as 
inventory. The production stripping costs relating to improved access 
to further quantities in future periods are capitalised as a stripping 
activity asset, if and only if, all of the following are met:
•   it is probable that the future economic benefit associated with the 

stripping activity will flow to the Group;

•   the Group can identify the component of the ore body for which 

access has been improved; and

•   the costs relating to the stripping activity associated with that 

component or components can be measured reliably.

In determining the relevant component of the coal reserve for which 
access is improved, the Group componentises its mine into 
geographically distinct sections or phases to which the stripping 
activities being undertaken within that component are allocated. 
Such phases are determined based on assessment of factors such as 
geology and mine planning.

The Group depreciates deferred costs capitalised as stripping assets 
on a unit of production method, with reference to the tons mined 
and reserve of the relevant ore body component or phase.

SEGMENTAL REPORTING
For management reporting purposes, the Group is organised into 
business segments distinguishable by economic activity. The Group’s 
business segments are LAP operations, Bisichi operations and Dragon 
operations. These business segments are subject to risks and returns 
that are different from those of other business segments and are the 
primary basis on which the Group reports its segmental information. 
This is consistent with the way the Group is managed and with the 
format of the Group’s internal financial reporting. Significant revenue 
from transactions with any individual customer, which makes up 10 
per cent or more of the total revenue of the Group, is separately 
disclosed within each segment. All coal exports are sales to coal 
traders at Richard Bay’s terminal in South Africa with the risks and 
rewards passing to the coal trader at the terminal. Whilst the coal 
traders will ultimately sell the coal on the international markets the 
Group has no visibility over the ultimate destination of the coal. 
Accordingly, the export sales are recorded as South Africa revenue. 

Heavy surface mining and other plant and equipment is depreciated at 
varying rates depending upon its expected usage. The depreciation 
rates generally applied are between 5-10 per cent per annum, but 
limited to the shorter of its useful life or the life of the mine. 

Other non–current assets, comprising motor vehicles and office 
equipment, are depreciated at a rate of between 10% and 33% per 
annum which is calculated to write off the cost, less estimated 
residual value of the assets, on a straight line basis over their 
expected useful lives. 

Mine inventories
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost and net realisable value. 
Cost includes materials, direct labour and overheads relevant to the 
stage of production. Cost is determined using the weighted average 
method. Net realisable value is based on estimated selling price less 
all further costs to completion and all relevant marketing, selling and 
distribution costs. 

Mine provisions
Provisions are recognised when the Group has a present obligation 
as a result of a past event which it is probable will result in an 
outflow of economic benefits that can be reliably estimated.

A provision for rehabilitation of the mine is initially recorded at 
present value and the discounting effect is unwound over time as a 
finance cost. Changes to the provision as a result of changes in 
estimates are recorded as an increase/decrease in the provision and 
associated decommissioning asset. The decommissioning asset is 
depreciated in line with the Group’s depreciation policy over the life 
of mine. The provision includes the restoration of the underground, 
opencast, surface operations and de-commissioning of plant and 
equipment. The timing and final cost of the rehabilitation is uncertain 
and will depend on the duration of the mine life and the quantities 
of coal extracted from the reserves. 

Mine impairment
Whenever events or changes in circumstance indicate that the 
carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable that asset is 
reviewed for impairment. This includes mining reserves, plant and 
equipment and net investments in joint ventures. A review involves 
determining whether the carrying amounts are in excess of the 
recoverable amounts. 

An asset’s recoverable amount is determined as the higher of its fair 
value less costs of disposal and its value in use. Such reviews are 
undertaken on an asset-by-asset basis, except where assets do not 
generate cash flows independent of other assets, in which case the 
review is undertaken on a company or Group level.

If the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its recoverable amount an 
asset’s carrying value is written down to its estimated recoverable 
amount (being the higher of the fair value less cost to sell and value 
in use). Any change in carrying value is recognised in the 
comprehensive income statement.

Mine reserves and development cost
The purpose of mine development is to establish secure working 
conditions and infrastructure to allow the safe and efficient extraction 
of recoverable reserves. Depreciation on mine development is not 
charged until production commences or the assets are put to use. On 
commencement of full commercial production, depreciation is charged 
over the life of the associated mine reserves extractable using the 
asset on a unit of production basis. The unit of production calculation 
is based on tonnes mined as a ratio to proven and probable reserves 
and also includes future forecast capital expenditure. The cost 
recognised includes the recognition of any decommissioning assets 
related to mine development.

London & Associated Properties PLC 2018 41

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Notes to the financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2018

1. RESULTS FOR THE YEAR AND SEGMENTAL ANALYSIS
Operating Segments are based on the internal reporting and operational management of the Group. LAP is focused primarily on property activities 
(which generate trading income), but it also holds and manages investments. IFRS 10 requires the Group to treat Bisichi as a subsidiary and therefore 
it is consolidated, rather than being included in the accounts as an associate using the equity method. The Group has also consolidated Dragon, a 
company which the Company jointly controls with Bisichi; Bisichi is a coal mining company with operations in South Africa and also holds investment 
property in the United Kingdom and derives income from property rentals. Dragon is a property investment company and derives its income from 
property rentals. These operating segments (LAP, Bisichi and Dragon) are each viewed separately and have been so reported below.

Business segments

BUSINESS ANALYSIS 
Rental income
Service charge income
Management income from third party properties
Mining
Group Revenue
Direct property costs
Direct mining costs
Overheads
Exchange losses
Depreciation
Operating profit 
Finance income
Finance expenses
Result before valuation movements 
Other segment items
Net decrease on revaluation of investment properties
Net decrease on revaluation of investments held for trading
Adjustment to interest rate derivative
Revaluation and other movements
(Loss)/profit for the year before taxation
Segment assets
- Non-current assets - property
- Non-current assets - plant & equipment
- Cash & cash equivalents
- Non-current assets - other
- Current assets - others
Total assets excluding investment in (cid:102)oint ventures, assets held for sale 
and property inventories
Segment liabilities
Borrowings
Current liabilities
Non-current liabilities
Total liabilities
Net (liabilities)/assets
Assets held for sale
Inventories–property
Net assets as per balance sheet 
Major customers
Customer A
Customer B

These customers are for mining revenue in South Africa.

GEOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS
Revenue
Operating profit
Non-current assets excluding investments
Total net assets
Capital expenditure

42  London & Associated Properties PLC 2018

LAP 
£’000 
 5,049 
 802 
 718 
– 
 6,569 
(2,269)
– 
(4,035)
– 
(9)
 256 
 37 
(3,111)
(2,818)

(2,170)
– 
 265 
(1,905)
(4,723)

 35,011 
 106 
 11,345 
 1,748 
 1,947 
 50,157 

(45,352)
(6,372)
(3,122)
(54,846)
(4,689)
 2,285 
 38,556 

BISICHI
£’000 
 1,065 
 137 
– 
 48,713 
 49,915 
(340)
(34,309)
(6,050)
(63)
(2,113)
 7,040 
 24 
(538)
 6,526 

(215)
(169)
– 
(384)
 6,142 

 13,230 
 8,531 
 9,221 
 35 
 8,290
 39,307 

(10,127)
(7,158)
(3,962)
(21,247)
 18,060 
– 
– 

– 
– 

 34,112 
 11,557 

UNITED
KINGDOM
£’000
 8,015 
 1,274 
 50,820 
 51,118 
 6,574 

DRAGON
£’000 
 167 
– 
– 
– 
 167 
– 
– 
(105)
– 
– 
 62 
 – 
(33)
 29 

(180)
– 
– 
(180)
(151)

 2,450 
 22 
 89 
– 
 183 
 2,744 

(1,164)
(73)
(33)
(1,270)
 1,474 
– 
– 

– 
– 

SOUTH
AFRICA 
£’000
 48,636 
 6,084 
 8,530 
 4,568 
 2,864 

2018 
TOTAL
(cid:364)’000 
 (cid:1141),281 
 939 
 718 
 48,713 
 (cid:404)(cid:1141),(cid:1141)(cid:404)1 
(2,(cid:1141)09)
(34,309)
(10,190)
((cid:1141)3)
(2,122)
 7,3(cid:404)8 
 (cid:1141)1 
(3,(cid:1141)82)
 3,737 

(2,(cid:404)(cid:1141)(cid:404))
(1(cid:1141)9)
 2(cid:1141)(cid:404) 
(2,4(cid:1141)9)
 1,2(cid:1141)8 

 (cid:404)0,(cid:1141)91 
 8,(cid:1141)(cid:404)9 
 20,(cid:1141)(cid:404)(cid:404) 
 1,783 
 10,420 
 92,208 

((cid:404)(cid:1141),(cid:1141)43)
(13,(cid:1141)03)
(7,117)
(77,3(cid:1141)3)
 14,84(cid:404) 
 2,28(cid:404) 
 38,(cid:404)(cid:404)(cid:1141) 
 (cid:404)(cid:404),(cid:1141)8(cid:1141) 

 34,112 
 11,(cid:404)(cid:404)7 

 2018 
TOTAL 
(cid:364)’000 
 (cid:404)(cid:1141),(cid:1141)(cid:404)1 
 7,3(cid:404)8 
 (cid:404)9,3(cid:404)0 
 (cid:404)(cid:404),(cid:1141)8(cid:1141) 
 9,438 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Notes to the financial statements

1. RESULTS FOR THE YEAR AND SEGMENTAL ANALYSIS CONTINUED

BUSINESS ANALYSIS
Rental income
Management income from third party properties
Mining
Group Revenue
Direct property costs
Direct mining costs
Overheads
Exchange gains
Depreciation 
Operating profit
Finance income
Finance expenses
Debenture break costs
Result before valuation movements
Other segment items
Net increase/(decrease) on revaluation of investment properties
Write off investment in joint venture
Adjustment to interest rate derivative
Revaluation and other movements
Profit/(loss) for the year before taxation

Segment assets
- Non-current assets - property
- Non-current assets - plant & equipment
- Cash & cash equivalents
- Non-current assets - other
- Current assets - others
Total assets excluding investment in (cid:102)oint ventures and assets held for sale
Segment liabilities
Borrowings
Current liabilities
Non-current liabilities
Total liabilities
Net assets
Assets held for sale
Net assets as per balance sheet 
Major customers
Customer A
Customer B
These customers are for mining revenue in South Africa.

GEOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS
Revenue
Operating profit
Non-current assets excluding investments
Total net assets
Capital expenditure

LAP
£’000
6,825
542
–
7,367
(926)
–
(2,869)
–
(13)
3,559
38
(3,706)
(14)
(130)

 9,386 
– 
 358 
 9,744 
 9,614 

 65,231 
 116 
 2,109 
 1,748 
 2,715 
 71,919 

(57,571)
(5,588)
(4,806)
(67,965)
 3,954 
 36,441 

BISICHI
£’000
RESTATED
1,112
–
39,225
40,337
(152)
(28,555)
(5,589)
(256)
(1,790)
3,995
67
(526)
-
3,536

(13)
(1,827)
– 
(1,840)
 1,696 

 13,397 
 8,613 
 5,327 
 51 
 6,285 
 33,673 

(7,160)
(7,556)
(3,986)
(18,702)
 14,971 
– 

DRAGON
£’000
166
–
–
166
(1)
–
(164)
–
(1)
-
-
(29)
-
(29)

– 
– 
(3)
(3)
(32)

 2,630 
 6 
 92 
– 
 30 
 2,758 

(1,218)
(123)
(73)
(1,414)
 1,344 
– 

– 
– 

 27,528 
 7,226 

– 
– 

UNITED
KINGDOM
£’000
 8,692 
 4,645 
 81,383 
 52,452 
 30 

SOUTH
AFRICA 
£’000
39,178
 2,909 
 8,610 
 4,258 
 1,741 

2017
TOTAL
£’000
RESTATED
8,103
542
39,225
47,870
(1,079)
(28,555)
(8,622)
(256)
(1,804)
7,554
105
(4,268)
(14)
3,377

 9,373 
(1,827)
 355 
 7,901 
 11,278 

 81,258 
 8,735 
 7,528 
 1,799 
 9,030 
 108,350 

(65,949)
(13,267)
(8,865)
(88,081)
 20,269 
 36,441 
 56,710 

 27,528 
 7,226 

 2017 
TOTAL 
£’000 
47,870
 7,554 
 89,993 
 56,710 
 1,771 

Group revenue is external to the Group and the directors consider that inter segmental revenues are not material. Revenue includes the 
reversal of contingent rents of £0.1 million (2017: contingent rents of £0.7 million).

The directors have disclosed service charge income separately as a component of revenue in 2018, with a corresponding grossing up of 
direct property costs. In 2017 and prior years, service charges were shown netted against direct property costs. Management considers the 
approach adopted in 2018 is more informative and intends to continue with this approach in future years. The revised disclosure does not 
change operating profit. For 2017 the amount of service charge income received by the Group was £836,000. Accordingly, the change in 
presentation is not considered to be sufficiently material to warrant amending prior periods' disclosures.

Segmental property revenue is derived from rental income and service charges recoverable from tenants. This is consistent with the revenue 
information disclosed for each reportable segment (see note 1). Rental income is recognised on a straight-line basis over the term of the 
lease. Service charges recoverable from tenants are recognised over time as the service is rendered. Segmental mining revenue is derived 
principally from coal sales and is recognised once the control of the goods has transferred from the group to the buyer. Revenue is measured 
based on the consideration specified in the contract with the customer or tenant.

