TIDMCSH

RNS Number : 3083E

Civitas Social Housing PLC

29 June 2023

29 June 2023

CIVITAS SOCIAL HOUSING PLC

ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT

YEAR TO 31 MARCH 2023

Civitas Social Housing PLC ("Civitas" or the "Company"), the UK's leading care-based and healthcare REIT, presents its full year results for the year ended 31 March 2023.

Performance Highlights

 
 Property Valuation and Performance    Mar 23  Mar 22    Change 
 Investment property (GBPm)            978.1   968.8      1.0% 
 NAV per share (diluted) (p)           109.16  110.30   (1.03)% 
 Financial Performance 
 Annualised contracted rent 
  roll (GBPm)                           56.3    53.2     5.83% 
 Net rental income (GBPm)               52.7    50.7     3.94% 
 EPRA earnings (GBPm)                   26.9    29.8 
 Operating Cash Flow (GBPm)             39.5    39.1     1.02% 
 IFRS earnings per share (diluted) 
  (p)                                   4.19    7.23 
 EPRA earnings per share (diluted) 
  (p)                                   4.43    4.82 
 Dividends per share (p)                5.70    5.55     2.70% 
 NAV Total return since IPO 
  (%)                                   41.8    37.2    +4.6 pts 
 Financing 
 Loan to value ratio (%)                35.6    34.4 
 Weighted average interest 
  cost of debt (%)                      3.4     2.5     +0.9 pts 
 

Full Year Highlights

   --      Annualised contracted rent roll increased by c.6% to GBP56.3million 
   --      Portfolio value increased to GBP978.1million from GBP968.8million (IFRS) 

-- NAV decreased slightly to 109.16 pence per share as at 31 March 2023 (2022: 110.30 pence per share)

   --      IFRS valuation average net initial yield (NIY) of 5.55% 

-- EPRA earnings per share (basic and diluted) 4.43 pence per share (2022: 4.82 pence per share)

-- Dividends of 5.70 pence per share to 31 March 2023 (2022: 5.55p) fully paid in four dividend distributions

-- In December 2022 the Company signed a new five-year GBP70.8 million facility with a European bank lender

-- Maintained a high quality investment credit rating from Fitch Ratings of "A-" (stable) and "A" Secured

-- Continuation of share buybacks, with the Company acquiring 6,050,000 shares at an average of 76.89 pence per share for a total investment of GBP4.65 million, enhancing the NAV by 0.30%

Operational Highlights

   --      Diversified portfolio of 697 properties providing homes to 4,594 residents 

-- Providing lifelong homes to mostly working age adults with disabilities and complex care needs

-- High acuity focused portfolio with 40% of residents living in Civitas properties receiving over 50 hours of care per week

-- Phase two of the Company's work with E.ON continues across identified properties, targeting a 25% reduction in carbon emissions

-- CIM continues to engage actively with the Company's Approved Provider partners and care providers, offering advice and shared learning

-- CIM continues to closely and proactively asset manage the largest portfolio of specialist care based housing in the UK

Post Year End Highlights

-- On 9 May 2023 the Board announced a recommended offer for the Company at 80p in cash, from Wellness Unity Limited, a subsidiary of CK Asset Holdings Limited (CKA)

-- On 22 May 2023 the Offer Document was made available. It is intended that Civitas Investment Management ("CIM") is maintained as the Investment Adviser to Civitas so that the day-to-day management of the Civitas portfolio will continue uninterrupted, and Civitas be re -- registered as a private limited company as soon as practicable following the cancellation of the listing and trading of Civitas shares

   --      On 23 June 2023 the Offer became unconditional 

Please find the full 2023 Annual Report on the Civitas Social Housing plc website .

For further information, please contact:

 
 Civitas Investment Management 
  Limited 
 Andrew Dawber                     Tel: +44 (0) 20 3058 4846 
 Paul Bridge                       Tel: +44 (0) 20 3058 4844 
 
 
 Panmure Gordon 
 Sapna Shah                        Tel: +44 (0) 20 7886 2783 
 Tom Scrivens                      Tel: +44 (0) 20 7886 2648 
 
 
 Liberum Capital Limited 
 Chris Clarke / Darren Vickers     Tel: +44 (0) 20 3100 2000 
  / Owen Matthews 
 
 
 Buchanan 
 Helen Tarbet / Henry Wilson       Tel: +44 (0) 20 7466 5000 
 Hannah Ratcliff / Verity Parker   civitas@buchanan.uk.com 
 

Notes:

Civitas Social Housing PLC (CSH) was created in 2016 by Civitas Investment Management Limited as the first dedicated London listed REIT to raise long-term, sustainable, institutional capital to invest in care-based social homes and healthcare facilities across the UK. CSH's portfolio has been independently valued at GBP978.1 million (31 March 2023). CSH now provides homes for 4,594 working age adults with long-term care needs, in 697 bespoke properties that are supported by 131 specialist care providers, 19 approved providers and working with over 178 individual local authority partners.

Chairman's Statement

From the Chairman:

"Since November 2016, Civitas Social Housing PLC has provided vital homes and healthcare facilities across the UK, for those working age adults with significant and typically life-long care needs.

I am pleased to report that, despite a difficult economic backdrop in the UK, our portfolio has continued to

perform strongly."

This is our sixth Annual Report, covering the year to 31 March 2023. I am pleased to report that, despite a difficult economic backdrop in the UK, our portfolio has continued to perform strongly, delivering on average a 5% increase in rental income derived from our inflation adjusted leases.

Our Investment Adviser, Civitas Investment Management Limited ("CIM"), has continued to work closely with our Approved Providers to enhance further the quality of the portfolio and to assist where needed in the process of ensuring our rental income is received on a timely basis. The net asset value of the Company at 31 March 2023 was 109.16 pence, a small decrease of 1.03% from 110.30 pence per share as at 31 March 2022.

The Board declared a final dividend of 1.425p, bringing the full year dividend to 5.70p, in line with the minimum stated intention.

A difficult challenge during the year was the sharp increase in interest rates. I am pleased that in February 2023 the Company entered into a new debt facility for GBP70.9m, which was partly used to repay the loan facility with Lloyds. In addition, we also fixed our interest rate exposure to provide greater certainty. However, the overall re-financing was achieved at a material increase in ongoing interest costs. Full details are included in the Investment Adviser's Report.

Our share price has been disappointing over the year under review, reflecting in part the broad derating of real estate investments, higher interest rates and investor concern about our sector. The Board has been reviewing a number of possible actions to address this position. The Company has continued to buy back shares - over the past 12 months it has acquired 6,050,000 shares at an average of 76.89 pence per share for a total investment of GBP4.65 million. This has enhanced the NAV by 0.30% and benefited the EPRA earnings.

Continuation Vote

At the annual general meeting on 15 September 2022, 98.85% of those shareholders who voted have voted in favour of the continuation of the Company.

Offer for the Company

Following the year end, on 9 May 2023 the Board announced a recommended offer for the Company at 80p per share in cash, from a subsidiary of CK Asset Holdings Limited (CKA).

Whilst the Board believes that the Offer undervalues the long-term prospects of Civitas as expressed by net asset value, we also recognise that Civitas, and its sector as a whole, faces a number of challenges in sentiment which the public markets are unlikely to overcome in the short to medium term.

The Offer provides liquidity to shareholders with the opportunity to exit in full and in cash at a significant premium to the current share price, in a time of macroeconomic uncertainty.

Moreover, CKA, as a current investor in the social housing sector, has a detailed understanding of the attractive fundamentals of the real estate and the expertise of the management team. CKA does not expect there to be any disruption to tenants as a result of the Offer and will be focused on the continuation of relationships with Approved Providers, care providers and the Regulator of Social Housing following the completion of the Offer. The Board therefore considers the terms of the Offer to be fair and reasonable and we have recommended it to our shareholders.

Outlook

Demand for the type of properties within the Company's portfolio remains strong with independent forecasts predicting that there will be continued growth for many years to come in the need for additional units of adapted accommodation. The Board remains confident in the strength of the portfolio and its potential revenue generation.

Michael Wrobel

Chairman

28 June 2023

Growth

Growing Base of Global Investors

Civitas invests on behalf of a wide range of global, national and local investors seeking exposure to sustainable long-term income together with measurable social impact and high levels of ESG delivery.

Four Continents... ...over 60 Locations

 
 1. Amsterdam     13. Chichester        25. Heerlen       37. New Jersey      49. Smithfield 
 2. Bath          14. Columbus          26. Hong Kong     38. New York        50. Surrey 
 3. Beijing       15. Denver            27. Jersey        39. New Zealand     51. Sydney 
 4. Birmingham    16. Dublin            28. Leeds         40. Oslo            52. Tallinn 
 5. Blackpool     17. Edinburgh         29. Liverpool     41. Paris           53. Tauranga 
 6. Bolton        18. Espoo             30. London        42. Philadelphia    54. The Hague 
 7. Boston        19. Exeter            31. Los Angeles   43. Radnor          55. Tokyo 
 8. Bournemouth   20. Fort Lauderdale   32. Luxembourg    44. Rotterdam       56. Toronto 
 9. Bradford      21. Frankfurt         33. Manchester    45. Sacramento      57. Tunbridge 
                                                                               Wells 
 10. Bristol      22. Geneva            34. Melbourne     46. San Francisco   58. Vancouver 
 11. Brussels     23. Guernsey          35. Montreal      47. Seattle         59. Windsor 
 12. Chicago      24. Halifax           36. Munich        48. Singapore       60. Zurich 
 

Our Strategy for Growth

Demand for the accommodation provided by Civitas is strong and expected to remain so over the long-term. The pandemic has further evidenced the need for safe and secure homes for the most vulnerable people in society.

Civitas is a go-to partner for an increasing range of major vendors and counterparties.

Civitas is the market leader with the largest portfolio and deeply ingrained relationships with care providers, local authorities, Approved Providers and charities across the UK.

The Company continues to work closely with The Social Housing Family CIC to enable it to expand and play a broader role in the sector, and becoming part of critical local authority pathways, leading to many opportunities in specialist supported living and advanced homelessness.

Civitas now works with a broader range of counterparties including charities and other not-for-profit organisations, to expand into significant markets across the UK, now including Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Our Portfolio

By UK Region as at 31 March 2023

 
 Region                            Funds invested      Annualised rent 
                      Properties     (percentage)    roll (percentage) 
-------------------  -----------  ---------------  ------------------- 
 South West                  120             15.5                 14.3 
 London                       26             12.8                 13.8 
 West Midlands               101             11.3                 11.6 
 Yorkshire and the 
  Humber                      96             10.8                 10.7 
 Wales                        34             11.0                 10.6 
 North West                  101             10.1                 10.1 
 South East                   65             10.1                  9.8 
 East Midlands                58              8.6                  8.8 
 North East                   64              5.8                  6.4 
 East of England              32              4.0                  3.9 
 Total                       697 
 

Market Value (%)

 
 Region                      Market Value 
--------------------------  ------------- 
 South West                     14.3% 
 London                         13.3% 
 West Midlands                  11.7% 
 Wales                          11.3% 
 Yorkshire and the Humber       10.7% 
 North West                      9.9% 
 South East                      9.8% 
 East Midlands                   8.8% 
 North East                      6.3% 
 East of England                 3.9% 
 Total                        GBP978.1m 
 

Tenancies

 
 Region                      Tenancies 
--------------------------  ---------- 
 South West                     759 
 Yorkshire and the Humber       610 
 North West                     607 
 West Midlands                  502 
 North East                     462 
 South East                     417 
 East Midlands                  374 
 Wales                          364 
 London                         338 
 East of England                161 
 Total                         4,594 
 

Our Portfolio

By Approved Provider as at 31 March 2023

Annualised Contracted Rent Roll (%)

 
 Approved Provider      Annualised Contracted Rent Roll 
                                      (%) 
---------------------  -------------------------------- 
 Falcon                              19.1% 
 Auckland(1)                         16.5% 
 BeST                                12.6% 
 Inclusion                           9.4% 
 Qualitas Housing(1)                 8.4% 
 Westmoreland                        5.6% 
 Trinity                             5.2% 
 Encircle                            5.2% 
 Pivotal                             4.0% 
 Chrysalis                           3.7% 
 New Walk                            2.6% 
 Harbour Light                       2.3% 
 My Space                            1.3% 
 Other                               1.1% 
 IKE                                 1.0% 
 Hilldale                            1.0% 
 Windrush                            0.7% 
 Lily Rose                           0.2% 
 Blue Square                         0.1% 
 Total                             GBP56.3m 
 

Properties

 
 Approved Provider      Properties 
---------------------  ----------- 
 Falcon                    116 
 Auckland(1)               101 
 Inclusion                  81 
 BeST                       74 
 Qualitas Housing(1)        54 
 Trinity                    42 
 Westmoreland               41 
 New Walk                   41 
 Chrysalis                  28 
 Pivotal                    27 
 Harbour Light              26 
 Encircle                   16 
 Hilldale                   15 
 Windrush                   13 
 IKE                        10 
 My Space                   9 
 Blue Square                1 
 Lily Rose                  1 
 Other                      1 
 Total                     697 
 

Tenancies

 
 Approved Provider      Tenancies 
---------------------  ---------- 
 Falcon                    850 
 BeST                      591 
 Auckland(1)               547 
 Inclusion                 507 
 Qualitas Housing(1)       370 
 Trinity                   242 
 Westmoreland              239 
 Pivotal                   238 
 Encircle                  205 
 New Walk                  194 
 Harbour                   182 
 Chrysalis                 151 
 My Space                  71 
 IKE                       68 
 Windrush                  51 
 Hilldale                  39 
 Other                     32 
 Lily Rose                 13 
 Blue Square                4 
 Total                    4,594 
 

Market Value (%)

 
 Approved Provider      Market Value (%) 
---------------------  ----------------- 
 Falcon                      19.1% 
 Auckland(1)                 16.4% 
 BeST                        13.2% 
 Inclusion                    9.1% 
 Qualitas Housing(1)          8.6% 
 Westmoreland                 5.7% 
 Trinity                      5.1% 
 Encircle                     4.9% 
 Pivotal                      3.9% 
 Chrysalis                    3.8% 
 New Walk                     2.6% 
 Harbour Light                2.3% 
 My Space                     1.1% 
 Other                        1.1% 
 IKE                          1.1% 
 Hilldale                     1.0% 
 Windrush                     0.8% 
 Blue Square                  0.1% 
 Lily Rose                    0.1% 
 Total                     GBP978.1m 
 

(1) Auckland and Qualitas Housing are both members of the Social Housing Family C.I.C and subject to common control.

Investment Adviser's Report

Consistent Performance

In the year to March 2023, CIM continued to work closely with the Board to manage a high-performing portfolio.

Portfolio

   --      40% of residents living in Civitas properties receive over 50 hours of care per week. 
   --      High acuity portfolio 
   --      Provide homes to those who need long-term quality accommodation 
   --      Largest portfolio of SSH in England & Wales 
   --      Premium Fitch rating retained at "A" secured and "A-" unsecured 
   --      Average rental growth of c.5% 

Social Impact

   --      4,594 high quality bed spaces 
   --      GBP127.0 million savings to the public purse(1) 
   --      5 charitable relationships 

Phase two work with E.ON

   --      Continued work across identified properties 
   --      Targeting 25% reduction in carbon emissions 
   --      Continued access to government grant funding sources 
   --      Targeting minimum EPC "A-C" by 2030 

Highly Experienced Team

The asset management team set up to work with and assist our Approved Providers have

specialisms from:

   --      Local authority commissioning of specialist supported housing 
   --      Senior level rents and housing benefit advisers 
   --      Housing management and compliance 
   --      Property asset management 
   --      Commissioning of care 

1. Source: The Good Economy, Civitas Social Housing PLC, Annual Impact Report 2021, June 2021.

"For over six years CIM has been working with the CSH Board to invest in high-quality assets to deliver long-term affordable homes for life for the most vulnerable in society.

We have developed in-depth knowledge of the sector along with extensive relationships with Approved Providers, care providers and local authorities, which has directly led to improvements in the sector."

Paul Bridge - CEO, Social Housing - Civitas Investment Management Limited

Introduction

Civitas Investment Management Limited ("CIM") is the Investment Adviser to Civitas Social Housing PLC ("CSH") and is the leading provider of care-based housing in the UK. CIM comprises a team of 39 individuals with a range of expertise in specialist supported housing, real estate management and complex care needs CIM has the capacity and specialist knowledge to manage the CSH portfolio at a granular level and has cultivated strong professional relationships across the sector over the last decade.

Overview of Results

In the UK prior to the launch of the Company, equity and private capital played a very small part in the social housing sector. Over time, UK demographics changed and the number of adults with long-term, complex care needs has been steadily increasing.

This is reflected in a number of institutional investors including aspects of social housing within their

investment strategies.

Results Highlights

-- Six years of consistent rental growth and progressive dividend payments that have increased from an initial 3.00p per share to 5.70p per share for the year ended 31 March 2023.

-- A retained high-quality investment credit rating from Fitch Ratings of A secured and A- unsecured since March 2021, which CSH was the first to secure in this sector.

-- An actively managed portfolio of operational real estate with a sector-leading team of professionals assisting and enabling high quality and longevity of homes and income.

-- Professional support to enable Approved Providers to enhance the quality of their delivery and demonstrate long-term financial and operational independence.

-- Targeting investments and homes which enable the delivery of higher end care as this is where the greatest need exists and where the applicability of exempt rents is clearly demonstrated.

-- An active and continuing programme working with E.ON to permanently reduce carbon emissions across the portfolio, leading to lower energy costs for residents and a more carbon neutral portfolio.

-- Sector leading partnerships with national and local charities delivering real change and continuing to enhance CSH's reputation as the most experienced investor in social infrastructure in the UK.

-- CIM has a highly experienced asset management team which has overseen some GBP25 million of physical improvements to the portfolio since inception largely paid for by the vendors of the properties.

Sector Leading Social Outcomes

ESG

Our ESG Policy is located at www.civitassocialhousing .com. It provides an overview of the Company's

investment procedures and sets out the Board's commitment to a continuous improvement process in its

approach to ESG integration.

ESG Rating Providers

CIM engages with the leading ESG rating providers to set out the activities that are undertaken by CSH and to ensure these are profiled and evaluated correctly. Notably, active participation in the 2022 GRESB Public Disclosure Assessment has resulted in CSH retaining an A score previously attained in 2021, whilst the peer group average score has moved up to B. CSH is up to second position within its Comparison Group (UK Residential). Meanwhile, the Risk Rating Score for CSH by Sustainalytics remains at 14.9 (Low Risk) as was reported in February 2023.

