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| Name | Symbol | Market | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nthn.elec.prf | LSE:NTEA | London | Preference Share |
| Price Change | % Change | Price | Bid Price | Offer Price | High Price | Low Price | Open Price | Traded | Last Trade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.00 | 0.00% | 118.00 | 116.00 | 120.00 | 118.00 | 118.00 | 118.00 | 11,300 | 08:00:23 |
From Jul 2019 to Jul 2024
TIDMNTEA
RNS Number : 4192W
Northern Electric PLC
26 April 2016
The following regulated information, disseminated pursuant to DTR 6.3.5, comprises the Annual Report and Accounts of Northern Electric plc for the year ended 31 December 2015.
Pursuant to LR 17.3.1, the document has been submitted to the National Storage Mechanism and will shortly be available for inspection at:
www.hemscott.com/nsm.do
The 2015 Annual Report and Accounts are also available on the website
http://www.northernpowergrid.com/document-library/financial
Enquiries:
John Elliott 0191 223 5103
REGISTERED NUMBER: 02366942 (England and Wales)
GROUP STRATEGIC REPORT, REPORT OF THE DIRECTORS AND
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015
FOR
NORTHERN ELECTRIC PLC
NORTHERN ELECTRIC PLC (REGISTERED NUMBER: 02366942)
CONTENTS OF THE ANNUAL REPORTS AND ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015
Page
Company Information 1 Group Strategic Report 2 Report of the Directors 22 Responsibility Statement of the Directors 32 Report of the Independent Auditor 35 Consolidated Statement of Profit or Loss 36 Consolidated Statement of Profit or Loss and Other Comprehensive Income 37 Consolidated Statement of Financial Position 38 Company Statement of Financial Position 40 Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity 41 Company Statement of Changes in Equity 42 Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows 43 Company Statement of Cash Flows 44 Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 45 Notice of the Annual General Meeting of the Company 92
NORTHERN ELECTRIC PLC
COMPANY INFORMATION
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015
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DIRECTORS: G E Abel
R Dixon
T E Fielden
J M France
P J Goodman
P A Jones
COMPANY SECRETARY: J Elliott
REGISTERED OFFICE: Lloyds Court
78 Grey Street
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE1 6AF
REGISTERED NUMBER: 02366942 (England and Wales)
AUDITOR: Deloitte LLP
Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditor
Newcastle upon Tyne
United Kingdom
NORTHERN ELECTRIC PLC (REGISTERED NUMBER: 02366942)
GROUP STRATEGIC REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015
The directors present the annual reports and accounts of Northern Electric plc (the "Company") and its subsidiary companies (together the "Group") for the year ended 31 December 2015, which includes the Strategic Report, the Report of the Directors and the audited financial statements for that year. Pages 2 to 21 inclusive comprise the Strategic Report and pages 22 to 31 comprise the Report of the Directors, which have been drawn up and are presented in accordance with the Companies Act 2006.
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
These annual reports and accounts have been prepared for the members of the Company only. The Company, its directors, employees or agents do not accept or assume responsibility to any other person in connection with this document and any such responsibility or liability is expressly disclaimed. These annual reports and accounts contain certain forward-looking statements, which can be identified by the fact that they do not relate only to historical or current facts. In particular, all statements that express forecasts, expectations and projections with respect to future matters, including trends in results of operations, business prospects, the availability of financing to the Group and anticipated cost savings are forward-looking statements.
By their nature, these statements and forecasts involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that may or may not occur in the future. There are a number of factors that could cause actual results or developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements and forecasts. The forward-looking statements reflect the knowledge and information available at the date of preparation of these annual reports and accounts and will not be updated during the year. Nothing in these annual reports and accounts should be construed as a profit forecast.
BUSINESS MODEL
The Company is part of the Northern Powergrid Holdings Company group of companies (the "Northern Powergrid Group") and acts as a holding company of Northern Powergrid (Northeast) Limited ("Northern Powergrid"), Integrated Utility Services Limited ("IUS") and Northern Powergrid Metering Limited ("Northern Powergrid Metering"). Northern Powergrid is a distribution network operator ("DNO"), which distributes electricity, at voltages of up to 132kV, to approximately 1.6 million customers connected to its electricity distribution network within its distribution services area in the northeast of England, which extends from North Northumberland, south to York and west to the Pennines. Some 14,952 GWh of electricity was distributed to those customers during the year. Northern Powergrid's distribution network includes over 41,000km of overhead and underground cables and over 27,000 substations of all types and receives electricity from generators connected directly to it and from the National Grid's transmission system. IUS provides engineering contracting services and Northern Powergrid Metering rents meters to energy suppliers.
In common with the Northern Powergrid Group, the Group operates a business model and strategy based on its six core principles (the "Core Principles"), which are:
Principle Strategy Indicator
Financial strength Effective stewardship Profitability, cash
of the Group's financial flow and maintenance
resources, investing of investment grade
in assets and focusing credit ratings.
on long-term opportunities,
which contribute to
the Group's future
strength.
Customer service Delivering reliability, Improving network
dependability, fair resilience and performance,
prices and exceptional measured by: customer
service. minutes lost, customer
interruptions and
customer satisfaction.
Operational Setting high standards Effective asset
excellence for the Group's operations, management, managing
system investment commercial risk
and maintenance. and improving network
resilience and performance.
NORTHERN ELECTRIC PLC (REGISTERED NUMBER: 02366942)
GROUP STRATEGIC REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015
BUSINESS MODEL - continued
Principle Strategy Indicator
Employee commitment Equipping employees Leading safety performance,
with the resources engaging employees
and support they need and effective leadership.
to operate successfully
and in a safe and
rewarding work environment.
Environmental Using natural resources Reducing environmental
respect wisely and protecting impact and promoting
the environment, where and pursuing long-term
it is impacted by sustainability.
the Group's operations.
Regulatory Adhering to a policy Strong internal
integrity of strict compliance controls, regulatory
with applicable laws, engagement and industry
regulations, standards influence.
and policies.
STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES
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The Group's strategic objectives are based on the Core Principles, remain consistent and are to build a business, which:
- continues to generate value over the long-term;
- invests in and manages its electricity distribution network in an efficient and effective manner;
- provides its customers with an excellent standard of service;
- engages with its employees so that they feel rewarded and recognised as part of a team that sets and achieves increasingly high standards of performance; and
- is viewed as being a leader in shaping the future direction of the electricity distribution sector in the United Kingdom.
As part of its strategy, the Group continues to be committed to putting safety first, respecting its customers, their time and property, doing a quality job, responding effectively to major incidents on the network in times of severe weather and caring for its local environment.
REVIEW OF THE YEAR
The Group delivered a satisfactory financial performance for the year, which benefited from a further change to the rate of taxation and continued effective cost control, with revenue at GBP386.4 million being GBP23.1 million less than in 2014. The decrease in revenue was mainly due to the five-year profile of Northern Powergrid's allowed revenues inherent in the price control formula under the Distribution Price Control period to 31 March 2015 ("DPCR5") and the reduction in tariffs introduced with effect from the start of the current regulatory period, which runs from 1 April 2015 to 31 March 2023 and is known as ED1 and lower contracting volumes in IUS, partially offset by increased smart meter rental revenues.
One of the main priorities for the Group in the year was responding to Ofgem's final determination in respect of ED1, which set Northern Powergrid's income for that period. Having considered Ofgem's final determination, Northern Powergrid sought permission from the Competition and Markets Authority (the "CMA") to appeal against the licence modifications that gave effect to the ED1 price control. The appeal related to three specific areas:
(i) Ofgem's decision to demand further cost savings in relation to smart grid technology over and above the ones proposed by Northern Powergrid and captured in Ofgem's original cost benchmarking exercise;
(ii) Ofgem's assessment of the variation in wage rates across the country; and (iii) Ofgem's projections for labour cost increases.
NORTHERN ELECTRIC PLC (REGISTERED NUMBER: 02366942)
GROUP STRATEGIC REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015
REVIEW OF THE YEAR - continued
On 30 March 2015, the CMA granted Northern Powergrid permission to appeal and the appeal progressed to its conclusion in accordance with the timetable required of the CMA. British Gas Trading Limited ("British Gas") was also granted permission to appeal the price control, with the same review timetable.
On 29 September 2015, the CMA published its final determination in respect of Northern Powergrid's appeal and upheld one ground of the appeal in respect of the adjustments made by Ofgem to reflect potential savings available from the introduction of smart grids and other technological innovations, because Ofgem's decision was not based on robust evidence.
The CMA's determination will increase Northern Powergrid's cost allowances over ED1 by approximately GBP16 million in 2012/13 prices, which affects Northern Powergrid's projected regulatory asset value at the end of ED1 as well as its allowed revenues within ED1. The CMA did not uphold Northern Powergrid's other two grounds of appeal, deciding that Ofgem's decision fell within the margin of discretion that is available to it in respect of such matters and Northern Powergrid's case fell short of demonstrating that Ofgem's decision was wrong.
British Gas appealed on six grounds. The CMA agreed with British Gas in part on one of those grounds only, resulting in an adjustment to part of the price control that adjusts the overall level of revenue a DNO can earn by providing a reward in proportion to the extent to which Ofgem agrees with the DNO's cost forecasts. The outcome of British Gas' appeal was a reduction of approximately GBP6 million in Northern Powergrid's allowed additional income in ED1 in 2012/13 prices. The net effect of the two appeals on Northern Powergrid's allowed revenues in ED1, excluding the uplift on Northern Powergrid's projected regulatory asset value at the end of ED1, is a reduction of approximately GBP2 million in 2012/13 prices.
Having delivered its largest ever capital expenditure programme of GBP199.6 million in 2014, Northern Powergrid continued with its policy of investing efficiently in its electricity distribution network during 2015. During the year, Northern Powergrid invested GBP195.8 million in its distribution network, which was marginally lower than the record spend in the year ended 31 December 2014, such that it completed all outputs committed within the DPCR5 price control period by the end of DPCR5 on 31 March 2015.
Improving customer satisfaction remained a management priority for long-term improvement and, during the year, Northern Powergrid introduced the new Customer Relationship Management ("CRM") system, which will provide quicker and more accurate information to customers and improve the effectiveness of the customer complaints process. Northern Powergrid continues to be one of the industry leaders in terms of social obligations and stakeholder engagement, and was again ranked second among the DNOs in respect of its annual stakeholder engagement submission to Ofgem.
Northern Powergrid beat Ofgem's targets for the quality of the electricity supply provided to its customers and continued to focus on reducing the average times taken to restore supplies following a power cut. In that respect, Northern Powergrid's adoption of an Operations model based on a number of locally-focussed industrial, rural and urban zones, has begun to deliver improvements in Northern Powergrid's response to unplanned power cuts following the introduction of a new guaranteed standard for the restoration of supply within 12 hours of a power cut occurring from 1 April 2015 onwards.
Environmental performance continued to be strong with incidents reportable to the Environment Agency being better than target. However, oil spills and leaks from Northern Powergrid's assets and SF(6) gas discharges from electrical plant exceeded target, which was slightly disappointing as Northern Powergrid had delivered its most successful annual environmental performance in the previous year. Given the impact on the environment of such events, Northern Powergrid remains committed to reducing losses from fluid-filled cables and, during ED1, plans to replace a significant number of those assets on a phased and prioritised basis, and to increase the use of perfluorocarbon tracers to improve the efficiency of oil leak identification.
The Group's safety performance continued to be strong, such that the Group made an effective contribution to the Northern Powergrid Group recording an Occupational Safety and Health Administration ("OSHA") rate of 0.26 for the year to 31 December 2015 (2014: 0.26), which equalled its best ever safety performance. The long-term trend in overall safety performance continued to compare well with that of the industry and the Group beat its internal targets in respect of restricted duty and medical treatment accidents and preventable vehicle accidents, but missed its targets in respect of lost time accidents and operational incidents.
NORTHERN ELECTRIC PLC (REGISTERED NUMBER: 02366942)
GROUP STRATEGIC REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015
REVIEW OF THE YEAR - continued
IUS' revenue in 2015, at GBP32.9 million, was 24% lower than in 2014, mainly due to lower activity levels on substation installation projects for Network Rail and the effect of the ongoing negotiations with Network Rail regarding Network Rail's liability in respect of costs incurred by IUS due to the delay and disruption caused by issues including changes to Network Rail's designs and time constraints relating to physical access to the rail network. Activity levels for Multi-utility installation projects, mainly in the North of England, were higher than 2014 due to delivery of new orders secured from clients as the new housing market improved. Work on private electrical infrastructure for clients based in the North of England also increased in comparison to 2014.
Northern Powergrid Metering's performance was encouraging, with it delivering the contracts secured with energy suppliers for the provision of smart meters in the United Kingdom and Ireland, and continuing to pursue business development opportunities with other energy suppliers in advance of the full smart meter roll-out programme.
CORE PRINCIPLES
Financial strength
During the year, the Group continued to maintain good control in respect of both its capital and operating costs by effectively managing the various financial risks that could have had an adverse impact on its business.
Northern Powergrid continued to benefit from the stability provided by the arrangements agreed in respect of DPCR5 in terms of its income until 31 March 2015. The ED1 price control, as amended following the outcomes of the appeals to the CMA, provides similar stability and has been set for eight years with provision for a mid-period review of the outputs that Northern Powergrid is required to deliver. In that respect, Northern Powergrid recognises that it needs to continue to show that it is delivering reliable services at a fair price to its customers, while operating in an efficient and effective manner.
Key aspects of financial performance for the year were as follows:
Revenue
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The Group's revenue at GBP386.4 million was GBP23.1 million lower than the prior year mainly due to the five-year profile of allowed revenues inherent in the DPCR5 price control formula, the reduction in tariffs introduced with effect from the start of ED1 and lower contracting volumes in IUS, partially offset by increased smart meter rental revenues.
Operating profit and position at the year end
The Group's operating profit at GBP196.2 million was GBP14.5 million lower than the previous year primarily due to lower distribution revenues inherent in the DPCR5 and ED1 price control periods and increased depreciation due to the high level of capital investment over the past few years, offset by lower cost of sales due to the one-off exit charge occurring in 2014.
The consolidated statement of financial position on pages 38 and 39 shows that, as at 31 December 2015, the Group had total equity of GBP1,008.6 million. The directors consider the Group to have a strong statement of financial position which, when coupled with the preference of its parent company, Berkshire Hathaway Energy Company ("Berkshire Hathaway Energy"), for operating with lower levels of debt than equivalent companies in the sector, creates a stable base for continued strong performance into ED1 by Northern Powergrid.
Finance costs and investments
Finance costs net of investment income at GBP34.6 million were broadly in line with the prior year.
Taxation
The effective tax rate in the year was 10.7%. The effective tax rate before adjusting for the impact of the changes in tax rates by the Finance Act 2015 would be 20.3%. Details of the income tax expense are provided in Note 7 to the accounts.
Results and dividends
The Group made a profit after tax for the year of GBP144.8 million (2014: GBP140.2 million). An interim dividend of GBP20.6 million was paid during the year (2014: GBP30.0 million) and the directors recommend that no final dividend be paid in respect of the year.
NORTHERN ELECTRIC PLC (REGISTERED NUMBER: 02366942)
GROUP STRATEGIC REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015
CORE PRINCIPLES - continued
Financial strength - continued
Share capital and debt structure
There were no changes to the Company's share capital during the year. On 2 December 2015, Northern Powergrid entered into an agreement with the European Investment Bank, which provided Northern Powergrid with a credit facility of GBP120 million. The financial obligations of Northern Powergrid under this agreement are guaranteed by Northern Powergrid Holdings Company and, on 16 December 2015, Northern Powergrid drew on the credit facility in its entirety at a fixed rate of 2.564% for a period of 12 years.
Dividend policy
The Company's dividend policy is that dividends will be paid only after having due regard to available distributable reserves, available liquid funds and the financial resources and facilities needed to enable the Company to carry on its business for at least the next year. In addition, the level of dividends is set to maintain sufficient equity in the Company so as not to jeopardise its investment grade issuer credit rating.
Cash flow
The Group aims to collect from customers and pay suppliers within contracted terms. Any surplus cash held is remitted to Yorkshire Electricity Group plc ("YEG"), a company in the Northern Powergrid Group, and invested accordingly, generating a market rate of return for the Group.
Movements in cash flows were as follows:
Operating activities: Cash flow from operating activities at GBP126.5 million was GBP29.0 million lower than the previous year. Lower profits as a consequence of the profile of distribution revenues were partially offset by favourable working capital movements.
Investing activities: Net cash used in investing activities at GBP224.4 million was GBP38.0 million higher than the previous year, reflecting net capital expenditure particularly the investment in smart meters.
Financing activities: The net cash from financing activities at GBP21.2 million represents a GBP10.5 million favourable variance compared to the previous year, reflecting net movements in borrowings in the year to fund business operations.
Liquidity risk
As at 31 December 2015, Northern Powergrid had access to GBP75 million under a five-year committed revolving credit facility provided by Lloyds Bank plc, The Royal Bank of Scotland plc and Abbey National Treasury Services plc. The revolving credit facility was due to expire on 20 August 2017 but, on 30 April 2015, the facility was restated and amended and is now due to expire on 30 April 2020. Northern Powergrid expects to raise further facilities, as required, at that time.
In addition, the Group has access to further short-term borrowing facilities provided by YEG and to a GBP19 million overdraft facility provided by Lloyds Bank plc, which is reviewed annually.
The directors do not consider there to be any doubt over the Group's ability to raise appropriate levels of finance in the future, given its investment grade issuer credit rating and the fundamental financial strength and nature of its business.
Interest rate risk
The Group is financed by long-term borrowings at fixed rates and has access to short-term borrowing facilities at floating rates of interest. As at 31 December 2015, 100% of the Group's long-term borrowings were at fixed rates and the average maturity for these borrowings was 13 years.
Currency risk
No material currency risks are faced by the Group.
NORTHERN ELECTRIC PLC (REGISTERED NUMBER: 02366942)
GROUP STRATEGIC REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015
CORE PRINCIPLES - continued
Financial strength - continued
Pensions
The Company is the principal employer of the Northern Powergrid Group of the Electricity Supply Pension Scheme (the "Scheme"), a defined benefit scheme. Full details of the Group's commitments to the Scheme and the associated deficit repair payments are provided in Note 24 to the accounts.
Companies in the Group also participate in the Northern Powergrid Pension Scheme, which is a defined contribution scheme.
Insurance
As part of its insurance and risk strategy, the Group has in place insurance policies, which cover risks associated with employers, third party motor and public liability. The Group carries appropriate excesses on those policies and is effectively self-insured up to the level of those excesses. Consequently, the risk management and health and safety programmes in place are viewed as extremely important elements of the business, given the contribution they make to the elimination or reduction of exposure to such risks.
Customer service
During the year, Northern Powergrid distributed electricity to customers in its distribution services area and continued to improve the overall performance of the distribution network through an investment strategy targeted at delivering improvements in an efficient and cost-effective manner. Northern Powergrid remains focused on delivering a reliable and dependable supply of electricity, together with a high standard of service to its customers.
Customer service improvements are a priority for Northern Powergrid, which has been consistently ranked in the lower half of Ofgem's customer service tables. Northern Powergrid has a long-term goal to improve this ranking and has a programme of actions in place to support improvements to the customer experience.
Customer satisfaction with Northern Powergrid's response to unplanned power cuts showed gradual improvement in 2015 and the focus remains on improving restoration times and proactively communicating more timely and accurate information to customers. Enhancements were made to the interactive voice response telephony system throughout the year to make it easier for customers to talk to a customer service advisor if they so wished. Customer satisfaction with planned power cuts also showed some encouraging improvement with Northern Powergrid improving the design of written customer communications and providing a text and email service to remind customers three days ahead of the power cut taking place.
Northern Powergrid has invested in improving the reliability of under-performing parts of the distribution network by continuing to identify "hot spots" of particularly poor network performance and taking specific action to address the issues in those areas. In the customer service support areas, further investment has been directed towards information technology with the introduction of the new CRM system to improve the self-service offering and provide quicker and more accurate information to customers with workflows automatically routed within both Northern Powergrid and its contractors. This technology will enable customers to communicate with Northern Powergrid in a range of accessible and easy ways across several channels.
Northern Powergrid has built on the industry-leading communications and engagement approaches used to support its business plan and maintains a number of engagement channels. Independently chaired expert panels continue to play a key role in challenging Northern Powergrid's plans, monitoring its performance and helping to deliver innovative initiatives and services. Guided by these panels, Northern Powergrid has been able to direct effort towards public meetings in the operating zones, community energy workshops aimed at enhancing the take-up of low-carbon technologies and wider collaborations such as with other utilities via Infrastructure North. The feedback received as part of the stakeholder engagement process helped Northern Powergrid to further develop its customer experience improvement programme.
NORTHERN ELECTRIC PLC (REGISTERED NUMBER: 02366942)
GROUP STRATEGIC REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015
CORE PRINCIPLES - continued
Customer service - continued
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Northern Powergrid recognised that the evolving nature of the environment and the level of customer service provided in respect of new connections to the network required additional focus and, as such, initiated a review of this area of its business. Further details regarding the connections activity in the year are provided under "Connections to the network" below.
In common with other DNOs, Northern Powergrid is actively engaged in the national project, which has created a single national three-digit emergency number for power cut calls and is leading three of the four sub-groups within the project. Following a consultation, Ofcom agreed that there was a strong case for that three-digit number to be introduced and announced in June 2015 that the number was to be 105. The number is scheduled to go live in 2016.
The performance of the DNOs against guaranteed standards, which are set for activities such as restoring supplies after power cuts, provides a measure of the level of customer service and Ofgem's incentive scheme for quality of service, by which the DNOs are provided with financial incentives, is based upon targets set by Ofgem with regard to each DNO's performance.
Customer minutes lost ("CML") and customer interruptions ("CI") are the key performance indicators used by Northern Powergrid to measure the quality of supply and system performance. CML measures the average number of supply minutes lost for every connected customer due to both planned and unplanned power cuts that last for three minutes or longer. CI measures the average number of supply interruptions for every 100 connected customers due to planned and unplanned power cuts that last for three minutes or longer.
In respect of these key customer service performance indicators, the goal is to achieve performance that is below Ofgem's target number in respect of CML and CI. Northern Powergrid's reported performance for the regulatory year to 31 March 2015 (the "Regulatory Year") was as follows:
Year to 31 March Year to 31 March
2015 2014
Actual Target Actual Target
CML: 56.1 70.6 64.6 70.7
CI: 65.3 68.1 62.9 68.1
Performance in the Regulatory Year was better than Ofgem's target for both CML and CI and contributed to Northern Powergrid's improved customer service performance in that year. In June 2015, Ofgem issued its view on the impact of certain events that occurred in the regulatory year to 31 March 2014 on Northern Powergrid's CML and CI performance for that year, which is reflected in the above table.
In May 2015, Northern Powergrid put forward its stakeholder engagement submission to Ofgem in respect of its work during the Regulatory Year. This included initiatives such as expanding the role of digital solutions in providing customer services and the enhancement of Northern Powergrid's relationship with some voluntary sector organisations, with which it works closely in developing and delivering certain services. Northern Powergrid presented its submission to Ofgem's panel on 8 July 2015 and maintained its position as the second placed DNO group. A reward of GBP0.9 million was secured, which will be received during the regulatory year ended 31 March 2017, and Northern Powergrid intends to reinvest its reward in initiatives that will continue to build on this strong stakeholder engagement performance.
Under the Broad Measure of Customer Satisfaction, an independent market research company carried out telephone surveys with Northern Powergrid's customers to find out how satisfied they were with the services provided. During the year, surveys were carried out of a number of customers who had contacted Northern Powergrid regarding an unplanned or a planned power cut, had requested a price quotation and a subsequent connection, or had a general enquiry where a service had been provided or a job completed. Northern Powergrid recorded an overall satisfaction score of 81.9% for the Regulatory Year and expects that the customer service improvement plan, including the range of initiatives noted on pages 7 and 8, will improve the services provided to customers and so increase the satisfaction ratings year-on-year.
NORTHERN ELECTRIC PLC (REGISTERED NUMBER: 02366942)
GROUP STRATEGIC REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015
CORE PRINCIPLES - continued
Customer service - continued
While recognising that its customer service performance can be improved, Northern Powergrid continued to make steady progress during the year with customer satisfaction scores generally improving, performance to reduce service failures meeting target, the connections customer service improvement plan being delivered and its social obligations and stakeholder engagement activity continuing to be among the leading in the industry.