London & Associated Properties PLC 2018 43

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Notes to the financial statements

2. PROFIT BEFORE TAXATION 

Profit before taxation is stated after charging/(crediting):
Staff costs (see note 26)
Depreciation on tangible fixed assets - owned assets
Operating lease rentals - land and buildings
Exchange loss
Profit on disposal of motor vehicles and office equipment
Amounts payable to the auditor in respect of both audit and non-audit services
Audit services
Statutory - Company and consolidation
Subsidiaries - audited by RSM
Subsidiaries - audited by other auditors
Further assurance services
Other services 

Staff costs are included in overheads.

3.  DIRECTORS’ EMOLUMENTS

Emoluments
Defined contribution pension scheme contributions

Sir Michael Heller received £284,000 (2017: £75,000) as a Director of Bisichi Mining PLC.

Details of directors’ emoluments and share options are set out in the remuneration report.

4.  FINANCE INCOME AND EXPENSES

Finance income
Finance expenses
Interest on bank loans and overdrafts
Unwinding of discount (Bisichi)
Other loans
Interest on derivatives
Interest on obligations under finance leases
Total finance expenses

5.  INCOME TAX

Current tax
Corporation tax on profit of the period
Corporation tax on profit of previous periods
Total current tax
Deferred tax
Loss utilised
Origination of timing differences
Revaluation of investment properties
Accelerated capital allowances
Fair value of interest derivatives
Adjustment in respect of prior years
Total deferred tax (notes 21 and 22)
Tax on profit on ordinary activities

44  London & Associated Properties PLC 2018

2018
(cid:364)’000 

 9,889 
 2,123 
 4(cid:404)4 
 (cid:1141)3 
 (cid:1141) 

 83 
 17 
 78 
 4 
 9 
 191 

2018
(cid:364)’000 
 1,899 
 10 
 1,909 

2018
(cid:364)’000 
 (cid:1141)1 

(2,034)
(43)
(1,1(cid:1141)9)
(2(cid:1141)9)
(1(cid:1141)7)
(3,(cid:1141)82)

2018
(cid:364)’000 

2,017
33
2,0(cid:404)0

3,740
((cid:404)7)
((cid:404),0(cid:404)(cid:1141))
(120)
(cid:404)1
(cid:1141)7
(1,37(cid:404))
 (cid:1141)7(cid:404) 

2017
£’000 

 8,113 
 1,804 
 411 
 256 
(3)

 83 
 17 
 51 
 4 
 5 
 160 

2017
£’000 
 894 
 27 
 921 

2017
£’000 
 105 

(2,223)
(92)
(1,414)
(337)
(202)
(4,268)

2017
£’000 

 369 
(5)
 364 

– 
(35)
 2,348 
 235 
 68 
 2 
 2,618 
 2,982 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Notes to the financial statements

5.  INCOME TAX CONTINUED

Factors affecting tax charge for the year
The corporation tax assessed for the year is different from that at the effective rate of corporation tax in the United Kingdom of 19.00 per cent  
(2017: 19.25 per cent). The differences are explained below:

Profit for the year before taxation
Taxation at 19 per cent (2017: 19.25 per cent)

Effects of:
Capital gains / (losses) on disposal
Other differences
Adjustment in respect of prior years 
Deferred tax rate adjustment
Income tax charge for the year

2018
(cid:364)’000 
 1,2(cid:1141)8 
 241 

(1,799)
2,0(cid:404)8
(33)
208
 (cid:1141)7(cid:404) 

2017
£’000 
 11,278 
 2,171 

 1,792 
(785)
(3)
(193)
 2,982 

Other differences include foreign tax £618,000 (2017: £175,000), deferred tax not recognised on losses £421,000 (2017: nil).

Analysis of United Kingdom and overseas tax:
United Kingdom tax included in above:

Corporation tax
Adjustment in respect of prior years
Current tax
Deferred tax

Overseas tax included above:

Corporation tax
Current tax
Deferred tax
Adjustment in respect of prior years
Deferred tax

2018
(cid:364)(cid:349)000 
(10)
33
23
(1,4(cid:404)8)
 (1,43(cid:404))

2018
(cid:364)(cid:349)000 
2,02(cid:1141)
2,02(cid:1141)
84
-
84
2,110

2017 
£’000 
233
 (5)
228
2,219
2,447

2017 
£’000 
136
136
397
2
399
535

Factors that may affect future tax charges:
Based on current capital expenditure plans, the Group expects to continue to be able to claim capital allowances in excess of depreciation in 
future years, but at a slightly lower level than in the current year.

A deferred tax provision has been made for gains on revaluing investment properties. 

The Finance Bill 2016 was substantively enacted on 7 September 2016. This includes a reduction in the rate of Corporation tax from 19% 
effective from 1 April 2017 to 17% from 1 April 2020.

The Finance (no. 2) Act 2017 was substantively enacted on 16 November 2017. This includes a restriction on the utilisation of brought 
forward tax losses and corporate interest in certain circumstances effective from 1 April 2017.

6. DIVIDEND

Dividends paid during the year relating to the prior period 
Dividends to be paid:
Proposed final dividend for the year
Proposed special dividend for the year

2018

2017

PER SHARE
0.300p

0.180p
–

(cid:364)’000 
 2(cid:404)(cid:1141) 

 1(cid:404)4 
– 

PER SHARE
0.165p

0.175p
0.125p

£’000 
 141 

 149 
 107 

London & Associated Properties PLC 2018 4(cid:404)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Notes to the financial statements

7.  (LOSS)/PROFIT PER SHARE AND NET ASSETS PER SHARE

(Loss)/profit per share has been calculated as follows:

(Loss)/profit for the year for the purposes of basic and diluted profit/(loss) per share (£’000)
Weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue for the purpose of basic (loss)/profit per share (’000)
Basic (loss)/profit per share
Weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue for the purpose of diluted (loss)/profit per share (’000)
Fully diluted (loss)/profit per share

2018
(2,082)
 8(cid:404),32(cid:404) 
(2.44)p
 8(cid:404),32(cid:404) 
(2.44)p

Weighted average number of shares in issue is calculated after excluding treasury shares of 218,197 (2017: 221,061).

Net assets per share have been calculated as follows:

2017
 7,686 
 85,322 
9.01p
 85,322 
9.01p

2017
 45,854 
 85,322 
53.74p
 45,854 
 85,322 
53.74p

2018
 43,377 
 8(cid:404),322 
(cid:404)0.83p
 43,377
 8(cid:404),322 
(cid:404)0.83p

TOTAL
(cid:364)’000
 81,258 
(2,565)
(2,285)
(32,300)
 6,553 
 30 
 (cid:404)0,(cid:1141)91 

 47,430 
 3,261 
 (cid:404)0,(cid:1141)91 

TOTAL 
£’000
 109,847 
(36,441)
 13 
(1,534)
 9,373 
 81,2(cid:404)8 

 78,025 
 3,233 
 81,2(cid:404)8 

FREEHOLD
(cid:364)’000
 62,425 
(2,075)
(2,285)
(32,300)
 6,553 
– 
 32,318 

LEASEHOLD 
OVER (cid:404)0 YEARS
(cid:364)’000
 16,856 
(575)
– 
– 
– 
 33 
 1(cid:1141),314 

LEASEHOLD 
UNDER (cid:404)0 
YEARS
(cid:364)’000
 1,977 
 85 
– 
– 
– 
(3)
 2,0(cid:404)9 

 32,318 
– 
 32,318 

 13,996 
 2,318 
 1(cid:1141),314 

 1,116 
 943 
 2,0(cid:404)9 

FREEHOLD
£’000
 88,585 
(36,441)
 13 
– 
 10,268 
 (cid:1141)2,42(cid:404) 

 62,425 
– 
 (cid:1141)2,42(cid:404) 

LEASEHOLD
OVER 
50 YEARS 
£’000
 19,620 
– 
– 
(1,839)
(925)
 1(cid:1141),8(cid:404)(cid:1141) 

 14,570 
 2,286 
 1(cid:1141),8(cid:404)(cid:1141) 

LEASEHOLD 
UNDER
50 YEARS 
£’000
 1,642 
– 
– 
 305 
 30 
 1,977 

 1,030 
 947 
 1,977 

Net assets (£’000)
Shares in issue (’000)
Basic net assets per share
Net assets diluted (£’000)
Shares in issue (’000)
Diluted net assets per share

8.  INVESTMENT PROPERTIES 

Cost or valuation at 1 January 2018
(Decrease)/increase on revaluation
Transfer to assets held for sale (note 10)
Transfer to inventory (note 12)
Acquisition of property
Increase/(decrease) in present value of head leases
At 31 December 2018

Representing assets stated at:
Valuation
Present value of head leases

Cost or valuation at 1 January 2017
Transfer to assets held for sale (note 10)
Additions in year
(Decrease)/increase in present value of head leases
Increase/(decrease) on revaluation
At 31 December 2017
Representing assets stated at:
Valuation
Present value of head leases

The leasehold and freehold properties, excluding the present value of head leases and directors’ valuations, were valued as at 31 December 
2018 by professional firms of chartered surveyors. The valuations were made at fair value. The directors’ property valuations were made at 
fair value. 

4(cid:1141)  London & Associated Properties PLC 2018

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Notes to the financial statements

8.  INVESTMENT PROPERTIES CONTINUED

Allsop LLP
Carter Towler 
Directors’ valuations

Add: present value of headleases

2018
(cid:364)’000
32,78(cid:404)
13,04(cid:404)
1,(cid:1141)00
47,430
3,2(cid:1141)1
(cid:404)0,(cid:1141)91

2017
£’000
62,955
13,245
1,825
78,025
3,233
81,258

The historical cost of investment properties, including total capitalised interest of £1,161,000 (2017: £1,161,000) was as follows:

Cost at 1 January 
Transfer to assets held for sale (note 10)
Transfer to inventory (note 12)
Additions 
Cost at 31 December 

 2018

LEASEHOLD 
OVER (cid:404)0 
YEARS
(cid:364)’000
 17,(cid:1141)(cid:404)3 
–
–
– 
 17,(cid:1141)(cid:404)3 

LEASEHOLD 
UNDER (cid:404)0 
YEARS 
(cid:364)’000
 1,939 
–
–
– 
1,939

FREEHOLD
(cid:364)’000
 (cid:1141)7,702 
(202)
(38,902)
(cid:1141),(cid:404)(cid:404)3
3(cid:404),1(cid:404)1

 2017

LEASEHOLD 
OVER 50 
YEARS
£’000
 17,653 
– 
–
– 
 17,653 

LEASEHOLD 
UNDER 50 
YEARS 
£’000
 1,939 
– 
–
– 
 1,939 

FREEHOLD
£’000
 72,711 
(5,022)
–
 13 
 67,702 

Each year external valuers are appointed by the executive directors on behalf of the Board. The valuers are selected based upon their 
knowledge, independence and reputation for valuing assets such as those held by the Group.

Valuations are performed annually and are performed consistently across all properties in the Group’s portfolio. At each reporting date 
appropriately qualified employees of the Group verify all significant inputs and review the computational outputs. Valuers submit their report 
to the Board on the outcome of each valuation.

Valuations take into account tenure, lease terms and structural condition. The inputs underlying the valuations include market rent or 
business profitability, likely incentives offered to tenants, forecast growth rates, yields, EBITDA, discount rates, construction costs including 
any specific site costs (for example section 106), professional fees, developer’s profit including contingencies, planning and construction 
timelines, lease regear costs, planning risk and sales prices based on known market transactions for similar properties to those being valued.

Valuations are based on what is determined to be the highest and best use. When considering the highest and best use the valuer will consider, on a 
property by property basis, its actual and potential uses which are physically, legally and financially viable. Where the highest and best use differs 
from the existing use, the valuer will consider the cost and likelihood of achieving and implementing this change in arriving at the valuation.

There are often restrictions on Freehold and Leasehold property which could have a material impact on the realisation of these assets. The 
most significant of these occur when planning permission or lease extension and renegotiation of use are required or when a credit facility is 
in place. These restrictions are factored into the property’s valuation by the external valuer.

The methods of fair value measurement are classified into a hierarchy based on the reliability of the information used to determine the 
valuation, as follows:
Level 1: 
Level 2: 

valuation based on inputs on quoted market prices in active markets.
 valuation based on inputs other than quoted prices included within level 1 that maximise the use of observable data directly or 
from market prices or indirectly derived from market prices.
where one or more significant inputs to valuations are not based on observable market data.

