COMPANY REGISTRATION NUMBER 3294750 NETWORK SOLUTIONS GROUP LIMITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st JANUARY 1999 ASHFORD READ Chartered Accountants & Registered Auditors 40 Alexandra Road Freemantle Southampton Hampshire SO15 5DG NETWORK SOLUTIONS GROUP LIMITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31st JANUARY 1999
CONTENTS PAGES Officers and professional advisers 1 The directors' report 2 to 3 Auditors' report to the shareholders 4 Profit and loss account 5 Balance sheet 6 Notes to the financial statements 7 to 9 THE FOLLOWING PAGES DO NOT FORM PART OF THE STATUTORY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Detailed profit and loss account 11 Notes to the detailed profit and loss account 12
NETWORK SOLUTIONS GROUP LIMITED OFFICERS AND PROFESSIONAL ADVISERS THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS Mr A. P. Cowler Mr W. Bridgen Mr S. Sutton COMPANY SECRETARY Mr A. P. Cowler REGISTERED OFFICE 12 Acorn Business Centre Northarbour Road Cosham Portsmouth Hampshire PO6 3TH AUDITORS Ashford Read Chartered Accountants & Registered Auditors 40 Alexandra Road Freemantle Southampton Hampshire SO15 5DG BANKERS Barclays Bank Plc Soho Square Business Centre 8-9 Hanover Square London W1A 4ZW SOLICITORS Gurney-Champion & Co 12 Edinburgh Road Portsmouth Hampshire PO1 1DJ
-1- NETWORK SOLUTIONS GROUP LIMITED THE DIRECTORS' REPORT YEAR ENDED 31st JANUARY 1999 The directors present their report and the financial statements of the company for the year ended 31st January 1999. PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES The principal activity of the company during the year was that of a holding company. THE DIRECTORS AND THEIR INTERESTS IN SHARES OF THE COMPANY The directors who served the company during the year together with their beneficial interests in the shares of the company were as follows:
ORDINARY SHARES OF L1 EACH AT 31 JANUARY 1999 AT 1 FEBRUARY 1998 OR LATER DATE OF APPOINTMENT Mr A. P. Cowler 78 40 Mr W. Bridgen - 10 Mr S. Sutton - 10 Mr J. C. Beckett (Appointed 2 June 1998) 22 - Mr I. C. Cocks (Retired 2 June 1998) - 40 ---------- ----------
Mr A. P. Cowler's beneficial interest arises from his position as a Trustee of the Surrey Design Partnership Limited Pension Scheme. Mr J. C. Beckett's beneficial interest arises from his position as a Trustee of the J Beckett Funded Unapproved Retirement Benefit Scheme. Mr J. C. Beckett resigned as a director of Network Solutions Group Limited, Network Solutions Limited and Network Solutions (Northern) Limited on 9th July 1999. On 9th July 1999 the 22 shares held by the J. Beckett FURBS were transferred to the Surrey Design Partnership Limited Pension Scheme. YEAR 2000 ISSUES The directors have considered the risks and uncertainties associated with the year 2000 problem. During the year the companies within the group have taken steps to ensure that their internal computer systems are millennium compliant. The directors have also assessed the possibility of year 2000 related failures in significant suppliers, all of whom have indicated that they are already dealing with the problem. Whilst it is impossible to guarantee that no year 2000 problems will remain, the directors are confident that the companies within the group will be able to deal promptly with any failures that may occur. DIRECTORS' RESPONSIBILITIES Company law requires the directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the company at the end of the year and of the profit or loss for the year then ended. -2- NETWORK SOLUTIONS GROUP LIMITED THE DIRECTORS' REPORT (CONTINUED) YEAR ENDED 31st JANUARY 1999 DIRECTORS' RESPONSIBILITIES (CONTINUED) In preparing those financial statements, the directors are required to select suitable accounting policies, as described on page 7, and then apply them on a consistent basis, making judgements and estimates that are prudent and reasonable. The directors must also prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the company will continue in business. The directors are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the company and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 1985. The directors are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. AUDITORS A resolution to re-appoint Ashford Read as auditors for the ensuing year will be proposed at the annual general meeting in accordance with section 385 of the Companies Act 1985. SMALL COMPANY PROVISIONS This report has been prepared in accordance with the special provisions for small companies under Part VII of the Companies Act 1985. Registered office: Signed by order of the directors 12 Acorn Business Centre Northarbour Road Cosham Portsmouth Hampshire /s/ A. P. Cowler PO6 3TH MR A. P. COWLER Company Secretary Approved by the directors on 12 August 