The latest independent report by The Good Economy on CSH was published in November 2022 and notes

CSH's continued progress in delivering measurable social impact. Social value analysis by The Good Economy, carried out in March 2021, found that, overall, the portfolio generated GBP127 million of social value per year, including fiscal savings to public budgets of GBP75.9 million per year.

Of particular note with respect to the portfolio:

-- 41% of CSH's 697 properties have been brought into the specialist housing sector for the first time

-- CSH continues regular engagement with its Approved Providers to monitor the quality of its stock

   --      Improvement works have enhanced the energy efficiency of homes 

-- 87% of respondents to the survey of residents carried out by CIM in March 2021 reported that they were satisfied with the quality of their home

-- CSH Approved Provider partners have reported 99% statutory compliance - considerably better than the wider affordable housing sector

Environmental: Carbon Reduction/ Energy Cost Savings

CIM continues to work with E.ON (a leading UK energy and solutions company) under a national framework agreement in partnership with CSH tenants, to improve the environmental performance of the portfolio. The "fabric first" approach to reducing the portfolio's carbon footprint includes the installation of cavity wall insulation, loft insulation, external wall insulation, air source heat pumps and solar PV and battery storage to identified properties within the portfolio. The installation of these energy efficient measures, utilising available government grants and other funding sources, will optimise value for the Company, our counterparties and our shareholders. The collaboration with E.ON is delivering significant environmental enhancements without any cost to our Approved Providers.

The Phase 2 retrofit surveys will help to refine the implementation programme and identify the best method for reducing the total carbon dioxide emissions (and fuel costs) associated with individual properties over the medium or long term. The overall energy performance of the portfolio, as identified on Environmental Performance Certificates ("EPC") reports data has improved over the last 12 months. The proportion of properties with EPC Rating A-C is currently c.55% and the carbon footprint (estimated from property characteristics) has reduced by 2% per Civitas tenancy (from 2.65 tonnes of CO(2) /tenancy in March 2022 to 2.61 tonnes of CO(2) /tenancy). The whole social housing sector, and indeed the whole housing sector, continues to require significant public investment if it is to meet the current government guidelines on achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

Government Policy and Regulation

Reforming the Mental Health Act

Current mental health legislation results in many people with mental health issues or learning disability needs being detained in large institutions that are often inappropriate for the individuals. It is estimated by NHS Digital that there was a rise in annual mental health detentions from 45,864 in 2016/2017 to over 53,239 in 2020/2021.

Once people are sectioned into an institution it becomes very difficult and costly to move them into a supported living community setting.

As a result of these concerns, the Government commissioned an independent body chaired by Professor Sir Simon Wessley in 2017. Currently in draft form in the Houses of Parliament, the Mental Health Reform Act seeks to raise the threshold for detaining people with a learning disability and/or autism unless they have a coexisting psychiatric disorder.

We believe that this Act will drive even more demand for community housing and care settings which are already in short supply, further securing the value and importance of the CSH portfolio.

The CSH portfolio will further benefit from the following broader market dynamics:

Social Housing Regulation Bill 2023

The overall regulation of social housing is under review with the main objective of delivering transformational change for social housing residents and fulfilling the Government's 2019 manifesto pledge to "empower residents, provide greater redress, better regulation and improve the quality of social housing".

The implication of this review for CSH's portfolio is expected to be positive as it aims to bring landlords closer to their tenants and more focused on addressing their needs quickly. Our Approved Providers are very close to their residents' needs and work in partnership with care providers to ensure good quality service outcomes, all supported by the granular asset management provided by CIM every day.

Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Bill

This bill, which is under review, seeks to improve the regulation and outcomes of supported exempt accommodation. This follows reported cases, particularly of temporary housing, that should not qualify as

exempt accommodation.

Financial Review

As at 31 March 2023 the Net Asset Value of the Company was GBP661.9 million, being 109.16 pence per share, a 1.03% decrease on the 110.30 pence per share at 31 March 2022. A net fair value gain on investment properties of GBP2.6 million (2022: GBP12.3 million) was recorded in the year.

Operational cash flows increased moderately to GBP39.5 million (2022: GBP39.1 million). Ongoing rental collections throughout the year supported the Company's healthy operating cash flows despite further increases to the cost of debt as all facilities were put onto a fixed basis.

Rental Growth and Dividend

The portfolio generated rental income (excluding any insurance and service charge rechargeables) of GBP53.1

million, representing c.5% increase over the corresponding period last year.

The contracted rent roll now increases through indexation only as no new equity has been raised and therefore no new investments have been made in the period.

During the year, the Company declared and paid four dividend distributions including one dividend of 1.3875p and three instalments of 1.4250p.

Debt Fixing and Reducing Risk

CIM arranged the following debt facilities which fixes debt on the portfolio at an average rate of 3.92% until August 2024 as is prudent in the current interest rate environment.

 
                                   Remaining 
                                     Term at          Loan 
                                   31 Mar 23     Principal 
  Lenders              Facility      (years)       GBP'000    All in rate 
-----------------  ------------  -----------  ------------  ------------- 
 Scottish Widows          Fixed         4.59        52,500          2.99% 
-----------------  ------------  -----------  ------------  ------------- 
 Deutsche Bank 
  AG, London 
  Branch                  Fixed         4.85        70,875          5.69% 
-----------------  ------------  -----------  ------------  ------------- 
                       Fixed by 
                       Interest 
 HSBC                  rate cap         2.67       100,000          4.60% 
-----------------  ------------  -----------  ------------  ------------- 
                       Fixed by 
                       Interest 
 NatWest              rate swap         1.38        60,000          2.60% 
-----------------  ------------  -----------  ------------  ------------- 
 M&G                      Fixed         4.91        84,550          3.14% 
-----------------  ------------  -----------  ------------  ------------- 
                                        3.67       367,925          3.92% 
 ------------------------------  -----------  ------------  ------------- 
 

We have received terms from lenders to refinance the NatWest facility which is due to expire in August 2024.

Governance

CIM continues to engage actively with the Company's Approved Provider partners and care providers, offering advice and shared learning.

The Board, comprised of five independent non-executive Directors, carries out an annual Board performance evaluation exercise and hosts periodic strategy sessions in addition to regular planned Board meetings.

Summary

CIM continues to closely and proactively asset manage the largest portfolio of specialist care-based housing in the UK.

There is demonstrable demand in excess of supply and significant further legislation that is likely to

continue to increase demand for the properties in the Company's portfolio.

We continue to undertake our work with a view to both enhancing the value of the portfolio and protecting the interest of our underlying tenants.

Civitas Investment Management Limited

Investment Adviser

28 June 2023

Asset Management Initiatives

As part of the ongoing active management of the CSH portfolio, CIM has developed an extensive asset management resource that covers all the key disciplines that are apparent within specialist supported housing and the residential care sectors.

Capital works are undertaken on a rolling basis with much of the work being undertaken around the time of initial acquisition and paid for by the original vendors as part of the purchase agreement. This ensures that appropriate adaptations are made to deliver a bespoke property that is suitable for the user's needs over the long term. Capital works are also undertaken, from time to time, during the life of the property where it is deemed appropriate to undertake improvement works or repositioning of the asset. In some cases this also leads to an immediate uplift in contracted rent roll and a commensurate increase in capital values.

Set out below are some examples of projects that have been undertaken.

The Asset Management Team understand the value of a good home. With nearly 100 years' experience between them working in the housing field, there is a lot of knowledge we can share.

As part of our active asset management of the CSH portfolio, we work with and support our partners tackling issues and finding solutions to help sustain the tenancies of the most vulnerable people living in our homes.

A recent example of this was with Cole Street and Hampden Road. These properties are managed by Trinity Housing Association and are popular properties with long standing residents. However, Trinity had struggled to meet its housing benefit potential. Officers from the team worked closely with Trinity and supported them to put the information and evidence together for tribunal. Trinity won the tribunal and the matter was resolved with a full backdate and rent agreed. This was a great result for the team and for the tenants at the schemes.

Case Study

York Mews, Clacton-on-Sea

A detached two storey block of seven self-contained flats constructed around the 1950's. Some external works were identified as being required and a review was undertaken at the asset. Assessment reports obtained suggested that replacing the heaters within the flats and other minor works would improve the energy efficiency and, in most cases, improve the EPC ratings at the same time. We therefore tendered a programme of works over two phases - the first phase just before the previous Winter period to replace the existing heaters with high heat retention storage heaters - the second phase during the following Spring/Summer period was to undertake the external works to remove the existing render, replace and

decorate to improve the exterior of the building.

 
          Before   After 
-------  -------  ------ 
 Flat 1   D        D 
 Flat 2   D        C 
 Flat 3   D        C 
 Flat 4   D        D 
 Flat 5   D        C 
 Flat 6   D        C 
 Flat 7   E        D 
 

Corporate Social Responsibility Report

Sustainability

The business model of the Company is to provide long--term suitable homes for individuals with care needs; acting in a sustainable manner is key to achieving this aim. Properties that are owned by the Company are tailored to meet the future needs of the tenants and, where required, are actively asset managed to provide long-term functionality and value to the wider community.

Environment

During the investment due diligence phase, the Company looks closely at the environmental impact of each potential acquisition, and encourages a sustainable approach for maintenance and upgrading properties. Through collaborating with specialist developers and vendors, the high standards the Company expects from each investment in the care-based housing sector is adopted by other companies in the sector.

Once within the portfolio, the properties of the Company are actively managed, and the Investment Adviser assesses whether there are opportunities to improve the environmental efficiency of the properties, in addition to other asset management initiatives. The Company has an Environment, Social and Governance Policy which can be found on the Company's website. This goes into further detail about the Company's ESG approach and how it integrates with investment strategy. Further details on the Company's ESG approach can also be found in the full Annual Report.

The Board has considered the requirements to disclose the annual quantity of emissions; further detail on this is included in the Report of the Directors as set out in the full Annual Report.

Diversity

The Company does not have any employees or office space and, as such, the Company does not operate a diversity policy with regards to any administrative and management functions.

Whilst recognising the importance of diversity in the boardroom, the Company does not consider it to be

in the interest of the Group and its shareholders to set prescriptive diversity criteria or targets. The Board has adopted a diversity policy in respect of appointments to be made to the Board and will continue to monitor diversity, taking such steps as it considers appropriate to maintain its position as a meritocratic and diverse business. The Board's objective is to maintain effective decision-making, including the impact of succession planning. All Board appointments will be made on merit and have regard to diversity regarding factors such as gender, ethnicity, skills, background and experience. This includes Director appointments to the Audit and Management Engagement Committee and Nomination and Remuneration Committee. See Corporate Governance Statement in the full Annual Report.

The Board comprises three male and two female non-executive Directors. Throughout the year, the Company complied with the Hampton-Alexander Review's target of a minimum 33% representation of women on FTSE 350 boards.

The Board is aware of the recommendations of the Parker Review, which will be taken into consideration as part of the Board's succession planning. See Corporate Governance Statement as set out in the full Annual Report

The Board of Directors of the Company's subsidiaries, which are non-operational, each comprise one female and up to four male directors.

Human Rights

Given the Company's turnover for the year under review, it now falls within the scope of the Modern Slavery Act 2015. The Company published its modern slavery statement on 22 September 2021.

The Board is satisfied that, to the best of its knowledge, the Company's principal advisers, which are listed in the Company Information section, comply with the provisions of the UK Modern Slavery Act 2015.

The Company's business is solely in the UK and therefore is considered to be low risk with regards to human rights abuses.

Community and Employee

The Company's properties enable the provision of care to some of the most vulnerable people in the community, ensuring safe and secure accommodation, tailored to meet individual care needs. The Company has increased the provision of care-based housing, bringing new supply to the sector and providing homes to over 4,500 people. All of the Company's properties enable the provision of high levels of care, generating local jobs and helping to support local economies.

The Company has no employees and accordingly no requirement to separately report on this area.

The Investment Adviser is an equal opportunities employer who respects and seeks to empower each individual and the diverse cultures, perspectives, skills and experiences within its workforce.

Section 172(1) Statement and stakeholder engagement

Overview

The Directors' overarching duty is to act in good faith and in a way that is most likely to promote the success of the Company as set out in section 172 of the Companies Act 2006. In doing so, Directors must take into consideration the interests of the various stakeholders of the Company, the impact the Company has on the community and the environment, take a long-term view on consequences of the decisions they make, as well as aim to maintain a reputation for high standards of business conduct and fair treatment between the members of the Company.

Fulfilling this duty naturally supports the Company in achieving its investment objective and helps to ensure that all decisions are made in a responsible and sustainable way. In accordance with the requirements of the Companies (Miscellaneous Reporting) Regulations 2018, the Company explains how the Directors have discharged their duties under section 172 below.

To ensure that the Directors are aware of, and understand, their duties, they are provided with the pertinent information when they first join the Board as well as receiving regular and ongoing updates and training on the relevant matters. Induction and access to training is provided for new Directors. They also have continued access to the advice and services of the Company Secretary and, when deemed necessary, the Directors can seek independent professional advice at the Company's expense. The Schedule of Matters Reserved for the Board, as well as the Terms of Reference of its committees, are reviewed regularly and further describe Directors' responsibilities and obligations and include any statutory and regulatory duties. The Audit and Management Engagement Committee has the responsibility for the ongoing review of the Company's risk management systems and internal controls and, to the extent that they are applicable, risks related to the matters set out in section 172 are included in the Company's risk register and are subject to periodic and regular reviews and monitoring.

Long-term Success

The strategy of the Company can be found below. Any deviation from, or amendment to, that strategy is subject to Board and, if necessary, shareholder approval. The Company's business model, which can be found below, provides that the Board considers the long-term consequences of its investment decisions.

The Company grants long-term leases, generally 20 years in length, to its tenants. The Company seeks to maintain lasting relationships with its tenants and supports its tenants in adapting properties to meet their needs, particularly improving and enhancing properties. Further details can be found in the full Annual Report.

Stakeholders

A company's stakeholders are normally considered to comprise its shareholders, its employees, its customers and its suppliers as well as the wider community in which the company operates and impacts. The Company is different in that as an investment trust it has no employees and, in terms of suppliers, the Company receives professional services from a number of different providers, principal among them being the Investment Adviser.

Through regular engagement with its stakeholders, the Board aims to gain a rounded and balanced understanding of the impact of its decisions. Feedback from stakeholders is gathered by the Investment Adviser in the first instance and communicated to the Board in its regular quarterly meetings and otherwise as required.

The importance of stakeholders is taken into account at every Board meeting, with discussions involving careful consideration of the longer-term consequences of any decisions and their implications for stakeholders. The following section explains why these stakeholders are considered of importance to the Company and the actions taken to ensure that their interests are taken into account by the Board as part of its decision making.

 
 Our             Key areas                                                     How we engage 
 stakeholders     of interest 
--------------  ------------------------------------------------------------  ------------------------------------------------------------ 
 Shareholders                                                                  The Board welcomes shareholders' views 
 Continued         *    Current and future financial performance on both a      and places great importance on communication 
 shareholder            NAV and share price basis                               with the shareholders of the Company. 
 support and                                                                    The Board is responsible for the content 
 engagement                                                                     of communication regarding corporate 
 are critical      *    Strategy and business model                             issues and for communicating its views 
 to the                                                                         to shareholders. The Board aims to 
 existence                                                                      ensure that shareholders are provided 
 of the            *    Corporate governance                                    with sufficient information to understand 
 business                                                                       the risk/reward balance to which they 
 and the                                                                        are exposed by the holding of shares 
 delivery          *    ESG performance and sustainability                      in the Company. Active engagement with 
 of the                                                                         shareholders is carried out throughout 
 long-term                                                                      the year and regular communication 
 strategy of       *    Climate Change                                          is undertaken to ensure that they understand 
 the business.                                                                  the performance of the business. The 
                                                                                Board is committed to maintaining open 
                   *    Dividend                                                channels of communication and to engaging 
                                                                                with shareholders in a manner which 
                                                                                they find most meaningful, in order 
                                                                                to gain an understanding of the views 
                                                                                of shareholders. These channels include: 
 
                                                                                Annual General Meeting - The Company 
                                                                                welcomes and encourages attendance, 
                                                                                voting and participation from shareholders 
                                                                                at the AGM, at which shareholders have 
                                                                                the opportunity to meet the Directors 
                                                                                and Investment Adviser and to address 
                                                                                questions to them directly. The Investment 
                                                                                Adviser attends the AGM and provides 
                                                                                a presentation on the Group's performance 
                                                                                and its future outlook. The Company 
                                                                                values any feedback and questions it 
                                                                                may receive from shareholders ahead 
                                                                                of and during the AGM and takes action, 
                                                                                as appropriate. The Board was pleased 
                                                                                to note that all resolutions proposed 
                                                                                at the Company's AGM on 15 September 
                                                                                2022 were approved by shareholders. 
 
                                                                                Publications - The Annual Report and 
                                                                                Half-Year Results are made available 
                                                                                on the Company's website. These reports 
                                                                                provide shareholders with a clear understanding 
                                                                                of the Group's portfolio and financial 
                                                                                position. In addition to the Annual 
                                                                                and Half-Year Reports, regularly updated 
                                                                                information is available on the Company 
                                                                                website, including quarterly factsheets, 
                                                                                key policies, the investor relations 
                                                                                policy and details of the investment 
                                                                                property portfolio. Feedback and/ or 
                                                                                questions the Company receives from 
                                                                                the shareholders help the Company evolve 
                                                                                its reporting aiming to render the 
                                                                                reports and updates transparent and 
                                                                                understandable. 
 
                                                                                Shareholder meetings - Shareholders 
                                                                                are able to meet with the Investment 
                                                                                Adviser and the Company's Joint Brokers 
                                                                                throughout the year and the Investment 
                                                                                Adviser provides information on the 
                                                                                Company on the Company's website. Feedback 
                                                                                from all shareholder meetings with 
                                                                                the Investment Adviser and/or the Joint 
                                                                                Brokers, and shareholders' views, are 
                                                                                shared with the Board on a regular 
                                                                                basis. The Chairman and other members 
                                                                                of the Board, including the Senior 
                                                                                Independent Director and Chair of the 
                                                                                Audit and Management Committee, are 
                                                                                available to meet with shareholders 
                                                                                to understand their views on governance 
                                                                                and the Company's performance where 
                                                                                they wish to do so. 
 
                                                                                Shareholder concerns - The Board gives 
                                                                                due consideration to any matters raised 
                                                                                by shareholders. In the event shareholders 
                                                                                wish to raise issues or concerns with 
                                                                                the Board or the Investment Adviser, 
                                                                                they are welcome to write to the Company 
                                                                                at the registered office address set 
                                                                                out in the full Annual Report. 
 