Level 3: 

CLASS OF PROPERTY
LEVEL 3
Freehold – external valuation

CARRYING /
FAIR VALUE
2018
£'000
30,720

CARRYING/ FAIR 
VALUE 2017 
£’000

VALUATION 
TECHNI(cid:32)UE

60,600 Income 

capitalisation

Leasehold over 50 years – 
external valuation

13,99(cid:404)

14,570 Income 

capitalisation

Leasehold under 50 years – 
external valuation

1,11(cid:404)

1,030 Income 

capitalisation

Freehold – Directors’ valuation

1,(cid:1141)00

1,825 Income 

capitalisation

KEY  
UNOBSERVABLE
INPUTS
Estimated Rental 
Value
Per sq ft p.a
Equivalent Yield
Estimated Rental 
Value
Per sq ft p.a
Equivalent Yield
Estimated Rental 
Value
Per sq ft p.a
Equivalent Yield
Estimated Rental 
Value
Per sq ft p.a
Equivalent Yield

RANGE 
(WEIGHTED 
AVERAGE) 
2018
(cid:364)4 – (cid:364)39
((cid:364)1(cid:1141))
(cid:404).3(cid:1143) – 12.9(cid:1143)
(9.7(cid:1143))
(cid:364)(cid:404) – (cid:364)10
((cid:364)9)
(cid:404).8(cid:1143) – 19.9(cid:1143)

(12.9(cid:1143)) 
(cid:364)4 – (cid:364)(cid:404)
((cid:364)(cid:404))
22.9(cid:1143) – 2(cid:404).8(cid:1143)
(23.(cid:404)(cid:1143))
(cid:364)(cid:404) – (cid:364)(cid:404)
((cid:364)(cid:404))
7.0(cid:1143) – 7.0(cid:1143)
(7.0(cid:1143))

RANGE 
(cid:1168)WEIGHTED AV-
ERAGE(cid:1169) 2017
£5 – £39
(£19)
4.9% – 12.9%
(8.4%)
£5 – £10
(£9)
5.8% – 17.6%

(9%) 

£4 – £5
(£5)
25.4% – 25.8%
(25.5%)
£5 – £5
(£5)
6.1% – 6.1%
(6.1%)

At 31 December 

47,430

78,025

There are interrelationships between all these inputs as they are determined by market conditions. The existence of an increase in more than 
one input would be to magnify the input on the valuation. The impact on the valuation will be mitigated by the interrelationship of two inputs 
in opposite directions, for example, an increase in rent may be offset by an increase in yield.

London & Associated Properties PLC 2018 47

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Notes to the financial statements

8.  INVESTMENT PROPERTIES CONTINUED
The table below illustrates the impact of changes in key unobservable inputs on the carrying / fair value of the Group’s properties.

Freehold – external valuation
Leasehold over 50 years – external valuation
Leasehold under 50 years – external valuation
Freehold – Directors’ valuation

9. MINING RESERVES, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

Cost at 1 January 2018
Exchange adjustment
Additions
Disposals
At 31 December 2018

Accumulated depreciation at 1 January 2018
Exchange adjustment
Charge for the year
Disposals in year
Accumulated depreciation at 31 December 2018
Net book value at 31 December 2018

Cost at 1 January 2017
Exchange adjustment
Additions
Disposals
Cost at 31 December 2017

Accumulated depreciation at 1 January 2017
Exchange adjustment
Charge for the year
Disposals
Accumulated depreciation at 31 December 2017
Net book value at 31 December 2017

10. ASSETS HELD FOR SALE

 At 1 January 
 Transfer from investment properties (note 8) 
 Disposal 
At 31 December

ESTIMATED RENTAL 
VALUE
10% INCREASE OR 
(cid:1168)DECREASE(cid:1169)

2018
£'000

2017
£'000
3,0(cid:1141)7/(3,0(cid:1141)7) 6,055/(6,055)
1,400/(1,400) 1,457/(1,457)
103/(103)
183/(183)

112/(112)
1(cid:1141)0/(1(cid:1141)0)

E(cid:32)UIVALENT YIELD
25 BASIS POINT 
CONTRACTION
OR (cid:1168)EXPANSION(cid:1169)

2018
£'000

2017
£'000
948/(891) 2,095/(1,956)
355/(338)
337/(320)
10/(10)
12/(12)
78/(71)
(cid:404)9/((cid:404)(cid:404))

TOTAL
(cid:364)’000 
 27,996 
(2,688)
 2,883 
(18)
 28,173 

 19,261 
(1,853)
 2,123 
(17)
 19,(cid:404)14 
 8,(cid:1141)(cid:404)9 

 25,817 
 474 
 1,758 
(53)
 27,996 

 17,164 
 332 
 1,804 
(39)
 19,261 
 8,735 

MINING 
RESERVES
(cid:364)’000 
 1,366 
(126)
– 
– 
 1,240 

MINING
EQUIPMENT
(cid:364)’000 
 25,902 
(2,531)
 2,777 
– 
 2(cid:1141),148 

OFFICE 
E(cid:32)UIPMENT 
AND MOTOR
VEHICLES
(cid:364)’000 
 728 
(31)
 106 
(18)
 78(cid:404) 

 1,308 
(121)
 26 
– 
 1,213 
 27 

 1,344 
 22 
– 
– 
 1,366 

 1,287 
 21 
 1 
(1)
 1,308 
 58 

 17,441 
(1,712)
 2,048 
– 
 17,777 
 8,371 

 23,724 
 447 
 1,731 
– 
 25,902 

 15,370 
 308 
 1,763 
– 
 17,441 
 8,461 

2018
(cid:364)’000
 3(cid:1141),441 
2,28(cid:404)
(3(cid:1141),441)
2,28(cid:404)

 512 
(20)
 49 
(17)
 (cid:404)24 
 2(cid:1141)1 

 749 
 5 
 27 
(53)
 728 

 507 
 3 
 40 
(38)
 512 
 216 

2017
£’000
– 
 36,441 
– 
 36,441 

In April 2018 the sale of both Brixton markets was completed for a combined price of £37.25 million. The properties were held at a valuation 
of £36.441 million. This value equated to the net sale proceeds and there was no profit on sale.

At December 2018 the Group’s remaining property in Brixton is under offer and it is anticipated that the sale will complete in May 2019. The 
property is held at a valuation of £2.285 million, equating to the expected net sales proceeds. The revaluation gain of £1.035 million is 
recognised in these accounts. The property was held at a valuation of £1.25 million at 31 December 2017.

48  London & Associated Properties PLC 2018

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Notes to the financial statements

11. SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES
In accordance with Section 409 of the Companies Act 2006 a full list of subsidiaries, the principal activity, the country of incorporation and 
the percentage of equity owned, as at 31 December 2018 is disclosed below:

ENTITY
Analytical Investments Limited
Analytical Portfolios Limited
Analytical Properties Holdings Limited
Analytical Properties Limited
Analytical Ventures Limited
24 Bruton Place Limited
24 BPL (Harrogate) Limited
24 BPL (Harrogate ) Two Limited
Brixton Village Limited
Market Row Limited
Newincco 1243 Limited
Newincco 1244 Limited
Newincco 1245 Limited

Newincco 1299 Limited
Newincco 1300 Limited
LAP Ocean Holdings Limited
LAP Ocean Two Limited
London & Associated Limited
London & Associated (Rugeley) Limited
London & Associated Securities Limited
London & Associated Management Services 
Limited

London & African Investments Limited
Orchard Chambers Residential Limited
Bisichi Mining PLC (note D)
Mineral Products Limited (note A)(note D)
Bisichi (Properties) Limited (note A)(note D)
Bisichi Mining (Exploration) Limited (note A)
(note D)
Sisonke Coal Processing (Pty) Limited

PERCENTAGE 
OF SHARE 
CAPITAL
100%
100% 
100%
100%
100%
100%
88%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%

ACTIVITY
Dormant
Dormant
Property 
Property
Property
Dormant
Investment
Investment
Property
Property
Property
Property
Property 
Management 
Services
Property 
Property
Property
Property
Dormant
Dormant
Dormant
Property 
Management 
Services
Dormant
Dormant
Coal mining
Share dealing 100%
100%
Property
100%
Holding 
company
Coal 
processing
Coal mining

100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%

62.5%

62.5%

100% 
100%
41.52%

Black Wattle Colliery (Pty) Limited (note A)
(note D)
Bisichi Coal Mining (Pty) Limited (note A)(note D) Coal mining

Dormant

Property
Dormant

Urban First (Northampton) Limited (note A)
(note D)
Bisichi Trustee Limited (note A)(note D)
Bisichi Mining Management Services Limited 
(note A) (note D)
Ninghi Marketing Limited (note A)(note D)
Dormant
Bisichi Northampton Limited (note A)(note D) Property
Dormant
Amandla Ehtu Mineral Resource Development 
(Pty) Limited (note A)(note D)
Black Wattle Klipfontein (Pty) Limited (note A)
(note D)
Dragon Retail Properties Limited (note B)(note D) Property 
Property 
Newincco 1338 Limited (note C)
West Ealing Projects Limited (note B)(note D) Property
Property
Broadway Regen Limited (note E)

Coal mining

100%

100%

100%
100%

90.1%
100%
70%

62.5%

50%
100%
50%
90%

REGISTERED ADDRESS
24 Bruton Place, London, W1J 6NE
24 Bruton Place, London, W1J 6NE
24 Bruton Place, London, W1J 6NE
24 Bruton Place, London, W1J 6NE
24 Bruton Place, London, W1J 6NE
24 Bruton Place, London, W1J 6NE
24 Bruton Place, London, W1J 6NE
24 Bruton Place, London, W1J 6NE
24 Bruton Place, London, W1J 6NE
24 Bruton Place, London, W1J 6NE
24 Bruton Place, London, W1J 6NE
24 Bruton Place, London, W1J 6NE
24 Bruton Place, London, W1J 6NE

COUNTRY OF 
INCORPORATION
England and Wales
England and Wales
England and Wales
England and Wales
England and Wales
England and Wales
England and Wales
England and Wales
England and Wales
England and Wales
England and Wales
England and Wales
England and Wales

24 Bruton Place, London, W1J 6NE
24 Bruton Place, London, W1J 6NE
24 Bruton Place, London, W1J 6NE
24 Bruton Place, London, W1J 6NE
24 Bruton Place, London, W1J 6NE
24 Bruton Place, London, W1J 6NE
24 Bruton Place, London, W1J 6NE
24 Bruton Place, London, W1J 6NE

England and Wales
England and Wales
England and Wales
England and Wales
England and Wales
England and Wales
England and Wales
England and Wales

24 Bruton Place, London, W1J 6NE
24 Bruton Place, London, W1J 6NE
24 Bruton Place, London, W1J 6NE
24 Bruton Place, London, W1J 6NE
24 Bruton Place, London, W1J 6NE
24 Bruton Place, London, W1J 6NE

England and Wales
England and Wales
England and Wales
England and Wales
England and Wales
England and Wales

Samora Machel Street, Bethal Road, 
Middelburg, Mpumalanga, 1050
Samora Machel Street, Bethal Road, 
Middelburg, Mpumalanga, 1050
Samora Machel Street, Bethal Road, 
Middelburg, Mpumalanga, 1050
24 Bruton Place, London, W1J 6NE

South Africa

South Africa

South Africa

England and Wales

24 Bruton Place, London, W1J 6NE
24 Bruton Place, London, W1J 6NE

England and Wales
England and Wales

24 Bruton Place, London, W1J 6NE
24 Bruton Place, London, W1J 6NE
Samora Machel Street, Bethal Road, 
Middelburg, Mpumalanga, 1050
Samora Machel Street, Bethal Road, 
Middelburg, Mpumalanga, 1050
24 Bruton Place, London, W1J 6NE
24 Bruton Place, London, W1J 6NE
24 Bruton Place, London, W1J 6NE
73 Cornhill, London, EC3V 3QQ

England and Wales
England and Wales
South Africa

South Africa

England and Wales
England and Wales
England and Wales
England and Wales

Details on the non–controlling interest in subsidiaries are shown under note 24.

Note A:  these companies are owned by Bisichi and the equity shareholdings disclosed relate to that company.

Note B:  this entity is a joint venture owned 50% by LAP and 50% by Bisichi.

Note C:  this company is owned by Dragon and the equity shareholdings disclosed relate to that company.

Note D:   Bisichi, Dragon and West Ealing Projects and their subsidiaries are included in the consolidated financial statements in accordance 

with IFRS 10.

Note E:  This company is 90% owned by West Ealing Projects and the equity shareholdings disclosed relate to that company.

London & Associated Properties PLC 2018 49

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Notes to the financial statements

12. INVENTORIES–PROPERTY

Development land and buildings:

 At 1 January 
 Development expenditure
 Interest on development expenditure
 Transfer from investment property (note 8) 
At 31 December

2018
(cid:364)’000
– 
(cid:1141),19(cid:1141)
(cid:1141)0
32,300
38,(cid:404)(cid:404)(cid:1141)

2017
£’000
– 
– 
– 
 – 
 – 

During the year the Group acquired a development property through West Ealing Projects Limited, a 50:50 joint venture with Bisichi. This 
property is held at cost of £6.256 million and is currently being developed for sale.

During the year the Group decided that Orchard Square, Sheffield no longer fitted our long-term criteria for investment property held to 
generate growth. It was therefore transferred at market value of £32.3 million into the property dealing division and is now held as inventory.

13. INVENTORIES–MINING

Coal
Washed
Mining production
Work in progress
Other

1(cid:403). NON-CURRENT ASSET INVESTMENTS

Unlisted equity and debt investments
Overseas listed equity securities

2018
(cid:364)’000 

 777 
 31(cid:1141) 
 378 
 40 
 1,(cid:404)11 

2018
(cid:364)’000 
1,748
3(cid:404)
1,783

2017
£’000 

 301 
 286 
 227 
 14 
 828 

2017
£’000 
1,748
51
1,799

The Group owns a 3.17% (2017: 3.17%) interest in the equity and loans of HRGT Shopping Centres LP (HRGT), a limited partnership set up 
in England to acquire and own 3 shopping centres in Dunfermline, Kings Lynn and Loughborough. 96.40% (2017: 96.40%) of the equity and 
loans are owned by Oaktree Capital Management and 0.43% (2017: 0.43%) by Gooch Cunliffe Whale LLP. London & Associated 
Management Services Limited has a management contract to manage the properties on behalf of HRGT.

No fair value gain or loss was recognised in the year on the unlisted equity and debt investments.