Connections to the network
During the year, Northern Powergrid continued to deliver its action plans to improve the connections services provided to its customers, whilst also actively facilitating the development of competition from independent connections providers ("ICPs"). Northern Powergrid continued to engage regularly with its connections customers in groups and individually, holding monthly customer surgeries, twice yearly customer stakeholder events and contributing to national stakeholder forums and events.
There were three main areas of development in Northern Powergrid's connections business over the last year with the introduction of the new Competition in Connections Code of Practice, compliance with which became a licence condition with effect from the end of October 2015, introduction of the full Incentive on Connections Engagement ("ICE") regime in April 2015 and introduction of a customer service improvement programme to deliver improvements in customer satisfaction for small works customers in pursuit of Northern Powergrid's goal to be the leading provider of customer service within the electricity distribution sector.
Northern Powergrid participated with other DNOs in the development of the new Competition in Connections Code of Practice and implemented the required new processes, including the provision of dual quotations, enabling ICPs to self-determine and approve points of connection to the network, and simplifying the authorisation process for ICPs' operational staff.
The start of ED1 saw the introduction of ICE in respect of customers requiring larger connections to the network, so that the needs of those customers can be met more effectively. Under ICE, Northern Powergrid is required to submit a customer service improvement work plan for the forthcoming regulatory year at the end of April, followed by a comprehensive 'looking back and forward' report commenting on the actions delivered in the previous year and future actions proposed in the service improvement plan. Northern Powergrid proposed a comprehensive improvement plan based on direct customer feedback, worked throughout the year to deliver those actions and continued to engage actively with customers through both informal and formal stakeholder events.
Corporate responsibility
Northern Powergrid values its relationship with its customers and other stakeholders and recognises the importance of maintaining a secure and safe power supply for its customers and their local communities. That commitment is underpinned by five customer promises, which are to put safety first, to respect Northern Powergrid's customers, their time and property, to do a really good job, to be there when needed and to care for the local environment.
Northern Powergrid maintained its key partnerships with the Environment Agency, the local authorities and the local resilience forums, via its Civil Contingency Co-ordinator, so that it can respond quickly to significant faults on, or threats to, the network. Northern Powergrid has well-established emergency procedures that are triggered in times of weather-related incidents or long-duration power cuts when people are without power for some time and, as such, Northern Powergrid responded well to the weather-related incidents, including Storms Desmond and Eva, which impacted on its assets during the year.
Northern Powergrid utilises its 'customer ambassadors' and customer liaison officers, who are allocated to each of its operating zones, to address customers' concerns and resolve their complaints, and worked with the British Red Cross in order to pay particular attention to the welfare of customers on the priority services register so that those customers are kept informed of the situation throughout power cuts and after the power has been restored.
Northern Powergrid continued to focus on some of its more vulnerable customers and works closely with them and the organisations that represent them to improve how it communicates and provides support. The Northern Powergrid Group's social issues expert group focussed on that area and also on how service improvements can be identified and prioritised. As a result, Northern Powergrid continued to improve the quality of the information held on the priority services register, promoted the benefits of being on that register more widely, including via a radio advertising campaign, and enhanced the support provided to priority services customers.
NORTHERN ELECTRIC PLC (REGISTERED NUMBER: 02366942)
GROUP STRATEGIC REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015
CORE PRINCIPLES - continued
Customer service - continued
Corporate responsibility
Northern Powergrid has in place a small donation programme, which is focused on its key priorities of support for youth, education and the environment and from which grants were made during the year. The Northern Powergrid Group also makes donations to charities nominated by the top three teams in its "Safety Champions" initiative, which is aimed at supporting improvements in safety performance in the operational zones.
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Safety remains the Group's first priority and underpins all operations. During the year, Northern Powergrid continued to participate, alongside other key organisations, in 'Crucial Crew', which is a schools-based safety initiative that teaches children to recognise and avoid situations that put them in danger, such as climbing electricity pylons and fishing near power lines. Northern Powergrid's safety programme includes Crucial Crew events, school visits, participation in safety days and the "prison me - no way" campaign. The programme is delivered by two dedicated safety presenters who promote the safety messages through an interactive presentation, which includes focus on children being aware of their surroundings and the dangers of electricity, and is also supported through an interactive website and mobile phone game.
During the year, Northern Powergrid introduced 'Make the Grade in Energy'. This specially designed programme is delivered in conjunction with the Ahead Partnership, a local organisation focussed on creating links between schools and business, and involves volunteers from across the Northern Powergrid Group working with schools on employability and associated skills. Northern Powergrid also embarked on a programme of support for Community Energy groups in its distribution services area, providing them with networking and educational opportunities to help them develop their activities.
Operational excellence
The Group's core service continues to be providing and maintaining an efficient distribution network that delivers electricity effectively. During the year, GBP195.8 million was invested in the improvement of the distribution network, a similar amount to that invested in the previous year. Northern Powergrid's continued and substantial investment in its distribution network has seen reliability increase over a sustained period and Northern Powergrid has generally outperformed the targets set by Ofgem in respect of CI and CML. Northern Powergrid's inspection and maintenance regimes have ensured that the underlying health of the network assets has been sustained and none of the leading indicators used by Northern Powergrid suggest any diminishing performance in this respect in the future.
Operational activity
Northern Powergrid continued to implement its approved network investment strategy, which is designed to deliver improvements in an efficient and cost-effective manner in order to improve the network's resilience. Northern Powergrid is committed to enhancing the reliability of the network such that fewer power cuts affect customers and, when power cuts do happen, they are shorter in duration.
Northern Powergrid's Operations structure is designed to respond effectively to the needs of customers and local communities by delivering improved performance standards in the restoration of power following power cuts and in new connection activities for small works. That structure is organised into operating zones around the main conurbation of Tyne & Wear, the industrialised area around the Tees and the rural areas of Northumberland, Durham and North Yorkshire, including the Dales, the Vale of York and the North Yorkshire Moors.
The zonal structure is supported by several functional areas within Operations, which are Network Operations, which provides the day-to-day and real time management of the network, Programme Delivery, which is responsible for primary engineering projects, bespoke connections and for the inspection, maintenance and replacement of operational assets, and Operational Services, which includes supply chain management and support services.
NORTHERN ELECTRIC PLC (REGISTERED NUMBER: 02366942)
GROUP STRATEGIC REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015
CORE PRINCIPLES - continued
Operational excellence - continued
Operational activity - continued
As a new guaranteed standard for the restoration of supply within 12 hours of a power cut occurring came into effect from 1 April 2015, Northern Powergrid's operational structure will provide a more localised focus and, therefore, improved response times in the event of a power cut. During the year, Northern Powergrid invested in technology to support its drive to improve response times, including the automated power restoration system ("APRS") which operates within the existing network management system. In the event of a high-voltage fault, APRS analyses the information presented by intelligent assets installed on the network and, from that information, determines where the fault is located and executes switching to restore power to the 'healthy' network in a safe manner in under three minutes. APRS was operated initially in advisory mode, allowing intervention in the process to verify the outcome, and was successfully transitioned to live mode in a controlled manner, such that it is planned to enable APRS at some 306 primary substations across the Northern Powergrid Group by the end of ED1. Northern Powergrid expects, therefore, that APRS will significantly improve the service to customers due to the speed with which it can understand the information presented and then complete the switching required to restore power.
Northern Powergrid responded well to the major weather events that impacted its network during the year, the most significant being the extensive lightning and wind storm of 1 July 2015, the high winds that affected the northern Pennines and Northumberland during Storm Desmond in early December and the flooding that occurred as a result of Storm Eva on 26 and 27 December 2015, which resulted in Northern Powergrid invoking its major incident management plan on each occasion.
The high winds during Storm Desmond continued for some 39 hours damaging the overhead network and preventing working at height for that time. However, once the high winds subsided, the fault repair and supply restoration performance was effective in restoring power to the affected customers without undue further delay.
The flooding caused by Storm Eva impacted properties in North Yorkshire, with York City Centre significantly affected. However, Northern Powergrid's investment in flood defences at its Melrosegate and Foss Island substations and in high capacity pumping equipment meant that supplies to the vast majority of the approximately 66,000 premises connected to those substations were maintained throughout the storm. Following Storm Eva, Northern Powergrid instigated a programme of work to inspect flooded homes and businesses, to replace service cables and equipment, where required, and to inspect equipment located in the affected areas including substations, link boxes and feeder pillars.
Northern Powergrid's priorities during the year included delivering a significant level of capital expenditure on the network as in the previous year, a further reduction in the average level of fault repair work in progress, a robust approach to the control of operations on the low-voltage network and continued focus on the restoration times associated with both high and low-voltage power cuts, with high-voltage restoration performance averaging some 55.6 minutes (2014: 59.7 minutes), after allowing for severe weather incidents and other exemptions. During the year, Northern Powergrid completed all outputs committed within the DPCR5 price control period by the price control end date of 31 March 2015.
Northern Powergrid undertook various major projects during the year in support of those priorities and as part of the investment strategy, including:
- Completion of a major reinforcement project in the Knaresborough area culminating in the commissioning of the new Knaresborough 132kV switching station;
- Plant replacement works at North Tees (including three EHV transformers and 13 EHV circuit breakers) and replacement of primary switchgear at Catterick and 66kV circuit breakers at Fossway, Toronto and Linton to complete work at those sites;
- Continuation of reinforcement works in the Harrogate and Potterhouse areas and remediation of fault-level issues at Foss Island by replacing both transformers and reconfiguring the network in the area;
- Replacement of almost 30km of EHV underground cable, including removal of 7.5km of oil-filled cable, 6.5km of gas insulated cable and 15km of solid cable to improve performance;
NORTHERN ELECTRIC PLC (REGISTERED NUMBER: 02366942)
GROUP STRATEGIC REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015
CORE PRINCIPLES - continued
Operational excellence - continued
Operational activity - continued
- Refurbishment of 230 overhead line towers and replacement of over 86 EHV poles as part of circuit refurbishment works or individually, based on their condition;
- Commencement of works to replace a substantive part of the overhead tower line between Malton, Thornton Dale and Whitby with underground cables;
- 200km of high-voltage overhead line and 115km of low-voltage overhead line was rebuilt and/or refurbished;
- 16 units of high-voltage outdoor switchgear, 39 high-voltage distribution substations and 301 units of high-voltage indoor switchgear were replaced; and
- 255 new remote control points were installed and commissioned.
In order to deliver its investment strategy, Northern Powergrid used a mix of its own staff and contractors to undertake its activities, including affiliated companies in the Northern Powergrid Group.
Employee commitment
Health and safety
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The focus on health and safety continued to be of paramount importance for the directors, as it is for all employees. There is a continuous drive for improvement in safety performance through the setting of challenging goals and the pursuit of a comprehensive safety and health improvement plan, which reflects the Group's fundamental objective that every employee and contractor should go home at the end of each shift uninjured and in good health after a productive day's work. The Group makes no compromise in respect of its health and safety obligations and centres its safety plans and systems on the principles found in companies with world class safety performance.
The Group's safety record over a number of years suggests that it is one of the safest in the sector in which it operates and it will strive to improve performance still further and, in doing so, maintain its position over the coming years. Having identified issues that may pose an increased safety risk, such as metal theft and the roll-out of smart meters, the Group is implementing various measures through its safety and health improvement plan that will build incrementally on the existing strong safety record and ensure that safety considerations are always part of the investment decision-making and appraisal process.
Operational incident performance was disappointing with the number of switching issues experienced on the high-voltage network resulting in ten such incidents occurring in the year, eight of which were attributable to Northern Powergrid and two to IUS, against a target of six. As one of the key deliverables in the Group's safety and health improvement plan is to raise awareness and improve the concentration skills of its operational engineers and other employees, the Group increased its operational audit rate of senior authorised persons such that the operational practices of all the senior authorised persons were verified during the year. The Group also delivered operational seminars, stand down briefings, and regular safety newsflashes to staff in order to cascade information on safety trends, issues and incidents.
The Group's safety and health improvement plan targets continuous improvement and delivery of the various initiatives contained in that plan contributed to Northern Powergrid recording an OSHA rate for the year of 0.21 (2014: 0.1) and IUS an OSHA rate of zero (2014: zero).
The Group uses several key performance indicators to monitor safety performance, with the goal of achieving performance that is below the target number.
NORTHERN ELECTRIC PLC (REGISTERED NUMBER: 02366942)
GROUP STRATEGIC REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015
CORE PRINCIPLES - continued
Employee commitment - continued
Health and safety - continued
The main key performance indicators are as follows:
2015 2014
Target Actual Target Actual
Lost time accidents 1 3 1 1
Restricted duty
accidents 1 0 1 0
Medical treatment
accidents 2 0 2 0
Operational incidents 6 10 6 6
Preventable vehicle
accidents 12 11 13 11
The number of lost time accidents experienced by the Group increased to three in the year as opposed to one experienced in 2014 and the Group did not record any medical treatment or restricted duty cases. In addition, performance in respect of preventable vehicle accidents was below the target for 2015. None of those incidents gave rise to any significant safety-related risks.
In common with the Berkshire Hathaway Energy group, the Northern Powergrid Group measures its safety performance in terms of the OSHA rate, which is a measure used in the United States to capture safety incidents down to minor levels of medical treatment, such as a stitch or the use of prescription pain killers. As part of its plan to reduce the OSHA rate across the group, Berkshire Hathaway Energy issues daily e-mail updates in respect of performance against its overall OSHA rate and preventable vehicle accident targets, which include information on incidents that have occurred. The Northern Powergrid Group's Director of Safety, Health and Environment also delivered updates using conference call facilities, which were available to the entire workforce, regarding performance and other safety-related issues.
Delivery of the various initiatives in the safety and health improvement plan also contributed to the Northern Powergrid Group achieving an OSHA rate of 0.26 against a target of 0.35, which equated to only six recordable incidents and equalled the best ever performance recorded in 2014.
As part of the safety and health improvement plan and in order to reinforce the operational safety values, Northern Powergrid continued to implement its cross-business operational assurance audit programme and its senior management field engagement programme in order to improve two-way communication on safety and other key business issues. The Northern Powergrid Group continued to implement a robust road risk management plan, which involved electronic driving licence checking, delivering road risk awareness workshops to new employees and using risk reduction tools such as online driver assessment and training followed by an on-road refresher training session if required. The driver training programme provides practical driving training to a targeted population of drivers and is the primary route to improving driver skills in the longer term. Recognising that driving is one of most hazardous activities undertaken on a daily basis, the programme was expanded further throughout 2015 via an interactive, web-based system designed to assess skills and then provide individual training plans to improve hazard perception and reinforce specific aspects of driving-related skills. Northern Powergrid also commenced a programme to install a telematics system in all of its fleet vehicles in order to support driver and vehicle safety by encouraging responsible and safe driving styles, assist with the completion and management of vehicle safety checks, and expedite investigation of vehicle accidents and incidents.
During the year, Northern Powergrid and IUS were awarded further President's Awards by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents in recognition of achievements in 2014 and for continued or improving standards of health and safety over a sustained period. Northern Powergrid's health and safety management systems were subject to the regular bi-annual external surveillances and, on conclusion of those assessments, the auditor recommended that Northern Powergrid maintained its OHSAS 18001 accreditation.
NORTHERN ELECTRIC PLC (REGISTERED NUMBER: 02366942)
GROUP STRATEGIC REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015
CORE PRINCIPLES - continued
Employee commitment - continued
Health and safety - continued
The sickness absence rate across the Northern Powergrid Group for the year ended 31 December 2015 was 2.71% (2014: 2.32%), which was an increase on that experienced in 2014 but does not give rise to any particular cause for concern.
Management structure
Operational management of Northern Powergrid and that of its affiliate, Northern Powergrid (Yorkshire) plc, is undertaken by a single senior management team with specific functional responsibilities. Those functional responsibilities are in respect of operations, health, safety and environment, asset management (including procurement), customer service, business development (including new connections to the network), policy and markets (including trading and innovation), regulation, human resources, organisation development, legal and finance (including property management, stakeholder engagement and information technology). Some of those functions also provide services across the Northern Powergrid Group. IUS has its own, separate management team and Northern Powergrid Metering utilises staff employed by other companies in the Northern Powergrid Group, in respect of whom it bears the relevant costs.
Employees
The Group continued to apply appropriate control to its headcount policy and to place significant emphasis on the importance and application of high standards of management and performance in support of the Core Principles. The Group ensures that a level of consistency is adopted in so doing and, in respect of employee relations, continued to build constructive and partnered relationships with the trades unions. In that respect, the Group has or is working towards securing multi-year pay agreements with the various employment groups such that the relevant terms and conditions are fair and appropriate across the Group. In addition, the Northern Powergrid Group expects to recruit approximately 100 trainees a year under its workforce renewal programme during ED1 and recruited a total of 174 members of staff in 2015, of which 101 were part of the workforce renewal programme. In addition, 70 trainees who were recruited under the workforce renewal programme in previous years graduated from their training programmes and commenced work as part of the Northern Powergrid Group's operations.
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As a member of the Berkshire Hathaway, Inc. group of companies, Berkshire Hathaway Energy sets high expectations for honesty and integrity in the conduct of all business activity. Consequently, the Group is committed to proper business conduct and has adopted the Berkshire Hathaway Energy code of business conduct, which details the commitment to ethics and compliance with the law, provides reporting mechanisms for known or suspected ethical or legal violations, and establishes minimum standards of behaviour expected of all employees. All employees must complete annual training on the code of business conduct. A "speaking up" policy is also in place so that members of staff are able to raise any instances of unethical acts, malpractice or impropriety. An additional process is also available to all staff via an international, anonymous help line operated by an independent company.
In order to support the welfare of its employees, the Northern Powergrid Group provides an employee assistance service to its staff via an independent company that supports over 350 organisations in the UK. The programme is a confidential, self-referral counselling and information service to assist with personal or work-related problems that may be affecting health, wellbeing or performance and is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The services available include health, wellbeing and family-care information, financial information and debt counselling, and legal guidance. Working in partnership with its occupational health provider, the Northern Powergrid Group is delivering a long-term strategic programme aimed at improving the health of its staff and, in that respect, the Northern Powergrid Group won the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development's North of England Award for Health and Wellbeing for its commitment and delivery of an improved health and well-being programme.
Progress continued to be made during 2015 in the human resources and organisation development functions, including recruitment, employee engagement, and performance management and development in order to put in place the foundations for a more agile and responsive workforce to meet customer requirements. Throughout the year, the Group continued to set and uphold the promotion of high standards of probity among staff. In addition, the Northern Powergrid Group's organisational structure has been developed to control business units and to delegate authority and accountability, having regard to acceptable levels of risk.
As at 31 December 2015, the Group employed 1,297 staff (2014: 1,277).
NORTHERN ELECTRIC PLC (REGISTERED NUMBER: 02366942)
GROUP STRATEGIC REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015
CORE PRINCIPLES - continued
Environmental respect
The Group's approach to environmental compliance is governed by its environmental policy and the policy of Environmental RESPECT (Responsibility, Efficiency, Stewardship, Performance, Evaluation, Communication and Training) implemented by Berkshire Hathaway Energy. These policies and their subordinate operational control procedures and systems address compliance with legal and other key environmental requirements, pollution prevention and continual improvement, and also promote environmental awareness and best practice amongst the Group's staff and contractors.
Northern Powergrid has operated a United Kingdom Accreditation Service scheme for environmental management since the late 1990s, certified to the environmental management systems standard ISO 14001: 2004. It is subject to regular six-monthly assessment visits and a three-yearly certificate renewal assessment by an accredited external certification body in order to retain that status.
The most recent visit was a surveillance assessment carried out by Lloyd's Register Quality Assurance in September 2015. The assessment report drew management attention to two minor non-conformances to be addressed by agreed proposed actions and also noted that continued improvements had been made to the environmental management system over the past three years. There were no major non-conformances noted and, after a rigorous three-day surveillance audit, continued certification was recommended and subsequently confirmed.
Procedures and processes were reviewed and developed to improve the effectiveness of the environmental management system during 2015. Operational controls at depots have also significantly improved, which has supported the reduced number of minor non-conformances raised at recent surveillance visits. In the event that fluid leakages do occur, Northern Powergrid has in place an emergency incident response support contract with a specialist service provider, under which 24-hour environmental incident assistance is provided, including contamination mitigation, remediation and incident-validation reporting.
Improvements in support of the Group's environmental policy objectives continued to focus on replacing selected fluid-filled cable sections with non-fluid polymeric equivalents, replacing oil-filled circuit breakers with vacuum and sulphur hexafluoride gas-filled units at outdoor substations to reduce the potential for oil leakage and using gas tracer technology to locate cable fluid leaks quicker, where it was practicable to do so. The Group also provided environmental awareness training for staff via an online system to avoid the need for travelling to central training locations. These improvements support the Group in delivering sustained environmental performance and, in 2015, only four incidents were reportable to the Environment Agency, which was significantly better than the target of 10. Oil spills and leaks from Northern Powergrid's assets exceeded the target of 13,500 litres by 4% and SF(6) gas discharges from electrical plant exceeded the target of 23 kilogrammes by 14%. During 2015, the Group recycled more of its waste than before and maintained its positive performance with regard to street works. Work continued with many of Northern Powergrid's key stakeholders, including the Environment Agency, to enhance the advanced environmental management processes already in place and, in 2016, Northern Powergrid plans to maintain this progress so that the impact on the environment in which it works is reduced and the most effective ways of doing so are utilised. Northern Powergrid's business plan contains a commitment to reduce its business carbon footprint by 10% by the end of ED1 and performance remains on course to achieve that target.
The Group's commitment to the Environmental RESPECT policy and its improved overall performance contributes towards minimising its impact on the environment. As part of its annual environmental improvement plan, Northern Powergrid has mobilised significant programmes to replace fluid-filled cables and place overhead lines underground in National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, reduce electrical losses and implement further improvements to the network that take account of protected structures, features, areas, wildlife and habitat. Bird life is being protected by placing bird-diverters on power lines where they are in proximity to nature reserves, wetlands, flight paths or in locations where rare species of bird are known to live or breed and also in response to information obtained from incident trends. During the year, Northern Powergrid also initiated a pilot project with a not-for-profit social enterprise, which rescues waste timber and then provides affordable reclaimed timber products to the local community.
NORTHERN ELECTRIC PLC (REGISTERED NUMBER: 02366942)
GROUP STRATEGIC REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015
CORE PRINCIPLES - continued
Environmental respect - continued
Sustainability
Northern Powergrid's activities have an important part to play in the United Kingdom's transition to a low-carbon economy, both in its capacity as a major participant in the United Kingdom energy industry and in terms of its own carbon footprint. As the country takes action to make significant reductions in its carbon emissions, the way electricity is produced and used is expected to have a significant impact on the electricity network over time. Northern Powergrid is taking action to develop innovative solutions so that its network will be ready to handle the energy flows its customers need, when required. In addition, Northern Powergrid is working with customers to assist in solving issues raised by the installation of low-carbon generation and load technologies. Northern Powergrid is also actively involved in working with industry and other interested parties to develop national policies and strategies to assist the low-carbon transition.
Northern Powergrid measures and publishes details of its business carbon footprint. Figures are reported per calendar year and relate solely to the regulated electricity distribution business. A monthly reporting process is in place to calculate the amount, based on an inventory of the various carbon emissions sources, identified with reference to the methodology described in the Greenhouse Gas Protocol and quantification of emissions is achieved through compilation of various operational data sources. In line with Ofgem's requirements, Northern Powergrid has contributed to the sustainability agenda through public reporting on its carbon footprint and its reporting framework is certified under CEMARS (the Certified Emissions Measurement and Reduction Scheme) for compliance with ISO 14064.
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The number of installations by customers of low-carbon technologies such as photovoltaic solar panels and heat pumps continued to increase during the year and are reported via the regulatory reporting process. The greater range of load and generation technologies being placed on the network arising from the decarbonisation of energy means that Northern Powergrid needs to develop smart solutions that reduce the need for expensive reinforcement of the network. In that respect, the Northern Powergrid Group disseminated the learning from its Customer-Led Network Revolution project during 2015, which was aimed at understanding how novel network technology and changes in customers' energy-usage habits may lead to the speedier and lower cost connection of low-carbon technologies to the network.
The Northern Powergrid Group believes that the project delivered significant learning and a comprehensive legacy, as it developed practical guidance as well as policy recommendations and equipment specifications, made recommendations to update the United Kingdom electricity industry's technical network planning standards and delivered insight into potential future commercial arrangements and the practicalities of delivering end-solutions that are compatible with customers' needs.