                                                                                In line with increasing shareholder 
                                                                                focus on Environmental, Social and 
                                                                                Governance ("ESG") matters, the Board 
                                                                                requests regular updates from the Investment 
                                                                                Adviser. The Board retains overall 
                                                                                responsibility for ESG issues and the 
                                                                                Company's operational performance. 
                                                                                Implementation of ESG matters are undertaken 
                                                                                by the Investment Adviser on behalf 
                                                                                of the Board. 
                                                                                Furthermore, ESG reporting has been 
                                                                                disclosed in the full Annual Report 
                                                                                and the Board is open to discussion 
                                                                                with shareholders on this topic if 
                                                                                requested. 
 
                                                                                Investor relations updates - The Board 
                                                                                regularly monitors the shareholder 
                                                                                profile of the Company. With the majority 
                                                                                of shareholders being a combination 
                                                                                of institutional investors and private 
                                                                                client brokers, the Board receives 
                                                                                regular updates on investors' views 
                                                                                and attitudes from the Company's Brokers 
                                                                                and the Investment Adviser. The results 
                                                                                of these meetings were reported to 
                                                                                the Board as part of the formal reporting 
                                                                                undertaken by both the Investment Adviser 
                                                                                and the Brokers. 
 
                                                                                Included in the Report of the Directors 
                                                                                in the full report are details of substantial 
                                                                                shareholdings in the Company. 
 
                                                                                On a regular basis (sometimes weekly) 
                                                                                and at Board meetings, the Directors 
                                                                                receive updates from the Company's 
                                                                                Brokers on the share trading activity, 
                                                                                share price performance and any shareholders' 
                                                                                feedback, as well as an update from 
                                                                                the Company's Investor Relations adviser, 
                                                                                Buchanan, and the Investment Adviser 
                                                                                on any publications or comments by 
                                                                                the press. To gain a deeper understanding 
                                                                                of the views of its shareholders and 
                                                                                potential investors, the Investment 
                                                                                Adviser maintains regular contact with 
                                                                                them and also undertakes investor roadshows. 
                                                                                Any relevant feedback is taken into 
                                                                                account when Directors discuss any 
                                                                                possible fundraising or the future 
                                                                                dividend policy. 
 
                                                                                Following the year end, the Board recommended 
                                                                                an offer to shareholders of 80 pence 
                                                                                for each share held in the Company 
                                                                                from Wellness Unity Limited (a wholly 
                                                                                owned subsidiary of CK Asset Holdings 
                                                                                Limited). During the Takeover process, 
                                                                                the Board engaged with shareholders 
                                                                                and received their views on the Takeover. 
                                                                                which it took into account during its 
                                                                                discussions. Further information on 
                                                                                the Board's decision in relation to 
                                                                                the Takeover Offer can be found in 
                                                                                the full Annual Report. 
--------------  ------------------------------------------------------------  ------------------------------------------------------------ 
 Investment                                                                    The asset management of the Company's 
 Adviser            *    Current and future financial performance              portfolio is delegated to the Investment 
 Holding the                                                                   Adviser, which manages the assets in 
 Company's                                                                     accordance with the Company's objectives 
 shares             *    Shared commercial objectives with the Company         and policies. At each Board meeting, 
 offers                                                                        representatives from the Investment 
 investors                                                                     Adviser are in attendance to present 
 an investment      *    Operational excellence                                reports to the Directors covering the 
 vehicle                                                                       Company's current and future 
 through                                                                       activities, portfolio of assets and 
 which they         *    Long-term development of its business and resources   its investment performance over the 
 can obtain                                                                    preceding period. 
 exposure to 
 the Company's      *    ESG performance and sustainability                    Maintaining a close and constructive 
 portfolio of                                                                  working relationship with the Investment 
 properties.                                                                   Adviser is crucial as the Board and 
 The                                                                           the Investment Adviser both aim to 
 Investment                                                                    continue to achieve consistent long-term 
 Adviser's                                                                     returns in line with the Company's 
 performance                                                                   investment objective. Important components 
 is critical                                                                   in the collaboration with the Investment 
 for the                                                                       Adviser, representative of the Company's 
 Company                                                                       culture are: 
 to 
 successfully                                                                   *    operating in a fully supportive, co-operative and 
 deliver its                                                                         open environment and maintaining ongoing 
 investment                                                                          communication with the Board between formal meetings; 
 strategy and 
 meet its 
 objective 
 to provide                                                                     *    encouraging open discussion with the Investment 
 shareholders                                                                        Adviser, allowing time and space for original and 
 with an                                                                             innovative thinking; 
 attractive 
 level of 
 income, 
 together with                                                                  *    recognising that the interests of stakeholders and 
 the potential                                                                       the Investment Adviser are for the most part well 
 for capital                                                                         aligned, adopting a tone of constructive challenge; 
 growth. 
 
 
                                                                                *    drawing on Board members' individual experience and 
                                                                                     knowledge to support the Investment Adviser in its 
                                                                                     monitoring of and engagement with other stakeholders; 
                                                                                     and 
 
 
 
                                                                                *    willingness to make the Board members' experience 
                                                                                     available to support the Investment Adviser in the 
                                                                                     sound long-term development of its business and 
                                                                                     resources, recognising that the long-term health of 
                                                                                     the Investment Adviser is in the interests of 
                                                                                     shareholders in the Company. 
--------------  ------------------------------------------------------------  ------------------------------------------------------------ 
 Other service                                                                 The Company's main functions are delegated 
 providers          *    Current and future financial performance               to a number of service providers, including 
 In order to                                                                    the Administrator, the Company Secretary, 
 function as                                                                    the AIFM, the Registrar, the Corporate 
 a REIT with        *    Shared commercial objectives with the Company          Brokers and the Depositary, each engaged 
 a premium                                                                      under separate contracts. The Board 
 listing                                                                        maintains regular contact with its 
 on the London      *    Operational excellence                                 key external providers and receives 
 Stock                                                                          regular reporting from them, both through 
 Exchange,                                                                      the Board and Committee meetings, as 
 the Company        *    Long-term development of the service providers'        well as outside of the regular meeting 
 relies on a             businesses                                             cycle. Their advice, as well as their 
 diverse range                                                                  needs and views, are routinely taken 
 of reputable                                                                   into account. Through its Audit and 
 advisers for       *    Sustainability                                         Management Engagement Committee, the 
 support in                                                                     Board formally assesses their performance, 
 meeting all                                                                    fees and continuing appointment at 
 relevant                                                                       least annually to ensure that the key 
 obligations.                                                                   service providers continue to function 
                                                                                at an acceptable level and are appropriately 
                                                                                remunerated to deliver the expected 
                                                                                level of service. The Audit and Management 
                                                                                Engagement Committee also reviews and 
                                                                                evaluates the control environment in 
                                                                                place at each key service provider. 
--------------  ------------------------------------------------------------  ------------------------------------------------------------ 
 Care                                                                          At the outset, it is important to note 
 providers         *    Current and future performance                          that the Company does not have any 
                                                                                legal or operational responsibility 
                                                                                for the delivery of care in the properties 
                   *    Welfare of tenants                                      within the portfolio. However, the 
                                                                                Board and the Investment Adviser have 
                                                                                taken the view that they wish to have 
                   *    Lease obligations                                       a detailed understanding of the delivery 
                                                                                of care and the interaction with the 
                                                                                major care providers who deliver this 
                   *    Void management                                         care. Accordingly, the Investment Adviser 
                                                                                maintains an active dialogue with many 
                                                                                of the care providers to build constructive 
                                                                                and informed relationships. 
 
                                                                                At the same time, as part of transaction 
                                                                                due diligence at the time of acquisition 
                                                                                of properties, the Investment Adviser 
                                                                                undertakes due diligence with respect 
                                                                                to the operational and financial performance 
                                                                                of all care providers who are proposed 
                                                                                to deliver care into the particular 
                                                                                properties. This includes the financial 
                                                                                standing of the care provider, its 
                                                                                CQC rating and the nature of the SLA 
                                                                                agreement covering voids between the 
                                                                                care provider and the Approved Provider. 
 
                                                                                The Investment Adviser is noted as 
                                                                                having demonstrated considerable expertise 
                                                                                and understanding of the care taking 
                                                                                place within its properties. 
--------------  ------------------------------------------------------------  ------------------------------------------------------------ 
 Tenants                                                                       The Company's properties are adapted 
                   *    Greater independence                                    for the use of individuals with long-term 
                                                                                care needs within a community setting 
                                                                                with the specific aim of achieving 
                   *    Maintaining high level of care                          better personal outcomes and independence 
                                                                                for the individuals. 
 
                   *    Improved personal outcome                               The sector in which the Company operates 
                                                                                is regarded as having achieved significant 
                                                                                success in delivering these positive 
                                                                                outcomes compared to long-term older 
                                                                                style remote institutional care. 
 
                                                                                On a regular basis, members of the 
                                                                                Investment Adviser visit properties 
                                                                                accompanied by Approved Provider and 
                                                                                care provider partners to see first 
                                                                                hand the nature of the housing and 
                                                                                care provision that is being delivered. 
                                                                                Whilst this process has slowed as a 
                                                                                result of the pandemic, the Investment 
                                                                                Advisor has continued to engage with 
                                                                                its tenants. This is supported by the 
                                                                                regular Approved Provider seminars 
                                                                                at which the wellbeing of tenants is 
                                                                                discussed in detail. 
 
                                                                                In addition, the Company undertakes 
                                                                                resident case studies and surveys through 
                                                                                careful and considered interaction 
                                                                                via the care provider to assess the 
                                                                                positive impact our properties and 
                                                                                associated specialised care have had 
                                                                                on the individual and their wellbeing. 
--------------  ------------------------------------------------------------  ------------------------------------------------------------ 
 Approved                                                                      The Company's Approved Provider partners 
 Providers          *    Current and future performance                         are an important part of the investment 
                                                                                model as the responsibility for collection 
                                                                                of housing benefit and subsequent payment 
                    *    Sustainability                                         of rent, the maintenance of the properties 
                                                                                under the full repairing and insuring 
                                                                                leases and, most importantly, the safeguarding 
                    *    Compliance and property management                     of the underlying tenants through the 
                                                                                above means, lies with the Approved 
                                                                                Providers. 
                    *    Welfare of tenants 
                                                                                The Investment Adviser works closely 
                                                                                with the Company's Approved Provider 
                    *    Lease obligations                                      partners to improve standards and governance 
                                                                                and to introduce practices and procedures 
                                                                                that make the Company's investment 
                                                                                processes ever more robust. 
 
                                                                                The Investment Adviser has a constant 
                                                                                open dialogue with the Approved Provider 
                                                                                partners, liaising monthly on compliance, 
                                                                                health and safety, maintenance and 
                                                                                future-proofing schemes, as well as 
                                                                                hosting quarterly seminars to discuss 
                                                                                current themes/trends affecting the 
                                                                                sector, to troubleshoot. This serves 
                                                                                as an opportunity to build relationships 
                                                                                and share best practice. 
 
                                                                                The Investment Adviser is supported 
                                                                                by the establishment of The Social 
                                                                                Housing Family CIC, a not-for-profit 
                                                                                community interest company operated 
                                                                                independently of the Company whose 
                                                                                stated aim is to enable Approved Providers 
                                                                                holding the Company's leases to increase 
                                                                                skills and experience and to provide 
                                                                                funding to promote enhanced performance. 
                                                                                Membership is open to any Approved 
                                                                                Provider that holds Civitas leases 
                                                                                and the effect of membership is to 
                                                                                transfer ownership of the Approved 
                                                                                Provider to the social housing family. 
                                                                                Auckland Homes Solutions was the first 
                                                                                Approved Provider to join and has now 
                                                                                recruited a very experienced and senior 
                                                                                executive team and board of management. 
                                                                                Qualitas community benefit society 
                                                                                has also joined the CIC. 
--------------  ------------------------------------------------------------  ------------------------------------------------------------ 
 Regulator                                                                     The Company is not itself regulated 
 of Social         *    Financial and operational viability                     by the RSH, but it is important to 
 Housing (RSH)                                                                  maintain open and regular dialogue 
                                                                                to ensure that the Company and the 
                   *    Governance                                              RSH are working together to improve 
                                                                                the sector. 
 
                   *    Compliance with health and safety, and regulatory       The Investment Adviser has a regular 
                        standards                                               and ongoing dialogue with the RSH and 
                                                                                with the Housing Association partners 
                                                                                regulated by the RSH. 
                   *    Safety and wellbeing of underlying tenants 
                                                                                The Company also publishes responses 
                                                                                to the regulatory judgements of the 
                                                                                RSH regarding the Approved Providers 
                                                                                with the Company as part of the RSH's 
                                                                                general review of Approved Providers 
                                                                                engaged in the provision of property 
                                                                                services for vulnerable people as announced 
                                                                                in May 2018. This demonstrates the 
                                                                                Company's desire to maintain aa dialogue 
                                                                                with the RSH and its desire to see 
                                                                                that the positions improve where needed. 
--------------  ------------------------------------------------------------  ------------------------------------------------------------ 
 Other                                                                         The Company regularly considers how 
 regulatory       *    Compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements    it meets various regulatory and statutory 
 authorities                                                                    obligations and follows voluntary and 
 The Company                                                                    best practice guidance, and how any 
 can only         *    Governance based on best practice guidance               governance decisions it makes can have 
 operate                                                                        an impact on its shareholders and wider 
 with the                                                                       stakeholders, both in the shorter and 
 approval         *    Better reporting to shareholders and other               in the longer term. 
 of its                stakeholders 
 regulators                                                                     The Board receives quarterly regulatory 
 who have a                                                                     compliance monitoring updates from 
 legitimate                                                                     the Investment Adviser. 
 interest in                                                                    The Board receives quarterly compliance 
 how the                                                                        updates from the AIFM regarding the 
 Company                                                                        Company's compliance with its investment 
 operates in                                                                    policy and the Investment Adviser's 
 the market                                                                     compliance with the Investment Management 
 and treats                                                                     Agreement. 
 its                                                                            The Board also has access to the advice 
 shareholders.                                                                  of the Company Secretary who provides 
                                                                                updates and advice on regulatory, statutory 
                                                                                and governance matters for consideration 
                                                                                by the Board at its quarterly meetings 
                                                                                and as and when required. 
--------------  ------------------------------------------------------------  ------------------------------------------------------------ 
 Local                                                                         It is important for the Company to 
 authorities       *    Provision of safe and secure properties of a high       build and maintain relationships with 
                        quality                                                 local authorities as they have an important 
                                                                                role in identifying areas of high demand, 
                                                                                agreeing rents and referrals to the 
                   *    Sustainability for long-term placements                 Company's asset management initiatives. 
 
                                                                                The Company will engage with the local 
                                                                                authority commissioner either directly, 
                                                                                or through specialist consultants, 
                                                                                Approved Provider and care provider 
                                                                                partners as part of the Company's due 
                                                                                diligence to ensure that each property 
                                                                                being acquired has been commissioned 
                                                                                by the relevant local authority and 
                                                                                that rent levels have been discussed 
                                                                                and agreed. 
--------------  ------------------------------------------------------------  ------------------------------------------------------------ 
 Lenders                                                                       The Company has arranged debt facilities 
 Availability       *    Current and future financial performance of the        from a wide range of lenders and engages 
 of funding              business                                               with these on a regular basis through 
 and liquidity                                                                  regular meetings and presentations 
 are crucial                                                                    to ensure they are informed on all 
 to the             *    Openness and transparency                              relevant areas of the business. The 
 Company's                                                                      continual dialogue helps to support 
 ability to                                                                     the credit relationships. 
 take               *    Proactive approach to communication 
 advantage                                                                      The Company has reaffirmed its Investment 
 of investment                                                                  Grade High Credit Quality Rating from 
 opportunities      *    Operational excellence                                 Fitch Ratings Limited of "A" (senior 
 as they                                                                        secured) and a Long-Term IDR (Issuer 
 arise.                                                                         Default Rating) of "A-" with a Stable 
                                                                                Outlook. 
                                                                                This will enable the Company to pursue 
                                                                                its strategy in relation to debt funding, 
                                                                                in addition to continuing to work with 
                                                                                the Company's existing lenders, with 
                                                                                whom the Company has built strong relationships. 
                                                                                During the year, the Board considered 
                                                                                and closed a five year term debt facility 
                                                                                with Deutsche Bank AG. Further information 
                                                                                can be found in the full Annual Report. 
--------------  ------------------------------------------------------------  ------------------------------------------------------------ 
 Communities                                                                   A key component of the Company's portfolio 
 The Company's     *    Acceptance of care in the community                     is that the properties within it are 
 assets rely                                                                    set within community environments so 
 on a strong,                                                                   that individuals are able as part of 
 positive          *    Availability of local facilities for tenants            their care plan to interact with the 
 connection                                                                     local community rather than being isolated. 
 with the 
 local                                                                          This is achieved in consultation with 
 communities                                                                    local authorities in determining that 
 in which its                                                                   the initial settings are appropriately 
 business                                                                       diversified within the respective community 
 operates.                                                                      and are not clustered in a way that 
                                                                                would lead to isolation. 
 
                                                                                This assists the individuals and also 
                                                                                ensures appropriate integration within 
                                                                                the community. On a day-to-day basis, 
                                                                                care providers and Approved Providers 
                                                                                operate policies to ensure positive 
                                                                                relationships with neighbours and surrounding 
                                                                                dwellings. The activities within the 
                                                                                Company's properties create employment 
                                                                                within the local community for both 
                                                                                housing and care workers. 
--------------  ------------------------------------------------------------  ------------------------------------------------------------ 
 Charity                                                                       The Company supports a number of organisations 
 Partners          *    Delivering needed support to vulnerable adults          whose objectives are to provide improved 
                                                                                outcomes for vulnerable adults affected 
                                                                                by homelessness and other care needs. 
                   *    Improved wellbeing of vulnerable adults 
 
                                                                                The Company commits targeted financial 
                   *    ESG performance and sustainability                      support to fund specific programmes 
                                                                                which help those affected by homelessness 
                                                                                by teaching them skills and offering 
                                                                                support to prevent them from being 
                                                                                in that position again. 
 
 
                                                                                The Company ensures regular calls and 
                                                                                meetings with our charity partners 
                                                                                to update on progress and projects 
                                                                                being undertaken, as well as attending 
                                                                                events in support of their work. 
--------------  ------------------------------------------------------------  ------------------------------------------------------------ 
 

Principal Decisions

Principal decisions have been defined as those that have a material impact to the Group and its key stakeholders.

In taking these decisions, the Directors considered their duties under section 172 of the Act. Principal decisions made during the year were as follows:

New Regulatory Clause Initiative

In 2022, the Board considered and agreed a new approach to the Company's lease model with the goal of supporting additional regulatory compliance and addressing perceptions of risk. The new regulatory clause enables Approved Providers to achieve greater alignment between income receipts and lease liabilities, set achievable capital solvency requirements against lease obligations and demonstrate a further degree of risk sharing.