1999 -3- NETWORK SOLUTIONS GROUP LIMITED AUDITORS' REPORT TO THE SHAREHOLDERS YEAR ENDED 31st JANUARY 1999 We have audited the financial statements on pages 5 to 9 which have been prepared in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard for Smaller Entities (effective March 1999), under the historical cost convention and the accounting policies set out on page 7. RESPECTIVE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE DIRECTORS AND THE AUDITORS As described on pages 2 to 3, the company's directors are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements. It is our responsibility to form an independent opinion, based on our audit, on those statements and to report our opinion to you. BASIS OF OPINION We conducted our audit in accordance with Auditing Standards issued by the Auditing Practices Board. An audit includes examination, on a test basis, of evidence relevant to the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. It also includes an assessment of the significant estimates and judgements made by the directors in the preparation of the financial statements, and of whether the accounting policies are appropriate to the company's circumstances, consistently applied and adequately disclosed. We planned and performed our audit so as to obtain all the information and explanations which we considered necessary in order to provide us with sufficient evidence to give reasonable assurance that the financial statements are free from material misstatement, whether caused by fraud or other irregularity or error. In forming our opinion we also evaluated the overall adequacy of the presentation of information in the financial statements. OPINION In our opinion the financial statements give a true and fair view of the company's state of affairs as at 31st January 1999 and of its loss for the year then ended, and have been properly prepared in accordance with the Companies Act 1985. /s/ Ashford Read 40 Alexandra Road Freemantle Chartered Accountants Southampton & Registered Auditors Hampshire SO15 5DG 12 AUG 1999 -4- NETWORK SOLUTIONS GROUP LIMITED PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT YEAR ENDED 31st JANUARY 1999
Note 1999 1998 L L TURNOVER - - Administrative expenses (697) (560) ------ ------ OPERATING LOSS 3 (697) (560) Tax on loss on ordinary activities - - ------ ------ LOSS FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR (697) (560) Balance brought forward (560) - ------ ------ Balance carried forward (1,257) (560) ------ ------ ------ ------
The notes on pages 7 to 9 form part of these financial statements. -5- NETWORK SOLUTIONS GROUP LIMITED BALANCE SHEET 31st JANUARY 1999
Note 1999 1998 L L L L FIXED ASSETS Investments 4 10,100 10,100 CREDITORS: Amounts falling due within one year 5 (11,257) (10,560) -------- -------- TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES (1,157) (460) -------- -------- CAPITAL AND RESERVES Called-up equity share capital 9 100 100 Profit and loss account (1,257) (560) -------- -------- DEFICIENCY (1,157) (460) -------- -------- -------- --------
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the special provisions for small companies under Part VII of the Companies Act 1985 and with the Financial Reporting Standard for Smaller Entities (effective March 1999). These financial statements were approved by the directors on the 12 AUGUST 1999, and are signed on their behalf by: /s/ A. P. Cowler - ---------------------- MR A. P. COWLER The notes on pages 7 to 9 form part of these financial statements. -6- NETWORK SOLUTIONS GROUP LIMITED NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31st JANUARY 1999 1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES BASIS OF ACCOUNTING The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, and in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard for Smaller Entities (effective March 1999). CONSOLIDATION In the opinion of the directors, the company and its subsidiary undertakings comprise a small group. The company has therefore taken advantage of the exemption provided by Section 248 of the Companies Act 1985 not to prepare group accounts. DEFERRED TAXATION Provision is made, under the liability method, to take account of timing differences between the treatment of certain items for accounts purposes and their treatment for tax purposes. Tax deferred or accelerated is accounted for in respect of all material timing differences to the extent that it is considered that a net liability may arise. 2. GOING CONCERN At the balance sheet date the combined liabilities of the group exceeded its assets by L242,750. The day to day operation of the group is dependent upon support from its directors, associated companies, bankers and trade creditors. The support of the directors and associated companies has been confirmed for the foreseeable future. Subsequent to the year end increased banking facilities have been arranged by the principal trading subsidiary and significant measures have been taken to ensure improved management control and trading performance. These steps, together with the assumed continued support of the trade creditors, provide the directors with the opinion that it is appropriate to prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis. 3. OPERATING LOSS Operating loss is stated after charging:
1999 1998 L L Directors' emoluments - - Auditors' fees 650 550 ------- -------
4. INVESTMENTS
L COST At 1st February 1998 and 31st January 1999 10,100 ------- NET BOOK VALUE At 31st January 1999 10,100 ------- ------- At 31st January 1998 10,100 ------- -------
-7- NETWORK SOLUTIONS GROUP LIMITED NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31st JANUARY 1999 4. INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED) Under the provision of section 248 of the Companies Act 1985 the company is exempt from preparing consolidated accounts and has not done so, therefore the accounts show information about the company as an individual entity. The company has investments at par in two subsidiary companies as follows: NETWORK SOLUTIONS LIMITED (company number 3134838) 100 ordinary shares of L1 each (100%); Nil ordinary "A" shares of L1 each (0%) Capital and reserves deficiency at balance sheet date: L212,745 Retained loss for the year: L173,415 NETWORK SOLUTIONS (NORTHERN) LIMITED (company number 3294807) 10,000 ordinary shares of L1 each (100%) Capital and reserves deficiency at balance sheet date: L28,848 Retained profit for the year: L10,988 5. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
1999 1998 L L Bank loans and overdrafts 44 2 Amounts owned to group undertakings 563 8 Other creditors including: Other creditors 10,000 10,000 Accruals and deferred income 650 550 ------- ------- 11,257 10,560 ------- ------- ------- -------
6. CONTINGENCIES A subsidiary, Network Solutions Limited, paid interim dividends of L35,600 (1998 - L42,000) to the holders of the Ordinary "A" shares in excess of distributable reserves. In the event of a winding up these dividends would be repayable to the subsidiary. Full details of this matter are disclosed within the financial statements of Network Solutions Limited. 7. TRANSACTIONS WITH THE DIRECTORS Two directors had overdrawn loan accounts with Network Solutions Limited at the balance sheet date. The closing balances (and maximum amount outstanding during the year) were as follows: Mr W. Bridgen L7,326 (L7,326); and Mr. S. Sutton L3,383 (L3,383). -8- NETWORK SOLUTIONS GROUP LIMITED NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31st JANUARY, 1999 8. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS The company was under the control of the directors (Mr. A. P. Cowler, Mr. W. Bridgen, Mr. S. Sutton and Mr. J. C. Beckett) throughout the year. The four directors are also the sole directors of both subsidiary companies, Network Solutions Limited and Network Solutions (Northern) Limited. At the balance sheet date L563 (1998 - L8) was owed by the company to Network Solutions Limited. Mr. A. P. Cowler is a director of and has a controlling interest in The Surrey Design Partnership Limited. At the balance sheet date the company owed L10,000 (1998 - L10,000) to The Surrey Design Partnership Limited. This amount is shown under "Creditors: amounts falling due within one year". Detailed disclosure of all related party transactions are made in the individual financial statements of each subsidiary. 9. SHARE CAPITAL
AUTHORISED SHARE CAPITAL: 1999 1998 L L 10,000 Ordinary shares of L1 each 100,000 100,000 ------- ------- ------- ------- ALLOTTED, CALLED UP AND FULLY PAID: 1999 1998 L L Ordinary share capital 100 100 ------- ------- ------- -------
-9- NETWORK SOLUTIONS GROUP LIMITED MANAGEMENT INFORMATION YEAR ENDED 31st JANUARY 1999 The following pages do not form part of the statutory financial statements which are the subject of the auditors' report on page 4. -10- NETWORK SOLUTIONS GROUP LIMITED DETAILED PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT YEAR ENDED 31st JANUARY 1999
1999 1998 L L TURNOVER - - OVERHEADS Administrative expenses 697 560 ----- ----- LOSS ON ORDINARY ACTIVITIES (697) (560) ----- ----- ----- -----
-11- NETWORK SOLUTIONS GROUP LIMITED NOTES TO THE DETAILED PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT YEAR ENDED 31st JANUARY 1999
1999 1998 L L L L ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES GENERAL EXPENSES: Sundry expenses 15 - Auditors remuneration 650 550 ------ ------ 665 550 FINANCIAL COSTS: Bank charges 32 10 ------ ------ 697 560 ------ ------ ------ ------
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