A fair value loss of £15,000 was recognised on the overseas listed equity securities, and an exchange adjustment of £1,000 was also recognised.

The adoption of IFRS 9 has resulted in the reclassification of the Group’s non-current investments. In the prior year the non-current 
investments were treated as held to maturity and movements were recognised as fair value gains or losses thorough other comprehensive 
income. In the current year these have been reclassified to investments held at fair value with gains or losses taken through profit and loss. 
No restatement of prior periods has been made, as permitted by IFRS 9.

15. TRADE AND OTHER RECEIVABLES

Trade receivables
Other receivables
Prepayments and accrued income

2018
(cid:364)’000 
 (cid:1141),0(cid:404)(cid:404) 
 949 
 1,018 
 8,022 

2017
£’000 
 4,920 
 736 
 1,476 
 7,132 

Financial assets falling due within one year are held at amortised cost. The fair value of trade and other receivables approximates their 
carrying amounts. The Group applies a simplified approach to measure the credit loss allowance for trade receivables using the lifetime 
expected credit loss provision. The lifetime expected credit loss is evaluated for each trade receivable taking into account payment history, 
payments made subsequent to year end and prior to reporting, past default experience and the impact of any other relevant and current 
observable data. The group applies a general approach on all other receivables classified as financial assets. At year end, the group allowance 
for doubtful debts provided against trade receivables was £277,000 (2017: £284,000). There was no additional loss allowance or impairment 
required during the year as a result of the implementation of IFRS 9. 

(cid:404)0  London & Associated Properties PLC 2018

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Notes to the financial statements

16. CURRENT ASSET INVESTMENTS (PREVIOUSLY CLASSIFIED AS AVAILABLE FOR SALE INVESTMENTS)

LISTED E(cid:32)UITY SECURITIES 
At 1 January
Additions
Disposals
Fair value (loss)/gain

2018
(cid:364)’000 
1,0(cid:1141)9
-
(2(cid:404))
(1(cid:404)7)
887

2017
£’000 
800
186
-
83
1,069

Investments are listed on the London Stock Exchange with the exception of £40,000 (2017: £47,000) listed outside Great Britain.

The adoption of IFRS 9 has resulted in the reclassification of the groups Investments in listed securities. In the prior year the investments were 
classified as available for sale investments measured at fair value with movements taken through other comprehensive income and available for 
sale reserves. In the current year the investments were reclassified as Investments in Listed securities held at fair value with movements taken 
through profit and loss and retained earnings. The Group has not restated prior periods as allowed by the transition provisions of IFRS 9.

17. TRADE AND OTHER PAYABLES

Trade payables
Other taxation and social security costs
Other payables
Accruals and deferred income

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

18.  BORROWINGS

OTHER LOANS (cid:1168)BISICHI(cid:1169)

Other loans (Bisichi)
£1.25 million term bank loan (secured) repayable by 2020 (Dragon)*
£3.75 million first mortgage debenture stock 2018 at 11.6 per cent
Bank overdrafts (secured) (Bisichi)
£10 million first mortgage debenture stock 2022 at 8.109 per cent*
£5.876 million term bank loan (secured) repayable by 2019 (Bisichi)*
£3.584 million term loan (secured) - repayable by 2019 (Broadway Regen)
£34.897 million term bank loan (secured) repayable by 2019*
£10.105 million term bank loan (secured) repayable by 2019 at 9.5 per cent*
£3.932 million term loan (secured) repayable by 2028

Borrowings analysis by origin:

United Kingdom
South Africa

2018
(cid:364)’000

2018
(cid:364)’000
Current Non-current
 (cid:404)47 
 1,1(cid:1141)4 
– 
– 
 9,939 
– 
– 
– 
– 
 3,(cid:1141)0(cid:404) 
 1(cid:404),2(cid:404)(cid:404) 

 20(cid:404) 
– 
– 
 3,(cid:404)3(cid:404) 
– 
 (cid:404),840 
 3,4(cid:1141)1 
 21,403 
 (cid:1141),808 
 13(cid:1141) 
 41,388 

2018
(cid:364)’000 
 4,(cid:1141)37 
 411 
 3,372 
 4,921 
 13,341 

2017
£’000
Current
 26 
– 
 3,000 
 1,262 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
 4,288 

2018
(cid:364)(cid:349)000 
(cid:404)2,3(cid:404)(cid:1141)
4,287
(cid:404)(cid:1141),(cid:1141)43

2017
£’000 
 3,937 
 629 
 2,842 
 5,501 
 12,909 

2017
£’000
Non-current
– 
 1,218 
– 
– 
 9,922 
 5,872 
– 
 34,640 
 10,009 
– 
 61,661 

2017 
£’000 
64,621
1,328
65,949

*  The £10 million debenture and bank loans are shown after deduction of un-amortised issue costs.

Interest payable on the term bank loans is variable being based upon the London inter–bank offered rate (LIBOR) plus margin.

In July 2018, the Group repaid the remaining £3.0 million of the £3.75 million first mortgage debenture stock 2018.

Following the sale of Brixton Markets in April 2018, £12.8 million of the £34.897 million Santander bank loan was repaid and £3.1 million of 
the £10.105 million Europa bank loan was repaid.

The First Mortgage Debenture Stock August 2022 and the Santander and Europa term bank loans repayable in July 2019 are secured by way of 
a charge on specific freehold and leasehold properties which are included in the financial statements at a value of £51.32 million. In addition, 
£0.34 million of cash deposits are charged as security to debenture stocks and £0.5 million to Santander and Europa bank loans. The Santander 
bank loan has an interest cost of 2 per cent above LIBOR. An interest rate swap and cap agreements are in place as detailed in note 20.

In September 2018 a new 10 year term, loan of £3.932 million was taken out with Metro Bank secured by way of a charge on freehold and 
leasehold properties which are included in the financial statements at a value of £7.15 million. The interest cost of the loan is 2.95 per cent 
above the bank's base rate and the loan is amortised over 20 years.

In South Africa, as part of a restructuring and sale of the washing plant facilities from Black Wattle Colliery (Pty) Limited (“Black Wattle”) to its 
wholly owned subsidiary Sisonke Coal Processing (Pty) Limited (“Sisonke Coal Processing”), the R100million bank overdraft facility held by 
Black Wattle with Absa Bank Limited at the year end (“old trade facility”) was replaced in January 2019 by a new structured trade finance 
facility for R100million held by Sisonke Coal Processing (“new trade facility”). The South African bank loans are secured by way of a first 
charge over specific pieces of mining equipment, inventory and the debtors of the relevant company which holds the loan which are included 
in the financial statements at a value of £8,640,000. 

London & Associated Properties PLC 2018 (cid:404)1

 
 
 
 
 
 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Notes to the financial statements

18. BORROWINGS CONTINUED
The Bisichi United Kingdom bank loans and overdraft are secured by way of a first charge over the investment properties in the UK which are 
included in the financial statements at a value of £13,045,000. During the year the group reduced its UK loan by £14,000 in order to rectify 
a breach of one of its UK loan banking covenants. No other banking covenants were breached by the group during the year.

The bank loan of £1.25 million (Dragon) which is repayable in November 2020 is secured by way of a first charge on specific freehold 
property which is included in the financial statements at a value of £2.45 million. The interest cost of the loan is 2 per cent above LIBOR.

The bank loan of £3.584 million (Broadway Regen) which is repayable in July 2019 is secured by way of a first charge on a specific freehold 
development property, which is included in the financial statements at £6.256 million. The interest cost of the loan is fixed at 7.0% per annum.

The Group’s objectives when managing capital are: 
–   To safeguard the Group’s ability to continue as a going concern, so that it may provide returns for shareholders and benefits for other 

stakeholders; and

–  To provide adequate returns to shareholders by ensuring returns are commensurate with the risk.

Analysis of the changes in liabilities arising from financing activities:

Balance at 1 January
Exchange adjustments
Cash movements excluding exchange adjustments
Valuation movements
Balance at 31 December

19. PROVISIONS

At 1 January
Exchange adjustment
Increase in provision
Unwinding of discount
At 31 December

2018
(cid:364)’000
BANK  
BORROWINGS
 (cid:1141)(cid:404),949 
(273) 
(9,044)
 11 
 (cid:404)(cid:1141),(cid:1141)43 

2018
(cid:364)’000
FINANCE 
LEASES
 3,233 
– 
– 
 28 
 3,2(cid:1141)1 

2017
£’000
BANK  

BORROWINGS
 68,509 
(4)
(2,820)
 264 
 65,949 

2018
(cid:364)’000 
 1,349 
(1(cid:404)0)
329
 43 
 1,(cid:404)71 

2017
£’000
FINANCE 
LEASES
 4,767 
– 
– 
(1,534)
 3,233 

2017
£’000 
 1,236 
 21 
–
 92 
 1,349 

The above provision relates to mine rehabilitation costs in Bisichi.

20. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

Total financial assets and liabilities

The Group’s financial assets and liabilities and their fair values are as follows: 

Cash and cash equivalents
Investments–non-current assets
Investments–current assets
Derivative assets
Other assets
Derivative liabilities
Bank overdrafts
Bank loans
Present value of head leases on properties
Other liabilities
Total financial assets/(liabilities) before debentures

2018 

2017 

FAIR 
VALUE 
(cid:364)’000 
 20,(cid:1141)(cid:404)(cid:404) 
 1,783 
 887 
– 
 7,004 
(1(cid:1141)9)
(3,(cid:404)3(cid:404))
(43,(cid:404)21)
(3,2(cid:1141)1)
(8,008)
(28,1(cid:1141)(cid:404))

CARRYING 
VALUE 
(cid:364)’000 
 20,(cid:1141)(cid:404)(cid:404) 
 1,783 
 887 
– 
 7,004 
(1(cid:1141)9)
(3,(cid:404)3(cid:404))
(43,1(cid:1141)9)
(3,2(cid:1141)1)
(8,008)
(27,813)

FAIR 
VALUE 
£’000 
 7,528 
 1,799 
 1,069 
 1 
 5,656 
(435)
(1,262)
(52,218)
(3,233)
(6,779)
(47,874)

CARRYING 
VALUE 
£’000 
 7,528 
 1,799 
 1,069 
 1 
 5,656 
(435)
(1,262)
(51,765)
(3,233)
(6,779)
(47,421)

(cid:404)2  London & Associated Properties PLC 2018

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Notes to the financial statements

20. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS CONTINUED

Fair value of debenture stocks
Fair value of the Group’s debenture liabilities:

Debenture stocks
Tax at 19 per cent (2017: 19.25 per cent)
Post tax fair value adjustment
Post tax fair value adjustment – basic pence per share

BOOK 
VALUE 
(cid:364)’000 
(10,000)
– 
– 
– 

2018

FAIR 
VALUE 
(cid:364)’000 
(11,977)
– 
– 
– 

 2018
FAIR VALUE 
ADJUSTMENT 
£’000 
(1,977)
 376 
(1,601)
(1.88)p

2017
FAIR VALUE 
ADJUSTMENT 
£’000 
(2,686)
 517 
(2,169)
(2.54)p

There is no material difference in respect of other financial liabilities or any financial assets.

The fair values were calculated by the directors as at 31 December 2018 and reflect the replacement value of the financial instruments used 
to manage the Group’s exposure to adverse interest rate movements.

The fair values of the debentures are based on the net present value at the relevant gilt interest rate of the future payments of interest on the 
debentures. The bank loans and overdrafts are at variable rates and there is no material difference between book values and fair values.

Investments in listed securities held at fair value through profit and loss (previously classified as Available for sale investments) fall under level 
1 of the fair value hierarchy into which fair value measurements are recognised in accordance with the levels set out in IFRS 7. The 
comparative figures for 2017 fall under the same category of financial instrument as 2018.

The carrying amount of short term (less than 12 months) trade receivables and other liabilities approximates their fair values. The fair value of 
non-current borrowings in note 18 approximates to its carrying value and was determined under level 2 of the fair value hierarchy and is 
estimated by discounting the future contractual cash flows at the current market interest rates for UK borrowings and for the South African 
overdraft facility. The fair value of the finance lease liabilities in note 28 approximates its carrying value and was determined under level 2 of 
the fair value hierarchy and is estimated by discounting the future contractual cash flows at the current market interest rates.

TREASURY POLICY 
The Group enters into derivative transactions such as interest rate swaps and forward exchange contracts in order to help manage the 
financial risks arising from the Group’s activities. The main risks arising from the Group’s financing structure are interest rate risk, liquidity risk 
and market price risk, credit risk, commodity price risk and foreign exchange risk. The policies for managing each of these risks and the 
principal effects of these policies on the results are summarised below.

SENSITIVITY ANALYSIS
LAP and Dragon have variable interest term debts which are covered by derivatives. Additionally, LAP has variable interest term debt covered 
by interest caps. At 31 December 2018, with other variables unchanged, a 1% increase in interest rates would change the profit/loss for the 
year by £91,000 (2017: £175,000). Bisichi has variable loans and a 1% increase in interest rates would change the profit/loss for the year by 
£101,000 (2017: £82,000).

INTEREST RATE RISK 
Treasury activities take place under procedures and policies approved and monitored by the Board to minimise the financial risk faced by the 
Group. The £34.897 million bank loan and Bisichi United Kingdom bank loans and overdrafts are secured by way of a first charge on certain 
fixed assets. The rates of interest vary based on LIBOR in the UK.

The £10.105 million term bank loan is secured by way of a second charge on certain fixed assets. This loan is based on a fixed interest rate.