The new lease clause has, following detailed negotiation including legal input, received approval from the board's of two initial housing associations with whom it had been discussed. The Company had previously sought and obtained formal written confirmation from its valuers that the inclusion of a clause of this type within the Company's new and existing leases will not of itself cause a diminution in the value of those leases or in the underlying assets.

Takeover Offer

As announced on 9 May 2023, the Board made the decision to recommend to shareholders an all-cash offer of 80 pence for each share of the Company by Wellness Unity Limited (a wholly owned subsidiary of CK Asset Holdings Limited).

Although the Board believes the offer undervalues the long-term prospects of the Company, the Board

recognises that the Company and the sector in which it operates faces a number of challenges in light of the current macro environment and outlook. This includes the considerable negative sentiment in the public markets towards the Company and the social housing sector which the Board believes are unlikely to be overcome in the short to medium term and will continue to have a material impact on the Company's share price prospects. In addition, despite delivering on revenue, NAV and dividend growth since IPO, the Company's shares have traded for some time at an entrenched discount to NAV.

On 23 June 2023, the Offer became unconditional.

Updates to Debt Arrangements

During the year, the Board considered and closed a new five year term debt facility of c.GBP71 million with a major European bank lender.

The facility was deployed in full to redeem the Company's existing facility with Lloyds Bank of

GBP60 million as well as providing additional liquidity. As a result, all of the Company's debt facilities are at 100% fixed or capped rates.

Buyback Programme

During the year, the Board monitored the decline in the Company's share price and in response, the Board agreed the implementation of a share buyback programme under certain parameters, which is being operated by the Company's Joint Brokers.

Further information on the Company's buyback programme can be found in the full Annual Report.

Strategic Overview

Purpose of the Company

The Company was established in 2016 with the purpose of delivering long-term responsible, stable returns to investors and achieving positive measurable social impact and ESG benefits on a large scale. It should achieve this as a result of introducing long-term equity capital into the social housing sector with a particular focus on care-based community housing. By doing so, this would form a bridge between equity investors and the social housing sector and bring together aspects of healthcare with social housing.

The Company has since developed the largest portfolio of care-based community housing in the UK that provides long-term homes for more than 4,500 individuals across half the local authorities in England and Wales.

As a result of this success, the Company has recently extended its mandate to be able to enter into transactions directly with the NHS and with leading charities with an interest in the provision of specialist housing that has a strong care or support element, is consistent with public policy and whose costs are met by the public purse for which it offers value for money.

Investment Objective

The Company's investment objective is to provide shareholders with an attractive level of income, together with the potential for capital growth from investing in a portfolio of Social Homes, which benefits from inflation adjusted long-term leases or occupancy agreements with Approved Providers and to deliver, on a fully invested and geared basis, a targeted dividend yield of 5% per annum(1) , which the Company expects to increase broadly in line with inflation.

(1) The dividend yield is based on the original IPO price of 100 pence per Ordinary share. The target dividends are targets only and do not represent a profit forecast. There can be no assurance that the targets can or will be met and should not be taken as an indication of the Company's expected or actual future results. Accordingly, potential investors should not place any reliance on these targets in deciding whether or not to invest in the Company or assume that the Company will make any distributions at all, and should decide for themselves whether or not the target dividend yields are reasonable or achievable.

Investment Policy

The Company's investment policy is to invest in a diversified portfolio of Social Homes throughout the United Kingdom. The Company intends to meet the Company's investment objective by acquiring, typically indirectly via Special Purpose Vehicles, portfolios of Social Homes and entering into long-term inflation adjusted leases or occupancy agreements for terms primarily ranging from 10 years to 40 years with Approved Providers, where all management and maintenance obligations will be serviced by the Approved Providers. The Company will not undertake any development activity or assume any development or construction risk. However, the Company may engage in renovating or customising existing homes, as necessary.

The Company may make prudent use of leverage to finance the acquisition of Social Homes and to preserve capital on a real basis.

The Company is focused on delivering capital growth and expects to hold its Portfolio over the long-term and therefore it is unlikely that the Company will dispose of any part of the Portfolio. In the unlikely event that a part of the Portfolio is disposed of, the Directors intend to reinvest proceeds from such disposals in assets in accordance with the Company's investment policy .

Investment Restrictions

The Company invests and manages the Portfolio with the objective of delivering a high quality, diversified Portfolio through the following investment restrictions:

   --      the Company only invests in Social Homes located in the United Kingdom; 

-- the Company only invests in Social Homes where the counterparty to the lease or occupancy agreement is an Approved Provider;

-- no lease or occupancy agreement shall be for an unexpired period of less than 10 years, unless the shorter leases or occupancy agreements represent part of an acquisition of a portfolio which the Investment Adviser intends to reorganise such that the average term of lease or occupancy agreement is increased to 15 years or above;

-- the aggregate maximum exposure to any single Approved Provider is 25% of the Gross Asset Value, once the capital of the Company is fully invested;

-- no investment by the Company in any single geographical area, in relation to which the houses and/or apartment blocks owned by the Company are located on a contiguous or largely contiguous basis, exceeds 20% of the Gross Asset Value of the Company;

-- the Company only acquires completed Social Homes and will not forward finance any development of new Social Homes;

-- the Company does not invest in other alternative investment funds or closed-end investment companies; and

   --      the Company is not engaged in short selling. 

The investment limits detailed above apply at the time of the acquisition of the relevant investment in the Portfolio once fully invested. The Company would not be required to dispose of any investment or to rebalance the Portfolio as a result of a change in the respective valuations of its assets.

Gearing Limit

The Directors seek to use gearing to enhance equity returns. The level of borrowing is set on a prudent basis for the asset class and seeks to achieve a low cost of funds, whilst maintaining the flexibility in the underlying security requirements and the structure of both the Portfolio and the Company.

The Company may, following a decision of the Board, raise debt from banks and/or the capital markets and the aggregate borrowings of the Company is always subject to an absolute maximum of 40% of Gross Asset Value calculated at the time of drawdown. Current gearing is 35.61% (2002: 34.43%).

Debt is secured at asset level, whether over a particular property or a holding entity for a particular series of properties, without recourse to the Company and also potentially at Company level with or without a charge over the Portfolio (but not against particular assets), depending on the optimal structure for the Company and having consideration to key metrics including lender diversity, cost of debt, debt type and maturity profiles. Otherwise there will be no cross-financing between investments in the Portfolio and the Company will not operate as a common treasury function between the Company and its investments.

Use of Derivatives

The Company may choose to utilise derivatives for efficient portfolio management. In particular, the Directors may engage in full or partial interest rate hedging or otherwise seek to mitigate the risk of interest rate increases on borrowings incurred in accordance with the gearing limits as part of the management of the Portfolio.

Cash Management

The Company invests in cash, cash equivalents, near cash instruments and money market instruments.

REIT Status

The Directors conduct the affairs of the Company so as to enable it to remain qualified as a REIT for the purposes of Part 12 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010 (and the regulations made thereunder).

Culture

The Directors agree that establishing and maintaining a healthy corporate culture among the Board and in its interaction with the Investment Adviser, shareholders and other stakeholders will support the delivery of its purpose, values and strategy. The Board seeks to promote a culture of openness, debate and integrity through ongoing dialogue and engagement with its service providers, principally the Investment Adviser.

As detailed in the Corporate Governance Statement, the Company has a number of policies and procedures in place to assist with maintaining a culture of good governance, including those relating to diversity and Directors' conflicts of interest. The Board assesses and monitors compliance with these policies as well as the general culture of the Board through Board meetings and, in particular, during the annual evaluation process which is undertaken by each Director (for more information, see the performance evaluation section in the full Annual Report).

The Board's culture itself is one of openness, collaboration and constructive debate to ensure the

effective contribution of all Directors, particularly in respect of the Board's decision making. Consideration

of our Stakeholders is embedded in the Board's decision making process. Please see our section 172 Statement above.

Key Performance Indicators ("KPIs")

 
 Measure                        Explanation                        Result 
-----------------------------  ---------------------------------  ---------------------------------------------------- 
 Increase in NAV per            Target to achieve capital          IFRS NAV increase of 11.2p per share 11.4% 
  share                          appreciation whilst maintaining    from IPO (2022:12.3p per share 12.6% from IPO). 
                                 a low risk strategy from 
                                 enhancing the quality of 
                                 cash flows from investments, 
                                 by physical improvement of 
                                 properties and by creating 
                                 a significantly diversified, 
                                 high-quality portfolio. 
-----------------------------  ---------------------------------  ---------------------------------------------------- 
 Dividends per share            For the year ended 31 March        Total dividend of 5.70p per share declared 
                                 2023, the Company targeted         for the year to 31 March 2023 (2022:5.55p). 
                                 a dividend of 5.70p per share. 
-----------------------------  ---------------------------------  ---------------------------------------------------- 
 Number of local authorities,   Target risk mitigation through     As at 31 March 2023: 
  Approved Providers and         a diversified 
  care providers                 portfolio (once fully invested)   -- 178 Local Authority partners (2022:178 local 
                                 with no more                      authority partners) 
                                 than 25% exposure to any          -- 19 Approved Providers (2022: 18 Approved 
                                 one Local Authority or single     Providers) 
                                 Approved Provider and no          -- 131 Care Providers (2022:130 Care Providers) 
                                 more than 20% exposure to 
                                 any single geographical area,     The Company's largest single exposure is to 
                                 once the capital of the Company   Falcon Housing Association CIC and currently 
                                 is fully invested.                stands at 19% (2022: 19%). The largest geographical 
                                                                   concentration is in the South West, being 14% 
                                                                   (2022: 16%). 
-----------------------------  ---------------------------------  ---------------------------------------------------- 
 Loan to Gross Assets           Targeted total debt drawn          Leverage as at 31 March 2023 of 35.61% of gross 
  (Leverage)                     no more than 40% of gross          assets (2022: 34.43%). 
                                 assets. 
-----------------------------  ---------------------------------  ---------------------------------------------------- 
 

EPRA

The Company is a member of the European Public Real Estate Association ("EPRA"). EPRA has developed and defined the following performance measures to give transparency, comparability and relevance of financial reporting across entities which may use different accounting standards. The Company is pleased to disclose the following measures which are calculated in accordance with EPRA guidance. These are all Alternative Performance measures of the Company.

 
 Definition    EPRA Earnings        EPRA Net Reinstatement   EPRA Net Tangible        EPRA Net Disposal 
                                     Value ("NRV")            Assets ("NTA")           Value ("NDV") 
               Earnings from        EPRA NAV metric          EPRA NAV metric             EPRA NAV metric 
                operational          which                    which                      which represents 
                activities.          assumes that             assumes that              the shareholders' 
                                     entities never           entities buy                 value under 
                                     sell assets              and sell assets,         a disposal scenario, 
                                     and aims to              thereby crystallising       where deferred 
                                     represent the            certain levels              tax, financial 
                                     value required           of unavoidable               instruments 
                                     to rebuild               deferred tax.                and certain 
                                     the entity.                                        other adjustments 
                                                                                          are calculated 
                                                                                           to the full 
                                                                                         extent of their 
                                                                                          liability, net 
                                                                                         of any resulting 
                                                                                               tax. 
              -------------------  -----------------------  -----------------------  ---------------------- 
 Purpose       A key measure        The EPRA NAV set of metrics make adjustments 
                of a company's       to the NAV per the financial statements 
                underlying           to provide stakeholders with the most 
                operating results    relevant information on the fair value 
                and an indication    of the assets and liabilities of a real 
                of the extent        estate investment company, under different 
                to which current     scenarios. 
                dividend payments 
                are supported 
                by earnings. 
              -------------------  ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 
 Performance   EPRA Earnings        EPRA NRV                 EPRA NTA                 EPRA NDV 
                GBP                  GBP                      GBP                      GBP 
                2023:26,929,000      2023:653,780,000         2023:653,780,000         2023:673,645,000 
                2022:29,810,000      2022:673,416,000         2022:673,416,000         2022:678,191,000 
                2021:30,630,000      2021:674,042,000         2021:674,042,000         2021:671,476,000 
              -------------------  -----------------------  -----------------------  ---------------------- 
               EPRA Earnings        EPRA NRV per             EPRA NTA per             EPRA NDV per 
                per share            share (diluted)          share (diluted)          share (diluted) 
                (Basic and           pence                    pence                    pence 
                diluted) pence 
               2023:4.43            2023:107.82              2023:107.82              2023:111.09 
                2022:4.82            2022:109.96              2022:109.96              2022:110.74 
                2021:4.93            2021:108.38              2021:108.38              2021:107.97 
              -------------------  -----------------------  -----------------------  ---------------------- 
 
 
  Definition    EPRA Net                 EPRA Topped-up      EPRA Costs          EPRA LTV             EPRA 
                 Initial                  Net                 Ratio                                    Vacancy 
                 Yield ("NIY")            Initial                                                      Rate 
                                          Yield ("NIY") 
                Annualised               This measure        Administrative      Debt (including      Estimated 
                 rental income            incorporates        and operating       net payables         Market 
                 based on                 an adjustment       costs (including    but net of cash      Rental 
                 the cash                 to the              and excluding       balances) divided    Value 
                 rents passing            EPRA NIY            costs of            by the market        ("ERV") 
                 at the balance           in respect          direct vacancy)     value of property    of vacant 
                 sheet date,              of the              divided             (including net       space 
                 less nonrecoverable      expiration          by gross            receivables).        divided 
                 property                 of rent-free        rental income.                           by ERV 
                 operating                periods                                                      of the 
                 expenses,                (or other                                                    whole 
                 divided by               unexpired                                                    portfolio. 
                 the market               lease incentives 
                 value of                 such as 
                 the property             discounted 
                 with (estimated)         rent periods 
                 purchasers'              and stepped 
                 costs.                   rents). 
               -----------------------  ------------------  ------------------  -------------------  --------------- 
   Purpose      A comparable measure                         A key measure       A key (shareholder   A 'pure' 
                 for portfolio valuations.                    to enable           gearing) metric      (%) measure 
                 These measures should                        meaningful          to determine         of investment 
                 make it easier for                           measurement         the percentage       property 
                 investors to judge                           of the changes      of debt comparing    space 
                 themselves, how the                          in a company's      to the appraised     that is 
                 valuation of portfolio                       operating           value of the         vacant, 
                 X compares with portfolio                    costs.              properties.          based 
                 Y.                                                                                    on ERV. 
               -------------------------------------------  ------------------  -------------------  --------------- 
  Performance                                                                                          EPRA 
                                        EPRA Topped-up        EPRA Costs                               Vacancy 
                 EPRA NIY               NIY                   Ratio(1)            EPRA LTV             Rate 
                 %                      %                     %                   %                    % 
               ---------------------  --------------------  ------------------  -------------------  --------------- 
                2023:5.55              2023:5.55             2022:23.07          2023:33.91           2023:0.02 
                 2022:5.28              2022:5.28             2021:20.20          2022:31.24           2022:0 
                 2021:5.24              2021:5.24             2020:20.33          2021:27.20           2021:0 
               ---------------------  --------------------  ------------------  -------------------  --------------- 
 
 

Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. For detailed workings reconciling the above

measures to the IFRS results, please see Appendix 1 to these financial statements below.

(1) The ratios inclusive of vacancy costs are the same as the ratio exclusive of vacancy costs for 2022, 2021 and 2020.

Principal Risks and Risk Management

The Board considers that the risks detailed below are the principal risks facing the Group currently, along with the risks detailed in note 31.0 to the financial statements. These are the risks that could affect the ability of the Company to deliver its strategy. The Board confirms that the principal risks of the Company, including those which would threaten its future performance, solvency or liquidity, have been robustly assessed throughout the year ended 31 March 2023, taking into account the emerging risks such as the evolving Ukraine-Russia conflict risk, climate change risk, cyber security risk and recruitment of staff at counterparties risk, and that processes are in place to continue this assessment.

The Audit and Management Engagement Committee has divided the Company's risks into the following risk type categories:

   --      Strategy and Competitiveness; 
   --      Operational, including Cyber Crime; 
   --      Investment Management; and 
   --      Accounting, Legal and Regulatory. 

Each risk contained in each category is reviewed for its impact and probability by the Audit and Management Engagement Committee at least twice during the year.

The Audit and Management Engagement Committee takes responsibility for overseeing the effectiveness of risk management and internal control systems on behalf of the Board and advises the Board on the principal risks facing the business.

Further details of risk management processes that are in place can be found in the Corporate Governance Statement as set out in the full report. The principal and emerging risks and uncertainties relating to the Group are regularly reviewed by the Board along with the internal controls and risk management processes that are used to mitigate these risks. The Board acknowledges that the Takeover by Wellness Unity Limited may result in increased risk both during the transition and subsequently. Specifically, the Directors have not had detailed visibility of the offeror's post completion funding for the group or the detailed plans behind the intentions statements included within the announcement. Oversight and monitoring during this period will take on critical importance. The Board has identified one new principal risk during the year (as set out in the list of principal risks and uncertainties). The risk associated with a disruption to share price due to negative sentiment in the social housing sector was identified as having the highest impact and likelihood. The risk associated with promoting the Company to generate investor demand was removed as a principal risk by the Board during the year as the Takeover Offer by Wellness Unity Limited has reduced the need for the Company to generate additional investor demand. Further details on this and the other principal risks and the management of those risks are described below:

Principal Risks and Uncertainties

 
 
 1. Strategy and             Impact                                How managed/mitigated 
  Competitiveness 
  risk 
--------------------------  ------------------------------------  ------------------------------------  -------------- 
 The Company's share         The Company is targeted by            The Board is committed to             Impact: High 
  price is disrupted          a short seller or activist           maintaining 
  due to negative             shareholder leading to a fall        open channels of communication with    Probability: 
  sentiment towards           in the Company's share price         shareholders and engaging in ways      Likely 
  the social housing          and a widening of the                shareholders find most meaningful, 
  sector following            discount to NAV.                     in order to gain understanding of 
  a targeted attack                                                shareholder views. Further 
  by a short seller           Significant numbers of shares        information 
  and pollution from          may need to be repurchased           on the Board's engagement with 
  other events in             leading to a fall in the size        shareholders 
  the sector.                 of the Company and liquidity         can be found above. 
                              implications. 
  This risk remained                                               The Board seeks to provide full 
  at the same level                                                disclosure on the counterparties 
  as the year ended                                                and the structure of transactions 
  31 March 2022                                                    so that all stakeholders are kept 
                                                                   reliably informed on the Company's 
                                                                   business dealings. 
 