Northern Powergrid's plans for ED1 include further development of the learning delivered by the project to support the evolution of a sustainable network, which will include enabling technology, reinforcement of the network to alleviate the constraints associated with low-carbon technologies and supporting the roll-out of smart meters. Northern Powergrid is investing, via its innovation strategy, in order to facilitate knowledge transfer and absorption of learning through the up-skilling of its workforce, the redefinition of its technical standards and the improvement of its processes. Consequently, Northern Powergrid continues to believe that its plans will not only create some immediate benefits for customers during ED1, but also pave the way for much greater benefits after 2023.
In July 2015, Northern Powergrid submitted its second Adaptation to Climate Change report to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, which builds on the actions identified in the first report and provides details of progress made against those actions. It also brings the report up to date to reflect the Northern Powergrid Group's structure and approach to risk management as well as discussing emerging research and its influence on the Northern Powergrid Group's approach to adaptation.
Updates from the first report include detail on the approach to surface water flooding, a review of industry practice for vegetation management and research carried out by Newcastle University into the effects of wind on electricity networks. Northern Powergrid intends to continue to refine and adjust its plans and processes in the future, as more accurate climate projection data becomes available to take account of the potential impact that future climate change predictions may bring and to ensure that it continues to maintain the levels of network performance its customers deserve.
NORTHERN ELECTRIC PLC (REGISTERED NUMBER: 02366942)
GROUP STRATEGIC REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015
CORE PRINCIPLES - continued
Regulatory integrity
The Group manages its business to the highest behavioural standards and adheres to a policy of strict compliance with all relevant standards, legislation and regulatory conditions. The Governance and Risk Management Group ("GRMG") is the principal risk management forum in the Northern Powergrid Group, and monitors and manages performance in risk-related and compliance areas. The GRMG met on three occasions during the year in order to review the mechanisms for meeting external obligations, to strengthen the business-control-improvement environment, and to consider and advise on key strategic risks facing the Northern Powergrid Group.
As has been the case for some years, breaches by a DNO of its licence conditions and certain other statutory requirements could lead to financial penalties, which Ofgem has stated "will have a proportionate impact on shareholder returns". In order to assure compliance with licence and other regulatory obligations, Northern Powergrid operates a regulatory compliance affirmation process, under which ownership of approximately 1,748 regulatory obligations contained within the compliance database is currently assigned to around 75 responsible managers. Those responsible managers are required, on a quarterly basis, to review compliance with the relevant obligations that have been assigned to them for certification and report on any identified non-compliances or perceived risks to the compliance process, which are then addressed. The Regulation Manager reports to the board of Northern Powergrid on the outcome of each quarter's exercise.
Under the RIIO (revenue = incentives + innovation + outputs) model for regulation, price controls are set for eight years (rather than five as has previously been the case), with provision for a mid-period review of the outputs that network companies are required to deliver. The ED1 price control became effective on 1 April 2015 and is due to end on 31 March 2023.
The final determination in respect of ED1, as amended by the CMA, sets out Northern Powergrid's allowed revenues and rules by which Ofgem expects to adjust these revenues in certain circumstances during ED1. Relative to Ofgem's original proposals, the CMA's determination resulted in Northern Powergrid's base allowed revenue decreasing by approximately 0.1% in the regulatory year ended 31 March 2017 and in all subsequent years within ED1, before the addition of inflation (as measured by the Retail Prices Index ("RPI")). Base allowed revenue in the regulatory year ended 31 March 2016 remains unchanged from Ofgem's original final determination and nominal base allowed revenues will increase in line with RPI.
The ED1 price control is the first to be set for electricity distribution in Great Britain since Ofgem completed its review of network regulation (known as the RPI-X @ 20 project). The key changes to the price control calculations, compared to those used in previous price controls are that:
- the period over which new regulatory assets are depreciated is being gradually lengthened, from 20 years to 45 years, with the change being phased over eight years;
- allowed revenues will be adjusted during the price control period, rather than at the next price control review, to partially reflect cost variances relative to cost allowances;
- the allowed cost of debt will be updated within the price control period by reference to a long-run trailing average based on external benchmarks of public debt costs;
- allowed revenues will be adjusted in relation to some new service standard incentives, principally relating to speed and service standards for new connections to the network; and
- there is scope for a mid-period review and adjustment to revenues in the latter half of the period for any changes in the outputs required of licensees for certain specified reasons.
Many other aspects of the previous price control remain in place (either in their DPCR5 or similar form), including adjustments to revenues in relation to the number and duration of service interruptions and customer service standards. In addition, network tariffs are now set further in advance than was previously the case.
NORTHERN ELECTRIC PLC (REGISTERED NUMBER: 02366942)
GROUP STRATEGIC REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015
PRINCIPAL RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES
There are a number of potential risks and uncertainties, which could have an impact on the Group, its financial position and its operations and may cause actual results to vary materially from those expected or historically experienced. The principal risks are outlined as follows:
Financial risk
As a holder of an electricity distribution licence, Northern Powergrid is subject to regulation by GEMA, which acts through Ofgem. Most of the revenue of the electricity distribution licence holders is controlled by the distribution price control formula set out in the electricity distribution licence. The price control formula does not constrain profits from year to year but sets the maximum permitted revenue for each regulatory year, taking into account base allowed revenues and movements in RPI as well as factors such as performance against certain regulatory incentives. Where Northern Powergrid recovers more, or less, than this maximum the difference is carried forward, with interest. For amounts relating to the regulatory year ended 31 March 2016, the carry forward will be into the entitlement for the regulatory year ended 31 March 2018.
Prior to and including DPCR5, it was the practice of Ofgem to review and reset the formula at five-year intervals, although the formula has been, and may be, reviewed at other times at the discretion of Ofgem. The price control for ED1 has been set for the eight-year period commencing on 1 April 2015 and it is Ofgem's intention to use eight-year price control periods in the future. A resetting of the formula is now made by GEMA without the consent of the electricity distribution licence holder, but a licensee can appeal to the CMA against a decision by GEMA to proceed with such a modification. Certain other interested parties have the same right. Details of Northern Powergrid's appeal to the CMA can be found on pages 3 and 4 of this Strategic Report.
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During the term of the price control, the rate of inflation as measured by RPI is taken into account in setting Northern Powergrid's allowed income in respect of each regulatory year. Consequently, one of the risks faced by Northern Powergrid is that its costs may increase by more than RPI. Any changes in costs incurred will have a direct impact on Northern Powergrid's financial results, as will changes in performance under incentive schemes, such as in customer service, which can lead to adjustments to allowed revenues.
Ofgem recognises that defined benefit pension schemes and, particularly, the current deficit positions of various schemes, represent a significant cost to the DNOs and, in its DPCR5 final proposals, Ofgem confirmed that DNOs would be allowed to recover the actuarial value of the deficits attributable to a licensee's distribution business in existence as at 31 March 2010 via its regulated revenues (after an adjustment to reflect the residual of unfunded early retirement deficiency costs as at 31 March 2010). Ofgem re-affirmed these principles in its ED1 final determination.
However, given the stable and regulated nature of the DNOs' businesses, Ofgem took the view that a notional repair period of 15 years from 1 April 2010 was appropriate for the purpose of assessing the DNOs' allowed revenues in respect of pension costs. Moreover, Ofgem reviews the reasonableness of the triennial actuarial valuations of DNOs' pension schemes and calculates new deficit funding allowances, including any adjustments that may be necessary to account for differences between allowances received and payments actually made to the relevant pension scheme.
The other financial risks facing the Group are outlined on page 6 of this Strategic Report.
Operational risk
There are a number of risks to Northern Powergrid's operational performance in respect of which mitigating actions have been taken. Appropriate credit cover arrangements are in place with the electricity suppliers, which would allow recovery of defaulted payments through the price control mechanism and a robust major incident management plan is implemented whenever severe weather impacts on the distribution network's performance. Given the regular instances of metal theft experienced in previous years, Northern Powergrid maintained its programme of risk-assessed and enhanced security measures at its sites and pursued awareness raising activity at a national and local level.
Northern Powergrid recognises that there are uncertainties around the future take-up of low-carbon technologies and the resulting capacity requirements for the network, and from the fitting of smart meters throughout Northern Powergrid's distribution services area, which is expected to result in a requirement to address a proportionate number of reported defects. Northern Powergrid believes that it can effectively manage these issues through its usual risk management practices.
NORTHERN ELECTRIC PLC (REGISTERED NUMBER: 02366942)
GROUP STRATEGIC REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015
PRINCIPAL RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES - continued
Commercial risk
Managing commercial risk continued to be of key importance and the Group remained focused on ensuring that its policies for credit checking, payment terms, payment performance tracking and debt management were strictly adhered to.
Northern Powergrid's relationship with its main customers is governed by a distribution connection and use of system agreement ("DCUSA"), which is in place with each of those customers. Those customers are the electricity suppliers who, under the terms of the DCUSA, pay charges for the use of the distribution network, in respect of which it is necessary to ensure that credit cover arrangements in line with Ofgem's guidance remain in place. The principal electricity suppliers that use Northern Powergrid's network are RWE Npower, British Gas, EDF Energy, E.ON, Scottish and Southern Energy and Scottish Power.
Northern Powergrid operates utilising a mix of direct labour and contracted resource and has a range of contracts in place with various service providers for delivery of its work programmes, which are subject to regular market testing and tendering exercises. Those services include vegetation management, overhead line inspection and construction, substation construction and maintenance, underground cable laying services, vehicle leasing and servicing, tower refurbishment and information technology services. Northern Powergrid also has an extensive suite of contracts in place for the procurement of all of the goods and equipment it requires to deliver its capital expenditure programme and to run its business, including for varying types of transformers, switchgear and cables.
Risk Management
The Northern Powergrid Group operates a structured and disciplined approach to the management of risk as part of its overall risk management policy and, in DPCR5 and previous price control periods, accepted and successfully managed substantial cost and delivery risks by developing a culture of cost and risk management over that period of time. Risks are divided into a number of risk sectors which, in turn, align to the Northern Powergrid Group's Core Principles, as detailed on pages 2 and 3 of this Strategic Report. A report regarding the effectiveness of each risk sector in terms of risk management, control activity, key success factors and supporting measures is presented at meetings of the GRMG. The risk environment is reviewed continually in order that new or emerging potential risks are identified.
The Northern Powergrid Group identifies and assesses risks associated with the achievement of its strategic objectives, so that any actions needed to further enhance the control environment are identified, along with the person responsible for the management of the specific risk. A regular review of the key risks, controls and action plans is undertaken. The risk management programme includes regular review of the crisis management, disaster recovery and major incident plans, which are periodically tested, the sharing of best practice on disaster preparedness and response, disaster recovery tests of IT servers and priority processes, penetration tests against firewall systems, and a peer review of the Northern Powergrid Group's risk management systems by Berkshire Hathaway Energy.
Risk management continues to be a central theme of senior management priority setting, as well as an explicit business process that helps to identify lower probability, high consequence threats to business success or continuity. This approach is reinforced by that of the Berkshire Hathaway Energy group, whose activities have continued to include benchmarking of risk management activities across its business units, including the sharing of significant lessons learned associated with risk management.
A key element and requirement of the risk management process is that a written certificate is provided by the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Northern Powergrid Group confirming that the effectiveness of the system of internal controls has been reviewed during the year. A self-certification process is in place, in support of this review, whereby certain senior managers are required to confirm that the system of internal control in their area of the business is operating effectively. Consequently, the directors believe that a robust system of risk assessment and management is in place.
Internal Control
A rigorous internal control environment exists within the Northern Powergrid Group based on regular reporting, a series of operational and financial policy statements, investigations undertaken by internal audit and a stringent process for ensuring the implementation of any recommendations. Berkshire Hathaway Energy requires a quarterly risk control assessment to be undertaken by certain senior managers as part of its programme for compliance with the requirements of the United States Sarbanes-Oxley Act and, while no significant areas of weakness have been identified, any recommended improvements are implemented.
NORTHERN ELECTRIC PLC (REGISTERED NUMBER: 02366942)
GROUP STRATEGIC REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015
PRINCIPAL RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES - continued
Internal Control - continued
In addition, the Northern Powergrid Group employs comprehensive business planning and financial reporting procedures, regularly reviews key performance indicators to assess progress towards its goals and has a strong internal audit function to provide independent scrutiny of its internal control systems. The Northern Powergrid Group has risk management procedures in place, including the standards required by the United States Sarbanes-Oxley Act, and has centralised treasury operations and established procedures for the planning, approving and monitoring of major capital expenditure.
The Northern Powergrid Group is committed to maintaining the highest ethical standards in the conduct of its business and, in that respect, implements Berkshire Hathaway Energy's code of business conduct for employees. The code of conduct sets out and emphasises the required standards and commitment to ethical behaviour, provides reporting mechanisms for known or suspected ethical issues, helps prevent wrongdoing, and creates and sustains an ethical work environment across the Northern Powergrid Group. All employees are required to complete annual training on the code of business conduct and then confirm that they understand the requirements outlined in the code. The training is available online and employees who do not have access to the online system attend a briefing with their line manager.
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The Group does not have a specific human rights policy but, as noted in this Strategic Report, it bases its operations on the Core Principles in order to deliver its long-term objectives. Accordingly, the Group remains fully committed to operating ethically and responsibly and with fairness and integrity through the policies and procedures it has in place which set the approach to its employees, their health, safety and welfare, its dealings with customers, particularly those who are vulnerable and on the priority services register, its impact on the environment and its contribution to the sustainability agenda within the energy industry. The Core Principles are a key factor in the responsible way in which the Group operates its electricity distribution, engineering contracting and metering businesses, examples of which are described throughout this Strategic Report.
The Northern Powergrid Group is also committed to preventing corruption in all its forms and continues to have a zero-tolerance approach to corruption in its business or by those with whom it does business. The board of Northern Powergrid Holdings Company has addressed the risks introduced by the Bribery Act 2010 through a compliance policy, changes to contractual terms, training and other staff awareness measures. The introduction of annual risk assessments and enhanced due diligence in respect of new business transactions has further assisted in ensuring compliance.
The Northern Powergrid Group requires staff, suppliers of services and business partners to comply with the Bribery Act. Its policies encourage an employee who has any suspicion of bribery or other form of corruption within or related to the Northern Powergrid Group to report the suspicion to a manager or via the international, anonymous help line mentioned in the Employee commitment section.
Northern Powergrid has appropriate controls in place directed at ensuring compliance with the conditions in its licence requiring any payments made to, or received from, affiliates or related undertakings in respect of goods and services provided or supplied to be on an arm's length basis and on normal commercial terms.
In preparing these annual reports and accounts, the directors have assessed the viability of the Group for the purposes of making the statement below and do so on an ongoing basis as part of the preparation and approval of the Group's ten-year business plan.
The directors have chosen the eight-year period from 1 April 2015 for the purposes of making this statement because it equates to the ED1 regulatory period, though longer periods may be appropriate given the 45-year life ascribed to Northern Powergrid's new assets, the enduring nature of Northern Powergrid's business and the fact that the notice period for revocation of Northern Powergrid's electricity distribution licence is 25 years. Northern Powergrid's income has been set for the ED1 regulatory period, although there is scope for a mid-period review and Ofgem may adjust revenues in the latter half of the period for any changes in the outputs required of Northern Powergrid for certain specified reasons. Consequently and given the general stability associated with the regulatory environment in which Northern Powergrid operates, the directors have been able to prepare sufficiently robust forecasts as part of the Group's annual business planning process, taking account of the principal risks and uncertainties which might have an impact on those forecasts. The Group's forecasts look forward for a 10-year period and anticipate the Group's continued stable operations beyond the ED1 price control.
NORTHERN ELECTRIC PLC (REGISTERED NUMBER: 02366942)
GROUP STRATEGIC REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015
PRINCIPAL RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES - continued
Details of the principal risks and uncertainties, which could have an impact on the Group, are provided on pages 18 and 19 of the Strategic Report and details of how those principal risks are assessed and managed are provided in the risk management section of the Strategic Report.
The directors' ongoing assessment of the principal risks and uncertainties facing the Group also includes Northern Powergrid meeting the obligations in its electricity distribution licence to provide Ofgem with annual certificates, approved by the board of Northern Powergrid, confirming that the directors have a reasonable expectation that Northern Powergrid will have sufficient financial resources, financial facilities and operational resources available to it so that Northern Powergrid is able to carry on its Distribution Business for a period of 12 months from the dates of those certificates. Assumptions taken into account when approving those certificates include (i) the potential for significant adverse financial impact from various incentive schemes that can lead to variations in Northern Powergrid's allowed income under its price control arrangements; (ii) the occurrence of catastrophic natural or other events, which could have a significant impact on the operating performance of the distribution network or involve significant expenditure; (iii) whether significant customer payment defaults may be experienced; and (iv) the continued availability to Northern Powergrid of suitably qualified and experienced staff. Given the regulatory environment in which Northern Powergrid operates, it is currently considered unlikely that there will be material variances to the assumptions used in providing those certificates during ED1.
The stable nature of the Group's business is evidenced by the fact that the commitments made by Northern Powergrid in its well-justified business plan, which was originally submitted to Ofgem as part of the ED1 price control review process, have not changed fundamentally. Consequently, assuming that the principal risks and uncertainties facing the Group continue to be managed effectively, the directors have a reasonable expectation that the Group will be able to continue in operation and meet its liabilities as they fall due over the ED1 period.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD:
P A Jones
Director
22 April 2016
NORTHERN ELECTRIC PLC (REGISTERED NUMBER: 02366942)
REPORT OF THE DIRECTORS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015
The directors present their report with the financial statements of the Company and the Group for the year ended 31 December 2015.
DIVIDENDS
During the year, an interim dividend of GBP20.6 million (16.17p per ordinary share) was paid (2014: GBP30.0 million). The directors recommend that no final dividend be paid in respect of the year.
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
The Group supports a programme of research that is expected to contribute to higher standards of performance and a more cost-effective operation of its business. Having completed its major project under Ofgem's Low Carbon Networks Fund, known as the Customer-Led Network Revolution, Northern Powergrid issued the draft project findings to Ofgem for consideration and then disseminated those findings more widely during 2015 as part of a three-month consultation period with the other DNOs in order to explore and refine the conclusions. The Group incurred expenditure of GBP31.0 million over the life of the project. Of that expenditure, 90% has been funded by electricity customers in Great Britain and Ofgem agreed that GBP2.7 million of the additional 10% could be recovered from customers. The Group has the opportunity to apply in the future for a further discretionary award and Ofgem will consider additional rewards for those projects providing the best outcomes for customers. Further details of the Customer-Led Network Revolution project are provided in the Sustainability section on page 16 the Strategic Report. New activities initiated in 2015 included projects regarding enhanced load reduction opportunities from customer participation, the accessing of disbursed domestic demand-side response and, alongside other utilities, how to determine optimum energy system technology approaches appropriate to local socio-economic factors. Other new activities during the year included alternative technology options for overhead line support and the use of unmanned aerial vehicles for remote asset inspection and management. Work completed during the year included the development of an improved decision support tool for optimum selection amongst complex asset investment options.
During the year, the Group invested GBP2.1 million (2014: GBP5.7 million) (Note 6 to the accounts) in its research and development activities.
FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS
The financial position of the Group, as at 31 December 2015, is shown in the consolidated statement of financial position on pages 38 and 39.
There have been no significant events since the year end and the directors intend that Northern Powergrid will continue to implement its well-justified business plan that was revised as part of the ED1 price control review process and develop its business by operating with the goal of efficiently investing in the network and improving the quality of supply and service provided to customers.
IUS will continue to develop its business in a manner that concentrates on its core skills of engineering contracting by delivering a high standard of service to its existing clients and pursuing opportunities to increase its portfolio of clients across all regions of the United Kingdom in the sectors within which it operates.
Northern Powergrid Metering will continue to pursue opportunities in the market for meter asset provision as the smart meter roll-out programme develops.
DIRECTORS
The directors shown below have held office during the whole of the period from 1 January 2015 to the date of this report, except as noted.
G E Abel Chairman
R Dixon Non-executive Director
T E Fielden Finance Director
J M France Regulation Director
P J Goodman Executive Vice-President and Chief Financial
Officer, Berkshire Hathaway Energy
P A Jones President and Chief Executive Officer
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J A Andreasen resigned as a director on 1 July 2015.
NORTHERN ELECTRIC PLC (REGISTERED NUMBER: 02366942)
REPORT OF THE DIRECTORS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015
DIRECTORS - continued
During and as at the end of the year, none of the directors was interested in any contract, which was significant in relation to the business of the Company or the Group.
During the financial year and up to the date of approval of the Report of the Directors, an indemnity contained in the Company's Articles of Association was in force for the benefit of the directors of the Company, which was a qualifying indemnity provision for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006.
FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT
The Group's short-term financial objective is to ensure that it has access to sufficient liquidity to enable it to meet its obligations as they fall due and to provide adequately for contingencies. The long-term objective is to provide a stable and low cost of financing over time whilst observing approved risk parameters. The main risks are liquidity and interest rate risk.
Trading risk
Throughout the year under review, the Group's policy was that no trading in financial instruments should be undertaken.
Financial derivatives
As at 31 December 2015 and during the year, it was the Group's policy not to hold any derivative financial instruments.
Further details of the financial risks facing the Group are provided in the Financial strength and Principal Risks and Uncertainties sections on pages 6 and 18 and 19 respectively of the Strategic Report.
POLITICAL DONATIONS
During the year, no contributions were made to political organisations (2014: GBPnil).
EMPLOYEES
Employee consultation
The Group has a constitutional framework in place for employee consultation and has agreed that framework with trade union representatives. In addition, the Northern Powergrid Group communicates directly and through the management structure with non-collectively bargained staff, who are primarily of management grade, and keeps them informed of and involved as appropriate in developments that may impact on them now or in the future.
The Group is committed to maintaining and improving effective engagement and communication with employees. Following an employee engagement survey undertaken in 2014, senior and local engagement champions were identified during the year to work collaboratively with their teams in order to deliver agreed improvement plans. This approach is augmented by routine communication channels including regular staff briefs on current issues, meetings with staff and their representatives, and increased use of the Northern Powergrid Group's intranet to improve communication and engagement with the workforce.
During the year, the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Northern Powergrid Group continued to provide employees with updates on the Northern Powergrid Group's financial, organisational, safety and customer service performance through postings and weekly blogs on the Northern Powergrid Group's intranet on key elements of performance during the preceding week.
Disabled employees
The Group is committed to equality at work and, as such, its policy is to provide all protected groups, including disabled people, with equality at work in respect of employment, training, career development and promotion, having regard to their aptitudes and abilities. Should any member of staff become disabled during their employment, the Group would work to make reasonable adjustments, wherever possible.
VOTE HOLDER AND ISSUER NOTIFICATION
There have been no disclosures to the Company under Disclosure and Transparency Rule 5 (Vote Holder and Issuer Notification Rules).
NORTHERN ELECTRIC PLC (REGISTERED NUMBER: 02366942)
REPORT OF THE DIRECTORS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE STATEMENT
The Company provides the following statement setting out how it has applied the main principles in the version of the UK Corporate Governance Code made available on the Financial Reporting Council's website in September 2014 (the "Code"). To the extent that it departs from the Code, the Company explains from which parts of the Code it departs and the reasons for so doing.
Compliance statement
Set out below and in the Strategic Report are the areas in which the Company adopts and complies with the main principles of the Code. The Company has not complied with certain of the main principles of the Code, including main principles A2, A3, B2, B6, B7, D1, D2 and E2. The directors confirm that such non-compliance was of a continuing nature throughout the year but consider the governance framework in place to be appropriate to the circumstances of the Company, given that the framework is agreed with Berkshire Hathaway Energy and includes regular reporting to and meetings with the Chairman and senior management of Berkshire Hathaway Energy, the presence of an independent, non-executive director at board meetings of the Company and a strong internal control environment designed to meet the standards required by the United States Sarbanes-Oxley Act.
The Code is based on the "comply or explain" approach and the directors are of the opinion that, in the instances noted above where the Company does not comply with the Code, this approach is justifiable, given that the Company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Energy and the governance framework in place throughout the Northern Powergrid Group is agreed with Berkshire Hathaway Energy.
Section A: Leadership Main Principle The Role of the Board A1:
The directors have agreed a schedule of board meetings at which they review performance, strategy and operational and risk-related issues. In addition, the President and Chief Executive Officer participates in weekly performance review meetings with the Chairman of Berkshire Hathaway Energy and other senior managers of the Berkshire Hathaway Energy group, including the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. At those weekly meetings, the views of the Chairman of Berkshire Hathaway Energy and the senior management team regarding the key, current issues facing the Northern Powergrid Group are discussed.
The Chairman of Berkshire Hathaway Energy also receives weekly, monthly, quarterly and ad-hoc reports on the Northern Powergrid Group's performance from the President and Chief Executive Officer. Berkshire Hathaway Energy's Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President and General Counsel also hold similar weekly review meetings in respect of Berkshire Hathaway Energy's financial and legal functions, at which the Northern Powergrid Group's Finance Director and General Counsel present their respective weekly reports.