The £3.932 million bank loan is secured by way of a first charge on specific freehold and leasehold property. The rate of interest varies based 
on the banks base rate.

The Bisichi South African bank loans are secured by way of a first charge over specific pieces of mining equipment, inventory and the debtors 
of the relevant company which holds the loan. The rates of interest vary based on PRIME in South Africa.

The £1.25 million bank loan (Dragon) is secured by way of a first charge on specific freehold property. The rate of interest varies based on 
LIBOR in the UK.

The £3.584 million bank loan (Broadway Regen) is secured by way of first charge on a specific freehold development property. This loan is 
based on a fixed interest rate.

LIQUIDITY RISK 
The Group’s policy is to minimise refinancing risk by balancing its exposure to interest risk and to refinancing risk. In effect the Group seeks to 
borrow for as long as possible at the lowest acceptable cost. Efficient treasury management and strict credit control minimise the costs and 
risks associated with this policy which ensures that funds are available to meet commitments as they fall due. Cash and cash equivalents earn 
interest at rates based on LIBOR in the UK. These facilities are considered adequate to meet the Group’s anticipated cash flow requirements 
for the foreseeable future.

In South Africa, as part of the restructuring and sale of the washing plant facilities from Black Wattle Colliery (Pty) Limited (“Black Wattle”) to 
its wholly owned subsidiary Sisonke Coal Processing (Pty) Limited (“Sisonke Coal Processing”), the R100million facility held by Black Wattle 
with Absa Bank Limited at the year end (“old trade facility”) was replaced in January 2019 by a new structured trade finance facility for 
R100million held by Sisonke Coal Processing (“new trade facility”).

London & Associated Properties PLC 2018 (cid:404)3

 
 
 
 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Notes to the financial statements

20. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS CONTINUED
The new trade facility comprises of a R100million revolving facility to cover the working capital requirements of the group’s South African 
operations. The interest cost of the loan is at the South African prime lending rate. The new trade facility is renewable annually each January, 
is repayable on demand and is secured against inventory, debtors and cash that are held by Sisonke Coal Processing (Pty)

The old trade facility, which was also repayable on demand, is included in cash and cash equivalents within the cashflow statement.

In December 2014, Bisichi signed a £6 million term loan facility with Santander. The loan is secured against the group’s UK retail property 
portfolio. The debt package has a five year term and is repayable at the end of the term in December 2019. The interest cost of the loan is 
2.35% above LIBOR. Bisichi’s intention is to enter into a new facility agreement prior to the termination of the existing facility agreement. 
Nonetheless there are adequate financial resources to repay the existing facility should a new facility not be finalised prior to December 2019.

The LAP Group's £34.897 million term bank loan and the £10.105 million bank loan are repayable in July 2019. In April 2018 £12.8 million 
and £3.1 million of these loans were repaid respectively. The loans are non-recourse and the remaining loans of £21.403 million and £6.808 
million are secured by way of a first and second charge on freehold properties, which are included in the financial statements at £36.65 
million. The Group’s intention is to enter into a new facility agreement prior to the termination of the existing facility. The lenders have 
indicated that they will work with us, either to refinance the loans or to facilitate a handover to a new lender.

The table below analyses the Group’s financial liabilities (excluding interest rate derivatives) into maturity groupings and also provides details 
of the liabilities that bear interest at fixed, floating and non–interest bearing rates.

Bank overdrafts (floating)
Debentures (fixed)
Bank loans (fixed)
Bank loans (floating)*
Trade and other payables (non–interest)

Bank overdrafts (floating)
Debentures (fixed)
Bank loans (fixed)
Bank loans (floating)*
Trade and other payables (non–interest)

2018 
TOTAL 
(cid:364)’000 
 3,(cid:404)3(cid:404) 
 9,939 
11,433
31,73(cid:1141)
12,930
(cid:1141)9,(cid:404)73

2017 
TOTAL 
£’000 
 1,262 
 12,922 
 10,009 
 41,756 
12,280
78,229

LESS THAN
1 YEAR
(cid:364)’000 
 3,(cid:404)3(cid:404) 
– 
10,2(cid:1141)9
 27,(cid:404)84 
12,930
(cid:404)4,318

LESS THAN
1 YEAR
£’000 
 1,262 
 3,000 
– 
 26 
12,280
16,568

2-(cid:404) YEARS 

(cid:364)’000 
– 
 9,939 
1,1(cid:1141)4
1,1(cid:404)(cid:1141)
– 
12,2(cid:404)9

2-5 YEARS

£’000 
– 
 9,922 
 10,009 
 41,730 
– 
 61,661 

OVER 
(cid:404) YEARS 
(cid:364)’000 
– 
– 
– 
2,99(cid:1141)
– 
2,99(cid:1141)

OVER
5 YEARS 
£’000 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

The Group would normally expect that sufficient cash is generated in the operating cycle to meet the contractual cash flows as disclosed 
above through effective cash management. 

*Certain bank loans are fully hedged with appropriate interest derivatives. Details of all hedges are shown below.

MARKET PRICE RISK
The Group is exposed to market price risk through interest rate and currency fluctuations.

CREDIT RISK 
The group is mainly exposed to credit risk on its cash and cash equivalents, trade and other receivables and amounts owed by joint ventures 
as per the balance sheet. The maximum exposure to credit risk is represented by the carrying amount of each financial asset in the balance 
sheet which at year end amounted to £30,329,000 (2017: £16,053,000). 

To mitigate risk on its cash and cash equivalents, the group only deposits surplus cash with well-established financial institutions of high 
quality credit standing.

The group’s credit risk is primarily attributable to its trade receivables. Trade debtor’s credit ratings are reviewed regularly. The Group's review 
includes measures such as the use of external ratings and establishing purchase limits for each customer. The Group’s approach to measure 
the credit loss allowance for trade receivables is outlined in note 15. At year end, the group allowance for doubtful debts provided against 
trade receivables was £277,000 (2017: £284,000).

The Group exposure to credit risk on its loans to joint ventures and other receivables is mitigated through ongoing review of the underlying 
performance and resources of the counterparty including evaluation of different scenarios of probability of default and expected loss 
applicable to each of the underlying balances

FOREIGN EXCHANGE RISK 
Only Bisichi is subject to this risk. All trading is undertaken in the local currencies except for certain export sales which are invoiced in US 
Dollars. It is not the Bisichi Group’s policy to obtain forward contracts to mitigate foreign exchange risk on these contracts as payment terms 
are within 15 days of invoice or earlier. Funding is also in local currencies other than inter-company investments and loans and it is also not 
the Bisichi Group’s policy to obtain forward contracts to mitigate foreign exchange risk on these amounts. During 2018 and 2017 the Bisichi 
Group did not hedge its exposure of foreign investments held in foreign currencies. 

(cid:404)4  London & Associated Properties PLC 2018

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Notes to the financial statements

20. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS CONTINUED
The Bisichi directors consider there to be no significant risk from exchange rate movements of foreign currencies against the functional 
currencies of the reporting companies within the Bisichi Group, excluding inter-company balances. The principal currency risk to which the 
Bisichi Group is exposed in regard to inter-company balances is the exchange rate between Pounds Sterling and South African Rand. It arises 
as a result of the retranslation of Rand denominated inter-company trade receivable balances held within the UK which are payable by South 
African Rand functional currency subsidiaries. 

Based on the Bisichi Group’s net financial assets and liabilities as at 31 December 2018, a 25% strengthening of Sterling against the South 
African Rand, with all other variables held constant, would decrease the Bisichi Group’s profit after taxation by £130,000 (2017: £34,000). A 
25% weakening of Sterling against the South African Rand, with all other variables held constant would increase the Bisichi Group’s profit 
after taxation by £216,000 (2017: £56,000). 

The 25% sensitivity has been determined based on the average historic volatility of the exchange rate for 2017 and 2018. 

The table below shows the Bisichi currency profiles of cash and cash equivalents:

Sterling
South African Rand
US Dollar

Cash and cash equivalents earn interest at rates based on LIBOR in Sterling and Prime in Rand. 

The tables below shows the Bisichi currency profiles of net monetary assets and liabilities by functional currency:

2018:
Sterling
South African Rand
US Dollar

2017:
Sterling
South African Rand
US Dollar

2018
(cid:364)(cid:349)000 
(cid:1141),897
2,322
2
9,221

2017 
£’000 
3,402
1,923
2
5,327

UK
(cid:364)(cid:349)000 
1,042
37
13
1,092

SOUTH AFRICA 
(cid:364)(cid:349)000 
-
 (1,974)
-
 (1,974)

UK
£’000 
(832)
54
13
(7(cid:1141)(cid:404))

SOUTH AFRICA 
£’000 
–
(1,304)
–
(1,304)

Borrowing facilities 
At 31 December 2018 the Group was within its bank borrowing facilities and was not in breach of any of the covenants. Term loan 
repayments are as set out at the end of this note. Details of other financial liabilities are shown in Notes 17 and 18. 

Interest rate and hedge profile 

Fixed rate borrowings
Floating rate borrowings
– Subject to interest rate swap 
– Other borrowings

Average fixed interest rate
Weighted average swapped interest rate
Weighted average cost of debt on overdrafts, bank loans and debentures
Average period for which borrowing rate is fixed
Average period for which borrowing rate is swapped

2018
(cid:364)’000 
 20,224 

 18,(cid:1141)8(cid:404) 
18,048
(cid:404)(cid:1141),9(cid:404)7

8.39(cid:1143)
4.1(cid:1141)(cid:1143)
(cid:404).92(cid:1143)
2.1 years
0.(cid:1141) years

2017
£’000 
 23,105 

 36,147 
 7,160 
 66,412 

9.17%
3.32%
5.45%
2.9 years
1.5 years

The Group’s floating rate debt bears interest based on LIBOR for the term bank loans and bank base rate for the overdraft.

At 31 December 2018 the Group had hedges totalling £21.489 million to cover the £21.5 million bank loan. These consisted of a 5 year 
swap for £17.5 million, at 2.25% and a £3.989 million cap agreement at 2.25% to July 2019.

At the year end the fair value liability in the accounts was £169,000 (2017: £435,000) as valued by the hedge provider. 

At 31 December 2018, Dragon had hedges of £1.25 million to cover the £1.25 million bank loan. This consists of a 5 year £1.25 million 
cap agreement taken out in November 2016 at 2.5%. At the year end, the fair value asset in the accounts was nil (2017: £1,000), as 
valued by the hedge provider.

London & Associated Properties PLC 2018 (cid:404)(cid:404)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Notes to the financial statements

20. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS CONTINUED

Fair value of financial instruments

Fair value estimation
The Group has adopted the amendment to IFRS 7 for financial instruments that are measured in the balance sheet at fair value. This requires 
the methods of fair value measurement to be classified into a hierarchy based on the reliability of the information used to determine the 
valuation, as follows:
–  Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (level 1).
–   Inputs other than quoted prices included within level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly (that is, as prices) 

or indirectly (that is, derived from prices) (level 2).

–  Inputs for the asset or liability that are not based on observable market data (that is unobservable inputs) (level 3).

LEVEL 1 
£'000

LEVEL 2 
£'000

LEVEL 3 
£'000

TOTAL 
£'000

Financial assets
Quoted equities
Interest rate swaps
Financial liabilities
Interest rate swaps

Financial assets
Quoted equities
Interest rate swaps
Financial liabilities
Interest rate swaps

887
–

–

–
-

1(cid:1141)9

–
–

–

LEVEL 1 
£’000

LEVEL 2 
£’000

LEVEL 3 
£’000

1,069
–

–
1

–

435

–
–

–

2018
GAIN/(LOSS) 
TO INCOME 
STATEMENT
(cid:364)’000

-
(1)

2(cid:1141)(cid:1141)

2017
GAIN/(cid:1168)LOSS(cid:1169) 
TO INCOME 
STATEMENT
£’000

-
(3)

887
-

1(cid:1141)9

TOTAL 
£’000

1,069
1

435

358

Capital structure
The Group sets the amount of capital in proportion to risk. It ensures that the capital structure is commensurate to the economic conditions 
and risk characteristics of the underlying assets. In order to maintain or adjust the capital structure, the Group may vary the amount of 
dividends paid to shareholders, return capital to shareholders, issue new shares or sell assets to reduce debt.

The Group considers its capital to include share capital, share premium, capital redemption reserve, translation reserve and retained earnings, 
but excluding the interest rate derivatives.

Consistent with others in the industry, the Group monitors its capital by its debt to equity ratio (gearing levels). This is calculated as the net 
debt (loans less cash and cash equivalents) as a percentage of the equity calculated as follows:

Total debt
Less cash and cash equivalents
Net debt
Total equity

2018
(cid:364)(cid:349)000 
(cid:404)(cid:1141),(cid:1141)43
(20,(cid:1141)(cid:404)(cid:404))
3(cid:404),988
(cid:404)(cid:404),487
(cid:1141)4.9(cid:1143)

2017 
£’000
65,949
(7,528)
58,421
56,710
103.0%

The Group does not have any externally imposed capital requirements.

Financial assets
The Group’s principal financial assets are bank balances and cash, trade and other receivables, investments and assets held for sale. The 
Group has no significant concentration of credit risk as exposure is spread over a large number of counterparties and customers. The credit 
risk in liquid funds and derivative financial instruments is limited because the counterparties are banks with high credit ratings assigned by 
international credit–rating agencies. The Group’s credit risk is primarily attributable to its trade receivables. The amounts presented in the 
balance sheet are net of allowances for doubtful receivables, estimated by the Group’s management based on prior experience and the 
current economic environment.