                                                                   The Board regularly reviews the 
                                                                   Company's buyback policy to ensure 
                                                                   this is in alignment with the 
                                                                   interests 
                                                                   of the Company and shareholders. 
                                                                   The Board is also mindful of the 
                                                                   possibility to issue shares and 
                                                                   regularly reviews its policy in 
                                                                   this area to ensure that it is 
                                                                   consistent 
                                                                   with the Company's strategy. It 
                                                                   receives regular updates from the 
                                                                   Company's brokers to help inform 
                                                                   its decisions in this regard. 
--------------------------  ------------------------------------  ------------------------------------  -------------- 
 2. Strategy and             Impact                                How managed/mitigated 
  competitiveness 
  risks 
--------------------------  ------------------------------------  ------------------------------------  -------------- 
 The Company and             Any change in the laws, regulations   The Company focuses on niche real     Impact: Very 
  its operations              and/or government policy affecting   estate sectors where it believes       High 
  are subject to              the Company and its operations       the regulatory framework and 
  laws and regulations        may have a material adverse          underlying                             Probability: 
  enacted by national         effect on the ability of the         demand dynamics to be robust.          Unlikely 
  and local governments       Company to successfully pursue 
  and government              its investment policy and            The Investment Adviser has strong 
  policy.                     meet its investment objective        industry contacts and has good 
                              and on the value of the Company      knowledge 
  This risk remained          and the shares.                      on policy opinion and direction. 
  at the same level 
  as the year ended                                                The Board obtains regular updates 
  31 March 2022.                                                   from professional advisers to 
                                                                   monitor 
                                                                   developments in regulation and 
                                                                   legislation. 
--------------------------  ------------------------------------  ------------------------------------  -------------- 
 3. Strategy and             Impact                                How managed/mitigated 
  competitiveness 
  risks 
--------------------------  ------------------------------------  ------------------------------------  -------------- 
 As a result of              The rate of capital deployment        The Company has strong links with     Impact: High 
  competition from            would drop, decreasing returns        vendors and a robust pipeline of 
  other purchasers            to shareholders.                      future acquisitions.                  Probability: 
  of social housing                                                                                       Unlikely 
  properties, the                                                   The Board regularly reviews the 
  Company's ability                                                 pipeline of potential acquisitions 
  to deploy capital                                                 and monitors the market landscape. 
  effectively within 
  a reasonable timeframe                                            The Board is aware of the current 
  may be restricted                                                 competitive social housing market 
  or the net initial                                                and recognises the impact this may 
  yields at which                                                   have on the Company's ability to 
  the Company can                                                   deploy capital effectively. 
  acquire properties 
  may decline such 
  that target returns 
  cannot be met. 
 
  This risk remained 
  at the same level 
  as the year ended 
  31 March 2022. 
--------------------------  ------------------------------------  ------------------------------------  -------------- 
 4. Investment               Impact                                How managed/mitigated 
  management risk 
--------------------------  ------------------------------------  ------------------------------------  -------------- 
 Tenant defaulting           Loss of rental income in the          The portfolio is highly diversified   Impact: 
  under the terms             short term.                          to reduce the impact of default.       Medium 
  of a lease.                                                      Extensive diligence is undertaken 
                                                                   on all assets, which is reviewed       Probability: 
  This risk remained                                               and challenged by the Board.           Likely 
  at the same level 
  as the year ended                                                The Investment Adviser works 
  31 March 2022.                                                   proactively 
                                                                   with Approved Providers to address 
                                                                   any potential concerns. 
 
                                                                   The Board is provided with regular 
                                                                   updates on the tenants with any 
                                                                   concerns raised for discussion. 
 
                                                                   The Board has noted that the 
                                                                   Company's 
                                                                   historic level of defaults has been 
                                                                   immaterial. 
--------------------------  ------------------------------------  ------------------------------------  -------------- 
 5. Investment               Impact                                How managed/mitigated 
  management risk 
--------------------------  ------------------------------------  ------------------------------------  -------------- 
 The value of the            The valuation of the Company's        The Company invests in projects       Impact: 
  investments made            assets would fall, decreasing        with stable, predetermined,            High 
  by the Company              the NAV and yields of the            long-term 
  may change from             Company.                             leases in place with CPI or CPI        Probability: 
  time to time according                                           plus 1% indexation and its strategy    Possible 
  to a variety                                                     is not focused on sale of 
  of factors, including                                            properties. 
  movements in interest 
  rates, inflation                                                 The Board receives regular updates 
  and general market                                               on factors that might impact 
  pricing of similar                                               investment 
  investments.                                                     valuations. 
 
  This risk remained 
  at the same level 
  as the year ended 
  31 March 2022 
--------------------------  ------------------------------------  ------------------------------------  -------------- 
 6. Investment               Impact                                How managed/mitigated 
  management risk 
--------------------------  ------------------------------------  ------------------------------------  -------------- 
 The current macroeconomic   Less favourable borrowing             The Investment Adviser, AIFM and      Impact: 
  environment has             terms increase the financing         Depositary monitor covenants in        Medium 
  increased the level         costs reducing returns to            place with debt providers and 
  of risk around              shareholders.                        present                                Probability: 
  the Company's financing                                          to the Board on a quarterly basis.     Possible 
  arrangements regarding 
  borrowing terms                                                  The Investment Adviser leverages 
  and covenants.                                                   the relationships it already has 
                                                                   in the market to form long term 
  This was identified                                              partnerships with debt providers 
  as a new risk during                                             at rates it already has achieved 
  the year.                                                        on similar projects within the same 
                                                                   macro market. 
 
                                                                   The Investment Advisers reports 
                                                                   to the Board on discussions with 
                                                                   banks which will highlight at the 
                                                                   earliest opportunity if this risk 
                                                                   has increased. 
--------------------------  ------------------------------------  ------------------------------------  -------------- 
 7. Investment               Impact                                How managed/mitigated 
  management risk 
--------------------------  ------------------------------------  ------------------------------------  -------------- 
 Due diligence may           The Company would overpay             The Company undertakes detailed       Impact: 
  not reveal all              for assets                           due diligence on the properties,       High 
  facts and circumstances     impairing shareholder value,         their condition, the proposed 
  that may be relevant        reducing rental income and           rental                                 Probability: 
  in connection with          therefore returns.                   levels - benchmarking against          Unlikely 
  an investment and                                                comparable 
  may not prevent                                                  schemes using both external 
  an acquisition                                                   consultants 
  being materially                                                 where required and its own 
  overvalued or rental                                             proprietary 
  streams being at                                                 database - and on the Approved 
  risk.                                                            Providers 
                                                                   and care providers involved in each 
                                                                   property to ensure that the 
  This risk remained                                               purchase 
  at the same level                                                price is robust. 
  as the year ended 
  31 March 2022. 
                                                                   The Board considers the due 
                                                                   diligence 
                                                                   undertaken when approving 
                                                                   acquisitions. 
--------------------------  ------------------------------------  ------------------------------------  -------------- 
 8. Investment               Impact                                How managed/mitigated 
  management risk 
--------------------------  ------------------------------------  ------------------------------------  -------------- 
 Loss of key staff           Negative investor sentiment           The Board considers the risk of       Impact: 
  at the Investment           leading to a reduction in            the Investment Adviser losing key      High 
  Adviser.                    share price. Reduction in            staff and the succession plans the 
                              ability to source off market         Investment Adviser has in place.       Probability: 
  This risk remained          and favourable deals.                                                       Unlikely 
  at the same level 
  as the year ended                                                The Board has noted the ongoing 
  31 March 2022.                                                   expansion of the Investment 
                                                                   Adviser's 
                                                                   support team. 
--------------------------  ------------------------------------  ------------------------------------  -------------- 
 9. Strategy and             Impact                                How managed/mitigated 
  Competitiveness 
--------------------------  ------------------------------------  ------------------------------------  -------------- 
 The Company fails           Decrease in the value of the          Regular review and consideration      Impact: High 
  to respond to issues        Company's asset and a negative       by the Board including the input 
  related to climate          impact on the Company's share        of climate change specialists at       Probability: 
  change, either              price.                               the Investment Adviser.                Unlikely 
  directly as enhancements 
  to properties or                                                 Advice received from external 
  indirectly via                                                   professional 
  its climate change                                               advisers. 
  reporting. 
 
  This risk remained 
  at the same level 
  as the year ended 
  31 March 2022. 
--------------------------  ------------------------------------  ------------------------------------  -------------- 
 10. Operational,            Impact                                How managed/mitigated 
  including cyber 
  crime 
--------------------------  ------------------------------------  ------------------------------------  -------------- 
 Serious accident            Reputational damage for the           Reporting from Approved Providers     Impact: High 
  or poor                     Company.                             and monitoring of Approved 
  management amongst                                               Providers                              Probability: 
  Approved Providers                                               by the investment Adviser.             Unlikely 
  due to staff shortages 
  and loss of competence. 
 
  This risk remained 
  at the same level 
  as the year ended 
  31 March 2022 
--------------------------  ------------------------------------  ------------------------------------  -------------- 
 

Emerging risks

Emerging risks are considered during the regular risk review, and would be specifically discussed and evaluated as they arise during the year. Input from the Investment Adviser on emerging risks is considered by the Audit and Management Engagement Committee.

Key emerging risks identified and considered during the year include:

-- Long-term Climate Change - the impact of climate change, over the longer-term on the business. The Company is committed to understanding ESG risk, including the particular impact of climate change on the business. Climate change poses an indirect risk to the Company's operations, the environment and society, and the Board is aware that appropriate action is required to reduce its impact. The Board uses the updates from the Investment Adviser as they relate to the performance of the company and the impact of long-term climate change to help manage/mitigate this risk.

-- Cyber Security - the impact of a cyber security breach within the Company or its service providers. The Audit and Management Engagement Committee reviews and monitors the cyber security controls of the Company's service providers on a regular basis to manage/mitigate this risk.

Please see the Company's ESG Report in the full Annual Report for further details.

The Listing Rules require premium-listed commercial companies to disclose in their annual report whether they have reported on how climate change affects their business in a manner consistent with the recommendations of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures ('TCFD'), and to provide an explanation and other information if they are unable to do so. In addition, the UK Government intends to introduce mandatory climate-related disclosures to supplement the requirements under the Listing Rules. The Board has chosen not to adopt the requirements early and expects these to be applicable to the Company in the financial year 2024.

Going Concern and Viability Statement

Going Concern

The Board regularly reviews the position of the Company and its ability to continue as a going concern at its meetings. The financial statements set out the current financial position of the Company.

As at 31 March 2023, the Company held cash balances of GBP35.6 million (net of operating and financing amounts due). The Board has evaluated the financial position of the Company which has maintained its premium investment grade rating from Fitch Ratings Ltd - a well established rating agency with a strong familiarity with the alternative healthcare real estate space, which gives the Company confidence in the ability to raise future debt and/or equity capital in order to fund the Company's investments for the long term and to facilitate the payment of dividends to shareholders. Based on these, the Board believes that the Company is in a position to manage its financial risks.

Various forms of sensitivity analysis have been performed, in particular the financial performance of tenants and a reduction in passing rent. As at 31 March 2023, the passing rent would have to drop by approximately 11% before any of the Company's interest cover covenants are breached. The property values would need to fall by around 13% before breaching the loan to value covenant.

The Company's performance in the event of severe but plausible downside scenarios used for viability are equally applicable for going concern. At the date of approval of this report, the Company has sufficient headroom within its financial loan covenants. The Company also benefits from a secure income stream from leases with long average unexpired term leases.

Leverage is prudently maintained at a level of less than 40% of Gross Asset Value.

The Company's articles of association include a requirement for the Board to propose an ordinary resolution at the annual general meeting following the fifth anniversary from the initial public offering of the Company for the Company to continue in its current form (the Continuation Resolution). On 15 September 2022, at the Annual General Meeting, shareholders representing 298,478,435 voted in favour of the continuation of the Company being 98.85% of those who voted.

On 9 May 2023 an announcement was made to the market for an all-cash offer of the Company from Wellness Unity Limited, a wholly owned indirect subsidiary of CK Asset Holdings Limited (CKA). On 23 June 2023, when the offer became unconditional, CKA subsequently became the ultimate controlling party of the Company, and a related party under IAS 24. The Group's existing committed debt facilities contain a standard change of control clause which has now been triggered due to the offer becoming unconditional. This could result in the existing committed debt facilities being withdrawn. The Group does not have visibility of the post completion funding for the Group at this time. Therefore, this could create some uncertainty as to the Group's going concern position. The Directors note the detailed intentions statement included within the announcement on 9 May 2023 which states that CKA does not envisage making any changes to the management team nor any disruption to any counterparties or to the underlying tenants. The conditions outlined above indicate a material uncertainty which may cast significant doubt upon the Group and the Company's ability to continue as a going concern. The financial statements do not include the adjustments that would result if the Group and the Company were unable to continue as a going concern.

Having considered all of the above, the Board is of the opinion that the going concern basis adopted in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements is appropriate.

Viability Statement

The Directors present the Company's viability statement which summarises the results of their assessment of the Company's current position, its principal risks and prospects over a period to 31 March 2028.

The Company acquires high-quality property with a particular focus on property providing care for the long

term. The properties acquired are on long-term full repairing and insuring leases in a sector of the market with very high levels of need. The cost base of the Company is proportionately low compared to revenue

and there is a high level of certainty over cost to be incurred. On this basis, the Company is expected to be viable well beyond the five-year term considered in the Company's testing below.

The assumptions underpinning the forecast cashflows and covenant compliance forecasts were sensitised to explore the resilience of the Company to the potential impact of the Company's principal risks and uncertainties.

The prospects were assessed over a five-year period for the following reasons:

i) the Company's long-term forecast covers a five-year period;

ii) the length of service level agreements between Approved Providers and care providers is typically five years; and

iii) the Company's leases are typically 25 years on fully repairing and insuring leases, enabling reasonable certainty of income over the next five years.

The Company's five-year forecast incorporates assumptions related to the Company's investment strategy and principal risks from which performance results, cash flows and key performance indicators are forecast. The principal risks are set out above. Of these risks, those which are expected to have a higher impact on the Company's longer-term prospects are those related to the current macroeconomic environment, which has increased the level of risk around the Company's financing arrangements regarding borrowing terms and covenants. The risk associated with a disruption to share price due to negative sentiment in the social housing sector being identified as having the highest impact and likelihood. The Company has considered its strategy over a longer term and, in light of the inherent demand for the Company's properties and the vulnerable nature of the ultimate tenant, the risk of change in future housing policy is considered to be limited. The principal risks are mitigated by the Company's risk management and internal control processes, which function on an ongoing basis.

The Board, via delegation to the Audit and Management Engagement Committee, monitors the effectiveness of the Company's risk management and internal control processes on an ongoing basis. The monitoring activities are described in the Report of the Audit and Management Engagement Committee as set out in the full Annual Report and include direct review and challenge of the Company's documented risks, risk ratings and controls, and review of performance and compliance reports prepared by the Company's key suppliers and the independent external auditors.

The Board of Directors has carried out a robust assessment of the principal and emerging risks facing the Company, including those that would threaten its business model, future performance, solvency and liquidity. Where appropriate, the Company's forecasts are subject to sensitivity analysis, which involves applying severe (but plausible) conditions and flexing a number of assumptions simultaneously.

The sensitivities performed were designed to provide the Directors with an understanding of the Company's performance in the event of severe but plausible downside scenarios, taking full account of mitigating actions that could be taken to avoid or reduce the impact or occurrence of the underlying risks outlined below:

-- 10% of tenants defaulting under a lease. The outcome of this scenario reduces profits on average over the five year forecast by 18% per annum and reduces cash by GBP20 million. However, the Board remains comfortable that dividends could be paid and any liabilities could be settled as there is still a sufficient level of cash in the business. Therefore the business remains viable over the five year period; and

-- deterioration in economic outlook, or a change in government housing policy which could impact the fundamentals of the social housing sector, including a negative impact on valuations and a 5% reduction in annual rents. The outcome of the 'severe downside scenario' was that the Company's covenant headroom on existing debt (the level at which the investment property values would have to fall before a financial breach occurs) reduces by 13%, prior to any mitigating actions such as asset sales, which indicates that covenants on existing facilities would not be breached.

The remaining principal risks and uncertainties, whilst having an impact on the Company's business, are not considered by the Directors to have a reasonable likelihood of impacting the Company's viability over the five-year period, therefore the scenarios outlined above are the only ones that have been specifically tested.

Based on the results of their assessment, notwithstanding the material uncertainty arising from the offer from CKA, the Directors have a reasonable expectation that the Company will be able to continue in operation and meet its liabilities as they fall due over the five-year period of their assessment.

Michael Wrobel

Chairman

28 June 2023

Further details on the Environmental, Social & Governance framework of the Company and the Social Impact report are set out in the full Report.

Board of Directors

Michael Wrobel (Chairman)

Peter Baxter (Senior Independent Director and Chair of Nomination and Remuneration Committee)

Caroline Gulliver (Chair of the Audit and Management Engagement Committee)

Alison Hadden (Director)

Alastair Moss (Director)

Extracts from the Report of the Directors

Results and Dividends

The following dividends were paid on the Ordinary shares during the year:

 
 Fourth Quarterly dividend   1.3875p per share paid on 28 June 2022 
--------------------------  ------------------------------------------ 
 First Quarterly dividend    1.425p per share paid on 9 September 2022 
--------------------------  ------------------------------------------ 
 Second Quarterly dividend   1.425p per share paid on 9 December 2022 
--------------------------  ------------------------------------------ 
 Third Quarterly dividend    1.425p per share paid on 10 March 2023 
--------------------------  ------------------------------------------ 
 

Since the year end, the Company has declared the following dividend:

 
 Fourth Quarterly dividend   1.425p per share paid on 9 June 2023 
--------------------------  ------------------------------------- 
 

No final dividend is being recommended on the Ordinary shares.

Capital Structure

Issue of shares

At the AGM held on 15 September 2022, the Directors were authorised to issue equity securities up to an aggregate nominal amount of GBP610,736 (being approximately 10% of the issued Ordinary share capital).

The Company was also authorised to disapply pre-emption rights in respect of equity securities and

to issue equity securities for cash up to an aggregate nominal amount equal to GBP610,736 (being approximately 10% of the issued Ordinary share capital).

Purchase of Own Shares

At the AGM held on 15 September 2022, the Directors were granted the authority to buy back up to 91,549,383 Ordinary shares, being 14.99% of the Ordinary shares in issue at the time of the passing of the resolution.

During the year, the Board maintained the Company's share buyback programme, under which a total of

6,050,000 shares have been purchased into treasury for aggregate amount of GBP4,624,947.50 (nominal value GBP60,500, representing 0.97%) as at 31 March 2023.

The authority to buy back up to 91,549,383 shares will expire at the conclusion of the next AGM of the Company or on 30 September 2023, whichever is earlier when a resolution for its renewal will be proposed. Further information will be contained in the Notice of AGM, which will be circulated to shareholders in due course.