The board meets as required to consider relevant issues and met on six occasions during the year, with the attendance of the directors being as follows:
G E Abel Chairman 0
R Dixon Non-Executive Director 6
T E Fielden Finance Director 6
J M France Regulation Director 5
Executive Vice-President and
Chief Financial Officer, Berkshire
P J Goodman Hathaway Energy 0
President and Chief Executive
P A Jones Officer 5
Operational management of Northern Powergrid's business (and that of its affiliate, Northern Powergrid (Yorkshire) plc) is delegated to a single senior management team, with specific functional responsibilities. That senior management team meets monthly with the senior management of the Northern Powergrid Group to monitor performance and address issues of policy across all areas of the business and holds weekly conference calls to report on and consider performance-related issues for that week. Further details of the management structure of the Northern Powergrid Group are provided in the Strategic Report.
NORTHERN ELECTRIC PLC (REGISTERED NUMBER: 02366942)
REPORT OF THE DIRECTORS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE STATEMENT - continued
Section A: Leadership - continued Main Principle The Role of the Board - continued A1:
The directors have overall responsibility for the internal control environment, which, within the Group, is based on regular reporting, a series of operational and financial policy statements, investigations undertaken by internal audit and a stringent process for ensuring the implementation of any recommendations. In addition, Berkshire Hathaway Energy requires a quarterly risk control assessment to be undertaken by certain senior managers as part of its programme for compliance with the requirements of the United States Sarbanes-Oxley Act. The assessments undertaken during the year did not identify any significant weaknesses in the process but resulted in the implementation of recommended improvements. The key features of the Group's internal control system and the issues addressed by the Group during the year can be found in the Strategic Report.
A schedule of key delegations of authority has been approved by the board, which delegates authority for decision-making to senior and other managers in respect of issues such as capital expenditure, procurement, contractual, human resource and payment matters and for the conduct of claims and litigation. That schedule reserves decision-making to the directors above certain financial limits.
During the year, there were a number of committees in operation, acting under delegated terms of reference, which oversee Northern Powergrid Group and, therefore, Group policy. As part of their approved terms of reference, certain of those committees report regularly to the board on their activities.
The committees are as follows:
Health and Safety Management Committee
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The board of Northern Powergrid Holdings Company has established the Northern Powergrid Group Health and Safety Management Committee with delegated powers to manage the health and safety policy and performance of the Northern Powergrid Group. Membership of the committee comprises:
G M Earl Director of Safety, Health and Environment
T E Fielden Finance Director
J M France Regulation Director
N M Gill Operations Director
P A Jones President and Chief Executive Officer
A J Maclennan Business Development Director/Managing
Director, IUS
The committee meets on a regular basis in order to oversee implementation of the health and safety policy, review and agree strategy for the management of health and safety issues, monitor health and safety performance across the Northern Powergrid Group, review the effectiveness of the health and safety policies and the health and safety management system, and consider recommendations for changes in policy due to changes in appropriate legislation, codes of practice or guidance or due to recommendations arising from investigations into significant incidents.
Treasury Committee
The Treasury Committee oversees and implements the treasury policies, which are outlined in the Strategic Report and the Report of the Directors, and comprises:
G E Abel Chairman
D Brady Treasurer
T E Fielden Finance Director
P J Goodman Executive Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer, Berkshire Hathaway Energy
P A Jones President and Chief Executive Officer
S J Lockwood Group Financial Controller
S Gormally Accounting Assistant and Secretary to
the Committee
NORTHERN ELECTRIC PLC (REGISTERED NUMBER: 02366942)
REPORT OF THE DIRECTORS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE STATEMENT - continued
Section A: Leadership - continued Main Principle The Role of the Board - continued A1:
Pensions Committee
The Pensions Committee oversees the Northern Powergrid Group's approach to the pension schemes to which it contributes and comprises:
N Dawson Senior Pensions Advisor T E Fielden Finance Director J M France Regulation Director S J Lockwood Group Financial Controller K Mawson Head of Finance Development and Systems L Tweedie Head of Field Change K Weatherburn Director of Human Resources
Governance and Risk Management Group
The GRMG is the principal risk management forum in the Northern Powergrid Group and monitors and manages performance in risk-related and compliance areas. The GRMG monitors and reviews the strategic risk environment, ensuring the continued suitability, adequacy and effectiveness of risk management arrangements and reports to the Northern Powergrid Group's Audit Committee.
The GRMG comprises:
D Anderson Head of Internal Audit
N Applebee Head of Shared Services
R Dixon Non-Executive Director
M Drye Director of Asset Management
G M Earl Director of Safety, Health and Environment
J Elliott Company Secretary
T E Fielden Finance Director
J M France Regulation Director
T France General Counsel
N M Gill Operations Director
A Jones Head of Strategic Planning and Delivery
A J Maclennan Business Development Director/Managing
Director, IUS
K Weatherburn Director of Human Resources
The GRMG implemented a new process during Quarter 1 of 2015, which is designed to improve the effectiveness of the risk management and control activities, better define the risk environment within the Northern Powergrid Group, rationalise the reporting procedures to focus attention on key risk movements and identify accountabilities for each risk sector.
The risk management framework was monitored regularly during the year to ensure that all strategic risks were being addressed. Risk management policies and procedures were reviewed and updated to ensure a robust and clear approach was maintained. Mr Dixon attended meetings of the GRMG to provide an independent view in respect of the matters discussed.
Asset risk continued to be a strong focus through the Asset Risk Management Executive Review Group and comprehensive plans continued to be in place to manage risks affecting all critical property assets and to strengthen the arrangements for crisis management and business continuity planning. In that respect, the Emergency Planning and Co-ordination Group (the "EPCG") has a remit to develop and maintain the Northern Powergrid Group's approach to emergency planning and to provide strategic leadership and guidance in respect of such matters.
NORTHERN ELECTRIC PLC (REGISTERED NUMBER: 02366942)
REPORT OF THE DIRECTORS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE STATEMENT - continued
Section A: Leadership - continued Main Principle The Role of the Board - continued A1:
The EPCG also ensures appropriate coordination between the various emergency planning disciplines, which include operational management of network incidents, property and the physical environment, non-operational management and resources and the support areas of human resources, information technology, health and safety, communications and legal services.
Further details of the Northern Powergrid Group's approach to corporate governance and the management of internal controls can be found in the Strategic Report.
As explained in respect of main principles B2 and D1, the Company does not have either a remuneration committee or a nomination committee.
Main Principle Division of Responsibilities A2:
Mr G E Abel, the Chairman of Berkshire Hathaway Energy, is also Chairman of the Company. As President and Chief Executive Officer, Dr Jones is responsible for the operation and management of both the Company and the Northern Powergrid Group and reports directly to Mr Abel.
Main Principle The Chairman A3:
Dr Jones chairs board meetings, is responsible for the operation and management of both the Group and the Northern Powergrid Group and divides his time accordingly between his various commitments within the Northern Powergrid Group. Dr Jones reports directly to Mr Abel.
Main Principle Non-Executive Directors A4:
Mr Dixon was the Company's sole independent non-executive director during the year and acts under agreed terms of reference.
Section Effectiveness B: Main Principle The composition of the board B1:
The board comprises five executive directors and Mr Dixon, an independent non-executive director, who, collectively, bring a range of skills and experience to the board. Although the board does not include a balanced number of executive and non-executive directors, the board believes that it possesses the skills and experience necessary to provide effective leadership, stewardship and control of the Group.
Main Principle Appointments to the board B2:
The Company does not have a nomination committee. Appointments to the board are made by Berkshire Hathaway Energy, in conjunction with the President and Chief Executive Officer.
Main Principle Commitment B3:
The Company's non-executive director commits sufficient time to preparation for and attendance at board meetings, although his terms of reference do not quantify the time commitment required.
Main Principle Development B4:
The directors continually update their knowledge of and familiarity with the operations of the Group due to the robust reporting arrangements in place and have ongoing access to the Group's operations and its staff.
Main Principle Information and support B5:
Directors receive monthly reports outlining progress against the Group's goals and targets, enabling financial performance against budget and operational performance against a number of indicators to be reviewed, and also participate in weekly meetings, which consider the key issues of that week in some detail. The directors are able to utilise the advice and services of the Company Secretary in respect of their duties and responsibilities as directors and any new legislation that may affect those duties and responsibilities. The directors also have access to external legal advice should they feel it necessary. Interim briefings are provided to the non-executive director, as appropriate.
NORTHERN ELECTRIC PLC (REGISTERED NUMBER: 02366942)
REPORT OF THE DIRECTORS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE STATEMENT - continued
Section B: Effectiveness - continued Main Principle Evaluation B6:
As part of their approved terms of reference, certain committees report regularly on their activities, enabling the directors to evaluate the activities of those committees. However, the board does not have a process of evaluation of its own performance or of the performance of individual directors in their capacity as directors. Berkshire Hathaway Energy has a performance appraisal and development scheme in place, under which each senior manager of the Northern Powergrid Group is subject to a formal annual appraisal of performance against his individual and Berkshire Hathaway Energy's goals.
Main Principle Re-election B7:
The directors retire by rotation and offer themselves for re-election in accordance with the Company's articles of association.
Section Accountability C: Main Principle Financial and business reporting C1:
The board considers that the annual reports and accounts, which include the Strategic Report and the Report of the Directors, taken as a whole is fair, balanced and understandable and provides the information necessary for shareholders to assess the Group's performance, position, business model and strategy.
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The directors explain, at pages 2 and 3, the Core Principles behind the Group's strategy and, at page 30, their responsibility for preparing the Strategic Report, the Report of the Directors and the annual accounts, have reported, at page 30 in the Report of the Directors that the Company and the Group is a going concern and have included the Report of the Independent Auditor to the Company at page 35 of these annual reports and accounts.
Main Principle Risk management and internal control C2:
Details of the principal risks and uncertainties facing the Group and its internal control system, together with details of the issues addressed by the Group during the year, can be found at pages 18 to 20 of the Strategic Report. Also included at pages 20 and 21 of the Strategic Report is an explanation of how the prospects of the Group have been assessed, the period to which that assessment relates and the reasons as to why that period is considered to be appropriate.
Other key features of the internal control system are:
- Comprehensive business planning and financial reporting procedures, including the annual preparation of detailed operational budgets for the year ahead and projections for subsequent years;
- Regular review of key performance indicators to assess progress towards objectives;
- A range of policies, codes of practice and more detailed instructions that define the processes to be followed;
- A strong internal audit function, which provides independent scrutiny of internal control systems and risk management procedures, including the standards required by the United States Sarbanes-Oxley Act;
- Ongoing health and safety performance reviews carried out by in-house safety professionals in addition to the regime of routine health and safety risk assessment and management processes carried out within each of the operating units;
- Processes and procedures to operate under OHSAS 18001, which is subject to external certification and regular assessment;
- An external obligations register, which assists with complying with financial, legal and regulatory obligations;
- Centralised treasury operations that operate within defined limits and are subject to regular reporting requirements and audit reviews; and
NORTHERN ELECTRIC PLC (REGISTERED NUMBER: 02366942)
REPORT OF THE DIRECTORS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE STATEMENT - continued
Section Accountability - continued
C:
Main Principle Risk management and internal control
C2: - continued
- Established procedures for planning, approving
and monitoring major capital expenditure, major
projects and the development of new business which
includes short and long-term budgets, risk evaluation,
detailed appraisal and review procedures, defined
authority levels and post-investment performance
reviews.
Main Principle Audit committee and auditor
C3:
The board of Northern Powergrid Holdings Company has established an audit committee for the Northern Powergrid Group under delegated terms of reference, which include monitoring of the financial reporting process, the effectiveness of the internal control, internal audit and risk management systems, the statutory audit of the accounts, and the independence of and the provision of additional services by the auditor.
The Audit Committee comprises one member who is independent and one member who has competence in accounting and receives annual reports from the GRMG and from the Northern Powergrid Group's Head of Internal Audit on the work of the Internal Audit Section during the year and the audit plan for the following year. The Audit Committee comprises:
R Dixon Non-Executive Director
Finance Director
T E Fielden
Details of the fees paid by the Group to Deloitte LLP in relation to non-audit services during the year are provided in Note 6 to the accounts.
The Employee commitment section on page 14 of the Strategic Report contains details of the Group's "speaking up" policy.
Section Remuneration D: Main Principle The level and components of remuneration D1:
The Company does not have a remuneration committee. Annual remuneration awards for the senior management of the Northern Powergrid Group are subject to the performance appraisal and development scheme process and consideration by the Chairman of Berkshire Hathaway Energy and the President and Chief Executive Officer. As the Company has no equity securities listed on the London Stock Exchange, it is not required to make directors' remuneration disclosures, other than those required for private companies.
Main Principle Procedure D2:
As noted under main principle D1, the Company does not have a remuneration committee. Annual remuneration awards for the senior management of the Northern Powergrid Group are subject to the performance appraisal and development scheme process and consideration by the Chairman of Berkshire Hathaway Energy and the President and Chief Executive Officer. No director is involved in deciding his own remuneration.
Section Relations with shareholders E: Main Principle Dialogue with Shareholders E1:
As a wholly-owned subsidiary of a privately held group of companies, the board is in continuing dialogue with Berkshire Hathaway Energy.
Main Principle Constructive use of General Meetings E2:
This section of the Code is not applicable to the Company, as it is a wholly-owned subsidiary of a privately held group of companies and, therefore, has no institutional equity shareholders.
NORTHERN ELECTRIC PLC (REGISTERED NUMBER: 02366942)
REPORT OF THE DIRECTORS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015
STATEMENT OF DIRECTORS' RESPONSIBILITIES
The directors are responsible for preparing the Strategic Report, the Report of the Directors and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations.
Company law requires the directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law the directors have elected to prepare the financial statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") as adopted by the European Union. Under company law the directors must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Group and the Company and of the profit or loss of the Group and the Company for that period.
In preparing these financial statements, International Accounting Standard 1 requires the directors to:
- Properly select and apply accounting policies;
- Present information, including accounting policies, in a manner that provides relevant, reliable, comparable and understandable information;
- Provide additional disclosures when compliance with the specific requirements in IFRS are insufficient to enable users to understand the impact of particular transactions, other events and conditions on the Company's and the Group's financial position and financial performance; and
- Make an assessment of the Company's and the Group's ability to continue as a going concern.
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 comply with the Companies Act 2006. 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. The directors are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of any corporate and financial information relating to the Company and the Group, which is included on the Northern Powergrid Group's website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.
GOING CONCERN
A review of the Group's business activities during the year, together with details regarding its future development, performance and position, its objectives, policies and processes for managing its capital, its financial risk management objectives and details of its exposures to trading risk, credit risk and liquidity risk are set out in the Strategic Report, the Report of the Directors and the appropriate notes to the accounts.
When considering continuing to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the annual reports and accounts, the directors have taken into account a number of factors, including the following:
- The Group's main subsidiary, Northern Powergrid, is a stable electricity distribution business operating an essential public service and is regulated by GEMA. In carrying out its functions, GEMA has a statutory duty under the Electricity Act 1989 to have regard to the need to secure that licence holders are able to finance the activities, which are the subject of obligations under Part 1 of the Electricity Act 1989 (including the obligations imposed by the electricity distribution licence) or by the Utilities Act 2000;
- The Group is profitable with strong underlying cash flows; and
- The Group is financed by long-term borrowings with an average maturity of XX years and has access to borrowing facilities provided by Lloyds Bank plc, Royal Bank of Scotland plc and Abbey National Treasury Services plc.
Consequently, after making enquiries, the directors have a reasonable expectation that the Company and the Group have adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Accordingly, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the annual reports and accounts.
NORTHERN ELECTRIC PLC (REGISTERED NUMBER: 02366942)
REPORT OF THE DIRECTORS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015
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STATEMENT AS TO DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION TO AUDITOR
Each of the directors, who is a director of the Company as at the date of this report, confirms that:
a) so far as he is aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the Company's auditor is unaware; and
b) he has taken all the steps he ought to have taken as a director in order to make himself aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the auditor is aware of that information.
This confirmation is given and should be interpreted in accordance with the provisions of section 418 of the Companies Act 2006.
AUDITOR
A resolution to re-appoint Deloitte LLP as the Company's auditor and authorise the directors to determine their remuneration will be proposed at the Annual General Meeting.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD:
P A Jones
Director
22 April 2016
NORTHERN ELECTRIC PLC (REGISTERED NUMBER: 02366942)
RESPONSIBILITY STATEMENT OF THE DIRECTORS IN RESPECT OF THE ANNUAL REPORTS AND ACCOUNTS
Each of the directors as at the date of the Annual Reports and Accounts, whose names and functions are set out on page 22 in the Report of the Directors confirms that, to the best of their knowledge:
a) The accounts, prepared in accordance with applicable
UK law and in conformity with IFRS, 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 Management Report (which is comprised of
the Strategic Report and the Report of the Directors)
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 as a whole, together with
a description of the principal risks and uncertainties
they face.
This responsibility statement was approved by the Board of Directors on 22 April 2016 and signed on its behalf by:
P A Jones
Director
22 April 2016
NORTHERN ELECTRIC PLC (REGISTERED NUMBER: 02366942)
REPORT OF THE DIRECTORS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015
DIRECTORS' BIOGRAPHIES
GREGORY E ABEL
Appointed in January 1997, Mr Abel, 53, is chairman, president and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway Energy, based in Des Moines, Iowa. Through its energy-related businesses, Berkshire Hathaway Energy provides electric and natural gas service to more than 11.5 million customers worldwide. These businesses are Pacific Power, Rocky Mountain Power and PacifiCorp Transmission, comprising PacifiCorp; MidAmerican Energy Company; NV Energy, Inc.; Northern Powergrid Holdings Company; BHE Pipeline Group; BHE U.S. Transmission; AltaLink, L.P.; BHE Renewables; and HomeServices of America, Inc., which is the second-largest residential real estate brokerage firm in the U.S. Mr Abel serves as chairman, CEO, and director of Berkshire Hathaway Energy and PacifiCorp; as chairman and director of NV Energy, Northern Powergrid and Northern Natural Gas, and as a director of AltaLink and HomeServices. Mr Abel serves on the board and executive committee of the Edison Electric Institute. He also serves on the Kraft Heinz Company board of directors; the AEGIS Insurance Services, Inc. board of directors; the Nuclear Electric Insurance Limited board of directors; the Kum & Go, L.C. board of directors; the American Football Coaches Foundation board of directors; the executive board of the Mid-Iowa Council Boy Scouts of America; and is a past member of the Drake University board of trustees.
RONALD DIXON
Appointed in October 1997, Mr Dixon, 78, worked for North Eastern Electricity Board and Northern Electric plc throughout his career, being appointed Secretary in 1987. He was appointed Managing Director of the Power Division in 1990, responsible for electricity supply and distribution, and Commercial Director in 1991. He retired from the board on 31 July 1997 and was re-appointed in the capacity of a non-executive director on 22 October 1997. Mr Dixon is also a non-executive director of Northern Powergrid Holdings Company, Northern Powergrid (Northeast) Limited and Northern Powergrid (Yorkshire) plc.
THOMAS E FIELDEN
Appointed in October 2009, Mr Fielden, 45, joined the Northern Powergrid Group in July 2009 and became Finance Director on 12 October 2009. Mr Fielden is a chartered accountant, having started his career at Coopers & Lybrand and has held a variety of finance appointments in BT, working in BT Group and BT Global Services, before joining Great North East Railway (GNER) as Financial Controller in 2005. He became Finance Director of GNER in 2006, transferring to National Express East Coast in 2007.
JOHN M FRANCE
Appointed in January 2000, Dr France, 58, is Regulation Director for the Northern Powergrid Group. After leaving university he joined the British Gas Corporation where he held a number of posts before becoming a member of the team that handled the privatisation of British Gas in 1986. He joined Northern Electric plc as its Regulation Manager in 1989 and has been involved with all the distribution (and supply) price control reviews that have affected the Northern Powergrid Group since privatisation. He was a member of the team that negotiated the acquisition of the distribution business of Yorkshire Electricity Group plc and the sale of the Northern Electric plc supply businesses in 2001.
PATRICK J GOODMAN
Mr Goodman, 48, is executive vice president and chief financial officer of Berkshire Hathaway Energy. Mr Goodman is responsible for managing all aspects of Berkshire Hathaway Energy's financial operations. Mr Goodman serves as a director of PacifiCorp, Northern Powergrid, Kern River Gas Transmission Company and Northern Natural Gas Company. Mr Goodman supports the evaluation, negotiation and closing of Berkshire Hathaway Energy's domestic and international financings, acquisitions and project developments. Additionally, he manages all accounting, financial reporting, tax, budgeting, long-range financial planning and internal audit functions for Berkshire Hathaway Energy. Mr Goodman has been the chief financial officer since 1999 and has served in various financial positions, including chief accounting officer since joining the company in 1995. Mr Goodman has more than 20 years of experience in public accounting and management and is a certified public accountant. He received his accounting degree from the University of Nebraska at Omaha.
NORTHERN ELECTRIC PLC (REGISTERED NUMBER: 02366942)
REPORT OF THE DIRECTORS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015
PHILIP A JONES
Appointed in April 2007, Dr Jones, 47, is President and Chief Executive Officer of the Northern Powergrid Group, the UK platform in the global portfolio of Berkshire Hathaway Energy. Prior to his appointment as President and Chief Executive Officer, he was Strategy and Investment Director and, as such, was responsible for technical, economic and regulatory strategy within the organisation. Dr Jones is a chartered electrical engineer and has been working in the UK power distribution sector since completing his PhD in Electronic and Electrical Engineering in 1993. He has held a range of technical and managerial roles, mostly in the engineering field. He is also actively involved in a range of other industry bodies. He has been a director of the Institute of Asset Management and of the Energy Networks Association, the trade association that represents the power transmission and distribution companies.
REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT AUDITOR TO THE MEMBERS OF NORTHERN ELECTRIC PLC
We have audited the financial statements of Northern Electric plc Group (the "Company") for the year ended 31 December 2015, which comprise the Consolidated Statement of Profit or Loss, the Consolidated Statement of Profit or Loss and Other Comprehensive Income, the Consolidated and Company Statement of Financial Position, the Consolidated and Company Statement of Changes in Equity, the Consolidated and Company Statement of Cash Flows and related notes 1 to 29. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as adopted by the European Union.
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 a Report of the Auditor and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the Company and the Company's members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.
Respective responsibilities of directors and auditor
As explained more fully in the Statement of Directors' Responsibilities set out on page thirty, the directors are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view. Our responsibility is to audit and express an opinion on the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and International Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland). Those standards require us to comply with the Auditing Practices Board's Ethical Standards for Auditors.
Scope of the audit of the financial statements
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An audit involves obtaining evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements sufficient to give reasonable assurance that the financial statements are free from material misstatement, whether caused by fraud or error. This includes an assessment of whether the accounting policies are appropriate to the circumstances of the Company and the Group and have been consistently applied and adequately disclosed, the reasonableness of significant accounting estimates made by the directors and the overall presentation of the financial statements. In addition, we read all the financial and non-financial information in the Strategic Report and the Report of the Directors to identify material inconsistencies with the audited financial statements and to identify any information that is apparently materially incorrect based on, or materially inconsistent with, the knowledge acquired by us in the course of performing the audit. If we become aware of any apparent material misstatements or inconsistencies we consider the implications for our report.
Opinion on financial statements
In our opinion the financial statements:
- give a true and fair view of the state of the Company's and the Group's affairs as at 31 December 2015 and of the Group's profit for the year then ended;
- have been properly prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 and in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the European Union; and
- in respect of the Company, have been properly prepared in accordance with IFRS as adopted by the European Union and as applied in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act 2006.
Opinion on other matter prescribed by the Companies Act 2006
In our opinion the information given in the Group Strategic Report and the Report of the Directors for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements
Matters on which we are required to report by exception
We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters where the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:
- adequate accounting records have not been kept by the Company, or - returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or
- the financial statements of the Company or the Group 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.