Financial assets maturity
Cash and cash equivalents all have a maturity of less than three months.

Cash at bank and in hand

2018
(cid:364)(cid:349)000 
20,(cid:1141)(cid:404)(cid:404)

2017 
£’000
7,528

These funds are primarily invested in short term bank deposits maturing within one year bearing interest at the bank’s variable rates. 

(cid:404)(cid:1141)  London & Associated Properties PLC 2018

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Notes to the financial statements

20. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS CONTINUED

Financial liabilities maturity
The following table sets out the maturity profile of contractual undiscounted cashflows of financial liabilities as at 31 December:

Repayment of borrowings

Bank loans and overdra(cid:91)s:
Repayable on demand or within one year
Repayable between two and five years
Repayable after five years

Debentures:
Repayable within one year
Repayable between two and five years

2018
(cid:364)(cid:349)000 

2017 
£’000

41,388
2,320
2,99(cid:1141)
4(cid:1141),704

-
9,939
(cid:404)(cid:1141),(cid:1141)43

1,288
51,739
-
53,027

3,000
9,922
65,949

Certain borrowing agreements contain financial and other conditions that if contravened by the Group, could alter the repayment profile.

21. DEFERRED TAX ASSET

Balance at 1 January
Transferred to consolidated income statement
Balance at 31 December

22. DEFERRED TAX LIABILITIES

Balance at 1 January
Transferred (to)/from consolidated income statement
Exchange adjustment
Balance at 31 December

The deferred tax balance comprises the following:
Revaluation of properties
Accelerated capital allowances
Short-term timing differences
Unredeemed capital deductions
Losses and other deductions
Deferred tax liability provision at end of year:

2018
(cid:364)’000 
– 
– 
– 

2018
(cid:364)’000 
 3,848 
(1,37(cid:404))
(1(cid:1141)8)
 2,30(cid:404) 

 72(cid:1141) 
2,1(cid:1141)(cid:1141)
139
(32)
((cid:1141)94)
 2,30(cid:404) 

2017
£’000 
 1,134 
(1,134)
– 

2017
£’000 
 2,329 
 1,484 
 35 
 3,848 

 5,836 
 2,522 
 144 
(83)
(4,571)
 3,848 

The directors consider the temporary differences arising in connection with the interests in joint ventures are insignificant. There is no time 
limit in respect of the Group tax loss relief.

In addition, the Group has unused losses and reliefs with a potential value of £6,310,000 (2017: £5,427,000), which have not been 
recognised as a deferred tax asset. As the Group returns to profit, these losses and reliefs can be utilised.

23. SHARE CAPITAL
The Company has one class of ordinary shares which carry no right to fixed income.

Authorised: ordinary shares of 10p each 
Allotted, issued and fully paid share capital
Less: held in Treasury (see below)
“Issued share capital” for reporting purposes

NUMBER OF  
ORDINARY 10P 
SHARES
2018
 110,000,000 
 8(cid:404),(cid:404)42,711 
(218,197)
 8(cid:404),324,(cid:404)14 

 NUMBER OF 
ORDINARY 10P 
SHARES
2017
 110,000,000 
 85,542,711 
(221,061)
 85,321,650 

2018 
(cid:364)’000 
 11,000 
 8,(cid:404)(cid:404)4 
(22)
 8,(cid:404)32 

2017 
£’000 
 11,000 
 8,554 
(22)
 8,532 

London & Associated Properties PLC 2018 (cid:404)7

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Notes to the financial statements

23. SHARE CAPITAL CONTINUED

Treasury shares

Shares held in Treasury at 1 January 
Issued for share incentive plan -dividends investment (Jan 2016 - 25p)
Shares held in Treasury at 31 December 

Share Option Schemes

NUMBER OF ORDINARY 
10P SHARES

COST /ISSUE VALUE

2018
 221,0(cid:1141)1 
(2,8(cid:1141)4)
 218,197 

2017
 221,061 
– 
 221,061 

2018 
(cid:364)’000 
 14(cid:404) 
(1)
 144 

2017 
£’000 
 145 
– 
 145 

Employees’ share option scheme (Approved scheme)
At 31 December 2018 there were no options to subscribe for ordinary shares outstanding, issued under the terms of the Employees’ Share 
Option Scheme.

This share option scheme was approved by members in 1986, and has been approved by Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC). 

There are no performance criteria for the exercise of options under the Approved scheme, as this was set up before such requirements were 
considered to be necessary.

A summary of the shares allocated and options issued under the scheme up to 31 December 2018 is as follows:

AT 1
JANUARY
2018
 2,367,604 
Shares issued to date 
Shares allocated over which options have not been granted
 1,549,955 
Total shares allocated for issue to employees under the scheme  3,917,559 

OPTIONS
EXERCISED
– 
– 
– 

OPTIONS
GRANTED
– 
– 
– 

OPTIONS
LAPSED
– 
– 
– 

AT 31 
DECEMBER
2018
 2,3(cid:1141)7,(cid:1141)04 
 1,(cid:404)49,9(cid:404)(cid:404) 
 3,917,(cid:404)(cid:404)9 

CHANGES DURING THE YEAR

Non–approved Executive Share Option Scheme (Unapproved scheme)
A share option scheme known as the “Non–approved Executive Share Option Scheme” which does not have HMRC approval was set up 
during 2000. At 31 December 2018 there were no options to subscribe for ordinary shares outstanding.

The exercise of options under the Unapproved scheme is subject to the satisfaction of objective performance conditions specified by the 
remuneration committee which confirms to institutional shareholder guidelines and best practice provisions.

A summary of the shares allocated and options issued under the scheme up to 31 December 2018 is as follows:

AT 1
JANUARY
2018
 450,000 
Shares issued to date 
Shares allocated over which options have not yet been granted
 550,000 
Total shares allocated for issue to employees under the scheme   1,000,000 

OPTIONS
EXERCISED
– 
– 
– 

OPTIONS
GRANTED
– 
– 
– 

OPTIONS
LAPSED
– 
– 
– 

AT 31 
DECEMBER
2018
 4(cid:404)0,000 
 (cid:404)(cid:404)0,000 
 1,000,000 

CHANGES DURING THE YEAR

The Bisichi Mining PLC Unapproved Option Schemes 
Details of the share option schemes in Bisichi are as follows:

YEAR OF GRANT
2010
2015
2018

SUBSCRIPTION 
PRICE PER SHARE 

PERIOD WITHIN 
WHICH OPTIONS 
EXERCISABLE 
202.5p Aug 2013 – Aug 2020
87.0p Sep 2015 – Sep 2025
73.5p Feb 2018 - Feb 2028

NUMBER OF SHARES
FOR WHICH OPTIONS 
OUTSTANDING AT 
31 DECEMBER 2017
 80,000 
 300,000 
– 

NUMBER OF 
SHARE OPTIONS 
ISSUED/EXERCISED/ 
(cid:1168)CANCELLED(cid:1169) 
DURING YEAR 
(80,000)
– 
 380,000 

NUMBER OF SHARES 
FOR WHICH OPTIONS 
OUTSTANDING AT 
31 DECEMBER 2018
– 
 300,000 
 380,000 

The exercise of options under the Unapproved Share Option Schemes, for certain option issues, is subject to the satisfaction of the objective 
performance conditions specified by the remuneration committee, which will conform to institutional shareholder guidelines and best 
practice provisions in force from time to time.

On the 5 February 2018 Bisichi entered into an agreement with G.Casey to surrender the 80,000 options which were granted in 2010. The 
aggregate consideration paid by the Group to effect the cancellation was £1. There are no performance or service conditions attached to 
2015 options which are outstanding at 31 December 2018 which vested in 2015. 

On 6 February 2018 Bisichi granted additional options to the following directors:

•  A.Heller 150,000 options at an exercise price of 73.50p per share.

•  G.Casey 230,000 options at an exercise price of 73.50p per share.

(cid:404)8  London & Associated Properties PLC 2018

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Notes to the financial statements

23. SHARE CAPITAL CONTINUED
The above options vest on date of grant and are exercisable within a period of 10 years from date of grant. There are no performance or 
service conditions attached to the options. The options were valued at £24,000 at date of grant using the Black-Scholes-Merton model with 
the following assumptions:

Expected volatility 
Expected life
Risk free rate 
Expected dividends

23.90%
4 years
0.785%
6.71%

Expected volatility was determined by reference to the historical volatility of the share price over a period commensurate with the option’s 
expected life. The expected life used in the model is used on the risk-averse balance likely to be required by the option holders.

Outstanding at 1 January
Issued during year
Lapsed/surrended during year
Outstanding at 31 December
Exercisable at 31 December

2(cid:403). NON–CONTROLLING INTEREST (“NCI”)

As at 1 January
Share of profit for the year
Share of gain on available for sale investments
Dividends received
Shares issued
Exchange movement
As at 31 December

The following subsidiaries had material NCI:

Bisichi Mining PLC 
Black Wattle Colliery (Pty) Ltd

2018
WEIGHTED 
AVERAGE
EXERCISE PRICE
111.3p
73.(cid:404)p
202.(cid:404)p
79.(cid:404)p
79.(cid:404)p

2018
NUMBER
 380,000 
 380,000 
(80,000)
 (cid:1141)80,000 
 (cid:1141)80,000 

2017
WEIGHTED
AVERAGE
EXERCISE PRICE
111.3p
– 
– 
111.3p
111.3p

2017
NUMBER
 380,000 
– 
– 
 380,000 
 380,000 

2018
(cid:364)’000 
 10,8(cid:404)(cid:1141) 
 2,(cid:1141)7(cid:404) 
– 
(9(cid:404)7)
 8 
(273)
 12,309 

2017
£’000 
 10,389 
 610 
 49 
(250)
– 
 58 
 10,856 

Summarised financial information for these subsidiaries is set out below. The information is before inter–company eliminations with other 
companies in the Group.

BISICHI MINING PLC
Revenue
Profit for the year attributable to owners of the parent
Profit/(loss) for the year attributable to NCI
Profit for the year
Other comprehensive income attributable to owners of the parent
Other comprehensive income attributable to NCI
Other comprehensive income for the year
Balance sheet
Non–current assets
Current assets
Total assets
Current liabilities
Non–current liabilities
Total liabilities
Net current assets at 31 December
Cash flows
From operating activities
From investing activities
From financing activities
Net cash flows

2018
(cid:364)’000 
 49,94(cid:404) 
 3,314 
 729 
 4,043 
(377)
((cid:404)3)
(430)

 23,118 
 18,47(cid:404) 
 41,(cid:404)93 
(1(cid:1141),929)
(4,(cid:404)29)
(21,4(cid:404)8)
 20,13(cid:404) 

4,7(cid:1141)7
(3,373)
200
 1,(cid:404)94 

2017
£’000 
40,350
 749 
 172 
 921 
 163 
 11 
 174 

 22,935 
 13,622 
 36,557 
(9,025)
(9,858)
(18,883)
 17,674 

 7,270 
(1,936)
(429)
 4,905 

The non–controlling interest comprises a 37.5% shareholding in Black Wattle Colliery (Pty) Ltd, a coal mining company incorporated in South Africa.

London & Associated Properties PLC 2018 (cid:404)9

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Notes to the financial statements

2(cid:403). NON–CONTROLLING INTEREST (“NCI”) CONTINUED

Summarised financial information reflecting 100(cid:1143) of the underlying subsidiary’s relevant figures, is set out below.

BLACK WATTLE COLLIERY (PTY) LIMITED ((cid:318)BLACK WATTLE(cid:319))
Revenue
Expenses
Profit for the year
Total comprehensive income for the year
Balance sheet
Non–current assets
Current assets
Current liabilities
Non–current liabilities
Net assets at 31 December

2018
(cid:364)’000 
 48,(cid:1141)(cid:1141)(cid:1141) 
(43,801)
 4,8(cid:1141)(cid:404) 
 4,8(cid:1141)(cid:404) 

 8,(cid:404)32 
 9,(cid:404)87 
(10,(cid:404)40)
(3,800)
 3,779 

2017
£’000 
RESTATED 
39,191
(38,041)
 1,150 
 1,150 

 8,613 
 6,747 
(8,652)
(3,155)
 3,553 

The non–controlling interest relates to the disposal of a 37.5% shareholding in Black Wattle in 2010. The total issued share capital in Black 
Wattle Colliery (Pty) Ltd was increased from 136 shares to 1,000 shares at par of ZAR1 (South African Rand) through the following shares issue:

–   a subscription for 489 ordinary shares at par by Bisichi Mining (Exploration) Limited increasing the number of shares held from 136 

ordinary shares to a total of 625 ordinary shares; 

–  a subscription for 110 ordinary shares at par by Vunani Mining (Pty) Ltd; 

–  a subscription for 265 “A” shares at par by Vunani Mining (Pty) Ltd

Bisichi Mining (Exploration) Limited is a wholly owned subsidiary of Bisichi Mining PLC incorporated in England and Wales. 

Vunani Mining (Pty) Ltd is a South African Black Economic Empowerment company and minority shareholder in Black Wattle. 

The “A” shares rank pari passu with the ordinary shares save that they will have no dividend rights until such time as the dividends paid by 
Black Wattle Colliery (Pty) Ltd on the ordinary shares subsequent to 30 October 2008 will equate to ZAR832,075,000.