Current Share Capital

As at 31 March 2023, there were 622,461,380 Ordinary shares in issue, of which 16,075,000 shares were held in treasury, representing 2.6% of the Company's total issued share capital. The total voting rights of the Company as at 31 March 2023 was 606,386,380.

Statement of Directors' Responsibilities

The directors are responsible for preparing the Annual Report and financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulation.

Company law requires the Directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law the Directors have prepared the Group financial statements in accordance with UK-adopted international accounting standards and the Company financial statements in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards, comprising FRS 101 "Reduced Disclosure Framework", and applicable law).

Under Company law, 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 Company and of the profit or loss of the Group for that period. In preparing the financial statements, the Directors are required to:

   --      select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently; 

-- state whether applicable UK-adopted international accounting standards have been followed for the Group financial statements and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, comprising FRS 101 have been followed for the Company financial statements, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;

   --      make judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent; and 

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

The Directors are responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Group and Company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

The Directors are also responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the Group's and Company's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Group and Company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements and the Directors' Remuneration Report comply with the Companies Act 2006.

The Directors are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the Company's financial statements published on the ultimate parent Company's website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.

Directors' confirmations

The directors consider that the Annual Report and Accounts, taken as a whole, is fair, balanced and understandable and provides the information necessary for shareholders to assess the Group's and Company's position and performance, business model and strategy.

Each of the Directors, whose names and functions are listed in the Board of Directors confirm that, to the best of their knowledge:

-- the Group financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with UK-adopted international accounting standards, give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and profit of the Group;

-- the Company financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Accounting Standards, comprising FRS 101, give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and profit of the Company; and

-- the Group Strategic Report includes a fair review of the development and performance of the business and the position of the Group and Company, together with a description of the principal risks and uncertainties that it faces.

Approval

This Statement of Directors' Responsibilities was approved by the Board and signed on its behalf by:

Michael Wrobel

Chairman

28 June 2023

Non-statutory accounts

The financial information set out below does not constitute the Company's statutory accounts for the year ended 31 March 2023 or the year ended 31 March 2022 but is derived from those accounts. Statutory accounts for the period ended 31 March 2022 have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies and those for the year ended 31 March 2023 will be delivered in due course. The Auditor has reported on those accounts; their report was (i) unqualified, (ii) included one reference to a matter to which the Auditor drew attention without qualifying their report and (iii) did not contain a statement under Section 498 (2) or (3) of the Companies Act 2006.The text of the Auditor's report can be found in the Company's full Annual Report and financial statements at www.civitassocialhousing.com .

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income

For the year ended 31 March 2023

 
                                                        For the          For the 
                                                     year ended       year ended 
                                                  31 March 2023    31 March 2022 
                                          Note          GBP'000          GBP'000 
-------------------------------------  -------  ---------------  --------------- 
 
 Revenue 
 Rental income                           5.0             54,607           51,636 
 Less direct property expenses           5.0            (1,941)            (978) 
-------------------------------------  -------  ---------------  --------------- 
 Net rental income                                       52,666           50,658 
 
 Directors' remuneration                 6.0              (211)            (206) 
 Investment advisory fees                8.0            (6,217)          (6,132) 
 General and administrative expenses     9.0            (5,393)          (3,909) 
-------------------------------------  -------  ---------------  --------------- 
 Total expenses                                        (11,821)         (10,247) 
 
 Change in fair value of investment 
  properties                             15.0             2,640           12,269 
-------------------------------------  -------  ---------------  --------------- 
 
 Operating profit                                        43,485           52,680 
 Finance income                          10.0               148                7 
 Finance expense                         11.0          (15,335)         (10,608) 
 Change in fair value of interest 
  rate derivatives                       21.0           (2,826)            2,675 
-------------------------------------  -------  ---------------  --------------- 
 
 Profit before tax                                       25,472           44,754 
 Taxation                                12.0                 -                - 
-------------------------------------  -------  ---------------  --------------- 
 Profit being total comprehensive 
  income for the year                                    25,472           44,754 
----------------------------------------------  ---------------  --------------- 
 
 
 
 Earnings per share - basic and 
  diluted                          13.0   4.19p   7.23p 
--------------------------------  -----  ------  ------ 
 

All amounts reported in the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income above arise from continuing operations.

Consolidated Statement of Financial Position

As at 31 March 2023

 
                                               31 March 2023   31 March 2022 
                                  Note               GBP'000      GBP'000 
-----------------------------  -------  --------------------  -------------- 
 Assets 
 Non-current assets 
 Investment property             15.0                953,364         945,237 
 Other receivables               17.0                 24,783          23,519 
 Interest rate derivatives       21.0                  8,129           2,131 
-----------------------------  -------  --------------------  -------------- 
                                                     986,276         970,887 
 Current assets 
 Trade and other receivables     17.0                 11,260          12,865 
 Cash and cash equivalents       18.0                 35,588          53,337 
-----------------------------  -------  --------------------  -------------- 
                                                      46,848          66,202 
-----------------------------  -------  --------------------  -------------- 
 Total assets                                      1,033,124       1,037,089 
-----------------------------  -------  --------------------  -------------- 
 
 Liabilities 
 Current liabilities 
 Trade and other payables        19.0                (9,300)         (9,492) 
 
 Non-current liabilities 
 Bank and loan borrowings        20.0              (361,915)       (352,050) 
 Total liabilities                                 (371,215)       (361,542) 
-----------------------------  -------  --------------------  -------------- 
 Total net assets                                    661,909         675,547 
-----------------------------  -------  --------------------  -------------- 
 
 Equity 
 Share capital                   22.0                  6,225           6,225 
 Share premium reserve           23.0                292,626         292,626 
 Capital reduction reserve       24.0                317,714         322,365 
 Retained earnings               25.0                 45,344          54,331 
-----------------------------  -------  --------------------  -------------- 
 
 Total equity                                        661,909         675,547 
-----------------------------  -------  --------------------  -------------- 
 
 
 
 Net assets per share - 
  basic and diluted        26.0   109.16p   110.30p 
------------------------  -----  --------  -------- 
 

These consolidated financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors of Civitas Social Housing PLC and authorised for issue and signed on its behalf by:

Michael Wrobel

Chairman and Independent Non-Executive Director

28 June 2023

Company No: 10402528

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity

For the year ended 31 March 2023

 
                                                             Share     Capital 
                                                   Share   premium   reduction    Retained      Total 
                                                 capital   reserve     reserve    earnings     equity 
                                          Note   GBP'000   GBP'000     GBP'000     GBP'000    GBP'000 
---------------------------------------  -----  --------  --------  ----------  ----------  --------- 
 Balance at 1 April 2021                           6,225   292,463     331,140      43,670    673,498 
 Profit and total comprehensive income 
  for the year                                         -         -           -      44,754     44,754 
 Shares reissued from treasury            23.0         -       163         484           -        647 
 Shares bought back into treasury         24.0         -         -     (9,259)           -    (9,259) 
 Dividends paid                           14.0         -         -           -   ( 34,093)   (34,093) 
 Balance at 31 March 2022                          6,225   292,626     322,365      54,331    675,547 
---------------------------------------  -----  --------  --------  ----------  ----------  --------- 
 
 Profit and total comprehensive income 
  for the year                                         -         -           -      25,472     25,472 
---------------------------------------  -----  --------  --------  ----------  ----------  --------- 
 Shares reissued from treasury            23.0         -         -           -           -          - 
---------------------------------------  -----  --------  --------  ----------  ----------  --------- 
 Shares bought back into treasury         24.0         -         -     (4,651)           -    (4,651) 
---------------------------------------  -----  --------  --------  ----------  ----------  --------- 
 Dividends paid                           14.0         -         -           -    (34,459)   (34,459) 
---------------------------------------  -----  --------  --------  ----------  ----------  --------- 
 Balance at 31 March 2023                          6,225   292,626     317,714      45,344    661,909 
---------------------------------------  -----  --------  --------  ----------  ----------  --------- 
 
 

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

For the year ended 31 March 2023

 
                                                                     For the 
                                                       For the    year ended 
                                                    year ended      31 March 
                                                      31 March          2022 
                                                          2023     *Restated 
                                            Note       GBP'000       GBP'000 
---------------------------------------  -------  ------------  ------------ 
 Cash flows from operating 
  activities 
 Profit for the year before 
  taxation                                              25,472        44,754 
 - Change in fair value of 
  investment properties                                (2,640)      (12,269) 
 - Change in fair value of 
  interest rate derivatives                              2,826       (2,675) 
 - Rent and incentive straight 
  line adjustments                                         436           397 
 - Bad debt expense/(credit)               5.0             429          (17) 
 Finance income                                          (148)           (7) 
 Finance expense                                        15,335        10,608 
 Increase in lease incentive 
  receivable                                           (1,700)       (2,011) 
 Decrease/(increase) in trade 
  and other receivables                                  1,044         (236) 
 (Decrease)/increase in trade 
  and other payables                                   (1,725)           551 
---------------------------------------  -------  ------------  ------------ 
 Cash generated from operations                         39,329        39,095 
 Interest received                                         148             7 
---------------------------------------  -------  ------------  ------------ 
 Net cash flow generated from 
  operating activities                                  39,477        39,102 
---------------------------------------  -------  ------------  ------------ 
 
   Investing activities 
 Improvements and purchases 
  of investment properties                             (4,679)      (27,695) 
 Acquisition costs                                       (211)       (1,640) 
 Purchase of subsidiary - including 
  property                                                   -      (13,559) 
 Sale proceeds on sale of subsidiary 
  - excluding property                                       -         2,695 
---------------------------------------  -------  ------------  ------------ 
 Net cash flow used in investing 
  activities                                           (4,890)      (40,199) 
---------------------------------------  -------  ------------  ------------ 
 
 Financing activities 
 Cost of shares bought into 
  treasury                                 24.0      (4,651)         (9,259) 
 Proceeds from shares reissued 
  from treasury                            24.0         -                919 
 Dividends paid to equity shareholders                (34,576)      (33,928) 
 Interest rate derivative premium 
  paid                                     21.0        (8,841)             - 
 Proceeds from the disposal 
  of interest rate derivatives             21.0             17             - 
 Bank borrowings advanced                  20.0         70,875             - 
 Bank borrowings repaid                    20.0       (60,000)             - 
 Bank borrowing issue costs 
  paid                                                 (3,148)       (1,805) 
 Interest and security fees 
  paid on bank borrowings and 
  derivatives                                         (12,012)       (8,590) 
---------------------------------------  -------  ------------  ------------ 
 Net cash flow used in financing 
  activities                                          (52,336)      (52,663) 
---------------------------------------  -------  ------------  ------------ 
 
 Net decrease in cash and 
  cash equivalents                                    (17,749)      (53,760) 
 Cash and cash equivalents 
  at the start of the year                 18.0         53,337       107,097 
---------------------------------------  -------  ------------  ------------ 
 Cash and cash equivalents 
  at the end of the year                   18.0         35,588        53,337 
---------------------------------------  -------  ------------  ------------ 
 
 

* Cash and cash equivalents and monies held in restricted accounts and deposits have been restated as at 31 March 2022 following clarification by IFRIC on classification of funds with externally imposed restrictions. Please refer to details in note 2.4.

The notes set out below are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2023

1.0 Corporate information

Civitas Social Housing PLC (the "Company") was incorporated in England and Wales under the Companies Act 2006 as a public company limited by shares on 29 September 2016 with company number 10402528 under the name Civitas REIT PLC, which was subsequently changed to the existing name on 3 October 2016.

The address of the registered office is 6(th) Floor, 65 Gresham Street, London EC2V 7NQ. The Company is registered as an investment company under section 833 of the Companies Act 2006 and is domiciled in the United Kingdom.

The Company did not begin trading until 18 November 2016 when the shares were admitted to trading on the London Stock Exchange ("LSE").

The Company's Ordinary shares are admitted to the Official List of the Financial Conduct Authority ("FCA") and traded on the LSE.

The principal activity of the Company and its subsidiaries (the "Group") is to provide shareholders with an attractive level of income, together with the potential for capital growth from investing in a portfolio of social homes.

2.0 Basis of preparation

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with UK-adopted international accounting standards and with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 as applicable to companies reporting under those standards.

The Group's consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a historical cost basis, as modified for the Group's investment properties and derivative financial instruments at fair value through profit or loss.

2.1 Functional and presentation currency

The financial information is presented in Pounds Sterling which is also the functional currency of the Group, and all values are rounded to the nearest thousand pounds (GBP'000s), except where otherwise indicated.

2.2 Going concern

The Group benefits from a secure income stream from long leases with the Approved Providers. The Group's cash balances as at 31 March 2023 were GBP35,588,000, of which GBP2,949,000 was held as restricted cash. Details of this can be found in note 18.0.

The Company and its Investment Adviser, Civitas Investment Management Limited ("CIM") continue to work closely with the Company's major counterparties to monitor the position on the ground and should it be needed, to offer assistance and guidance where possible. The Board of Directors believes that the Company operates a robust and defensive business model and that social housing and specialist healthcare are proving to be some of the more resilient sectors within the market, given that they are based on non-discretionary public sector expenditure and that demand exceeds supply.

On 17 November 2022, an extension was granted for the facility with HSBC Bank plc, which now expires on 28 November 2025.

On 13 February 2023, the Company closed a new five year term debt facility of GBP70,875,000 with Deutsche Bank AG. The facility has been deployed to redeem the Company's revolving credit facility with Lloyds Bank plc of GBP60,000,000 as well as providing additional liquidity. As a result, now all debt facilities have fixed or capped rates.

On 1 December 2022, the Company signed a facility with an institutional lender. Subsequent to this, on 21 June 2023, the Company received credit approved terms for an additional GBP61.0 million fixed facility based on a 3-year SONIA rate at the date of draw down +195bps margin with a maturity date of 3 August 2026. The eventual drawdown on the facility is subject to certain standard closing conditions.

Cash flow forecasts based on severe but plausible downside scenarios have been run, in particular the financial performance of tenants and a reduction in contracted rent. As at 31 March 2023, the rent would have to drop by approximately 10% before any of its loan covenants are breached. At the date of approval of this report, the Company has sufficient headroom within its financial loan covenants. The Company also benefits from a secure income stream from leases with long weighted average unexpired term leases. As a result, the Directors believe that the Group is well placed to manage its financing and other business risks and that the Group will remain viable, continuing to operate and meet its liabilities as they fall due.

The Company's articles of association include a requirement for the Board to propose an ordinary resolution at the annual general meeting following the fifth anniversary from the initial public offering of the Company for the Company to continue in its current form (the Continuation Resolution). This vote was passed in September 2022 so the Company will continue its business as presently constituted and will propose the same resolution at the AGM in September 2027 and every fifth annual general meeting thereafter.

On 9 May 2023, an announcement was made to the market for an all-cash offer of Civitas Social Housing PLC (CSH) from Wellness Unity Limited, a wholly owned indirect subsidiary of CK Assets Holdings Limited (CKA). The offer became unconditional on 23 June 2023. The Group's existing committed debt facilities contain a standard change of control clause which has now been triggered due to the offer becoming unconditional. This could result in the existing committed debt facilities being withdrawn. Furthermore, the Directors do not have visibility of the post completion funding for the Group and Company at this time. The Directors note the detailed intentions statement included within the announcement on 9 May 2023 which states that CKA does not envisage making any changes to the management team nor any disruption to any counterparties or to the underlying tenants. However, the conditions outlined above indicate a material uncertainty which may cast significant doubt upon the Group's and Company's ability to continue as a going concern. The Independent Auditors' Report included within the Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2023 also highlights this material uncertainty. Therefore, notwithstanding the material uncertainty arising from the offer from CKA, the Directors are satisfied that the going concern basis remains appropriate for the preparation of the financial statements. The financial statements do not include the adjustments that would result if the Group and the Company were unable to continue as a going concern.

2.3 New standards, amendments and interpretations

The following new standards are now effective and have been adopted for the year ended 31 March

2023.

-- IFRIC Agenda Item: Following clarification by IFRIC on the classification of monies held in restricted accounts, monies that are restricted by use only are classified at 31 March 2023 as "Cash and cash equivalents". As detailed in note 2.4, the comparative balances have been restated where applicable to reflect this change in classification.

-- IFRIC Agenda Item: In October 2022, the IFRIC issued an agenda decision in respect of 'Lessor forgiveness of lease payments (IFRS 9 and IFRS 16)' ('the IFRIC Decision on Concessions'). This concluded that losses incurred on granting retrospective rent concessions should be charged to the income statement on the date that the legal rights to income are conceded (i.e. immediate recognition in full rather than smoothed over the life of the lease). The clarification has not had a material impact on the financial statements.

-- Amendments to IFRS 3 'Business Combinations' (effective for periods beginning on or after 1 January 2022) - gives clarification on the recognition of contingent liabilities at acquisition and clarifies that contingent assets should not be recognised at the acquisition date. The amendments have not had a significant impact on the preparation of the financial statements.

-- Amendments to IAS 37 'Provisions, Contingent Liabilities and Contingent Assets' (effective for periods beginning on or after 1 January 2022) - gives clarification on costs to include in estimating the cost of fulfilling a contract for the purpose of assessing whether that contract is onerous. The amendments have not had a significant impact on the preparation of the financial statements.

-- Amendments to IFRS 9 'Financial Instruments' (effective for periods beginning on or after 1 January 2022) - gives clarification on the fees an entity includes when assessing whether the terms of a new or modified financial liability are substantially different from the terms of the original liability. The amendments have not had a significant impact on the preparation of the financial statements.

2.4 Restatement

IFRIC Agenda Decision - Recognition of restricted cash as "Cash and cash equivalents"

In March 2022, the IFRS Interpretations Committee ("IFRIC") finalised a decision on the classification of monies held in restricted accounts, such that monies that are restricted by use only, are classified at 31 March 2023 as "Cash and cash equivalents".

The Group holds restricted cash for tenant deposits and retention monies in relation to deferred payments subject to achievement of certain conditions, other retentions and cash segregated to fund repair, maintenance and improvement works to bring the properties up to satisfactory standards for the Group and the tenants.

As a result of the IFRIC decision, the Group has revisited its policy and includes these monies within the classification "cash and cash equivalents". The adjustment has no impact on the classification of the net assets of the Group on the Statement of Financial Position, however the movements on these balances are now reported in the Statement of Cashflows and comparative figures have been restated.

Comparative figures for 'cash and cash equivalents' have increased by GBP4,362,000 (31 March 2021: GBP3,278,000). This has resulted in an increase to the comparative figure for cash generated from operations by GBP1,613,000 concerning movements on deposit balances and an increase to the net cash flow used in investing activities of GBP529,000 concerning movements on retention monies.