David Johnson FCA (Senior Statutory Auditor)
for and on behalf of Deloitte LLP
Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditor
Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
Date: 26 April 2016
NORTHERN ELECTRIC PLC (REGISTERED NUMBER: 02366942)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF PROFIT OR LOSS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015
2015 2014
Notes GBP'000 GBP'000
CONTINUING OPERATIONS
Revenue 3 386,388 409,503
Cost of sales (42,552) (63,424)
GROSS PROFIT 343,836 346,079
Administrative expenses (147,675) (135,370)
OPERATING PROFIT 196,161 210,709
Other gains 474 752
Finance costs 5 (36,198) (34,865)
Finance income 5 1,619 1,660
PROFIT BEFORE INCOME TAX 6162,056 178,256
Income tax 7 (17,282) (38,015)
PROFIT FOR THE YEAR 144,774 140,241
Profit attributable to:
Owners of the parent 144,774 140,241
The notes on pages 45 to 91 form part of these financial statements
NORTHERN ELECTRIC PLC (REGISTERED NUMBER: 02366942)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF PROFIT OR LOSS AND OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015
2015 2014
GBP'000 GBP'000
PROFIT FOR THE YEAR 144,774 140,241
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Item that will not be reclassified to profit or loss:
Re-measurement of net pension obligation (400) 25,100
Income tax relating to item of other comprehensive income (2,099) (4,444) OTHER COMPREHENSIVE (2,499) (EXPENSE)/INCOME FOR THE YEAR, NET OF INCOME TAX 20,656 TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE 142,275 160,897 INCOME FOR THE YEAR
Total comprehensive income attributable to:
Owners of the parent 142,275 160,897
The notes on pages 45 to 91 form part of these financial statements
NORTHERN ELECTRIC PLC (REGISTERED NUMBER: 02366942)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION
31 DECEMBER 2015
2015 2014
Notes GBP'000 GBP'000
ASSETS
NON-CURRENT ASSETS
Intangible assets 11 31,623 23,821
Property, plant and equipment 12 2,130,082 1,946,871
Investments 13 3,556 3,441
Pension asset 24 88,100 52,900
Trade and other receivables 15 8,769 7,494
2,262,130 2,034,527
CURRENT ASSETS
Inventories 14 13,452 12,304
Trade and other receivables 15 73,879 72,029
Cash and cash equivalents 16 8,824 85,586
96,155 169,919
TOTAL ASSETS 2,358,285 2,204,446
EQUITY
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Called up share capital 17 72,173 72,173
Share premium 18 158,748 158,748
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Other reserves 18 6,185 6,185
Retained earnings 18 771,463 649,788
TOTAL EQUITY 1,008,569 886,894
The notes on pages 45 to 91 form part of these financial statements
NORTHERN ELECTRIC PLC (REGISTERED NUMBER: 02366942)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION - continued
31 DECEMBER 2015
2015 2014
Notes GBP'000 GBP'000
LIABILITIES
NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES
Trade and other payables 19 526,800 500,762
Borrowings 20 587,175 466,960
Deferred tax 23 104,859 107,930
Provisions 22 1,984 1,967
1,220,818 1,077,619
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Trade and other payables 19 110,011 146,783
Borrowings 20 13,917 85,204
Tax payable 3,962 6,314
Provisions 22 1,008 1,632
128,898 239,933
TOTAL LIABILITIES 1,349,716 1,317,552
TOTAL EQUITY AND LIABILITIES 2,358,285 2,204,446
The financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors on 22 April 2016 and were signed on its behalf by:
P A Jones
Director
The notes on pages 45 to 91 form part of these financial statements
NORTHERN ELECTRIC PLC (REGISTERED NUMBER: 02366942)
COMPANY STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION
31 DECEMBER 2015
2015 2014
Notes GBP'000 GBP'000
ASSETS
NON-CURRENT ASSETS
Property, plant and equipment 12 1,680 1,728
Investments 13 328,070 328,070
329,750 329,798
CURRENT ASSETS
Trade and other receivables 15 427 308
Tax receivable 2,694 3,763
Cash and cash equivalents 16 24,322 29,806
27,443 33,877
TOTAL ASSETS 357,193 363,675
EQUITY
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Called up share capital 17 72,173 72,173
Share premium 18 158,748 158,748
Other reserves 18 6,185 6,185
Retained earnings 18 107,480 113,523
TOTAL EQUITY 344,586 350,629
LIABILITIES
NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES
Borrowings 20 1,117 1,117
Deferred tax 23 4,809 5,210
Provisions 22 1,652 1,689
7,578 8,016
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Trade and other payables 19 2,748 2,750
Borrowings 20 2,272 2,273
Provisions 22 9 7
5,029 5,030
TOTAL LIABILITIES 12,607 13,046
TOTAL EQUITY AND LIABILITIES 357,193 363,675
The financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors on 22 April 2016 and were signed on its behalf by:
P A Jones
Director
The notes on pages 45 to 91 form part of these financial statements
NORTHERN ELECTRIC PLC (REGISTERED NUMBER: 02366942)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015
Called up
share Retained Share Other Total
capital earnings premium reserves equity
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
Balance at 1 January 2014 72,173 518,891 158,748 6,185 755,997
Changes in equity
Dividends - (30,000) - - (30,000)
Total comprehensive income - 160,897 - - 160,897
Balance at 31 December 2014 72,173 649,788 158,748 6,185 886,894
Changes in equity
Dividends - (20,600) - - (20,600)
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Total comprehensive income - 142,275 - - 142,275
Balance at 31 December 2015 72,173 771,463 158,748 6,185 1,008,569
The notes on pages 45 to 91 form part of these financial statements
NORTHERN ELECTRIC PLC (REGISTERED NUMBER: 02366942)
COMPANY STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015
Called up
share Retained Share Other Total
capital earnings premium reserves equity
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
Balance at 1 January 2014 72,173 119,293 158,748 6,185 356,399
Changes in equity
Dividends - (30,000) - - (30,000)
Total comprehensive income - 24,230 - - 24,230
Balance at 31 December 2014 72,173 113,523 158,748 6,185 350,629
Changes in equity
Dividends - (20,600) - - (20,600)
Total comprehensive income - 14,557 - - 14,557
Balance at 31 December 2015 72,173 107,480 158,748 6,185 344,586
The notes on pages 45 to 91 form part of these financial statements
NORTHERN ELECTRIC PLC (REGISTERED NUMBER: 02366942)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015
2015 2014
Notes GBP'000 GBP'000
Cash flows from operating activities
Cash generated from operations 27 189,124 215,949
Finance costs paid (38,809) (38,268)
Interest received 956 1,171
Tax paid (24,805) (23,396)
Net cash from operating activities 126,466 155,456
Cash flows used in investing activities
Purchase of intangible fixed assets (10,476) (11,070)
Purchase of tangible fixed assets (271,339) (216,760)
Sale of tangible fixed assets 467 752
Customer contributions 56,357 40,203
Dividends received 548 440
Net cash used in investing activities (224,443) (186,435)
Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from external loans 50,365 38,594
(Repayment of)/proceeds from intercompany loans (8,550) 2,074
Equity dividends paid (20,600) (30,000)
Net cash from financing activities 21,215 10,668
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents (76,762) (20,311)
85,586 105,897
Cash and cash equivalents
at beginning of year
Cash and cash equivalents
at end of year 8,824 85,586
The notes on pages 45 to 91 form part of these financial statements
NORTHERN ELECTRIC PLC (REGISTERED NUMBER: 02366942)
COMPANY STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015
2015 2014
Notes GBP'000 GBP'000
Cash flows from operating activities
Cash generated from operations 27 1,384 1,499
Finance costs paid (9,028) (9,011)
Interest received 195 413
Dividends received 21,113 30,407
Tax received 1,452 3,303
Net cash from operating activities 15,116 26,611
Cash flows from investing activities
Sale of tangible fixed assets - 8
Net cash from investing activities - 8
Cash flows from/(used in) financing activities
Equity dividends paid (20,600) (30,000)
Net cash from/(used in) financing activities (20,600) (30,000)
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents (5,484) (3,381) Cash and cash equivalents 29,806 33,187 at beginning of year Cash and cash equivalents at end of year 24,322 29,806
The notes on pages 45 to 91 form part of these financial statements
NORTHERN ELECTRIC PLC (REGISTERED NUMBER: 02366942)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015
1. GENERAL INFORMATION
Northern Electric plc (the "Company") is a company incorporated in England and Wales and is part of the Northern Powergrid Holdings Company group of companies (the "Northern Powergrid Group"). The address of the registered office is Lloyds Court, 78 Grey Street, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE1 6AF.
The nature of the Group's business model, strategic objectives, operations and activities are set out in the Strategic Report.
2. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Accounting convention and basis of preparation
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These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS"). These financial statements have also been prepared in accordance with IFRS as adopted by the European Union, and with those parts of the Companies Act 2006 (the "Act") that are applicable to companies reporting under IFRS. The Company's financial statements have also been prepared in accordance with IFRS, as applied in accordance with the provisions of the Act. The directors have taken advantage of the exemption offered by Section 408 of the Act not to present a separate statement of profit or loss for the Company.
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. Historical cost is generally based on the fair value of the consideration given in exchange for goods and services. Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date, regardless of whether that price is directly observable or estimated using another valuation technique. In estimating the fair value of an asset or a liability, the Group takes into account the characteristics of the asset or liability if market participants would take those characteristics into account when pricing the asset or liability at the measurement date. Fair value for measurement and/or disclosure purposes in these consolidated financial statements is determined on such a basis, except for leasing transactions which are in the scope of IAS 17, and measurements that have some similarities to fair value but are not fair value, such as net realisable value in IAS 2 or value in use in IAS 36.
In addition, for financial reporting purposes, fair value measurements are categorised into Level 1, 2 or 3 based on the degree to which the inputs to the fair value measurements are observable and the significance of the inputs to the fair value measurement in its entirety, which are described as follows:
- Level 1 inputs are quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company can access at the measurement date;
- Level 2 inputs are inputs, other than quoted prices included within Level 1, that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly; and
- Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs for the asset or liability.
The principal accounting policies are set out below.
Basis of consolidation
The consolidated financial statements incorporate the financial statements of the Company and entities controlled by the Company and its subsidiaries made up to 31 December each year. Control is achieved where the Company has power over the investee, is exposed, or has rights, to variable returns from its involvement with the investee, and has the ability to use its power to affects its returns.
NORTHERN ELECTRIC PLC (REGISTERED NUMBER: 02366942)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015
2. ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued
Investments in associates and joint ventures
An associate is an entity over which the Group has significant influence. Significant influence is the power to participate in the financial and operating policy decisions of the investee but is not control or joint control over those policies. A joint venture is a joint arrangement whereby the parties that have joint control of the arrangement have the rights to the net assets of the joint arrangement. Joint control is the contractually agreed sharing of control of an arrangement, which exists only when decisions about the relevant activities require unanimous consent of the parties sharing control.
The results and assets and liabilities of associates or joint ventures are incorporated in these consolidated financial statements using the equity method of accounting except when classified as held for sale. Investments in associates or joint venture entities are initially recognised at cost and adjusted thereafter to recognise the Group's share of profit or loss and other comprehensive income of the associate or joint venture. When the Group's share of losses of an associate or a joint venture exceeds the Group's interest in that associate or joint venture, the Group discontinues recognising its share of future losses.
An investment in an associate or a joint venture is accounted for using the equity method from the date on which the investee becomes an associate or a joint venture. On acquisition of the investment in an associate or a joint venture, any excess of the cost of the investment over the Group's share of the net fair value of the identifiable assets and liabilities of the investee is recognised as goodwill, which is included within the carrying amount of the investment. Any excess of the Group's share of the net fair value of the identifiable assets and liabilities over the cost of the investment, after reassessment, is recognised immediately in profit or loss in the period in which the investment is acquired.
A joint operation is a joint arrangement whereby the parties that have joint control of the arrangement have rights to the assets, and obligations for the liabilities, relating to the arrangement. Joint control is the contractually agreed sharing of control of an arrangement, which exists only when decisions about the relevant activities require unanimous consent of the parties sharing control.
Fixed asset investments are stated at cost less provision or amounts written off for impairment in value.
Application of new and revised IFRS
In the current year, the Company has applied a number of amendments to IFRS issued by the International Accounting Standards Board ("IASB") that are mandatorily effective for an accounting period that begins on or after 1 January 2015:
- Amendments to IAS The amendments to IAS 19, Defined
19 - Defined Benefit Benefit Plans: Employee Contributions,
Plans: Employee clarify how an entity should
Contributions (1 account for contributions made
July 2014). by employees or third parties
to defined benefit plans, based
on whether those contributions
are dependent on the number
of years of service provided
by the employee. The application
of these amendments to IAS
19 has not had an impact on
the Group's financial statements.
NORTHERN ELECTRIC PLC (REGISTERED NUMBER: 02366942)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015
2. ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued
New and revised standards in issue but not yet effective
The Group has not applied the following new and revised IFRS that have been issued but were not yet effective for the year ended 31 December 2015:
- IFRS 9 - Financial A revised version of IFRS 9,
Instruments (1 January Financial Instruments, was
2018). issued in July 2014 mainly
to include: a) impairment requirements
for financial assets; and b)
limited amendments to the classification
and measurement requirements
by introducing a 'fair value
through other comprehensive
income' ("FVTOCI") measurement
category for certain simple
debt instruments. The directors
anticipate that the application
of IFRS 9 in the future is
unlikely to have an impact
on amounts reported in respect
of the Group's financial assets
and financial liabilities.
- IFRS 15 - Revenue In May 2014, IFRS 15, Revenue
from Contracts with from Contracts with Customers,
Customers (1 January was issued which establishes
2019). a single comprehensive model
for entities to use in accounting
for revenue arising from contracts
with customers. IFRS 15 will
supersede the current revenue
recognition guidance including
IAS 11 Construction Contracts,
IAS 18 Revenue and the related
Interpretations. The core principle
of IFRS 15 is that an entity
should recognise revenue to
depict the transfer of promised
goods or services to customers
in an amount that reflects
the consideration to which
the entity expects to be entitled
in exchange for those goods
or services. Under IFRS 15,
an entity recognises revenue
when (or as) a performance
obligation is satisfied. Far
more prescriptive guidance
has been added in IFRS 15 to
deal with specific scenarios.
Furthermore, extensive disclosures
are required by IFRS 15. The
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directors anticipate that the
application of IFRS 15 in the
future may have a material
impact on the amounts reported
and disclosures made in the
Group's financial statements.
However it is not practicable
to provide a reasonable estimate
of the effect until the Group
undertakes a detailed review.
- IAS 1 - Disclosure The amendments to IAS 1 give
Initiative (1 January some guidance on how to apply
2016). the concept of materiality
in practice. The directors
do not anticipate that the
application of these changes
will have a material impact
on the Group's financial statements.
- Amendments to IAS The amendments to IAS 16 and
16 and IAS 38 - IAS 38, Clarification of Acceptable
Clarification of Methods of Depreciation and
Acceptable Methods Amortisation, prohibit entities
of Depreciation from using a revenue-based
and Amortisation depreciation method for items
(1 January 2016). of property, plant and equipment.
The amendments to IAS 38 introduce
a rebuttable presumption that
revenue is not an appropriate
basis for the amortisation
of an intangible asset. Currently,
the Group uses the straight-line
method for depreciation and
amortisation of property, plant
and equipment, and intangible
assets. The directors believe
that the straight-line method
is the most appropriate method
to reflect the consumption
of economic benefits inherent
in the respective assets and
accordingly, the directors
do not anticipate that the
application of these amendments
will have a material impact
on the Group's financial statements.
NORTHERN ELECTRIC PLC (REGISTERED NUMBER: 02366942)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015
2. ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued
New and revised standards in issue but not yet effective - continued
- Annual Improvements The Annual Improvements to
to IFRS 2010-2012 IFRS 2010-2012, IFRS 2011-2013
Cycle (1 July 2014) and IFRS 2012-2014 include
and Annual Improvements a number of amendments to various
to IFRS 2011-2013 IFRS. The directors do not
Cycle (1 July 2014) anticipate that the application
and Annual Improvements of these amendments will have
to IFRS 2012-2014 a significant impact on the
Cycle. Group's financial statements.
Note: IFRS 14, Regulatory Deferral Accounts, is not applicable to the Group, as the Group is not a first-time adopter of IFRS.
Critical judgements in applying accounting policies
The following are the critical judgements, apart from those involving estimations, that the directors have made in the process of applying the Group's accounting policies and that have the most significant effect on amounts recognised in the consolidated financial statements:
- Revenue recognition; and
- Discount rate used to determine the carrying amount of the Group's defined benefit obligation.
Key sources of estimation uncertainty
The following are the key assumptions concerning the future and other key sources of estimation uncertainty at the end of the reporting period that may have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next financial year:
- Useful economic lives for property, plant and equipment;
- The split of operating and capital expenditure and the allocation of overheads to property, plant and equipment;
- Assumptions used when evaluation long-term pension plans; and - Assumptions used when evaluating construction contracts.
Revenue
Revenue is only recognised when the risks and rewards of ownership have been transferred to a third party. No revenue is recognised where there are significant uncertainties regarding the consideration to be received or the costs associated with the transaction.
Revenue is measured at the fair value of consideration received or receivable.
Revenue represents charges for the use of the Group's distribution network, amortisation of customer contributions, recharge of costs incurred on behalf of related parties and the invoiced value of other goods sold and services provided, exclusive of value added tax.
Revenues from charges to end customers for the use of the Group's distribution network include estimates of the units distributed. The estimated usage is based on historic data, judgement and assumptions. Revenues are gradually adjusted to reflect actual usage in the period during which actual meter readings are obtained.
Any under or over-recovery of allowed distribution network revenues as prescribed by Ofgem is not provided for in the financial statements and will be recovered/repaid through future tariffs.
Customer contributions towards distribution system assets are included in deferred revenue. The Group's policy is to credit the customer contribution to revenue on a straight-line basis, in line with the useful life of the distribution system assets.
Income from credit sale charges is apportioned in the statement of profit or loss over the period of the sales agreements.
NORTHERN ELECTRIC PLC (REGISTERED NUMBER: 02366942)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015
2. ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued
Revenue - continued
Interest income from a financial asset is recognised when it is probable that the economic benefits will flow to the Group and the amount of income can be measured reliably. Interest income is accrued on a time basis, by reference to the principal outstanding and at the effective interest rate applicable, which is the rate that exactly discounts estimated future cash receipts through the expected life of the financial asset to that asset's net carrying amount on initial recognition.
Dividend income from investments is recognised when the shareholders' rights to receive payment have been established.
Construction contracts
Where the outcome of a construction contract can be estimated reliably, revenue and costs are recognised by reference to the stage of completion of the contract activity at the end of the reporting period, based on the proportion of contract costs incurred for work performed to date relative to the estimated total contract costs, except where this would not be representative of the stage of completion. Variations in contract work, claims and incentive payments are included to the extent that they have been agreed with the customer.
Where the outcome of a construction contract cannot be estimated reliably, contract revenue is recognised to the extent of the costs incurred where it is probable they will be recoverable. Contract costs are recognised as expenses in the period in which they are incurred. When it is probable that total contract costs will exceed total contract revenue, the expected loss is recognised as an expense immediately.
When contract costs incurred to date plus recognised profits less recognised losses exceed progress billings, the surplus is shown as amounts due from customers for contract work. For contracts where progress billings exceed contract costs incurred to date plus recognised profits less recognised losses, the surplus is shown as the amounts due to customers for contract work. Amounts received before the related work is performed are included in the consolidated statement of financial position, as a liability, as advances received. Amounts billed for work performed but not yet paid by the customer are included in the consolidated statement of financial position under trade and other receivables.
Software development costs
Costs in respect of major developments are carried at cost less accumulated amortisation and accumulated impairment losses. Amortisation is recognised on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of the software of up to 10 years. The estimated useful life and amortisation method are reviewed at the end of each reporting period, with the effect of any changes in estimate being accounted for on a prospective basis.
Property, plant and equipment and depreciation
Property, plant and equipment is stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and accumulated impairment losses. Cost includes the purchase price of the asset and any costs, including internal employee and other costs, directly attributable to bringing the asset to the location and condition necessary for it to be capable of operating in the manner intended by management.
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Depreciation is recognised so as to write off the cost of assets less their residual values over their useful lives, using the straight-line method:
Distribution system assets 45 years
Distributed generation included in distribution 15 years
system assets
Information technology equipment included up to 10
in distribution system assets years
Metering equipment up to 10
years
Non-operational assets:
Buildings - freehold up to 60
years
lower of
Buildings - leasehold lease period
or 60 years
Fixtures and equipment up to 10
years
Software development costs up to 10
years
Freehold land is not depreciated.
NORTHERN ELECTRIC PLC (REGISTERED NUMBER: 02366942)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015
2. ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued
Property, plant and equipment and depreciation - continued
The estimated useful lives, residual values and depreciation method are reviewed at the end of each reporting period, with the effect of any material changes in estimate accounted for on a prospective basis. Due to the significance of the Group's investment in property, plant and equipment, variations in estimates could impact operating results both positively and negatively although, historically, few changes have been required.
Assets in the course of construction are carried at cost, less any recognised impairment loss. Costs include professional fees, and, for qualifying assets, borrowing costs capitalised in accordance with the Group's accounting policy. Such assets are classified to the appropriate categories of property, plant and equipment when incurred and ready for intended use. Depreciation on these assets, on the same basis as other assets, commences when the assets are commissioned.
Financial instruments
Financial assets and financial liabilities are recognised on the statement of financial position when the Group becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.
Financial assets and financial liabilities are initially measured at fair value. Transaction costs that are directly attributable to the acquisition or issue of financial assets and financial liabilities are added to or deducted from the fair value of the financial assets or financial liabilities, as appropriate, on initial recognition.
Inventories
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost and net realisable value. Net realisable value represents the estimated selling price for inventories less all estimated costs of completion and costs necessary to make the sale. Raw materials and goods for resale are valued at purchase cost on an average price basis. Work in progress is valued at the cost of direct materials and labour plus attributable overheads based on the normal level of activity less progress payments.
Assets held for sale comprise of vehicles which have been sold to the Group at the end of the lease agreement and are stated at the lower of the value attributed to the vehicle under the terms of the agreement or net realisable value. Net realisable value is based on estimated selling price less further costs expected to be incurred to completion and disposal. Within the statement of profit or loss, any profits or losses arising from the sale of assets held for sale are recognised in costs of sales.
Taxation
The income tax expense represents the sum of the tax currently payable and deferred tax.
The tax currently payable is based on taxable profit for the year. Taxable profit differs from 'profit before tax' as reported in the consolidated statement of profit or loss because of items of income or expense that are taxable or deductible in other years and items that are never taxable or deductible. The Group's current tax is calculated using tax rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the end of the reporting period.
Deferred tax is recognised on temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities in the consolidated financial statements and the corresponding tax bases used in the computation of taxable profit. Deferred tax liabilities are generally recognised for all taxable temporary differences. Deferred tax assets are generally recognised for all deductible temporary differences to the extent that it is probable that taxable profits will be available against which those deductible temporary differences can be utilised. Such deferred tax assets and liabilities are not recognised if the temporary difference arises from the initial recognition of assets and liabilities in a transaction that affects neither the taxable profit nor the accounting profit. In addition, deferred tax liabilities are not recognised if the temporary difference arises from the initial recognition of goodwill.
Deferred tax liabilities are recognised for taxable temporary differences associated with investments in subsidiaries and associates, and interests in joint ventures, except where the Group is able to control the reversal of the temporary difference and it is probable that the temporary difference will not reverse in the foreseeable future. Deferred tax assets arising from deductible temporary differences associated with such investments and interests are only recognised to the extent that it is probable that there will be sufficient taxable profits against which to utilise the benefits of the temporary differences and they are expected to reverse in the foreseeable future.
NORTHERN ELECTRIC PLC (REGISTERED NUMBER: 02366942)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015
2. ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued
Taxation - continued
The carrying amount of deferred tax assets is reviewed at each reporting period and reduced to the extent that that it is no longer probable that sufficient taxable profits will be available to allow all or part of the asset to be recovered.
Current and deferred tax are recognised in profit or loss, except when they relate to items that are recognised in other comprehensive income or directly in equity, in which case the current and deferred tax are also recognised in other comprehensive income or directly in equity respectively.
Research costs
Expenditure on research activities is written off to the statement of profit or loss in the year in which it is incurred.
Other than the software development licenses, the Group and the Company do not carry out any other development activity that would give rise to an intangible asset.
Foreign currencies
Transactions in foreign currencies are recognised at the rate of exchange prevailing at the date of the transaction. At the end of each reporting period, monetary items denominated in foreign currencies are retranslated at the rates prevailing at that date. Non-monetary items carried at fair value that are denominated in foreign currencies are retranslated at the rates prevailing at that date when the fair value was determined. Non-monetary items that are measured in terms of historical cost in a foreign currency are not retranslated.
Leases
Leases are classified as finance leases wherever the terms of the lease transfer substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership to the lessee. All other leases are classified as operating leases.
