1Accounting Policies

Basis of measurement and preparation of accounts
The financial statements are prepared under the historical cost convention and in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard for Smaller Entities (effective January 2015).

Turnover policy
Turnover represents the total invoice value, excluding value added tax, of sales made during the year and derives from the provision of goods falling within the company's ordinary activities.

Tangible assets depreciation policy
Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost less residual value of each asset over its expected useful life, as follows:
Leasehold properties - Straight line over the life of the lease
Plant and machinery - 25% reducing balance / 10% straight line
Fixtures, fittings and equipment - 25% reducing balance / 10% straight line
Motor vehicles - 25% reducing balance

Other accounting policies
Goodwill
Acquired goodwill is written off in equal annual instalments over its estimated useful economic life of 20 years.

Stock
Stock is valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value.

Pensions
The pension costs charged in the financial statements represent the contribution payable by the company during the year.

Leasing and hire purchase commitments
Assets obtained under hire purchase contracts and finances leases are capitalised as tangible assets and depreciated over the shorter of the lease term and their useful lives. Obligations under such agreements are included in creditors net of the finance charge allocated to future periods. The finance element of the rental payment is charged to the profit and loss account so as to produce constant periodic rates of charge on the net obligations outstanding in each period.

Rentals payable under operating leases are charged against income on a straight line basis over the lease term.

Deferred taxation
Deferred tax is recognised in respect of all timing differences that have originated but not reversed at the balance sheet date where transactions or events have occurred at that date that will result in an obligation to pay more, or a right to pay less or to receive more, tax, with the following exception:
Deferred tax assets are recognised only to the extent that the directors consider that it is more likely than not that there will be suitable taxable profits from which the future reversal of the underlying timing differences can be deducted.
Deferred tax is measured on an undiscounted basis at the tax rates that are expected to apply in the periods in which timing differences reverse, based on tax rates and laws enacted or substantively enacted at the balance sheet date.

Transactions with directors

During the year, the directors were paid dividends of £64,000 (2015 £56,000)