The Group has not presented revised balance sheets as at 1 April 2021 within the financial statements, in accordance with IAS 1 Presentation of Financial Statements and IAS 8 Accounting Policies, Changes in Accounting Estimates and Errors.

The following table shows the impact of these adjustments in the prior year:

 
                                                                        31 March 
                                              31 March                      2022 
                                                  2022   Restatement    Restated 
                                               GBP'000       GBP'000     GBP'000 
-------------------------------------------  ---------  ------------  ---------- 
 Group cash flow statement (extract) 
 Net cash flow generated from operating 
  activities                                    37,489         1,613      39,102 
 Net cash flow used in investing 
  activities                                  (39,670)         (529)    (40,199) 
-------------------------------------------  ---------  ------------  ---------- 
 
 Cash and cash equivalents at the 
  start of the year                            103,819         3,278     107,097 
 Cash and cash equivalents at the 
  end of the year                               48,975         4,362      53,337 
 Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents    (54,844)         1,084    (53,760) 
-------------------------------------------  ---------  ------------  ---------- 
 

2.5 New standards, amendments and interpretations effective for future accounting periods

The following are new standards, interpretations and amendments, which are not yet effective and have not been early adopted in this financial information, that will or may have an effect on the Group's future financial statements:

-- Amendments to IAS 12 'Income Taxes' (effective for periods beginning on or after 1 January 2023) - clarify how companies account for deferred tax on transactions such as leases and decommissioning obligations. The amendments are not expected to have a significant impact on the preparation of the financial statements.

-- Amendments to IAS 1 'Presentation of Financial Statements' (effective for periods beginning on or after 1 January 2023) - are intended to help entities in deciding which accounting policies to disclose in their financial statements. The amendments are not expected to have a significant impact on the preparation of the financial statements.

-- Amendments to IAS 8 'Accounting Policies, Changes in Accounting Estimates and Errors' (effective for periods beginning on or after 1 January 2023) - introduce the definition of an accounting estimate and include other amendments to help entities distinguish changes in accounting estimates from changes in accounting policies. The amendments are not expected to have a significant impact on the preparation of the financial statements.

-- Amendments to IAS 1 'Presentation of Financial Statements' (effective for periods beginning on or after 1 January 2024) - clarify that liabilities are classified as either current or non-current, depending on the rights that exist at the end of the reporting period and not expectations of or actual events after the reporting date. The amendments also give clarification to the definition of settlement of a liability. The amendments are not expected to have a significant impact on the preparation of the financial statements.

2.6 Segmental information

IFRS 8 Operating Segments requires operating segments to be identified on the basis of internal financial reports about components of the Group that are regularly reviewed by the Chief Operating Decision Maker, which in the Group's case is delegated to the Investment Adviser who has formed an Executive Team, in order to allocate resources to the segments and to assess their performance.

The internal financial reports received by the Investment Adviser's Executive Team contain financial information at a Group level as a whole and there are no reconciling items between the results contained in these reports and the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements.

The Directors consider the Group's property portfolio represents a coherent and diversified portfolio with similar economic characteristics and as a result, the whole portfolio of properties represents a single operating segment. In the view of the Directors there is accordingly one reportable segment under the provisions of IFRS 8.

All of the Group's properties are based in the UK. Geographical information is provided to ensure compliance with the diversification requirements of the Company, other than this no geographical grouping is contained in any of the internal financial reports provided to the Investment Adviser's Executive Team and, therefore no geographical segmental analysis is required by IFRS 8.

The Directors note the requirements in IFRS 8 Paragraph 34 pertaining to entities under common control and confirm that both Auckland Home Solutions and Qualitas Housing (as lessees of the Company's investment real estate) are under common control of The Social Housing Family CIC ("TSHF"). The percentage and sum total of the Company's annual contracted rent roll pertaining to these counterparties as if they were considered to be a "single customer" can be found in note 28.0 and in the full Annual Report.

3.0 Significant accounting judgements, estimates and assumptions

In the application of the Group's accounting policies, which are described in note 4.0, the Directors are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The judgements, estimates and associated assumptions that have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the financial year are outlined below:

3.1 Significant estimate - valuation of investment property

The Group uses the valuation carried out by its independent valuer as the fair value of its property portfolio. The valuation is based upon assumptions including future rental income and the appropriate discount rate. The valuers also make reference to market evidence of transaction prices for similar properties. Further information is provided in note 15.0.

The Group's properties have been independently valued by Jones Lang LaSalle Limited ("JLL" or the "Valuer") in accordance with the current Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors' Valuation - Global Standards, incorporating the IVS, and the RICS Valuation - Global Standards 2017 UK national supplement (the RICS "Red Book"). JLL is a well recognised professional firm within social housing valuation and has sufficient current local and national knowledge of both social housing generally and Specialist Supported Housing ("SSH") and has the skills and understanding to undertake the valuations competently.

With respect to the Group's consolidated financial statements, investment properties are valued at their fair value at each balance sheet date in accordance with IFRS 13. Fair value measurements should be presented and classified using a fair value hierarchy that reflects the significance of the inputs used in the measurements, according to the following levels:

Level 1 Unadjusted, quoted prices for identical assets and liabilities in active (typically quoted) markets.

Level 2 Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly (that is, as prices) or indirectly (that is, derived from prices).

Level 3 Inputs for the asset or liability that are not based on observable market data (unobservable inputs). Value is the Directors' best estimate, based on advice from relevant knowledgeable experts, use of recognised valuation techniques and a determination of which assumptions should be applied in valuing such assets and with particular focus on the specific attributes of the investments themselves.

Given the bespoke nature of each of the Group's investments, the particular requirements of due diligence and financial contribution obtained from the vendors together with the recent emergence of SSH, all of the Group's investment properties are included in Level 3.

3.2 Significant estimate - valuation of interest rate derivatives

The fair value of Group's interest rate derivatives is recorded in the Group Statement of Financial Position and is determined by the respective counterparties. The counterparties use a number of assumptions in determining the fair values, including estimations over future interest rates and future cash flows using observable yield curves.

3.3 Significant judgement - business combinations

The Group acquires subsidiaries that own investment properties. At the time of acquisition, the Group considers whether each acquisition represents the acquisition of a business or the acquisition of an asset. Management considers the substance of the assets and activities of the acquired entity in determining whether the acquisition represents the acquisition of a business.

The Group accounts for an acquisition as a business combination where an integrated set of activities is acquired in addition to the property. Where such acquisitions are not judged to be the acquisition of a business, they are not treated as business combinations. Rather, the cost to acquire the corporate entity is allocated between the identifiable assets and liabilities of the entity based upon their relative fair values at the acquisition date. Accordingly, no goodwill or additional deferred tax arises.

There were no corporate acquisitions made in the year.

During the year, the Group entered into a transaction to acquire the freehold properties operated by CPI Care Limited. Upon the acquisition of the company; the properties were transferred into other group companies and the company acquired, along with its associated operations, was sold to Envivo Corundum Bidco Limited. Further details are shown in note 16.0 to the financial statements.

The acquired companies met the definition of a business under IFRS 3, and the transaction was therefore recorded as a business combination.

Because the Group acquired the company with the intent to sell the business, management applied the short-cut method under IFRS 5 - Subsidiaries acquired with a view to resale. Under this method, the subsidiary is recorded at fair value less costs to sell, and there is no requirement to fair value the subsidiary's individual assets and liabilities.

3.4. Significant judgement - operating lease contracts - the Group as lessor

The Group has acquired investment properties that are subject to commercial property leases with Approved Providers. The Group has determined, based on an evaluation of the terms and conditions of the arrangements, particularly the duration of the lease terms and minimum lease payments, that it retains all the significant risks and rewards of ownership of these properties and so accounts for the leases as operating leases.

3.5. Significant judgement - REIT Status

Civitas Social Housing PLC is a Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT). The UK REIT regime applies when entities meet certain conditions with the effect that the income profits and capital gains of the qualifying property rental business are exempt from tax. Within these conditions at least 90% of the Group's property income must be distributed as dividends to shareholders and the Group must ensure that the property rental business represents more than 75% of total profits and assets.

Following the completion of the offer, there is a level of uncertainty that the Group will remain in the REIT regime.

4.0 Summary of significant accounting policies

The principal accounting policies applied in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements are set below. The policies have been consistently applied to all periods presented, unless otherwise stated.

4.1. Basis of consolidation

The consolidated financial statements comprise the financial information of the Group as at the year end date.

Subsidiaries are all entities over which the Group has control. The Group controls an entity when the Group is exposed to, or has rights to, variable returns from its involvement with the entity and has the ability to affect those returns through its power to direct the activities of the entity. All intra-group transactions, balances, income and expenses are eliminated on consolidation. The financial information of the subsidiaries is included in the consolidated financial statements from the date that control commences until the date that control ceases.

If an equity interest in a subsidiary is transferred but a controlling interest continues to be held after the transfer then the change in ownership interest is accounted for as an equity transaction.

Accounting policies of the subsidiaries are consistent with the policies adopted by the Company.

4.2. Investment property

Investment property, which is property held to earn rentals and/or for capital appreciation, is initially measured at cost, being the fair value of the consideration given, including expenditure that is directly attributable to the acquisition of the investment property. After initial recognition, investment property is stated at its fair value at the balance sheet date. Gains and losses arising from changes in the fair value of investment property are included in profit or loss for the period in which they arise in the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income.

Subsequent expenditure is capitalised only when it is probable that future economic benefits are associated with the expenditure. Ongoing repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred. Overheads and operating expenses are not capitalised.

An investment property is derecognised upon disposal or when the investment property is permanently withdrawn from use and no future economic benefits are expected from the disposal. Any gain or loss arising on derecognition of the property (calculated as the difference between the net disposal proceeds and the carrying amount of the asset) is incurred in profit or loss in the period in which the property is derecognised.

Significant accounting judgements, estimates and assumptions made for the valuation of investment properties are discussed in note 3.1.

4.3. Leases

Leases are classified as finance leases whenever 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.

The Company has determined that it retains all the significant risks and rewards of ownership of the properties and accounts for the contracts as operating leases as discussed in note 3.4.

Properties leased out under operating leases are included in investment property in the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position. Rental income from operating leases is recognised on a straight line basis over the term of the relevant leases.

Lease incentive costs are recognised as an asset and amortised over the life of the lease.

4.4. Financial Assets

Classification

The Group classifies its financial assets in the following measurement categories:

-- those to be measured subsequently at fair value (either through other comprehensive income or through profit or loss); and

   --      those to be measured at amortised cost. 

The classification depends on the entity's business model for managing the financial assets and the contractual terms of the cash flows. For assets measured at fair value, gains and losses will either be recorded in profit or loss or other comprehensive income.

Trade and other receivables

Trade and other receivables are amounts due in the ordinary course of business. If collection is expected in one year or less, they are classified as current assets. If not, they are presented as non-current assets.

Trade receivables are recognised initially at fair value and subsequently are measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method, less impairment provision. The Group holds the trade receivables with the objective to collect the contractual cash flows.

Impairment

The Group's financial assets are subject to the expected credit loss model.

For trade receivables, the Group applies the simplified approach permitted by IFRS 9, which requires expected lifetime losses to be recognised from initial recognition of the receivables.

The expected loss rates are based on the payment profiles of lease income over a period of up to 12 months before 31 March 2022 or 1 April 2022, respectively, and the corresponding historical credit losses experienced within this period. The historical loss rates are adjusted to reflect current and forward-looking information on macroeconomic factors affecting the liability of the tenants to settle the receivable. Such forward-looking information would include: changes in economic, regulatory, technological and environmental factors (such as industry outlook, GDP, employment and politics); external market indicators; and tenant base.

Based on the assessment and the specific work that is underway around collection of aged arrears, a provision of GBP459,000 (2022: GBP239,000) has been reflected in the annual results.

Trade receivables are written off when there is no reasonable expectation of recovery.

Indicators that there is no reasonable expectation of recovery include, among others, the probability of insolvency or significant financial difficulties of the debtor. Impaired debts are derecognised when they are assessed as uncollectible.

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, cash held by lawyers and liquidity funds with a term of no more than three months that are readily convertible to a known amount of cash and which are subject to an insignificant risk of changes in value.

Restricted cash represents amounts held for specific commitments, tenant deposits and retention money held by lawyers in relation to deferred payments subject to achievement of certain conditions, other retentions and cash segregated to fund repair, maintenance and improvement works to bring the properties up to satisfactory standards for the Group and the tenants.

Derivative financial instruments

Derivative financial instruments, which comprise interest rate swaps for hedging purposes, are initially recognised at fair value at acquisition and are subsequently measured at fair value, being the estimated amount that the Group would receive or pay to sell or transfer the agreement at the period end date, taking into account current interest rate expectations and the current credit rating of the lender and its counterparties. The instrument may be an asset or a liability. The gain or loss at each fair value remeasurement date is recognised in the Group's Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income.

Derivative financial instruments are derecognised when the rights to receive cash flows from the agreement have expired or have been transferred, and the Group has transferred substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership. The difference between the carrying amount and consideration received is recognised as a gain or loss in the Group's Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income.

The Group uses valuation techniques that are appropriate in the circumstances and for which sufficient data is available to measure fair value, maximising the use of relevant observable inputs and minimising the use of unobservable inputs significant to the fair value measurement as a whole.

Other than derivative financial instruments which are not designated as hedging instruments, the Group does not have any assets held for trading nor does it voluntarily classify any financial assets as being at fair value through profit or loss.

4.5. Financial liabilities

The Group recognises a financial liability when it first becomes a party to the contractual rights and obligations in the contract.

All financial liabilities are initially recognised at fair value, minus (in the case of a financial liability that is not at fair value through profit or loss) transaction costs that are directly attributable to issuing the financial liability. Financial liabilities are subsequently measured at amortised cost, unless the Group opted to measure a liability at fair value through profit or loss.

A financial liability is derecognised when the obligation under the liability is discharged, cancelled or expires.

Trade and other payables

Trade and other payables are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trade and other payables are recognised initially at their fair value and subsequently measured at amortised cost until settled. The fair value of a non-interest bearing liability is its discounted repayment amount. If the due date of the liability is less than one year, discounting is omitted.

Bank and other borrowings

All bank and other borrowings are initially recognised at fair value less directly attributable transaction costs. After initial recognition, all bank and other borrowings are measured at amortised cost, using the effective interest method. Any attributable transaction costs relating to the issue of the bank borrowings are amortised through the Group's Statement of Comprehensive Income over the life of the debt instrument on a straight-line basis.

Borrowings are removed from the consolidated statement of financial position when the obligation specified in the contract is discharged, cancelled or expired. The difference between the carrying amount of a financial liability that has been extinguished and the consideration paid is recognised in profit or loss as a finance cost.

4.6. 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 that 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 balance sheet date, taking into account the risks and uncertainties surrounding the obligation.

4.7. Taxation

Taxation on the profit or loss for the period not exempt under UK REIT regulations is comprised of current and deferred tax. Tax is recognised in the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income except to the extent that it relates to items recognised as a direct movement in equity, in which case it is recognised as a direct movement in equity. Current tax is expected tax payable on any non-REIT taxable income for the period, using tax rates enacted or substantively enacted at the balance sheet date, and any adjustment to tax payable in respect of previous periods.

The current tax charge is calculated on profits arising in the period and in accordance with legislation which has been enacted or substantially enacted at the balance sheet date.

Deferred tax is provided on temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for taxation purposes. The amount of deferred tax that is provided is based on the expected manner of realisation or settlement of the carrying amount of assets and liabilities, using tax rates enacted or substantively enacted at the balance sheet date.

4.8. Capital management

The Group's objectives when managing capital are to safeguard the Group's ability to continue as a going concern in order to provide returns for shareholders and to maintain an optimal capital structure to reduce the cost of capital.

Capital assets comprise the following:

 
                                                31 March    31 March 
                                                    2023        2022 
                                                 GBP'000     GBP'000 
--------------------------------------------  ----------  ---------- 
 Proceeds from the issue of Ordinary shares 
  and retained earnings                          661,909     675,547 
 Bank and loan borrowings                        361,915     352,050 
--------------------------------------------  ----------  ---------- 
 Total                                         1,023,824   1,027,597 
--------------------------------------------  ----------  ---------- 
 

The Directors may use gearing to enhance equity returns. The level of borrowing will be on a prudent basis for the asset class and will seek to achieve a low cost of funds, whilst maintaining the flexibility in the underlying security requirements and the structure of the Group.

The Group may, following a decision of the Board, raise debt from banks and/or the capital markets and the aggregate borrowings of the Group will always be subject to an absolute maximum, calculated at the time of drawdown, of below 40% of the Gross Asset Value on a fully invested basis.

4.9. Dividends payable to shareholders

Dividends are included in the financial statements in the year in which they are paid.

4.10. Rental income

Rental income from investment property is recognised on a straight-line basis over the term of ongoing leases and is shown gross of any UK income tax. Lease incentives are spread evenly over the lease term. Losses incurred on granting retrospective rent concessions are charged to the income statement on the date that the legal rights to income are conceded (i.e. immediate recognition in full rather than smoothed over the life of the lease).

Insurance recharges and other similar receipts are recognised under IFRS 15 'Revenue from contracts with customers', and are included in net rental and property income gross of the related costs as the Directors consider the Group acts as principal in this respect.

4.11. Finance income

Finance income is recognised as interest, and is accrued on cash and cash equivalent balances held by the Group.

4.12. Finance costs

Finance costs consist of interest and other costs that the Group incurs in connection with bank and other borrowings. Bank interest and bank charges are recognised on an accruals basis. Borrowing transaction costs are amortised using the effective interest rate.

4.13. Expenses

All expenses, including Investment Advisory fees, are recognised in the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income on an accruals basis.

4.14. Share issue costs

The costs of issuing or reacquiring equity instruments (other than in a business combination) are accounted for as a deduction from equity.

4.15 Exceptional items

Exceptional items relate to amounts which do not normally occur in the normal course of business.

Exceptional professional costs for two major projects have been disclosed separately. These relate to costs associated with the offer for the purchase of the entire share capital of the Company by a subsidiary of CK Asset Holdings Limited (CKA) and costs associated with a planned bond issue which was postponed.

4.16 Share held in treasury

The costs, including directly attributable transactions costs, of purchasing the Company's own shares to be held in treasury are deducted from equity and the costs are shown in the Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity. Consideration received, net of transaction costs, for the resale of these shares is also included in equity. Whilst the Company holds shares in treasury, the calculations for net asset value and earnings per share are adjusted to exclude these shares.