Rentals under operating leases are charged on a straight-line basis over the lease term, even if the payments are not made on such a basis.
Provisions
Provisions are recognised when the Group has a present obligation (legal or constructive) as a result of a past event, it is probable that the Group will be required to settle the obligation and a reliable estimate can be made of the amount of the obligation. The amount recognised as a provision is the best estimate of the consideration required to settle the present obligation at the end of the reporting period, taking into account the risks and uncertainties surrounding the obligation. When a provision is measured using the cash flows estimated to settle the present obligation, its carrying amount is the present value of those cash flows (when the effect of the time value of money is material). When some or all of the economic benefits required to settle a provision are expected to be recovered from a third party, a receivable is recognised as an asset if it is virtually certain that reimbursement will be received and the amount of the receivable can be measured reliably.
Financial assets
Financial assets, including trade and other receivables and cash and cash equivalents, are classified as loans and receivables. Loans and receivables are non-derivative financial assets with fixed or determinable payments that are not quoted in an active market. Loans and receivables are measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method, less any impairment.
The effective interest method is a method of calculating the amortised cost of an instrument and of allocating income over the relevant period. The effective interest rate is the rate that exactly discounts estimated future cash receipts through the expected life of the instrument to the net carrying amount on initial recognition.
Interest income is recognised by applying the effective interest rate, except for short-term receivables when the effect of discounting is immaterial.
Cash and cash equivalents (which are presented as a single class of assets on the face of the statement of financial position) comprise cash at bank and other short-term highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less, which are subject to an insignificant risk of changes in value.
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NORTHERN ELECTRIC PLC (REGISTERED NUMBER: 02366942)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015
2. ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued
Financial assets - continued
Financial assets are assessed for indicators of impairment at the end of each reporting period. Financial assets are considered to be impaired where there is objective evidence that, as a result of one or more events that occurred after the initial recognition of the financial asset, the estimated future cash flows of the investment have been affected.
For certain categories of financial assets, such as trade receivables, assets are assessed for impairment on a collective basis even if they were assessed not to be impaired individually. Objective evidence of impairment for a portfolio of receivables could include the Group's past experience of collecting payments, an increase in the number of delayed payments in the portfolio past the average credit period of 30 days, as well as observable changes in national or local economic conditions that correlate with default on receivables.
The carrying amount of the financial asset is reduced by the impairment loss directly for all financial assets with the exception of trade receivables, where the carrying amount is reduced through the use of an allowance account. When a trade receivable is considered uncollectible, it is written off against the allowance account. Subsequent recoveries of amounts previously written off are credited against the allowance account. Changes in the carrying amount of the allowance account are recognised in the statement of profit or loss.
Pensions
The Group contributes to the Northern Powergrid Group of the Electricity Supply Pension Scheme (the "Northern Powergrid Group of the ESPS"), a defined benefit scheme. The cost of providing benefits is determined using the projected unit credit method, with actuarial valuations being carried out at the end of each annual reporting period. Re-measurement, comprising actuarial gains and losses, the effect of the changes to the asset ceiling and the return on plan assets (excluding interest), is reflected immediately in the statement of financial position with a charge or credit recognised in other comprehensive income in the period in which they occur. Re-measurement recognised in other comprehensive income is reflected immediately in retained earnings and will not be reclassified to profit or loss. Past service cost is recognised in profit or loss in the period of a plan amendment. Net interest is calculated by applying a discount rate at the beginning of the period to the net defined liability or asset. Defined benefit costs are categorised as service cost, net interest expense or income and re-measurement. The retirement benefit obligation recognised in the consolidated statement of financial position represents the actual deficit or surplus in the Group's defined benefit plans. Any surplus resulting from this calculation is limited to the present value of any economic benefits available in the form of refunds from the plans or reductions in future contributions to the plans.
The Group also participates in a defined contribution scheme. Contributions payable to the defined contribution scheme are charged to the statement of profit or loss in the year or capitalised as appropriate when employees have rendered service entitling them to the contributions. A liability is recognised for benefits accruing to employees in respect of wages and salaries, annual leave and sick leave in the period the related service is rendered at the undiscounted amount of the benefits expected to be paid in exchange for that service.
Going Concern
The directors have, at the time of approving the financial statements, a reasonable expectation that the Company and the Group have adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Accordingly, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements. Further detail is contained within the Going Concern Statement in the Report of the Directors.
3. SEGMENTAL REPORTING
The tables below represent the internal information provided to the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Northern Powergrid Group for the purposes of resource allocation and segmental performance appraisal.
The Group operates in three principal areas of activity, those of the distribution of electricity, engineering contracting and smart meter rental in the United Kingdom.
NORTHERN ELECTRIC PLC (REGISTERED NUMBER: 02366942)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015
3. SEGMENTAL REPORTING - continued
Group revenue, Group profit before tax and Group net assets are analysed below:
Consolidation
adjustments
Distribution Contracting Other Total
2015 2015 2015 2015 2015
GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm
REVENUE
External sales 342.2 30.9 13.3 - 386.4 Inter-segment sales 0.5 2.0 4.0 (6.5) - Total revenue 342.7 32.9 17.3 (6.5) 386.4 SEGMENT RESULTS Operating (0.5) profit/(loss) 163.6 5.1 28.0 196.2 Other gains 0.5 Finance costs (36.2) Finance income 1.6 Profit before tax 162.1 OTHER INFORMATION Capital additions 219.7 - 52.8 (5.4) 267.1 Depreciation and (1.8) amortisation 73.8 0.1 3.9 76.0 Amortisation of deferred revenue (22.2) - - - (22.2) STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION Segment assets 2,219.2 18.2 89.2 19.3 2,345.9 Unallocated corporate assets 12.4 Total assets 2,358.3 Segment liabilities (643.1) (6.8) (15.1) 25.1 (639.9) Unallocated corporate liabilities (709.9) Total liabilities (1,349.8) Net assets by segment 1,576.1 11.4 74.1 44.4 1,706.0 Unallocated net corporate liabilities (697.5) Total net assets 1,008.5
NORTHERN ELECTRIC PLC (REGISTERED NUMBER: 02366942)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015
3. SEGMENTAL REPORTING - continued
Consolidation
Distribution Contracting Other adjustments Total
2014 2014 2014 2014 2014
GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm
REVENUE
External sales 359.0 42.6 7.9 - 409.5 Inter-segment sales 0.6 0.6 4.9 (6.1) - Total revenue 359.6 43.2 12.8 (6.1) 409.5
SEGMENT RESULTS
Operating profit 171.4 - 2.1 37.2 210.7 Other gains 0.7 Finance costs (34.9) Finance income 1.7 Profit before tax 178.2 OTHER INFORMATION Capital additions 216.3 0.1 15.9 (2.2) 230.1 Depreciation and amortisation 65.6 - 0.4 (1.6) 64.4 Amortisation of deferred revenue (19.8) - - - (19.8) STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION Segment assets 2,076.0 19.7 35.9 (16.2) 2,115.4 Unallocated corporate assets 89.0 Total assets 2,204.4
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Segment liabilities (615.3) (6.7) (8.0) (21.5) (651.5) Unallocated corporate liabilities (666.1) Total liabilities (1,317.6) Net assets/(liabilities) by segment 1,460.7 13.0 27.9 (37.7) 1,463.9 Unallocated net corporate liabilities (577.1) Total net assets 886.8
NORTHERN ELECTRIC PLC (REGISTERED NUMBER: 02366942)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015
3. SEGMENTAL REPORTING - continued
"Other" comprises smart meter rental and business support units.
Unallocated corporate assets and liabilities include cash and cash equivalents (2015: GBP8.8 million. 2014: GBP85.6 million), borrowings (2015: GBP601.1 million, 2014: GBP552.2 million) and taxation (2015: GBP108.8 million, 2014: GBP114.2 million).
External sales to RWE Npower plc in 2015 of GBP86.1 million (2014: GBP92.9 million) are included within the Distribution segment.
Sales and purchases between the different segments are made at commercial prices.
Consolidation Adjustments include the recognition of the GBP88.1m retirement benefit asset (2014: GBP52.9 million liability).
4. EMPLOYEES AND DIRECTORS
2015 2014
GBP'000 GBP'000
Salaries 61,472 60,949
Social security costs 6,392 6,157
Defined benefit pension credit (384) (2,986)
Defined contribution pension costs 1,648 1,761
69,128 65,881
Less charged as capital expenditure (41,591) (37,422)
27,537 28,459
The majority of the Group's employees are members of the Northern Powergrid Group of the ESPS, details of which are given in the Employee Benefit Obligations note.
The average monthly number of employees during the year was:
2015 2014
No. No.
Distribution 1,074 1,081
Engineering Contracting 166 167
Other 41 41
1,281 1,289
NORTHERN ELECTRIC PLC (REGISTERED NUMBER: 02366942)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015
4. EMPLOYEES AND DIRECTORS - continued
DIRECTORS' REMUNERATION
2015 2014
Highest Paid: GBP'000 GBP'000
Short-term employee benefits 266 194
Post-employment benefits 21 24
Other long-term benefits 335 303
622 521
Total:
Short-term employee benefits 462 396
Post-employment benefits 38 40
Other long-term benefits 523 449
1,023 885
Directors who are a member of the
defined benefit scheme 33
Accrued pension benefit relating --
to highest paid director
OTHER KEY PERSONNEL REMUNERATION
2015 2014
Total: GBP'000 GBP'000
Short-term employee benefits 423 340
Post-employment benefits 115 94
Other long-term benefits 209 229
747 663
Other key personnel includes a number of senior functional managers who, whilst not board directors, have authority and responsibility for planning, directing and controlling the activities of the Company and the Group. During the year ended 31 December 2015, the senior management team was reorganised which resulted in additional senior functional managers being classified as key personnel.
The directors and key personnel are remunerated for their services to the Northern Powergrid Group, of which the Company is a subsidiary. The figures above represent the share of the costs borne by the Group.
5. NET FINANCE COSTS
2015 2014
GBP'000 GBP'000
Finance income:
Interest in joint venture 628 456
Dividends received 35 33
Deposit account interest 91 250
Interest receivable 865 921
on loans to Group undertakings
1,619 1,660
NORTHERN ELECTRIC PLC (REGISTERED NUMBER: 02366942)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015
5. NET FINANCE COSTS - continued
2015 2014
GBP'000 GBP'000
Finance costs:
Bank interest 918 911
Interest payable on other loans 22,618 22,365 Interest payable on loans from Group undertakings 6,910 6,371
Capitalised interest (3,249) (3,783)
Preference dividends payable 9,001 9,001
36,198 34,865
Net finance costs 34,579 33,205
6. PROFIT BEFORE INCOME TAX
The profit before income tax is stated after charging:
2015 2014
GBP'000 GBP'000
Depreciation - owned assets 73,419 62,435
Software development costs amortisation 2,674 2,011
Research costs 2,052 5,683 Amortisation of deferred revenue (22,203) (19,757) Impairment of trade and other receivables 191 266 Profit on disposal of fixed assets (474) (752)
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Analysis of auditor's remuneration is as follows:
2015 2014
GBP'000 GBP'000
Fees payable to the Company's auditor
for the audit of the Company's
annual accounts 33 32
Fees payable to the Company's auditor
for the audit of the Company's
subsidiaries pursuant to legislation 140 153
Total audit fees 177 185
Other services 50 47
Total auditor's remuneration 227 232
2015 2014
GBP'000 GBP'000
Fees payable to the Company's auditor
and its associates in respect of
the audit of associated pension 7 6
schemes
NORTHERN ELECTRIC PLC (REGISTERED NUMBER: 02366942)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015
7. INCOME TAX
Analysis of tax expense
2015 2014
GBP'000 GBP'000
Current tax:
Tax 29,661 35,949
Deferred tax (12,379) 2,066
Total tax expense in consolidated statement of profit or loss 17,282 38,015
Factors affecting the tax expense
The tax assessed for the year is lower than the standard rate of corporation tax in the UK. The difference is explained below:
2015 2014
GBP'000 GBP'000
Profit on ordinary activities before
income tax 162,056 178,256
Profit on ordinary activities multiplied
by the standard rate of corporation
tax in the UK of 20.25% (2014: 32,816 38,325
21.5%)
Effects of:
Dividends on non-equity preference
shares 1,823 1,935
Tax effect of result of joint venture (127) (98)
Over provision for prior years (3,286) (1,707)
Changes in legislation (13,942) -
Group capital losses received at
a discount - (556)
Pension contributions recognised
in Other Comprehensive Income ("OCI") 801 576
Other (803) (460)
Tax expense 17,282 38,015
2015 2014
Tax expense comprises: GBP'000 GBP'000
Current tax expense:
Corporation tax charge for the year 32,947 37,656 Payment for use of group losses - - Under provision for prior years (3,286) (1,707) Total current tax charge 29,661 35,949
Deferred tax:
Deferred tax expenses relating to the origination and reversal 2,066 of temporary differences 1,562 Effect of changes in tax rates (13,942) - Total deferred tax charge (12,379) 2,066 Tax on profit before tax 17,282 38,015
The Finance Act 2015 included a provision that the standard rate of corporation tax in the United Kingdom was to reduce from 20% to 19% from April 2017 and to 18% from April 2020. Accordingly the rates applying when temporary differences are expected to reverse have been applied when calculating deferred tax assets and liabilities throughout the Northern Powergrid Group as at 31 December 2015. Finance Bill 2016 legislates for the rate to reduce to 17% from April 2020. As this rate change had not been substantively enacted at the balance sheet date this rate does not apply to the deferred tax position at 31 December 2015.
NORTHERN ELECTRIC PLC (REGISTERED NUMBER: 02366942)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015
8. PROFIT OF PARENT COMPANY
As permitted by Section 408 of the Companies Act 2006, the statement of profit or loss of the Company is not presented as part of these financial statements. The Company's profit for the financial year was GBP14.6 million (2014: GBP24.2 million).
9. DIVIDENDS
2015 2014
GBP'000 GBP'000
Interim dividend at 16p per
share (2014: 24p) 20,600 30,000
10. OPERATING EXPENSES
Operating expenses comprise:
2015 2014
GBP'000 GBP'000
Distribution costs 99,607 93,435
Administrative expenses 50,068 41,935
149,675 135,370
11. INTANGIBLE ASSETS
Group
Software
development
costs
GBP'000
COST
At 1 January 2015 55,027
Additions 10,476
At 31 December 2015 65,503
AMORTISATION
At 1 January 2015 31,206
Amortisation for year 2,674
At 31 December 2015 33,880
NET BOOK VALUE
At 31 December 2015 31,623
NORTHERN ELECTRIC PLC (REGISTERED NUMBER: 02366942)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015
11. INTANGIBLE ASSETS - continued
Group
Software
development
costs
GBP'000
COST
At 1 January 2014 43,957
Additions 11,070
At 31 December 2014 55,027
AMORTISATION
At 1 January 2014 29,195
Amortisation for year 2,011
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At 31 December 2014 31,206
NET BOOK VALUE
At 31 December 2014 23,821
The Company had no intangible assets at 31 December 2015 (2014: GBPnil).
12. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
Group
Non
operational Fixtures
land and Distribution and Metering
buildings system fittings equipment Totals
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
COST
At 1 January 2015 6,534 2,686,350 60,380 80,224 2,833,488
Additions - 195,828 7,781 53,021 256,630
Disposals - (9,748) (440) (27) (10,215)
At 31 December 2015 6,534 2,872,430 67,721 133,218 3,079,903
DEPRECIATION
At 1 January 2015 5,857 767,439 54,638 58,683 886,617 Charge for year 116 65,463 2,514 5,326 73,419
Eliminated on disposal - (9,748) (440) (27) (10,215)
At 31 December 2015 5,973 823,154 56,712 63,982 949,821
NET BOOK VALUE
At 31 December 2015 561 2,049,276 11,009 69,236 2,130,082
NORTHERN ELECTRIC PLC (REGISTERED NUMBER: 02366942)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015
12. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT - continued
Group
Non
operational Fixtures
land and Distribution and Metering
buildings system fittings equipment Totals
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
COST
At 1 January 2014 6,550 2,496,307 57,382 63,936 2,624,175
Additions - 199,561 3,113 16,407 219,081
Disposals (16) (9,518) (115) (119) (9,768)
At 31 December 2014 6,534 2,686,350 60,380 80,224 2,833,488
DEPRECIATION
At 1 January 2014 5,662 717,762 53,087 57,431 833,942 Charge for year 203 59,195 1,666 1,371 62,435
Eliminated on disposal (8) (9,518) (115) (119) (9,760)
At 31 December 2014 5,857 767,439 54,638 58,683 886,617
NET BOOK VALUE
At 31 December 2014 677 1,918,911 5,742 21,541 1,946,871
Assets in the course of construction included above:
Distribution Fixtures
system and fittings Total
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
At 1 January 2015 186,612 - 186,612
Additions 195,828 7,781 203,609
Available for use (219,725) (7,781) (227,506)
At 31 December 2015 162,715 - 162,715
The Group has entered into contractual commitments in relation to the future acquisition of property, plant and equipment of GBP25.5 million (2014: GBP31.9 million).
The net book value of the Group's non-operational land and buildings comprises:
2015 2014
GBP'000 GBP'000
Freehold 162 209
Long leasehold 306 368
Short leasehold 93 100
561 677
NORTHERN ELECTRIC PLC (REGISTERED NUMBER: 02366942)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015
12. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT - continued
Company
Non
operational Fixtures
land and Distribution and
buildings system fittings Totals
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
COST
At 1 January 2015
and 31 December 2015 280 1,259 3,634 5,173
DEPRECIATION
At 1 January 2015 22 - 3,423 3,445
Charge for year 7-41 48
At 31 December 2015 29 - 3,464 3,493
NET BOOK VALUE
At 31 December 2015 251 1,259 170 1,680
Non
operational Fixtures
land and Distribution and
buildings system fittings Totals
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
COST
At 1 January 2014 296 1,259 3,634 5,189
Disposals (16) - - (16)
At 31 December 2014 280 1,259 3,634 5,173
DEPRECIATION
At 1 January 2014 21 - 3,380 3,401
Charge for year 9-43 52
Eliminated on disposal (8) - - (8)
At 31 December 2014 22 - 3,423 3,445
NET BOOK VALUE
At 31 December 2014 258 1,259 211 1,728
NORTHERN ELECTRIC PLC (REGISTERED NUMBER: 02366942)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued
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FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015
13. INVESTMENTS
Share Group Shares
of joint in other
venture's undertakings
net assets Total
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
At 31 December 2014 3,420 21 3,441
Movement 115 - 115
At 31 December 2015 3,535 21 3,556
Company
Subsidiary Shares
undertakings in other
undertakings Total
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
At 31 December 2014 327,099 971 328,070
Movement - - -
At 31 December 2015 327,099 971 328,070
Details of the investments of the Group at 31 December 2015 are listed below:
Proportion
of voting
Name of company Holding rights Nature of
of shares and shares business
held
Subsidiary undertakings
Held by Company
CE Electric Services 1 at GBP1 100% Dormant
Limited
Central PowerGrid 1 at GBP1 100% Dormant
Limited
East PowerGrid Limited 1 at GBP1 100% Dormant
Eastern PowerGrid 1 at GBP1 100% Dormant
Limited
Infrastructure North 1 at GBP1 100% Dormant
Limited
Engineering
Integrated Utility 3,103,000 100% contracting
Services Limited at GBP1 services
IUS Limited 100 at GBP1 100% Dormant
Midlands PowerGrid 1 at GBP1 100% Dormant
Limited
NEDL Limited 2 at GBP1 100% Dormant
North East PowerGrid 1 at GBP1 100% Dormant
Limited
North Eastern PowerGrid 1 at GBP1 100% Dormant
Limited
North PowerGrid Limited 1 at GBP1 100% Dormant
North West PowerGrid 1 at GBP1 100% Dormant
Limited
North Western PowerGrid 1 at GBP1 100% Dormant
Limited
Northern Electric 84,785,000 100% Non-trading
& Gas Limited at GBP1 company
Northern Electric 1 at GBP1 100% Dormant
Distribution Limited
Property
Northern Electric 32,207,100 100% holding &
Properties Limited at GBP1 management
company
Northern Electric
Share Scheme Trustee 2 at GBP1 100% Dormant
Limited
Northern Electricity 1 at GBP1 100% Dormant
(North East) Limited
Northern Electricity 1 at GBP1 100% Dormant
(Yorkshire) Limited
NORTHERN ELECTRIC PLC (REGISTERED NUMBER: 02366942)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015
13. INVESTMENTS - continued
Proportion
of voting
Name of company Holding rights Nature of
of shares and shares business
held
Subsidiary undertakings
Held by Company
Northern Electricity 1 at GBP1 100% Dormant
Limited
Northern Electricity
Networks Company (North 1 at GBP1 100% Dormant
East) Limited
Northern Electricity
Networks Company (Yorkshire) 1 at GBP1 100% Dormant
Limited
Northern Electricity
Networks Company Limited 1 at GBP1 100% Dormant
Northern Electrics 2 at GBP1 100% Dormant
Limited
Northern Energy Funding 1 at GBP1 100% Dormant
Company Limited
Northern Metering 100 at GBP1 100% Dormant
Services Limited
Northern Powergrid 1 at GBP1 100% Meter asset
Metering Limited provider
Distribution
Northern Powergrid 200,000,100 100% of electricity
(Northeast) Limited at GBP1
Northern PowerGrid 1 at GBP1 100% Dormant
(North West) Limited
Northern Power Networks
Company (North East) 1 at GBP1 100% Dormant
Limited
Northern Power Networks
Company (Yorkshire) 1 at GBP1 100% Dormant
Limited
Northern Power Networks 1 at GBP1 100% Dormant
Company Limited
Northern Transport 7,000,000 100% Car finance
Finance Limited at GBP1 company
Northern Utility Services 100 at GBP1 100% Dormant
Limited
PowerGrid (Central) 1 at GBP1 100% Dormant
Limited
PowerGrid (East) Limited 1 at GBP1 100% Dormant
PowerGrid (Eastern) 1 at GBP1 100% Dormant
Limited
PowerGrid (Midlands) 1 at GBP1 100% Dormant
Limited
PowerGrid (North East) 1 at GBP1 100% Dormant
Limited
PowerGrid (North Eastern) 1 at GBP1 100% Dormant
Limited
PowerGrid (North West) 1 at GBP1 100% Dormant
Limited
PowerGrid (North Western) 1 at GBP1 100% Dormant
Limited
PowerGrid (North) 1 at GBP1 100% Dormant
Limited
PowerGrid (Northern) 1 at GBP1 100% Dormant
Limited
PowerGrid (South East) 1 at GBP1 100% Dormant
Limited
PowerGrid (South Eastern) 1 at GBP1 100% Dormant
Limited
PowerGrid (South West) 1 at GBP1 100% Dormant
Limited
PowerGrid (South Western) 1 at GBP1 100% Dormant
Limited
PowerGrid (South) 1 at GBP1 100% Dormant
Limited
PowerGrid (Southern) 1 at GBP1 100% Dormant
Limited
PowerGrid (West) Limited 1 at GBP1 100% Dormant
PowerGrid (Western) 1 at GBP1 100% Dormant
Limited
PowerGrid (Yorkshire) 1 at GBP1 100% Dormant
Limited
South East PowerGrid 1 at GBP1 100% Dormant
Limited
NORTHERN ELECTRIC PLC (REGISTERED NUMBER: 02366942)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015
13. INVESTMENTS - continued
Proportion
of voting
Name of company Holding rights Nature of
of shares and shares business
held
Subsidiary undertakings
Held by Company
South Eastern PowerGrid 1 at GBP1 100% Dormant
Limited
South PowerGrid Limited 1 at GBP1 100% Dormant
South West PowerGrid 1 at GBP1 100% Dormant
Limited
South Western PowerGrid 1 at GBP1 100% Dormant
Limited
Southern PowerGrid 1 at GBP1 100% Dormant
Limited
West PowerGrid Limited 1 at GBP1 100% Dormant
Western PowerGrid 1 at GBP1 100% Dormant
Limited
YEDL Limited 1 at GBP1 100% Dormant
Yorkshire Electricity 1 at GBP1 100% Dormant
Distribution Limited
Yorkshire PowerGrid 1 at GBP1 100% Dormant
Limited
Held by the Company's
subsidiaries:
Northern Electric 50,000 at 100% Finance company
Finance plc GBP1
Joint Venture Entity
Held by the Company:
Vehicle Lease and
Service Limited
(registered office 950,000 50% Transport
- Centre for Advanced at GBP1 services
Industry, 3rd Floor,
Coble Dene, North
Shields, NE29 6DE)
Held by Joint Venture
Entity Held by the
Company:
VLS Limited
(registered office
- Centre for Advanced 50% of 50% Dormant
Industry, 3rd Floor, 1 at GBP1
Coble Dene, North
Shields, NE29 6DE)
Except where indicated, the registered office address of the above companies is Lloyds Court, 78 Grey Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 6AF.