A non–controlling interest of 15% in Black Wattle is recognised for all profits distributable to the 110 ordinary shares held by Vunani Mining 
(Pty) Ltd from the date of issue of the shares (18 October 2010). An additional non–controlling interest will be recognised for all profits 
distributable to the 265 “A” shares held by Vunani Mining (Pty) Ltd after such time as the profits available for distribution, in Black Wattle 
Colliery (Pty) Ltd, before any payment of dividends after 30 October 2008, exceeds ZAR832,075,000. 

25. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Related party: 
Simon Heller Charitable Trust
  Current account 
Loan account 

Directors and key management
  M A Heller and J A Heller
  H D Goldring (Delmore Holdings Limited)
  C A Parritt
  R Priest
Totals at 31 December 2018
Totals at 31 December 2017

COST RE-
CHARGED

TO (cid:1168)BY(cid:1169)  

RELATED
PARTY
£’000

(63)
– 

 18 
(15)
(20)
(35)
(11(cid:404))
(71)

AMOUNTS 
OWED
BY (cid:1168)TO(cid:1169)  

RELATED
PARTY
£’000

ADVANCED TO
(cid:1168)BY(cid:1169) RELATED
PARTY
£’000

(i)
(ii)
(ii)
(ii)

– 
(700)

 1 
 – 
– 
(8)
 (707) 
(679)

– 
– 

– 
– 
– 
– 
–
(84)

Nature of costs recharged – (i) Property management fees (ii) Consultancy fees. 

Directors 
London & Associated Properties PLC provides office premises, property management, general management, accounting and administration 
services for a number of private property companies in which Sir Michael Heller and J A Heller have an interest. Under an agreement with Sir 
Michael Heller no charge is made for these services on the basis that he reduces by an equivalent amount the charge for his services to 
London & Associated Properties PLC. The board estimates that the value of these services, if supplied to a third party, would have been 
£300,000 for the year (2017: £300,000). 

(cid:1141)0  London & Associated Properties PLC 2018

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Notes to the financial statements

25. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS CONTINUED
The companies for which services are provided are: Barmik Properties Limited, Cawgate Limited, Clerewell Limited, Cloathgate Limited, 
Ken–Crav Investments Limited, London & South Yorkshire Securities Limited, Metroc Limited, Penrith Retail Limited, Shop.com Limited, 
South Yorkshire Property Trust Limited, Wasdon Investments Limited, Wasdon (Dover) Limited, and Wasdon (Leeds) Limited.

In addition the Company received management fees of £10,000 (2017: £10,000) for work done for two charitable foundations, the 
Michael & Morven Heller Charitable Foundation and the Simon Heller Charitable Trust.

The Simon Heller Trust has placed on deposit with LAP £700,000 at an interest rate of 9% which is refundable on demand.

Delmore Holdings Limited (Delmore) is a Company in which H D Goldring is a majority shareholder and director. Delmore provides 
consultancy services to the Company on an invoiced fee basis.

R Priest provided consultancy services to the Company on an invoiced fee basis. 

In 2012 a loan of £116,000 was made by Bisichi to one of the Bisichi directors - A R Heller. The loan amount outstanding at the year end was 
£41,000 (2017: £56,000) and a repayment of £15,000 (2017: £15,000) was made during the year. Interest is payable on the loan at a rate of 
6.14 percent. There is no fixed repayment date for the loan.

The directors are considered to be the only key management personnel and their remuneration including employer’s national insurance for 
the year was £1,838,000 (2017: £949,000). All other disclosures required, including interest in share options in respect of those directors, are 
included within the remuneration report.

26. EMPLOYEES
The average number of employees, including directors, of the Group during the year was as follows: 

Production
Administration

Staff costs during the year were as follows:

Salaries and other costs
Social security costs
Pension costs
Share based payments

27. CAPITAL COMMITMENTS

Commitments for capital expenditure approved and contracted for at the year end
Share of commitment of capital expenditure in joint venture

All the above relates to Bisichi Mining PLC.

2018
231
4(cid:1141)
277

2018
(cid:364)’000
8,994
494
377
24
9,889

2018
(cid:364)’000 
 7(cid:404)1 
– 

2017
192
45
237

2017
£’000 
7,426
327
360
0
8,113

2017
£’000 
– 
– 

London & Associated Properties PLC 2018 (cid:1141)1

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Notes to the financial statements

28. OPERATING AND FINANCE LEASES

Operating leases on land and buildings
At 31 December 2018 the Group had commitments under non–cancellable operating leases on land and buildings expiring as follows:

Within one year
Second to fifth year
After five years

Operating lease payments represent rentals payable by the Group for its office premises. 

The leases are for an average term of ten years at inception and rentals are fixed for an average of five years.

Present value of head leases on properties

2018
(cid:364)’000
 240 
 9(cid:1141)0 
– 

2017
£’000
 240 
 960 
 240 

Within one year
Second to fifth year
After five years

Future finance charges on finance leases
Present value of finance lease liabilities

MINIMUM LEASE 
PAYMENTS

PRESENT VALUE OF 
MINIMUM LEASE 
PAYMENTS

2018 
(cid:364)’000
 213 
 849 
 1(cid:1141),72(cid:404) 
 17,787 
(14,(cid:404)2(cid:1141))
 3,2(cid:1141)1 

2017 
£’000
 211 
 841 
 16,682 
 17,734 
(14,501)
 3,233 

2018 
(cid:364)’000
 213 
 783 
 2,2(cid:1141)(cid:404) 
 3,2(cid:1141)1 
– 
 3,2(cid:1141)1 

2017 
£’000
 211 
 776 
 2,246 
 3,233 
– 
 3,233 

Finance lease liabilities are in respect of leased investment property. Many leases provide for contingent rent in addition to the rents above, 
usually a proportion of rental income.

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

Future aggregate minimum rentals receivable
The Group leases out its investment properties to tenants under operating leases. The future aggregate minimum rentals receivable under 
non–cancellable operating leases are as follows:

Within one year
Second to fifth year
After five years

2018
(cid:364)’000
(cid:404),379
1(cid:1141),002
19,(cid:404)31
40,912

2017
£’000
5,088
14,597
18,519
38,204

29. CONTINGENT LIABILITIES AND EVENTS AFTER THE REPORTING PERIOD
There were no contingent liabilities at 31 December 2018 (2017: £Nil), except as disclosed in Note 20.

Bank guarantees have been issued by the bankers of Black Wattle Colliery (Pty) Limited on behalf of the company to third parties. The 
guarantees are secured against the assets of the company and have been issued in respect of the following:

Rail siding & transportation
Rehabilitation of mining land
Water & electricity

2018
(cid:364)’000
(cid:404)4
1,2(cid:404)9
(cid:404)2
1,3(cid:1141)(cid:404)

2017
£’000
64
1,387
58
1,509

(cid:1141)2  London & Associated Properties PLC 2018

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Notes to the financial statements

30. COMPANY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Company balance sheet at 31 December 2018

Fixed assets

Tangible assets

Other investments:

Associated company – Bisichi Mining PLC

Subsidiaries and others including Dragon Retail Properties Limited

Current assets
Debtors

Deferred tax due after more than one year

Investments

Bank balances

Creditors

Amounts falling due within one year

Deferred tax falling due after more than one year

Borrowings
Net current liabilities

Total assets less current liabilities

Creditors
Amounts falling due after more than one year

Net assets

Capital and reserves
Share capital

Share premium account

Capital redemption reserve

Treasury shares

Retained earnings

Shareholders’ funds

NOTES

2018 
(cid:364)’000 

2017 
£’000 

30.3

 23,872 

 25,397 

30.4

30.4

30.5

30.9

30.6

30.7

30.9

30.8

30.8

30.10

30.10

 489 

 42,(cid:404)98 

 43,087 

 (cid:1141)(cid:1141),9(cid:404)9 

 3,7(cid:1141)4 

– 

– 

 9,887 

 13,(cid:1141)(cid:404)1 

((cid:404)4,(cid:1141)(cid:1141)4)

(744)

– 
(41,7(cid:404)7)

 2(cid:404),202 

 489 

 42,598 

 43,087 

 68,484 

 1,025 

 2,059 

 19 

 1,233 

 4,336 

(35,540)

–

(3,000)
(34,204)

 34,280 

(10,98(cid:404))

 14,217 

(13,003)

 21,277 

 8,(cid:404)(cid:404)4 

 4,8(cid:1141)(cid:1141) 

 47 

(144)

 894 

 14,217 

 8,554 

 4,866 

 47 

(145)

 7,955 

 21,277 

The loss for the financial year, before dividends was £6,805,000 (2017: profit of £1,771,000).

These financial statements were approved by the board of directors and authorised for issue on 30 April 2019 and signed on its behalf by:

Sir Michael Heller 
Director 

Jonathan Mintz 
Director

Company Registration No. 341829 

London & Associated Properties PLC 2018 (cid:1141)3

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Notes to the financial statements

30. COMPANY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

Company statement of changes in equity for the year ended 31 December 2018

Balance at 1 January 2017
Profit for the year
Total comprehensive income
Transactions with owners:
Dividends – equity holders
Transactions with owners
Balance at 31 December 2017
Loss for the year
Total comprehensive expense
Transaction with owners:
Dividends – equity holders
Disposal of own shares
Transactions with owners 
Balance at 31 December 2018

SHARE
CAPITAL
(cid:364)’000 
 8,554 
– 
– 

– 
– 
 8,554 
– 
– 

– 
– 
– 
 8,(cid:404)(cid:404)4 

SHARE 
PREMIUM
(cid:364)’000 
 4,866 
– 
– 

CAPITAL
REDEMPTION
RESERVE
(cid:364)’000 
 47 
– 
– 

TREASURY 
SHARES
(cid:364)’000 
(145)
– 
– 

– 
– 
 4,866 
– 
– 

– 
– 
– 
 4,8(cid:1141)(cid:1141) 

– 
– 
 47 
– 
– 

– 
– 
– 
 47 

– 
– 
(145)
– 
– 

– 
 1 
 1 
(144)

RETAINED 
EARNINGS
EXCLUDING 
TREASURY 
SHARES
(cid:364)’000 
 9,867 
(1,771)
(1,771)

(141)
(141)
 7,955 
(6,805)
(6,805)

(256)
– 
(256)
 894 

TOTAL
EQUITY
(cid:364)’000 
 23,189 
(1,771)
(1,771)

(141)
(141)
 21,277 
(6,805)
(6,805)

(256)
 1 
(255)
 14,217 

£0.2 million (2017: £6.5 million) of retained earnings (excluding treasury shares) is distributable.

30.1. COMPANY 

Accounting policies
The following are the main accounting policies of the Company:

Basis of preparation
The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis and in accordance with Financial Reporting Standard 101 ’Reduced 
Disclosure Framework’ (FRS 101) and Companies Act 2006. The financial statements are prepared under the historical cost convention as 
modified to include the revaluation of freehold and leasehold properties and fair value adjustments in respect of current asset investments 
and interest rate hedges.

The results of the Company are included in the consolidated financial statements. No profit or loss is presented by the Company as permitted 
by Section 408 of the Companies Act 2006. 

In these financial statements, the company has applied the exemptions available under FRS 101 in respect of the following disclosures:

•  Cash Flow Statement and related notes; 

•  Comparative period reconciliations for share capital, tangible fixed assets and intangible assets; 

•  Disclosures in respect of transactions with wholly owned subsidiaries; 

•  Disclosures in respect of capital management; 

•  The effects of new but not yet effective IFRSs; 

•  Disclosures in respect of the compensation of Key Management Personnel.

As the consolidated financial statements include the equivalent disclosures, the Company has also taken the exemptions under FRS 101 
available in respect of the following disclosures:

•  IFRS 2 Share Based Payments in respect of Group settled share based payments;

•  The disclosures required by IFRS 7 and IFRS 13 regarding financial instrument disclosures have not been provided apart from those which 
are relevant for the financial instruments which are held at fair value and are not either held as part of trading portfolio or derivatives.

Key (cid:102)udgements and estimates
The preparation of the financial statements requires management to make assumptions and estimates that may affect the reported amounts 
of assets and liabilities and the reported income and expenses, further details of which are set out below. Although management believes 
that the assumptions and estimates used are reasonable, the actual results may differ from those estimates. Further details of the estimates 
are contained in the Directors’ Report and in the Group accounting policies.

Investments in subsidiaries, associated undertakings and (cid:102)oint ventures
Investments in subsidiaries, associated undertakings and joint ventures are held at cost less accumulated impairment losses.

(cid:1141)4  London & Associated Properties PLC 2018

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Notes to the financial statements

30.1. COMPANY CONTINUED

Fair value measurements of investment properties and investments 
An assessment of the fair value of certain assets and liabilities, in particular investment properties, is required. In such instances, fair value 
measurements are estimated based on the amounts for which the assets and liabilities could be exchanged between market participants. To 
the extent possible, the assumptions and inputs used take into account externally verifiable inputs. However, such information is by nature 
subject to uncertainty. The fair value measurement of the investment properties may be considered to be less judgemental where external 
valuers have been used as is the case with the Company. 

The following accounting policies are consistent with those of the Group and are disclosed on page 36 to 41 of the Group financial statements.

•  Revenue 

•  Property operating expenses

•  Employee benefits

•  Financial instruments 

•  Investment properties

•  Other assets and depreciation

•  Assets held for sale

•  Income taxes

•  Leases

30.2. RESULT FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR
The Company’s result for the year was a loss of £6,805,000 (2017: loss of £1,771,000). In accordance with the exemption conferred by 
Section 408 of the Companies Act 2006, the Company has not presented its own profit and loss account.