Interest in Joint venture
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Summarised financial information in respect of the Group's joint venture is set out below:
2015 2014
GBP'000 GBP'000
Long-term assets 16,849 16,753
Current assets 16,283 15,460
Long-term liabilities (14,436) (15,228)
Current liabilities (11,626) (10,145)
Net assets 7,070 6,840
Group's share of joint venture's
net assets 3,535 3,420
Revenue 17,515 17,156
Profit for the year 1,256 912
Group's share of joint venture's
profit for the year 628 456
NORTHERN ELECTRIC PLC (REGISTERED NUMBER: 02366942)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015
14. INVENTORIES
Group
2015 2014
GBP'000 GBP'000
Stocks 12,541 11,592
Work-in-progress 265 151
Assets held for sale 646 561
13,452 12,304
The Company had no inventories at 31 December 2015 (2014 - GBPnil).
15. TRADE AND OTHER RECEIVABLES
Group Company
2015 2014 2015 2014
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
Current:
Distribution use of system receivables 39,854 45,562 -- Construction contract customers 3,901 5,218 --
Amounts due from customers for
contract work 11,082 12,654 - -
Amounts receivable in respect of finance leases 5,342 4,168 - - Amounts receivable for sale of goods and services 9,675 2,366 176 81
Prepayments and accrued income 4,025 2,061 251 227
73,879 72,029 427 308
Non-current:
Amounts receivable in respect of finance 8,769 7,494 - - leases
Aggregate amounts 82,648 79,523 427 308
The directors consider that the carrying amount of trade and other receivables approximates their fair value calculated by discounting the future cash flows at the market rate at end of the reporting period. The fair valuation of the assets is based on Level 1 inputs. The maximum exposure of risk to the Group is the book value of these receivables less any provisions for impairment.
Distribution use of system receivables
The customers served by the Group's distribution network are supplied predominantly by a small number of electricity supply businesses with RWE NPower plc accounting for approximately 24% of distribution revenues in 2015 (2014: 25%). Ofgem has determined a framework which sets credit limits for each supply business based on its credit rating or payment history and requires them to provide credit cover if their value at risk (measured as being equivalent to 45 days usage) exceeds the credit limit. Acceptable credit typically is provided in the form of a parent company guarantee, letter of credit or an escrow account. Included within other payables are customer deposits of GBP0.4 million as at 31 December 2015 (2014: GBP0.1 million).
NORTHERN ELECTRIC PLC (REGISTERED NUMBER: 02366942)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015
15. TRADE AND OTHER RECEIVABLES - continued
Distribution use of system receivables - continued
Ofgem has indicated that, provided Northern Powergrid (Northeast) Limited has implemented credit control, billing and collection processes in line with best practice guidelines and can demonstrate compliance with the guidelines or is able to satisfactorily explain departure from the guidelines, any bad debt losses arising from supplier default will be recovered through an increase in future allowed income. Losses incurred to date have not been material. Included in the Group's use of system ("UoS") receivables are debtors with a carrying value of GBPnil, which have been placed into administration and have therefore been provided in full at the year-end (2014: GBPnil).
Construction contract customers
The average credit period on construction contracts is 30 days. Interest is not generally charged on construction contracts paid after the due date. The Group has provided fully for all receivables over one year for UK Contracting debts and all receivables over six months for Multi-Utility debts. Trade receivables between 30 days and these pre-determined provision dates are provided for based on estimated irrecoverable amounts, determined by reference to past default experience.
Included in the Group's construction contracts balance are debtors with a carrying amount of GBP2.5 million (2014: GBP2.8 million), which are past due at the reporting date for which the Group has provided for an irrecoverable amount of GBP0.2 million (2014: GBP0.2 million) based on experience. The Group does not hold collateral over these balances. The average age of these receivables is 55 days (2014: 55 days).
Included in the Group's construction contracts balance are debtors with a carrying amount of GBPnil (2014: GBPnil) which are past due at the reporting date for which the Group has not provided as there has not been a significant change in credit quality and the amounts are still considered recoverable. The Group does not hold any collateral over these balances.
Amounts due from customers for contract work
Contracts in progress at the reporting date:
2015 2014
GBP'000 GBP'000
Contract costs incurred plus
recognised profits less recognised
losses to date 60,125 55,046
Less: progress billings (49,043) (42,392)
Amount due from customers 11,082 12,654
At 31 December 2015, retentions held by customers for contract work amounted to GBP0.4 million (2014: GBP0.8 million).
Advances received from customers for contract work amounted to GBPnil (2014: GBPnil).
The Company had no construction contracts at 31 December 2015 (2014: GBPnil).
NORTHERN ELECTRIC PLC (REGISTERED NUMBER: 02366942)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015
15. TRADE AND OTHER RECEIVABLES - continued
Finance lease receivables
Minimum lease Present value
payments
2015 2014 2015 2014
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
Amounts receivable
under finance
leases:
Within one year 5,508 4,552 5,342 4,168
In the second
to fifth years
inclusive 10,384 8,582 8,769 7,494
15,892 13,134 14,111 11,662
Less: unearned
finance income (1,781) (1,472) --
14,111 11,662 14,111 11,662
Northern Transport Finance Limited ("NTFL"), a wholly-owned subsidiary, enters into credit finance arrangements for motor vehicles with employees in the Northern Powergrid Group. All agreements are denominated in sterling. The term of the finance agreements is predominantly three years.
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The interest rate inherent in the agreements is fixed at the contract date for all of the term of the agreement. The average effective interest rate contracted is approximately 6.5% (2014: 6.5%) per annum. None of these debts are past due and there are no indicators of impairment.
Northern Powergrid Metering Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary, enters into credit finance arrangements for smart meters with energy supply companies. All agreements are denominated in sterling. The term of the finance agreements is predominantly ten years.
The interest rate inherent in the agreements is fixed at the contract date for all of the term of the agreement. None of these debts are past due and there are no indicators of impairment.
The directors consider the carrying value of finance lease receivables approximates their fair value. The maximum risk exposure is the book value of these receivables, less the residual value of the leased assets.
Amounts receivable from sale of goods and services
Sales of goods and services comprise all income streams which are not classified as UoS income. Examples of non-UoS income streams would be service alterations and recovery of amounts for damage caused by third parties to the distribution system.
The average credit period on sales of goods and services is 30 days. Interest is not generally charged on the trade receivables paid after the due date. An allowance for doubtful debts is made for debts past their due date based on estimated irrecoverable amounts from the sale of goods and services, determined by reference to past default experience.
Included in the Group's amounts receivable for goods and services balance are debtors with a carrying amount of GBP0.4 million (2014: GBP0.5 million) which are past due at the reporting date and for which the Group has provided an irrecoverable amount of GBP0.1 million (2014: GBP0.3 million) based on past experience. The Group does not hold any collateral over these balances. The average age of these receivables is 207 days (2014: 451 days).
Included in the Group's amounts receivable for goods and services balance are debtors with a carrying amount of GBP0.2 million (2014: GBP0.4 million). These amounts are past due at the reporting date and the Group has not provided for any amounts as not being recoverable because there has not been a significant change in credit quality and the amounts are still considered recoverable. The Group does not hold any collateral over these balances. The average age of these receivables is 66 days (2014: 75 days).
NORTHERN ELECTRIC PLC (REGISTERED NUMBER: 02366942)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015
15. TRADE AND OTHER RECEIVABLES - continued
Ageing of past due but not impaired receivables:
2015 2014
GBP'000 GBP'000
30-60 days 133 282
60-120 days 49 86
120-210 days 12 81
Total 194 449
Movement in the allowance for doubtful debts
2015 2014
GBP'000 GBP'000
At 1 January 501 661
Amounts utilised/written off in
the year (292) (426)
Amounts recognised in statement
of profit or loss 191 266
At 31 December 400 501
In determining the recoverability of the trade and other receivables, the Group considers any change in the credit quality of the trade and other receivable from the date credit was initially granted up to the reporting date. The concentration of credit risk, other than in relation to UoS receivables, is limited due to the customer base being large and unrelated. Accordingly, the directors believe that there is no further credit provision required in excess of the allowance for doubtful debts.
Included in the allowance for doubtful debts are specific trade receivables, with a balance of GBP0.1 million (2014: GBP0.2 million) which have been placed in administration. The impairment represents the difference between the carrying amount of the specific trade receivable and the present value of the expected liquidation dividend.
Categories of financial assets
2015 2014
Group: GBP'000 GBP'000
Cash and bank balances 8,824 85,586
Loans and receivables at amortised
cost 96,271 77,462
Total financial assets 87,447 163,048
Non-current assets 2,165,261 1,974,133
Inventories 13,452 12,304
Prepayments and accrued income 4,025 2,061
Pension asset 88,100 52,900
Total non-financial assets 2,270,838 2,041,938
Total assets 2,358,285 2,204,446
NORTHERN ELECTRIC PLC (REGISTERED NUMBER: 02366942)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015
15. TRADE AND OTHER RECEIVABLES - continued
Categories of financial assets - continued
2015 2014
Company: GBP'000 GBP'000
Cash and bank balances 24,322 29,806
Loans and receivables at amortised
cost 176 81
Total financial assets 24,498 29,887
Non-current assets 329,750 329,798
Prepayments and accrued income 251 227
Income tax receivables 2,694 3,763
Total non-financial assets 332,695 333,788
Total assets 357,193 363,675
16. CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
Group Company
2015 2014 2015 2014
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
Cash and cash equivalents 8,824 85,586 24,322 29,806
8,824 85,586 24,322 29,806
Cash and cash equivalents have a maturity of less than three months, are readily convertible to cash and are subject to an insignificant risk of changes in value. The carrying amount of these assets approximates their fair value.
Amounts owed by Group undertakings represent surplus cash remitted to Yorkshire Electricity Group plc ("YEG"), a fellow company in the Northern Powergrid Group, and invested to generate a market rate of return for the Group. This is repayable on demand by YEG.
17. CALLED UP SHARE CAPITAL
Allotted, issued and fully paid:
Number: Class: Nominal 2015 2014
value: GBP'000 GBP'000
127,689,809 Ordinary share capital 56 12/13p 72,173 72,173
The Company has one class of ordinary shares which carries no right to fixed income.
Details of the cumulative non-equity preference shares are contained in the borrowings note.
NORTHERN ELECTRIC PLC (REGISTERED NUMBER: 02366942)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015
18. RESERVES
Group
Retained Share Other
earnings premium reserves Total
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
At 1 January 2015 649,788 158,748 6,185 814,721
Profit for the year 144,774 --144,774
Dividends (20,600) - - (20,600)
Movements on pension reserve (2,499) - - (2,499)
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At 31 December 2015 771,463 158,748 6,185 936,396
Retained Share Other
earnings premium reserves Totals
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
At 1 January 2014 518,891 158,748 6,185 683,824
Profit for the year 140,241 --140,241
Dividends (30,000) - - (30,000)
Movements on pension reserve 20,656 - - 20,656
At 31 December 2014 649,788 158,748 6,185 814,721
Company
Retained Share Other
earnings premium reserves Total
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
At 1 January 2015 113,523 158,748 6,185 278,456
Profit for the year 14,557 --14,557
Dividends (20,600) - - (20,600)
At 31 December 2015 107,480 158,748 6,185 272,413
Retained Share Other
earnings premium reserves Totals
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
At 1 January 2014 119,293 158,748 6,185 284,226
Profit for the year 24,230 --24,230
Dividends (30,000) - - (30,000)
At 31 December 2014 113,523 158,748 6,185 278,456
NORTHERN ELECTRIC PLC (REGISTERED NUMBER: 02366942)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015
19. TRADE AND OTHER PAYABLES
Group Company
2015 2014 2015 2014
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
Current:
Payments on account 49,345 37,137 - -
Trade creditors 7,817 5,542 387 427
Amounts owed to related parties 499 706 - - Social security and other taxes 3,171 3,835 395 688
Other creditors 9,347 8,327 1,543 980
Deferred revenue 19,790 21,770 - -
Accrued expenses 20,042 69,466 423 655
110,011 146,783 2,748 2,750
Non-current:
Deferred revenue 526,800 500,762 - -
526,800 500,762 - -
Aggregate amounts 636,811 647,545 2,748 2,750
The directors consider that the carrying amount of other financial liabilities approximates their fair value, calculated by discounting future cash flows at market rate at the end of the reporting period. The valuation of liabilities set out above is based on Level 1 inputs. Trade creditors and accruals principally comprise amounts outstanding for trade purchases and ongoing costs. Invoices are paid at the end of the month following the date of the invoice. The Group has financial risk management policies in place to ensure that all payables are paid within the credit timeframe.
The following tables detail the remaining contractual maturities for non-derivative financial liabilities. The tables have been drawn up based on the cash flows of financial liabilities based on the earliest possible date on which the Company or the Group can be required to pay. The tables include both interest and principal cash flows.
Group
Less than 3 months
3 months to 1 year 1 to 5+ years Total
5 years
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
2015:
Non-interest
bearing 40,876 - - - 40,876
Variable interest
rate liability 275 - - - 275
Fixed interest 5,031 25,539 339,016 607,150 976,736
rate liability
46,182 25,539 339,016 607,150 1,017,887
2014:
Non-interest
bearing 87,876 - - - 87,876
Variable interest 72,083 72,083
rate liability - - -
Fixed interest
rate liability 5,031 22,463 188,348 628,781 844,623
164,990 22,463 188,348 628,781 1,004,582
NORTHERN ELECTRIC PLC (REGISTERED NUMBER: 02366942)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015
19. TRADE AND OTHER PAYABLES - continued
Company
Less than 3 months
3 months to 1 year 1 to 5+ years Total
5 years
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
2015:
Non-interest
bearing 2,748 - - - 2,748
Fixed interest 9,000 36,000 115,532 160,532
rate liability -
2,748 9,000 36,000 115,532 163,329
2014:
Non-interest
bearing 2,797 - - - 2,797
Fixed interest
rate liability - 9,000 36,000 115,532 160,532
2,797 9,000 36,000 115,532 163,329
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Categories of financial liabilities
2015 2014
Group: GBP'000 GBP'000
Loans and payables at amortised
cost 618,755 566,739
Total financial liabilities 618,755 566,739
Payments received on account 49,345 37,137
Income tax liabilities 108,821 114,244
Other taxes and social security 3,171 3,835
Accruals 20,042 69,466
Deferred revenue 546,590 522,532
Provisions 2,992 3,599
Total non-financial liabilities 730,961 750,813
Total liabilities 1,349,716 1,317,552
2015 2014
Company: GBP'000 GBP'000
Loans and payables at amortised
cost 5,319 4,797
Total financial liabilities 5,319 4,797
Income tax liabilities 4,809 5,210
Other taxes and social security 395 688
Accruals 423 655
Provisions 1,661 1,696
Total non-financial liabilities 7,288 8,249
Total liabilities 12,607 13,046
NORTHERN ELECTRIC PLC (REGISTERED NUMBER: 02366942)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015
19. TRADE AND OTHER PAYABLES - continued
Deferred Revenue
2015 2014
GBP'000 GBP'000
At 1 January 522,532 507,201
Additions 46,261 35,088
Amortisation (22,203) (19,757)
At 31 December 546,590 522,532
Deferred revenue represents contributions from customers made in advance towards distribution system assets. This income is released to the statement of profit or loss over 45 years on a straight line basis (except for distributed generation which is released over 15 years on a straight line basis), in line with the useful economic life of the distribution system assets.
The Company had no deferred revenue at 31 December 2015 (2014: GBPnil).
NORTHERN ELECTRIC PLC (REGISTERED NUMBER: 02366942)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015
20. BORROWINGS
The directors' consideration of liquidity, interest rate and foreign currency risk is described in the Strategic Report.
Group
Book Value Fair Value
2015 2014 2015 2014
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
Loans 497,486 446,236 560,985 523,151
Cumulative preference
shares 3,368 3,368 163,602 160,811
Amounts owed to Group
undertakings 100,238 102,560 129,156 134,663
601,092 552,164 853,743 818,625
The borrowings are repayable as follows:
On demand or within
one year 13,917 85,204 13,917 85,204
After five years 587,175 466,960 839,826 733,421
601,092 552,164 853,743 818,625
Analysis of borrowings:
Short-term loan 53 69,144 53 69,144
Inter-company short-term
loan 222 2,544 222 2,544
Bond 2020 - 8.875% 101,052 100,923 130,560 135,364
Bond 2035 - 5.125% 152,883 152,814 180,462 183,922
Cumulative preference
shares 3,368 3,368 163,602 160,811
European Investment
Bank 2018 - 4.065%* 41,410 41,405 43,632 44,312
European Investment
Bank 2019 - 4.241%* 41,472 41,467 44,683 45,342
European Investment
Bank 2020 - 4.386%* 40,488 40,483 44,478 45,067
European Investment
Bank 2027 - 2.564% 120,128 - 117,117 -
Yorkshire Electricity
Group plc 2037 - 100,016 100,016 128,934 132,119
5.9%
601,092 552,164 853,743 818,625
NORTHERN ELECTRIC PLC (REGISTERED NUMBER: 02366942)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015
20. BORROWINGS - continued
Company
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
The borrowings are
repayable as follows:
On demand or within
one year 2,272 2,273 2,273 2,273
After five years 1,117 1,117 158,560 158,560
3,389 3,390 160,832 160,833
Analysis of borrowings:
Inter-company short-term
loan 22 22 22 22
Cumulative preference
shares 3,367 3,368 160,810 160,811
3,389 3,390 160,832 160,833
Of the total financial liabilities, GBP500.9 million relates to external borrowings and preference shares whose fair value is determined with reference to quoted market prices. The directors' estimates of the fair value of internal borrowings are determined in accordance with generally accepted pricing models based on discounted cash flow analysis using prices from observable current market transactions or dealer quotes for similar instruments. The valuation of liabilities set out above is based on Level 1 inputs.
* The borrowings from the European Investment Bank were drawn down in twelve tranches, repayable in 2018, 2019 and 2020. The interest rates shown are average rates for those repayment dates. The spread of interest rates is as follows:
2018: 3.901% - 4.283%
2019: 4.077% - 4.455%
2020: 4.227% - 4.586%
Interest on short-term loans and on inter-company short-term loans is charged at a floating rate of interest of LIBOR plus 0.35%, thus exposing the Group to cash flow interest rate risk. A 1% movement in interest rates would not subject the Group to any material change in interest costs. All other loans are at fixed interest rates and expose the Group to fair value interest rate risk.
The Company had authorised 115,000,000 non-equity cumulative preference shares of 1p each as at 31 December 2015 and 2014. As at 31 December 2015 and 2014 111,662,378 were allotted, called up and fully paid.
The terms of the cumulative preference shares:
i) entitle holders, in priority to holders of all other classes of shares, to a fixed cumulative preferential dividend of 8.061p (net) per share per annum payable half-yearly in equal amounts on 31 March and 30 September;
ii) on a return of capital on a winding up, or otherwise, will carry the right to repayment of capital together with a premium of 99p per share and a sum equal to any arrears or accruals of dividend. This right is in priority to the rights of ordinary shareholders;
iii) carry the right to attend a general meeting of the Company and vote if, at the date of the notice convening the meeting, payment of the dividend to which they are entitled is six months or more in arrears, or if a resolution is to be considered at the meeting for winding-up the Company or abrogating, varying or modifying any of the special rights attaching to them; and
iv) are redeemable in the event of the revocation by the Secretary of State of the Company's Public Electricity Supply Licence at the value given in (ii) above.
NORTHERN ELECTRIC PLC (REGISTERED NUMBER: 02366942)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015
20. BORROWINGS - continued
During the year ended 31 December 2001, under the terms of the Company's transfer scheme, as approved by the Secretary of State in accordance with the provisions of the Utilities Act 2000, the Company's Public Electricity Supply Licence was converted into an Electricity Distribution Licence and an Electricity Supply Licence.
At 31 December 2015, the Group had available GBP97 million (2014: GBP28 million) of undrawn committed borrowing facilities in respect of which all conditions precedent had been met.
No material market risks in relation to currency or interest rates are faced by the Group. As at 31 December 2015, 100% (2014: 100%) of the Group's long-term borrowings were at fixed rates and the average maturity for these borrowings was 13 years (2014: 14 years).
21. LEASING AGREEMENTS
Group
Non-cancellable
operating leases
2015 2014
GBP'000 GBP'000
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Within one year 6,182 5,930
Between one and five years 18,195 15,746
In more than five years 8,689 2,097
33,066 23,773
2015 2014
GBP'000 GBP'000
Minimum lease payments under operating
leases recognised in the year 5,121 5,172
Company
2015 2014
GBP'000 GBP'000
Within one year 172 172
Between one and five years 218 390
390 562
NORTHERN ELECTRIC PLC (REGISTERED NUMBER: 02366942)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015
22. PROVISIONS
Group Company
2015 2014 2015 2014
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
Other provisions 2,992 3,599 1,661 1,696
Analysed as follows:
Current 1,008 1,632 9 7
Non-current 1,984 1,967 1,652 1,689
2,992 3,599 1,661 1,696
Claims Other Total
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
At 1 January 2015 1,039 2,560 3,599
Utilised/paid in the year (137,459) (663) (138,122)
Charged to statement of
profit or loss 136,954 561 137,515
At 31 December 2015 534 2,458 2,992
Claims: Provision has been made to cover costs arising from actual claims, which are not externally insured. Settlement is expected substantially within 12 months.
Other: Primarily consists of a provision for future safe disposal of transformers which contain oil contaminated with Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) and for an amount to cover claims made under section 74 of the New Road and Street Works Act 1991. Costs are expected to be incurred over the next 15 years.
Also included in 'other' is a provision to cover the actuarial assessment of the costs of unfunded pension arrangements in respect of former employees. Further details can be found in the Employee Benefit Obligations note.
23. DEFERRED TAX
Accelerated Rollover/ Retirement Other Total
tax depreciation holdover benefit
relief (obligations/
assets)
Group GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
At 1 January 2015 104,092 6,626 (2,516) (272) 107,930
(Credit)/charge to the statement of profit or loss (14,888) (610) 2,503 616 (12,379)
Charge to other comprehensive income - - 9,308 - 9,308 At 31 December 2015 89,204 6,016 9,295 344 104,859
NORTHERN ELECTRIC PLC (REGISTERED NUMBER: 02366942)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015
23. DEFERRED TAX - continued
Accelerated Rollover/ Retirement Other Total
tax depreciation holdover benefit
relief (obligations/
assets)
Group GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
At 1 January 2014 88,312 7,491 (2,460) (179) 93,164
Charge/(credit)
to the statement
of profit or loss 15,780 (865) (12,756) (93) 2,066
Charge to other
comprehensive income - - 12,700 - 12,700
At 31 December 2014 104,092 6,626 (2,516) (272) 107,930
Accelerated Rollover/ Retirement Total
tax depreciation holdover benefit
relief (obligations/
assets)
Company GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
At 1 January 2015 (45) 5,594 (339) 5,210
Charge/(credit)
to statement of
profit or loss 22 (465) 42 (401)
At 31 December 2015 (23) 5,129 (297) 4,809
Accelerated Rollover/ Retirement Total
tax depreciation holdover benefit
relief (obligations/
assets)
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
At 1 January 2014 (38) 6,520 (342) 6,140
Charge/(credit)
to statement of
profit or loss (7) (926) 3 (930)
At 31 December 2014 (45) 5,594 (339) 5,210
Other comprises provisions and employee expenses deductible for tax on a paid basis.
NORTHERN ELECTRIC PLC (REGISTERED NUMBER: 02366942)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015
24. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT OBLIGATIONS
Introduction
The Company contributes to two pension schemes, which it operates on behalf of the participating companies within the Northern Powergrid Group. Those pension schemes are:
- The Northern Powergrid Group of the ESPS (the "DB Scheme"); and - The Northern Powergrid Pension Scheme.
The Northern Powergrid Pension Scheme was introduced for new employees of the Northern Powergrid Group from 23 July 1997 and is a money purchase arrangement accounted for as a defined contribution scheme.
The DB Scheme is a defined benefit scheme for directors and employees, which provides pension and other related retirement benefits based on final pensionable pay. The DB Scheme closed to staff commencing employment with the Northern Powergrid Group on or after 23 July 1997. Members who joined before this date, including some Protected Persons under The Electricity (Protected Persons) (England and Wales) Pension Regulations 1990, continue to build up future pension benefits.
Under the DB Scheme, employees are typically entitled to annual pensions on retirement at age 63 of one-eightieth of final pensionable salary for each year of service plus an additional tax-free cash lump sum at retirement of three times pension. Benefits are also payable on death and following other events such as withdrawing from active service.
No other post-retirement benefits are provided to members of the DB Scheme.
Role of Trustees
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The DB Scheme is administered by a board of Trustees which is legally separate from the Company. The assets of the DB Scheme are held in a separate trustee-administered fund. The board of Trustees is made up of Trustees appointed by the Company, as the Principal Employer of the DB Scheme, Trustees elected by the membership and an independent trustee. The Trustees are required by law to act in the interests of all relevant beneficiaries and are responsible in particular for the asset investment strategy plus the day-to-day administration of the benefits payable. They also are responsible for jointly agreeing with the Company the level of contributions due to the DB Scheme.
Funding requirements
UK legislation requires that pension schemes are funded prudently (i.e. to a level in excess of the current expected cost of providing benefits). The last actuarial valuation of the DB scheme was carried out by the Trustees' actuarial advisors, Aon Hewitt, as at 31 March 2013. Such valuations are required by law to take place at intervals of no more than three years. Following each valuation, the Trustees and the Company must agree the contributions required (if any) to ensure the DB Scheme is fully funded over time on the basis of suitable, prudent assumptions. Contributions agreed in this manner constitute a minimum funding requirement. The current funding valuation is taking place as at 31 March 2016, as part of which the funding position will be reviewed.
Agreement was reached during October 2014 with the Trustees to repair the funding deficit of GBP286.4m as at 31 March 2013 over the 12 year period to 31 March 2025, subject to the actuarial assumptions adopted for the triennial valuation as at 31 March 2013 being borne out in practice. The agreement includes cash payments of GBP34.9m per annum over the period to 31 March 2015, made on a monthly basis, followed by an agreed profile of payments to be made over the remaining ten years of the recovery plan, as set out below:
1 April 2015 to GBP28.6m 31 March 2016 p.a. 1 April 2016 to GBP18.4m 31 March 2025 p.a.
All contributions set out above are in 2014/15 prices and will be increased each year in line with increases in RPI over the period until they fall due.
NORTHERN ELECTRIC PLC (REGISTERED NUMBER: 02366942)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015
24. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT OBLIGATIONS - continued
Funding requirements - continued
The contributions payable by the Northern Powergrid Group to the DB Scheme in respect of future benefits, which are accruing, are 34.2% of pensionable pay. These contributions were determined as part of the 31 March 2013 actuarial valuation and are payable in addition to the deficit repair contributions mentioned above. These rates will remain in place until such a time as a new schedule of contributions is agreed between the Trustees and the Company as part of the 31 March 2016 valuation. In addition, the Northern Powergrid Group pays 3.0% of pensionable pay to the DB Scheme to cover the expenses of running the DB Scheme.
The Northern Powergrid Group's total contributions to the DB Scheme for the next financial year are expected to be GBP39.9 million.
Under the rules of the DB Scheme, any future surplus in the DB Scheme may, following consultation with the Group Trustees, be allocated for the benefit of the members of the DB Scheme and/or the Principal and Participating Employers.
Pensions' Regulation
The UK pensions market is regulated by the Pensions Regulator whose key statutory objectives in relation to UK defined benefit plans are to:
- protect the benefits of members; - promote and to improve understanding of good administration;
- reduce the risk of situations arising which may lead to compensation being payable from the Pension Protection Fund ("PPF"); and
- minimise any adverse impact on the sustainable growth of an employer.
The Pensions Regulator has various powers including the power to:
- wind up a scheme where winding up is necessary to protect members' interests; - appoint or remove a trustee;
- impose a schedule of company contributions or the calculation of the technical provisions where trustees and company fail to agree on appropriate contributions; and
- impose contributions where there has been a detrimental action against the scheme.
Profile of the DB Scheme
The Defined Benefit Obligation ("DBO") includes benefits for current employees, former employees and current pensioners. The overall duration of the DB Scheme's obligation was assessed to be about 17 years based on the results of the 31 March 2013 funding valuation. This is the weighted-average time over which benefit payments are expected to be made.
Broadly, about 40% of the liabilities are attributable to current employees (duration about 23 years), 10% to former employees (duration about 24 years) and 50% to current pensioners (duration about 12 years).
NORTHERN ELECTRIC PLC (REGISTERED NUMBER: 02366942)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015
24. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT OBLIGATIONS - continued
Risks associated with the DB Scheme
The DB Scheme exposes the Northern Powergrid Group to a number of risks, the most significant of which are:
Risk Description Mitigation
Volatile The DBO is calculated The allocation to return-seeking
asset using a discount rate assets is monitored
returns set with reference to ensure it remains
to corporate bond yields. appropriate given the
If assets underperform DB Scheme's long-term
this discount rate, objectives. The Trustees
this will create an regularly review the
element of deficit. strategy from return-seeking
The DB Scheme aims assets and have diversified
to hold a significant some return-seeking
proportion (48%) of assets from equities
its assets in return-seeking into Reinsurance and
assets (such as equities) Listed Infrastructure
which, although expected to reduce overall risk.
to outperform corporate To avoid concentration
bonds in the long-term, risk, the allocation
create volatility and to UK equity is restricted
risk in the short-term. to 35% of the total
equity allocation.
Changes A decrease in corporate The DB Scheme also
in bond bond yields will increase holds a substantial
yields the value placed on proportion of its assets
the DBO for accounting (52%) as bonds, which
purposes, although provide a hedge against
this will be partially falling bond yields
offset by an increase (falling yields which
in the value of the increase the DBO will
DB Scheme's bond holdings. also increase the value
of the bond assets).
There are some differences
in the credit quality
of bonds held by the
DB Scheme and the bonds
analysed to decide
the DBO discount rate,
such that there remains
some risk should yields
on different quality
bond/swap assets diverge.
Inflation A significant proportion The DB Scheme holds
risk of the DBO is indexed around 30% in UK government
in line with price index-linked bonds
inflation (specifically which provide a hedge
in line with RPI) and against higher than
higher inflation will expected inflation
lead to higher liabilities increases of the DBO
(rising inflation will
increase both the DBO
and the value of the
index-linked bond portfolio).
Currency To increase diversification, The DB Scheme hedges
risk the DB Scheme invests a proportion of the
in overseas assets. overseas investments
This leads to a risk currency risk for those
that foreign currency overseas currencies
movements negatively that can be hedged
impact the value of efficiently. The DB
assets in Sterling Scheme's currency hedging
terms. ratio is currently
50% in respect of overseas
developed market currencies.
Life The majority of the The DB Scheme regularly
expectancy DB Scheme's obligations reviews actual experience
are to provide benefits of its membership against
for the pensionable the actuarial assumptions
lifetime of the member, underlying the future
so increases in life benefit projections
expectancy will result and carries out detailed
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in an increase in the analysis when setting
liabilities. an appropriate scheme
specific mortality
assumption.
The Company and Trustees have agreed a long-term strategy for reducing investment risk as and when appropriate. This includes an element of asset-liability matching, which aims to reduce the volatility of the funding level of the DB Scheme by investing in assets such as swaps which perform in line with the liabilities of the DB Scheme so as to protect against inflation being higher than expected.
Other risks
There are a number of other risks associated with the DB Scheme including operational risks (such as paying out the wrong benefits), legislative risks (such as the government increasing the burden on pension schemes through new legislation) and other demographic risks (such as a higher proportion members dying than assumed with a dependant eligible to receive a survivor's pension from the DB Scheme).
NORTHERN ELECTRIC PLC (REGISTERED NUMBER: 02366942)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015
24. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT OBLIGATIONS - continued
Other risks - continued
A particular legislative risk exists in relation to the equalisation of the Guaranteed Minimum Pension ("GMP"), a quasi-state benefit accrued by many UK plans over the period 1978 to 1997 as a result of a UK government programme allowing pension plans to "contract out" of the State Second Pension. The UK Government has announced its intention to ensure that these benefits, which currently pay out at different levels for men and women, are gender-equalised in accordance with sex-discrimination legislation. This would increase the DBO but it is not possible to fully quantify the impact of this change at this stage. However, it could lead to an increase in the order of 2% to the DBO for a typical scheme.
Reporting at 31 December 2015
For the purposes of this disclosure, the current and future pension costs of the Northern Powergrid Group have been assessed by Aon Hewitt, a qualified independent actuary, using the assumptions set out below, which the actuary has confirmed represent a reasonable best estimate of those costs. This review has been based on the same membership and other data as at 31 March 2013. The board of Northern Powergrid Holdings Company has accepted the advice of the actuary and formally approved the use of these assumptions for the purpose of calculating the pension cost of the Northern Powergrid Group.
The results of the latest funding valuation at 31 March 2013 have been adjusted to 31 December 2015. Those adjustments take account of experience over the period since 31 March 2013, changes in market conditions, and differences in the financial and demographic assumptions. The present value of the DBO and the related current service cost were measured using the Projected Unit Credit Method.
For schemes closed to new members, such as the DB Scheme, the current service cost calculated under the Projected Unit Credit Method is expected to increase as the members of the DB Scheme approach retirement.
The principal assumptions used to calculate the liabilities under IAS 19 are set out below:
Main financial assumptions 2015 2014
% p.a. % p.a.
RPI Inflation 2.90 2.80
Rate of long-term increase in
salaries 2.90 2.80
Pension increases 2.80 2.70
Discount rate for scheme liabilities 3.70 3.60
The financial assumptions reflect the nature and term of the DB Scheme's liabilities.
Main demographic assumptions 2015 2014 Life expectancy for a male currently aged 60 27.0 27.1 Life expectancy for a female currently aged 60 28.7 28.9 Life expectancy at 60 for a male currently aged 45 28.5 28.7 Life expectancy at 60 for a female currently aged 45 30.4 30.6 Proportion of pension exchanged for additional cash at retirement 10% 10%
The mortality assumptions are based on recent actual mortality experience of DB Scheme members and allow for expected future improvements in mortality rates.
NORTHERN ELECTRIC PLC (REGISTERED NUMBER: 02366942)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015
24. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT OBLIGATIONS - continued
The DB Scheme's funds are invested in the following assets:
Asset allocation 2015 2014
GBPm GBPm
Developed market equity 311.0 306.2
Emerging market equity 11.2 12.6
Property 146.0 130.3
Reinsurance 68.2 64.5
Listed infrastructure 90.1 84.7
Investment grade corporate bonds 375.5 343.1
Other debt 38.7 57.4
Fixed interest gilts 24.9 28.5
Index-linked gilts 453.7 452.7
Cash 22.0 36.1
Total 1,541.3 1,516.1
The fair values of the above equity and debt instruments are determined based on quoted market prices in active markets whereas the fair values of properties are not based on quoted prices in active markets.
As at 31 December 2015, the fair value of the DB Scheme's assets, which related to self-investment, amounted to GBPNil (2014: GBPNil).
The amounts recognised on the statement of financial position are set out below:
Reconciliation of funded status 2015 2014
to statement of financial position
GBPm GBPm
Fair value of scheme assets 1,541.3 1,516.1
Present value of funded defined
benefit obligations (1,453.2) (1,463.2)
Asset recognised on the statement
of financial position 88.1 52.9
When determining the adjustment in respect of the minimum funding requirement, it has been assumed that the Group would be entitled to a refund from the DB Scheme of any surplus arising in the DB Scheme in future. This reflects the provisions of the DB Scheme documentation.
The amounts recognised in comprehensive income and property, plant and equipment are set out below:
2015 2014 GBPm GBPm
Operating cost
Service costs:
Current service cost 15.9 14.5 Administration expenses 1.2 1.5
Financing cost
Interest on net defined benefit
asset (2.5) (0.3)
Pension expense recognised in
profit and loss or property,
plant and equipment 14.6 15.7
====== ======
NORTHERN ELECTRIC PLC (REGISTERED NUMBER: 02366942)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015
24. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT OBLIGATIONS - continued 2015 2014 GBPm GBPm
Re-measurements in OCI:
Return on plan assets in lower/(excess)
of that recognised in net interest 20.3 (149.6)
Actuarial (gains)/losses due
to changes in financial assumptions (1.9) 110.4
Actuarial gains due to changes
in demographic assumptions (12.4) (19.2)
Actuarial (gains)/losses due
to liability experience (5.6) 33.3
Total amount recognised in OCI 0.4 (25.1)
Total amount recognised in profit
and loss, property plant and
equipment and OCI 15.0 (9.4)
Changes to the present value 2015 2014
of the DBO during the year
GBPm GBPm
Opening DBO 1,463.2 1,321.3
Current service cost 15.9 14.5
Interest expense on defined benefit
obligation 52.0 57.3
Contributions by DB Scheme participants 1.5 1.5
Actuarial gains on DB Scheme
liabilities arising from changes
in demographic assumptions (12.4) (19.2)
Actuarial (gains)/losses on DB
Scheme liabilities arising from
changes in financial assumptions (1.9) 110.4
Actuarial (gains)/losses on DB
Scheme liabilities arising from
experience (5.6) 33.3
Net benefits paid out (59.5) (55.9)
Closing DBO 1,453.2 1,463.2
Changes in the fair value of 2015 2014
DB Scheme assets during the year
GBPm GBPm
Opening fair value of DB Scheme
assets 1,516.1 1,310.7
Interest income on DB Scheme
assets 54.5 57.6
Re-measurement (losses)/gains
on DB Scheme assets (20.3) 149.6
Contributions by the employer 50.2 54.1
Contributions by DB Scheme participants 1.5 1.5
Net benefits paid out (59.5) (55.9)
Administration costs incurred (1.2 ) (1.5)
Closing fair value of DB Scheme
assets 1,541.3 1,516.1
Actual return on DB Scheme assets 2015 2014
GBPm GBPm
Interest income on DB Scheme
assets 54.5 57.6
Re-measurement (loss)/gain on
DB Scheme assets (20.3) 149.6
Actual return on DB Scheme assets 34.2 207.2
Analysis of amounts recognised 2015 2014
in SoCI
GBPm GBPm
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Total re-measurement gains 0.4 25.1
NORTHERN ELECTRIC PLC (REGISTERED NUMBER: 02366942)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015
24. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT OBLIGATIONS - continued
Sensitivity to key assumptions
The key assumptions used for IAS 19 are discount rate, inflation and mortality. If different assumptions were used, it could have a material effect on the results of the Group. The sensitivity of the results to these assumptions is as follows.
Changes Revised
in DBO DBO
GBPm GBPm
Current Figures 1,453.2
Following a 10 bps decrease in
the discount rate 25.9 1,479.1
Following a 10 bps increase in
the discount rate (25.6) 1,427.6
Following a 10 bps increase in
the inflation assumption 23.1 1,476.3
Following a 10 bps decrease in
the inflation assumption (21.3) 1,431.9
Following a 1 year increase in
life expectancy 49.5 1,502.7
Following a 1 year decrease in
life expectancy (50.1) 1,403.1
The sensitivity information shown above has been prepared using the same method as adopted when adjusting the results of the latest funding valuation to the statement of financial position date. This is the same approach as has been adopted in previous periods.
A provision to cover the actuarial assessment of the costs of unfunded pension arrangements in respect of former employees has been made by the Group and the Company as follows:
GBPm
1 January 2015 1.7 Utilised/paid in the year (0.1) Transferred from statement of profit or loss 0.1 31 December 2015 1.7 25. DIRECTORS' ADVANCES, CREDITS AND GUARANTEES
During the year, 2 directors (2014: 2) and 7 key personnel (2014: 5) utilised the services provided by NTFL. The amounts included in finance lease receivables owed by these directors and key personnel total GBP64,000 (2014: GBP43,000) in respect of non-current and GBP151,000 (2014: GBP80,000) in respect of current receivables.
NORTHERN ELECTRIC PLC (REGISTERED NUMBER: 02366942)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015
26. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES
Group
Details of transactions between the Group and other related parties are disclosed below.
The Group entered into transactions, in the ordinary course of business, with affiliated companies. Transactions entered into and balances outstanding at the year-end were as follows:
Finance/
investment
Amounts income/
Purchases owed (costs Borrowing
Sales to from/(to) from/(to s to/(from
from ) )
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
Related Party
2015
Integrated Utility Services Limited (registered in Eire) 7 (2,785) 82 - - Northern Powergrid 88 - - - - Gas Limited Northern (6,222) Powergrid - - - - Limited Northern Powergrid Insurance - (356) - - - Services Limited Northern Powergrid (Yorkshire) 25,717 (10,664) plc - - - Vehicle Lease and Service 417 Limited 229 (3,718) 628 - Yorkshire Electricity (6,045) (100,238) Group plc - - -
26,041 (17,523) 499 (11,639) (100,238)
NORTHERN ELECTRIC PLC (REGISTERED NUMBER: 02366942)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015
26. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES - continued
Group - continued
Finance/
investment
Amounts income/
Purchases owed (costs Borrowings
Sales to from/(to) from/(to to/(from
from ) )
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
Related Party
2014
Integrated Utility Services (2,722) 289 Limited (registered in Eire) 6 - - Northern Powergrid 96 - - - - Gas Limited Northern (6,222) Powergrid - - - - Limited Northern Powergrid Insurance - (476) - - - Services Limited Northern Powergrid (Yorkshire) 21,792 (9,934) plc - - - Vehicle Lease and Service (3,703) 417 Limited 245 456 - Yorkshire Electricity (5,450) (102,560) Group plc - - -
22,139 (16,835) 706 (11,216) (102,560)
Sales and purchases from related parties were made at commercial prices.
Interest on loans from Northern Powergrid Group companies is charged at a commercial rate.
The amounts outstanding are unsecured and will be settled in cash. No guarantees have been given or received. No provisions have been made for doubtful debts in respect of amounts owed by related parties.
NORTHERN ELECTRIC PLC (REGISTERED NUMBER: 02366942)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015
26. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES - continued
Company
Details of transactions between the Company and other related parties are disclosed below.
The Company entered into transactions, in the ordinary course of business, with affiliated companies. Transactions entered into and balances outstanding at the year-end were as follows:
Finance/
investment
Amounts income/
Purchases owed (costs Borrowings
Sales from from/(to) from/(to) /(from)
to
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
Related Party
2015
Integrated Utility Services (564) - Limited 60 - - Northern - Powergrid 88 - - - Gas Limited Northern - (6,222) Powergrid - - - Limited Northern Powergrid (Northeast) 6,443 - Limited (52) 20,600 - Northern 3,962 - Powergrid - - - (Yorkshire) plc Northern - Transport 20 - - - Finance Limited Vehicle Lease and Service - Limited 192 - 513 - Yorkshire Electricity - 24,322 Group plc - - 195
10,765 (616) - 15,086 24,322
NORTHERN ELECTRIC PLC (REGISTERED NUMBER: 02366942)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015
26. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES - continued
Company - continued
Finance/
investment
Amounts income/
Purchases owed (costs Borrowing
Sales from from/(to) from/(to) s to/(from)
to
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
Related Party
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April 26, 2016 12:00 ET (16:00 GMT)
2014
Integrated Utility Services (520) - Limited 63 - - Northern - Powergrid 96 - - - Gas Limited Northern - (6,222) Powergrid - - - Limited Northern Powergrid (Northeast) 7,300 (145) - Limited 30,000 - Northern 4,663 - Powergrid - - - (Yorkshire) plc Northern - Transport 28 - - - Finance Limited Vehicle Lease and Service - Limited 207 - 407 - Yorkshire Electricity - 29,806 Group plc - - 267
12,357 (665) - 24,452 29,806
Sales and purchases from related parties were made at commercial prices.
Interest on loans from Northern Powergrid Group companies is charged at a commercial rate.
The amounts outstanding are unsecured and will be settled in cash. No guarantees have been given or received. No provisions have been made for doubtful debts in respect of amounts owed by related parties.
NORTHERN ELECTRIC PLC (REGISTERED NUMBER: 02366942)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015
27. RECONCILIATION OF PROFIT BEFORE INCOME TAX TO
CASH GENERATED FROM OPERATIONS
Group
2015 2014
GBP'000 GBP'000
Profit before income tax 162,056 178,256
Depreciation charges 76,093 64,446
Profit on disposal of fixed assets (474) (752)
Amortisation of deferred revenue (22,203) (19,757)
Retirement benefit obligations (38,514) (38,400)
Decrease in provisions (607) (41)
Finance costs 36,198 34,865
Finance income (1,619) (1,660)
210,930 216,957
Increase in inventories (1,148) (1,905)
Increase in trade and other receivables (949) (23,477)
(Decrease)/increase in trade and other payables (19,709) 24,374
Cash generated from operations 189,124 215,949
Company
2015 2014
GBP'000 GBP'000
Profit before income tax 13,773 23,301
Depreciation charges 48 52
Decrease in provisions (35) (29)
Finance costs 9,028 9,012
Finance income (21,308) (30,820)
1,506 1,516
(Increase)/decrease in trade and other receivables (119) 30
Decrease in trade and other payables (3) (47)
Cash generated from operations 1,384 1,499 28. OTHER RESERVES
At the Company's Annual General Meeting in August 1994, the shareholders gave approval to on-market purchases of up to 10% of its shares and this was given effect on 21 September 1994 when 12,370,400 shares were purchased. This transaction resulted in the creation of a capital redemption reserve of GBP6.2m. Under section 831(4) of the Companies Act 2006 this reserve is treated as an un-distributable reserve.
29. ULTIMATE CONTROLLING PARTY
The immediate parent undertaking of Northern Electric plc Group is Northern Powergrid Limited. The ultimate controlling party and ultimate parent undertaking of Northern Powergrid Limited is Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., a company incorporated in the United States of America.
Copies of the group accounts of Berkshire Hathaway, Inc. (the parent undertaking of the largest group preparing group accounts) which include Northern Electric plc Group and the group accounts of Northern Powergrid Holdings Company, the largest parent undertaking to prepare group accounts in the UK, can both be obtained from the Company Secretary, Northern Powergrid Holdings Company, Lloyds Court, 78 Grey Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 6AF.
NORTHERN ELECTRIC PLC (REGISTERED NUMBER: 02366942)
NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting of Northern Electric plc will be held at Lloyds Court, 78 Grey Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 6AF on 16 June 2016 at 10.00 am for the following purposes:
The following resolutions will be proposed as ordinary resolutions.
Resolution 1
To receive and consider the strategic, directors' and auditor's reports and the Group accounts for the year ended 31 December 2015.
Resolution 2
To declare that no final dividend be paid for the year ended 31 December 2015.
Resolution 3
To re-elect Mr G E Abel as a director.
Resolution 4
To re-elect Mr T E Fielden as a director.
Resolution 5
To re-elect Dr P A Jones as a director.
Resolution 6
To re-appoint Deloitte LLP as auditor until the conclusion of the next general meeting at which accounts are laid and to authorise the directors to determine their remuneration.
By order of Registered office:
the board
John Elliott Lloyds Court, 78 Grey
Street,
Secretary Newcastle upon Tyne,
NE1 6AF
22 April 2016 Registered in England
No 2366942
Note:
1. All the issued ordinary shares in the Company are held by or on behalf of Northern Powergrid Limited.
2. Holders of preference shares have the right to receive notice of, attend and speak at the Annual General Meeting but are only entitled to vote if, at the date of the notice of the meeting, payment of the dividend to which they are entitled is six months or more in arrears or if a resolution is to be considered at the meeting for the winding up of the Company or abrogating, varying or modifying any of the special rights attaching to the preference shares. As none of these circumstances apply to this Annual General Meeting, preference shareholders should note that they do not have the right to vote on any of the business to be considered.
3. Members are entitled to appoint a proxy to exercise all or any of their rights on their behalf at the meeting. A shareholder may appoint more than one proxy in relation to the Annual General Meeting provided that each proxy is appointed to exercise the rights attached to a different share or shares held by the shareholder. A proxy need not be a shareholder of the Company.
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4. Any person to whom this notice is sent who is a person nominated under section 146 of the Companies Act 2006 to enjoy information rights (a "Nominated Person") may, under an agreement between him/her and the shareholder by whom he/she was nominated, have a right to be appointed (or to have someone else appointed) as a proxy for the Annual General Meeting. If a nominated person does not have such a right or does not wish to exercise it, he/she may have a right under such an agreement to give instructions to the member as to the exercise of voting rights
5. Any corporation which is a member can appoint one or more corporate representatives who may exercise on its behalf all of its powers as a member provided that they do not do so in relation to the same shares.
6. The current price of the Company's preference shares can be obtained from the web site of the London Stock Exchange at www.londonstockexchange.com.
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
END
ACSSESFIMFMSEIL
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April 26, 2016 12:00 ET (16:00 GMT)
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