30.3. TANGIBLE ASSETS 

Cost or valuation at 1 January 2018
Reclassification
Additions
Disposals to group companies
(Decrease)/increase on revaluation
Cost or valuation at 31 December 2018

Representing assets stated at:
Valuation
Cost

Depreciation at 1 January 2018
Charge for the year
Disposals
Depreciation at 31 December 2018
Net book value at 1 January 2018
Net book value at 31 December 2018

INVESTMENT PROPERTIES

FREEHOLD
(cid:364)’000
 9,295 
– 
 6,540 
(1,050)
(815)
 13,970 

LEASEHOLD
OVER (cid:404)0 YEARS
(cid:364)’000
 14,039 
(30)
– 
(4,469)
– 
 9,(cid:404)40 

LEASEHOLD
UNDER (cid:404)0 
YEARS
(cid:364)’000
 1,947 
 30 
– 
(1,721)
– 
 2(cid:404)(cid:1141) 

OFFICE
EQUIPMENT
AND MOTOR 
VEHICLES
(cid:364)’000
 364 
– 
– 
(18)
– 
 34(cid:1141) 

 13,970 
– 
 13,970 

– 
– 
– 
– 
 9,295 
 13,970 

 9,540 
– 
 9,(cid:404)40 

– 
– 
– 
– 
 14,039 
 9,(cid:404)40 

 256 
– 
 2(cid:404)(cid:1141) 

– 
– 
– 
– 
 1,947 
 2(cid:404)(cid:1141) 

–
 346 
 34(cid:1141) 

 248 
 9 
(17)
 240 
 116 
 10(cid:1141) 

TOTAL
(cid:364)’000
 25,645 
– 
 6,540 
(7,258)
(815)
 24,112 

 23,766 
 346 
 24,112 

 248 
 9 
(17)
 240 
 25,397 
 23,872 

The freehold and leasehold properties, excluding the present value of head leases and directors’ valuations, were valued as at 31 December 2018 by 
professional firms of chartered surveyors. The valuations were made at fair value. The directors’ property valuations were made at fair value. 

Allsop LLP
Directors’ valuation

Add: Present value of headleases

2018
(cid:364)’000 
21,120
1,(cid:1141)00
22,720
1,04(cid:1141)
23,7(cid:1141)(cid:1141)

2017
£’000
20,375
1,825
22,200
3,081
25,281

London & Associated Properties PLC 2018 (cid:1141)(cid:404)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Notes to the financial statements

30.3. TANGIBLE ASSETS CONTINUED
The historical cost of investment properties was as follows:

Cost at 1 January 2018
Additions
Disposals to group companies
Cost at 31 December 2018

FREEHOLD 
(cid:364)’000 
 4,889 
 6,540 
(1,201)
 10,228 

LEASEHOLD
OVER (cid:404)0 YEARS
(cid:364)’000
 13,966 
– 
(4,633) 
9,333

LEASEHOLD
UNDER (cid:404)0 
YEARS
(cid:364)’000
 1,939 
– 
(1,154) 
78(cid:404)

Long leasehold properties are held on leases with an unexpired term of more than fifty years at the balance sheet date. 

30.4. OTHER INVESTMENTS

COST OR VALUATION
At 1 January 2018
Impairment provision
At 31 December 2018

SHARES IN
SUBSIDIARY
COMPANIES
(cid:364)’000
 42,434 
– 
 42,434 

SHARES IN
JOINT
VENTURES
(cid:364)’000
 164 
– 
 1(cid:1141)4 

TOTAL
(cid:364)’000
 43,087 
– 
 43,087 

SHARES IN
ASSOCIATE 
(cid:364)’000
 489 
– 
 489 

Subsidiary companies
Details of the Company’s subsidiaries are set out in Note 11. Under IFRS 10 Bisichi Mining Plc and its subsidiaries, West Ealing Projects Limited and 
its subsidiary and Dragon Retail Properties Limited are treated in the financial statements as subsidiaries of the Company.

In the opinion of the directors the value of the investment in subsidiaries is not less than the amount shown in these financial statements.

30.5. DEBTORS

Trade debtors
Amounts due from associate and joint ventures
Amounts due from subsidiary companies
Other debtors
Prepayments and accrued income

30.6. INVESTMENTS

Market value of the listed investment portfolio
Unrealised gain of market value over cost
Listed investment portfolio at cost

The remaining investment portfolio was sold in the year.

30.7. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR

Amounts owed to subsidiary companies
Amounts owed to joint ventures
Other taxation and social security costs
Other creditors
Accruals and deferred income

30.8. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE AFTER MORE THAN ONE YEAR

Present value of head leases on properties
Term Debenture stocks:
£10 million First Mortgage Debenture Stock 2022 at 8.109 per cent*

*The £10 million debenture is shown after deduction of un–amortised issue costs.

(cid:1141)(cid:1141)  London & Associated Properties PLC 2018

2018
(cid:364)’000 
 3(cid:404)1 
 7(cid:404)(cid:404) 
 2,127 
 82 
 449 
 3,7(cid:1141)4 

2018
(cid:364)’000 
– 
– 
– 

2018
(cid:364)’000 
 (cid:404)0,874 
 1(cid:404)(cid:1141) 
 200 
 1,442 
 1,992 
 (cid:404)4,(cid:1141)(cid:1141)4 

2018
(cid:364)’000 
 1,04(cid:1141) 

 9,939 
 9,939 
 10,98(cid:404) 

2017
£’000
 366 
 33 
 100 
 118 
 408 
 1,025 

2017
£’000
 19 
 1 
 18 

2017
£’000
 29,775 
 2,214 
 278 
 1,400 
 1,873 
 35,540 

2017
£’000
 3,081 

 9,922 
 9,922 
 13,003 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Notes to the financial statements

30.8. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE AFTER MORE THAN ONE YEAR CONTINUED
Details of terms and security of overdrafts, loans and loan renewal and debentures are set out in note 18.

REPAYMENT OF BORROWINGS:
Debentures:
Repayable within one year
Repayable between two and five years
Repayable in more than five years

30.9. DEFERRED TAX

Deferred Taxation
Balance at 1 January
Transfer to profit and loss account
Balance at 31 December

The deferred tax balance comprises the following:
Accelerated capital allowances
Short–term timing differences
Revaluation of investment properties
Loss relief
Deferred tax (liability)/asset at year end

30.10. SHARE CAPITAL
Details of share capital, treasury shares and share options are set out in Note 23.

30.11. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 2018
 (cid:364)’000

-
9,939
–
9,939

2018
(cid:364)’000 

 2,0(cid:404)9 
(2,803)
(744)

(79(cid:404))
(124)
17(cid:404)
– 
(744)

 2017
 £’000

3,000
9,922
-
12,922

2017
£’000

 2,082 
(23)
 2,059 

(833)
(124)
 66 
 2,950 
 2,059 

Related party: 
Dragon Retail Properties Limited
  Current account 
Loan account
Bisichi Mining PLC 
  Current account 
Simon Heller Charitable Trust
  Current account 
Loan account 

Directors and key management
  M A Heller and J A Heller
  H D Goldring (Delmore Holdings Limited)
  C A Parritt
  R Priest
Totals at 31 December 2018
Totals at 31 December 2017

COST RE-
CHARGED
TO (cid:1168)BY(cid:1169) RELAT-
ED
PARTY
£’000

AMOUNTS 
OWED
BY (cid:1168)TO(cid:1169) RELAT-
ED
PARTY
£’000

ADVANCED TO
(cid:1168)BY(cid:1169) RELATED
PARTY
£’000

36
(103)

 153 

(63)
– 

 18 
(15)
(20)
(35)
(29)
(73)

(i)

(ii)

(i)
(iii)
(iii)
(iii)

(156)
–

 3 

– 
(700)

 1 
– 
– 
(8)
(8(cid:1141)0)
(2,884)

– 
2,000

– 

– 
– 

– 
– 
– 
– 
2,000 
– 

Nature of costs recharged – (i) Management fees (ii) Property management fees (iii) Consultancy fees 

During the period, the Company entered into transactions, in the ordinary course of business, with other related parties. The company has 
taken advantage of the exemption under paragraph 8(k) of FRS101 not to disclose transactions with wholly owned subsidiaries.

Dragon Retail Properties Limited – ‘Dragon’ is owned equally by the Company and Bisichi Mining PLC. During 2013 Dragon lent the company 
£2 million at 6.875 per cent annual interest. This loan was repaid in full during the year.

Bisichi Mining PLC – The company has 41.52 per cent ownership of ‘Bisichi’.

Other details of related party transactions are given in note 25.

London & Associated Properties PLC 2018 (cid:1141)7

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Notes to the financial statements

30.12. EMPLOYEES

THE AVERAGE WEEKLY NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES OF THE COMPANY DURING THE YEAR WERE AS FOLLOWS: 
 Directors & Administration 

STAFF COSTS DURING THE YEAR WERE AS FOLLOWS:

 Salaries 
 Social Security costs 
 Pension costs 

2018
(cid:364)’000
24

2018
(cid:364)’000
 2,184 
2(cid:1141)3
 107 
2,(cid:404)(cid:404)4

2017
£’000
24

2017
£’000
 1,375 
 163 
 119 
1,657

30.13. CAPITAL COMMITMENTS
There were no capital commitments at 31 December 2018 (2017: £Nil).

30.14. OPERATING AND FINANCE LEASES
At 31 December 2018 the Company had commitments under non–cancellable operating leases on land and buildings as follows:

Expiring in two to five years
Expiring in more than five years

2018
(cid:364)(cid:349)000 
1,200
-

2017
£’000
-
1,440

In addition, the Company has an annual commitment to pay ground rents on its leasehold investment properties which amount to £201,000 
(2017: £201,000). 

Present value of head leases on properties

Within one year
Second to fifth year
After five years

Future finance charges on finance leases
Present value of finance lease liabilities

MINIMUM LEASE 
PAYMENTS

PRESENT VALUE OF 
MINIMUM LEASE 
PAYMENTS

2018
(cid:364)’000
 (cid:1141)(cid:1141) 
 2(cid:1141)(cid:1141) 
 8,0(cid:1141)(cid:1141) 
 8,398 
(7,3(cid:404)2)
 1,04(cid:1141) 

2017
£’000
 201 
 803 
 15,483 
 16,487 
(13,406)
 3,081 

2018
(cid:364)’000
 (cid:1141)(cid:1141) 
 247 
 733 
 1,04(cid:1141) 
– 
 1,04(cid:1141) 

2017
£’000
 201 
 746 
 2,134 
 3,081 
– 
 3,081 

Finance lease liabilities are in respect of leased investment property. A few leases provide for contingent rent in addition to the rents above, 
usually a proportion of rental income.

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

Future aggregate minimum rentals receivable
The Company leases out its investment properties to tenants under operating leases. The future aggregate minimum rentals receivable under 
non–cancellable operating leases are as follows:

30.15. CONTINGENT LIABILITIES AND POST BALANCE SHEET EVENTS
There were no contingent liabilities at 31 December 2018 (2017: £Nil). 

(cid:1141)8  London & Associated Properties PLC 2018

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Five year financial summary

Portfolio size
Investment properties–LAP^
Investment properties–joint ventures
Investment properties–Dragon Retail Properties
Investment properties–Bisichi Mining^
Assets held for sale–LAP 
Inventories–LAP

Portfolio activity
Acquisitions
Disposals
Capital Expenditure

Consolidated income statement

Group income
Profit/(loss) before tax
Taxation
Profit/(loss) attributable to shareholders
Earnings/(loss) per share – basic and diluted
Dividend per share

Consolidated balance sheet
Shareholders' funds attributable to equity shareholders
Net borrowings
Net assets per share – basic

 – fully diluted

Consolidated cash flow statement
Cash generated from operations
Capital investment and financial investment

Notes: 

^ Excluding the present value of head leases

2018 
£M

32
–
2
13
2
39
88

£M

6.55
(36.44)
6.26
(23.63)

£M

56.65
1.27
(0.68)
(2.08)
(2.44)p
0.180p

£M

43.38
35.99
50.83
50.83

1.92
20.78

2017
£M

62
–
3
13
36
–
114

£M

–
–
–
–

2016
£M

89
–
3
13
–
–
105

£M

–
–
0.16
0.16

2015
£M

89
19
3
13
2
–
126

£M

1.00
(0.40)
0.36
0.96

2014
£M

89
20
3
12
–
–
124

£M

0.68
–
–
0.68

£M 
RESTATED

£M 
RESTATED

£M 
RESTATED

£M 
RESTATED

47.87
11.28
(2.98)
7.69
9.01p
0.300p

£M

45.86
58.42
53.74p
53.74p

£M
10.29
(1.80)

31.81
(0.97)
(1.18)
(2.36)
(2.77)p
0.165p

£M

38.24
62.22
44.83p
44.83p

£M
5.59
(0.18)

34.61
(2.09)
0.04
(1.90)
(2.24)p
0.160p

£M

40.08
62.39
47.26p
47.26p

£M
4.37
(2.77)

35.74
(2.69)
(3.70)
(7.14)
(8.45)p
0.156p

£M

42.55
59.71
50.35p
50.35p

£M
2.96
100.42

London & Associated Properties PLC 2017  69

 
 
 
www.lap.co.uk

FSC® C001785

LONDON & ASSOCIATED PROPERTIES PLC
24 BRUTON PLACE 
LONDON W1J 6NE

EMAIL: ADMIN@LAP.CO.UK