5.0 Rental income

 
                                               For the 
                                            year ended                   For the 
                                              31 March                year ended 
                                                  2023             31 March 2022 
                                               GBP'000                   GBP'000 
----------------------------------------  ------------  ------------------------ 
 Rental income from investment property         53,531                    51,038 
 Rent straight line adjustments                    586                       529 
 Lease incentive amortisation                  (1,022)                     (926) 
 Rechargeable costs received                     1,512                       995 
----------------------------------------  ------------  ------------------------ 
 Rental income                                  54,607                    51,636 
----------------------------------------  ------------  ------------------------ 
 
 Less direct property expenses 
---------------------------------------- 
 Insurance and service charge costs            (1,512)                     (995) 
---------------------------------------- 
 Bad debt                                        (429)                        17 
----------------------------------------  ------------  ------------------------ 
 Direct property expenses                      (1,941)                     (978) 
----------------------------------------  ------------  ------------------------ 
 Net rental income                              52,666                    50,658 
----------------------------------------  ------------  ------------------------ 
 

Rechargeable costs received represent insurance and service charge costs paid by the Group and recharged to the Approved Providers and are accounted for under IFRS 15 'Revenue from contracts with customers'.

As per the lease agreements with the Group and Approved Providers, the Approved Providers are responsible for the settlement of all present and future rates, taxes and other impositions payable in respect of the property. As a result, no further direct property expenses were incurred.

6.0 Directors' remuneration

 
                                                    For the 
                                                 year ended          For the 
                                                   31 March       year ended 
                                                       2023    31 March 2022 
                                                    GBP'000          GBP'000 
---------------------------------------------  ------------  --------------- 
 
 Directors' fees                                        194              190 
 Employer's National Insurance Contributions             17               16 
---------------------------------------------  ------------ 
 Total                                                  211              206 
---------------------------------------------  ------------  --------------- 
 
 

The Directors are remunerated for their services in accordance with the Remuneration Policy which sets parameters within which Directors' remuneration may be set. The Remuneration Policy is approved by shareholders.

Disclosures required by the Companies Act 2006 on Directors' remuneration, including salaries, share options, pension contributions and pension entitlement and those specified by the Listing Rules of the Financial Conduct Authority are included in the Remuneration Report set out in the full Annual Report and form part of these Financial Statements.

7.0 Particulars of employees

The Group had no employees during the period (2022: nil) other than the Directors.

8.0 Investment advisory fees

 
                         For the          For the 
                      year ended       year ended 
                   31 March 2023    31 March 2022 
                         GBP'000          GBP'000 
---------------  ---------------  --------------- 
 Advisory fee              6,206            6,132 
---------------  ---------------  --------------- 
 Disbursements                11                - 
---------------  --------------- 
 Total                     6,217            6,132 
---------------  ---------------  --------------- 
 

Civitas Investment Management Limited ("CIM") is the appointed Investment Adviser of the Company. Under the current Investment Management Agreement, the Advisory Fee shall be an amount calculated in respect of each quarter, in each case based upon the Net Asset Value most recently announced to the market at the relevant time (as adjusted for issues or repurchases of shares in the period between the date of such announcement and the date of the relevant calculation), on the following basis:

a) on that part of the Net Asset Value up to and including GBP250,000,000, an amount equal to 1% of such part of the Net Asset Value;

b) on that part of the Net Asset Value over GBP250,000,000 and up to and including GBP500,000,000, an amount equal to 0.9% of such part of the Net Asset Value;

c) on that part of the Net Asset Value over GBP500,000,000 and up to and including GBP1,000,000, an amount equal to 0.8% of such part of the Net Asset Value;

d) on that part of the Net Asset Value over GBP1,000,0000, an amount equal to 0.7% of such part of the Net Asset Value.

The appointment of the Investment Adviser shall continue in force unless and until terminated by either party giving to the other not less than 12 months' written notice, such notice not to expire earlier than 30 May 2025.

9.0 General and administrative expenses

 
                                          For the          For the 
                                       year ended       year ended 
                                    31 March 2023    31 March 2022 
                                          GBP'000          GBP'000 
--------------------------------  ---------------  --------------- 
 Legal and professional fees                1,250            1,459 
--------------------------------  ---------------  --------------- 
 Exceptional professional costs             1,816                - 
 Administration fees                        1,044            1,037 
 Consultancy fees                             143              136 
 Audit fees                                   441              340 
 Abortive costs                                48              196 
 Valuation fees                                96              100 
 Depositary fees                               71               71 
 Grants and donations                          65               26 
 Insurance                                     97               84 
 Marketing                                    225              343 
 Regulatory fees                               21               25 
 Sundry expenses                               76               92 
--------------------------------  --------------- 
 Total                                      5,393            3,909 
--------------------------------  ---------------  --------------- 
 

Abortive costs represent legal and professional fees incurred in relation to the acquisition of investment properties and proposed share issues that were considered but subsequently aborted.

General and administrative expenses for the current year contain exceptional professional costs of GBP1,816,000 (2022: GBPNil). These costs pertain to two strategic projects the Company has been evaluating and comprise of GBP1,294,000 (2022: GBPnil) associated with the offer for the purchase of the entire share capital of the Company by a subsidiary of CK Asset Holdings Limited (CKA) and GBP522,000 (2022: GBPNil) associated planned bond issue which was postponed.

Services provided by the Company's auditors and their associates

The Group has obtained the following services from the Group's auditors and their associates:

 
                                                   For the          For the 
                                                year ended       year ended 
                                             31 March 2023    31 March 2022 
                                                   GBP'000          GBP'000 
-----------------------------------------  ---------------  --------------- 
 Fees payable to the Group's auditor 
  and its associates for auditing 
  financial statements: 
 Audit of the Group's financial 
  statements(1)                                        358              296 
 Total fees payable for audit services:                358              296 
 
 Fees payable to the Group's auditor 
  and its associates for other services: 
 Audit related services - review 
  of the half year financial statements                 83               44 
 Other services(2)                                       -               62 
-----------------------------------------  ---------------  --------------- 
 Total fees payable to the Group's 
  auditors and their associates                        441              402 
-----------------------------------------  ---------------  --------------- 
 

(1) Includes GBP64,000 (2022: GBP18,000) cost in relation to the previous year audit.

(2) This amount was recognised within exceptional legal and professional costs in the year ended 31 March 2022.

10.0 Finance income

 
                                           For the 
                                        year ended          For the 
                                          31 March       year ended 
                                              2023    31 March 2022 
                                           GBP'000          GBP'000 
------------------------------------  ------------  --------------- 
 
 Interest and dividends received on 
  liquidity funds                              148                4 
 Bank interest received                          -                3 
------------------------------------  ------------  --------------- 
 Total                                         148                7 
------------------------------------  ------------  --------------- 
 
 

11.0 Finance expense

 
                                            For the          For the 
                                         year ended       year ended 
                                      31 March 2023    31 March 2022 
                                            GBP'000          GBP'000 
----------------------------------  ---------------  --------------- 
 
 Bank charges                                     8                6 
 Interest paid and payable on 
  bank borrowings and derivatives            12,151            8,907 
 Amortisation of loan arrangement 
  fees                                        1,869            1,653 
 Costs of early repayment of debt             1,271                - 
 Loan security fees                              36               42 
 Total                                       15,335           10,608 
----------------------------------  ---------------  --------------- 
 

During the year the Lloyds Bank plc GBP60,000,000 revolving credit facility was repaid. Costs of early repayment of debt include break costs and the write off of the remaining unamortised loan issue costs.

12.0 Taxation

As a UK REIT, the Group is exempt from corporation tax on the profits and gains from its property investment business, provided it meets certain conditions as set out in the UK REIT regulations. For the current year ended 31 March 2023, the Group did not have any non-qualifying profits and accordingly there is no tax charge in the year. If there were any non-qualifying profits and gains, these would be subject to corporation tax.

Deferred tax has not been recognised on temporary differences relating to the property rental business. No deferred tax asset has been recognised in respect of the unutilised residual current year losses as it is not anticipated that sufficient residual profits will be generated in the future. In the event that Civitas' property portfolio was to be sold at valuation, any gains realised on such disposals may be subject to taxation in the UK. Generally, disposals by a REIT of assets held for the purpose of a property rental business should be exempt from UK corporation tax. The Directors do not believe that any properties within the Civitas property portfolio meet the conditions for assets held as part of the property rental business being subject to corporation tax on disposal. Accordingly, if the Civitas property portfolio was to be sold at valuation, the Directors estimate that no corporation tax liability would arise on that sale.

Following the completion of the offer, there is a level of uncertainty that the Group will remain in the REIT regime.

 
                                                       For the 
                                         For the    year ended 
                                      year ended      31 March 
                                   31 March 2023          2022 
                                         GBP'000       GBP'000 
-------------------------------  ---------------  ------------ 
 Corporation tax charge for the 
  year                                         -             - 
-------------------------------  ---------------  ------------ 
 Total                                         -             - 
-------------------------------  ---------------  ------------ 
 

The tax charge for the period is less than the standard rate of corporation tax in the UK of 19%. The differences are explained below.

 
                                                For the          For the 
                                             year ended       year ended 
                                          31 March 2023    31 March 2022 
                                                GBP'000          GBP'000 
--------------------------------------  ---------------  --------------- 
 Group 
 Profit before taxation                          25,472           44,754 
--------------------------------------  ---------------  --------------- 
 
 UK corporation tax rate                            19%        19% 
 Theoretical tax at UK corporation 
  tax rate                                        4,840            8,503 
 Effects of: 
 Change in value of exempt investment 
  properties                                      (502)          (2,331) 
 Exempt REIT income                             (6,019)          (6,598) 
 Amounts not deductible for 
  tax purposes                                    1,081            (230) 
 Unutilised residual current 
  period tax losses                                 600              656 
--------------------------------------  ---------------  --------------- 
 Total                                                -                - 
--------------------------------------  ---------------  --------------- 
 
 

A deferred tax asset of GBP2,877,000 (2022: GBP1,268,000), calculated using the forthcoming tax rate of 25%, has not been recognised in respect of the unutilised residual current year losses as it is not anticipated that sufficient residual profits will be generated in the future.

The standard rate of corporation tax is currently 19%. The standard rate of corporation tax increased to 25% with effect from 1 April 2023.

REIT exempt income includes property rental income that is exempt from UK Corporation Tax in accordance with Part 12 of Corporation Tax Act 2010.

13.0 Earnings per share

Earnings per share ("EPS") amounts are calculated by dividing profit for the year attributable to Ordinary equity holders of the Company by the weighted average number of Ordinary shares in issue during the year.

The calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share is based on the following:

 
                                                             For the          For the 
                                                          year ended       year ended 
                                                       31 March 2023    31 March 2022 
                                                             GBP'000          GBP'000 
----------------------------------------  --------------------------  --------------- 
 Calculation of earnings per share 
 Net profit attributable to Ordinary 
  shareholders (GBP'000)                                      25,472           44,754 
 Weighted average number of Ordinary 
  shares (excluding shares held in 
  treasury)                                              608,552,681      618,797,942 
 Earnings per share - basic and diluted                        4.19p            7.23p 
----------------------------------------  --------------------------  --------------- 
 
 

14.0 Dividends

 
                                                   For the          For the 
                                                year ended       year ended 
                                             31 March 2023    31 March 2022 
                                                   GBP'000          GBP'000 
-----------------------------------------  ---------------  --------------- 
 Dividend of 1.3875p for the 3 months 
  to 31 March 2022 
  (1.3500p 3 months to 31 March 2021)                8,474            8,403 
 Dividend of 1.4250p for the 3 months 
  to 30 June 2022 
  (1.3875p 3 months to 30 June 2021)                 8,703            8,637 
 Dividend of 1.4250p for the 3 months 
  to 30 September 2022 (1.3875p 3 months 
  to 30 September 2021)                              8,641            8,555 
 Dividend of 1.4250p for the 3 months 
  to 31 December 2022 (1.3875p 3 months 
  to 31 December 2021)                               8,641            8,498 
-----------------------------------------  ---------------  --------------- 
 Total                                              34,459           34,093 
-----------------------------------------  ---------------  --------------- 
 

On 9 May 2023, the Company announced a dividend of 1.425 pence per share in respect of the period 1 January 2023 to 31 March 2023 totalling GBP8,641,000. The dividend payment was made on 9 June 2023 to shareholders on the register as at 19 May 2023. The financial statements do not reflect this dividend. The dividend was paid as a REIT property income distribution ("PID").

15.0 Investment property

 
                                                 For the          For the 
                                              year ended       year ended 
                                           31 March 2023    31 March 2022 
                                                 GBP'000          GBP'000 
---------------------------------------  ---------------  --------------- 
 
 Balance at beginning of year                    968,756          915,589 
 Property acquisitions                               543           33,466 
 Improvements to investment properties             4,944            5,818 
 Lease incentives and rent straight 
  line adjustments recognised                      1,264            1,614 
 Change in fair value                              2,640           12,269 
---------------------------------------  ---------------  --------------- 
 Value advised by the property valuers           978,147          968,756 
 Less lease incentive assets and rent 
  straight line assets                          (24,783)         (23,519) 
---------------------------------------  ---------------  --------------- 
 Total                                           953,364          945,237 
---------------------------------------  ---------------  --------------- 
 

Improvements to investment properties includes capital expenditure incurred of GBP128,000 (2022: GBP12,000) in respect of climate change initiatives.

During the previous year, the Group acquired a property holding company from Herleva Properties Limited which held assets totalling GBP8,611,000. These are included within Property Acquisitions in the note above. Herleva Properties Limited is a subsidiary of Specialist Healthcare Operations Limited ("SHO"). Andrew Dawber and Tom Pridmore (both directors of the Investment Adviser), are 14.99% shareholders in SHO. They are not directors of SHO, and have no operational role in that business. SHO does not meet the definition of a related party under IAS 24.

Valuation

In accordance with "IAS 40: Investment Property", the investment property has been independently valued at fair value by JLL, an accredited external valuer with recognised and relevant professional qualifications and recent experience of the location and category of the investment property being valued, however, the valuations are the ultimate responsibility of the Directors.

JLL valued the Civitas Social Housing PLC property portfolio on the basis of each individual property and the theoretical sale of the properties without the benefit of any corporate wrapper at GBP978,147,000 as at 31 March 2023 (2022: GBP968,756,000).

JLL has provided valuation services to the Company with regards to the properties during the year. JLL has provided additional valuation services on the acquisition of investment property by the Company during the year. The Directors have ensured that JLL has appropriate procedures in place to ensure there are no independence conflicts with the services provided to the Company. In relation to the year ended 31 March 2023, the proportion of the total fees payable by the Company to JLL's total fee income was less than 5% and is therefore minimal. Additionally, JLL has a rotation policy in place whereby the signatories on the valuations rotate after seven years.

With the exception of the acquisition detailed in note 16.0, all corporate acquisitions during the year and the comparative year have been treated as asset purchases rather than business combinations because following review of the IFRS 3 concentration test, they are considered to be acquisitions of properties rather than businesses (note 3.3).

The following table provides the fair value measurement hierarchy for investment property:

 
 
                                           Quoted prices   Significant     Significant 
                                               in active    observable    unobservable 
                                                 markets        inputs          inputs 
   Investment properties         Total         (Level 1)     (Level 2)       (Level 3) 
   measured at fair value      GBP'000           GBP'000       GBP'000         GBP'000 
--------------------------  ----------  ----------------  ------------  -------------- 
 31 March 2023                 953,364                 -             -         953,364 
--------------------------  ----------  ----------------  ------------  -------------- 
 31 March 2022                 945,237                 -             -         945,237 
--------------------------  ----------  ----------------  ------------  -------------- 
 

There have been no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 during any of the years, nor have there been any transfers between Level 2 and Level 3 during any of the years.

The valuations have been prepared in accordance with the RICS Valuation - Professional Standards (incorporating the International Valuation Standards) by JLL, one of the leading professional firms engaged in the social housing sector.

As noted previously all of the Group's investments are reported as Level 3 in accordance with IFRS 13 where inputs are not based on observable market data and the value is based upon advice from relevant knowledgeable experts.

In this instance, the determination of the fair value of investment property requires an examination of the specific merits of each property that are in turn considered pertinent to the valuation.

These include:

i. the regulated social housing sector and demand for the facilities offered by each SSH property owned by the Group;

ii. the particular structure of the Group's transactions where vendors, at their own expense, meet the majority of the refurbishment costs of each property and certain purchase costs;

iii. detailed financial analysis with discount rates supporting the carrying value of each property;

iv. a full repairing and insuring lease with annual indexation based on CPI or CPI+1%.

The following descriptions and definitions relating to valuation techniques and key unobservable inputs made in determining fair values are as follows:

Valuation techniques: income approach

Fair value is defined as 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 (i.e. an exit price).

The valuation methodology used by the valuers follows the income approach. This approach considers the rental income currently payable; the next uplift due on that income on review; the likelihood of a continuation of that rental income - with growth in accordance with the leases - over the remaining terms; and then a long-term reversion which considers the likely ability of the properties to continue to generate rent through supported housing occupation, as distinct from a reversion to vacant possession value.

Risks are involved in both assessing the value of the indexed rental income over the remaining terms of the leases and in also predicting that income will continue beyond the end of the existing leases. This is a balanced judgment, which can properly be reflected in the exit yield applied to the final year's income and in the overall return to a purchaser.

Appropriate taxation calculations are adopted for every property based on its value and on the assumption of the sale of the property assets directly as opposed to shares of a subsidiary company holding the property and have considered the individual characteristics of the properties.

There are two main unobservable inputs that determine the fair value of the Group's investment property:

i) The rate of 2% per annum has been used for CPI over the term of the subject properties' leases in line with the Bank of England's long-term inflation targets for CPI. It should be noted that all leases benefit from either CPI or CPI+1 indexation.

ii) The discount rate applied to the rental flows.

Key factors in determining the discount rates applied include the regulated social housing sector and demand for each SSH property owned by the Group, costs of acquisition and refurbishment of each property, the anticipated future underlying cash flows for each property, benchmarking of each underlying rent for each property (passing rent), impact of climate change, and the fact that all of the properties within the Group's portfolio have the benefit of full repairing and insuring leases entered into by an Approved Provider.

As at the balance sheet date, the lease lengths within the Group's portfolio ranged from an effective 14 years to 35 years (2022:a 15 years to 36 years) with a weighted average unexpired lease term of 21.5 years (2022: 22.1). The greater the length of the lease, then, all other metrics being equal, the greater the value of the property.

Sensitivities of measurement of significant unobservable inputs

As set out within significant accounting estimates at 3.1 above, the Group's property investment valuation is open to inherent uncertainties in the inputs that determine fair value. Management has re-considered the sensitivity ranges and widened them for the current year as a result of macroeconomic uncertainty. As a result, the following sensitivity analysis has been prepared:

Average discount rate and range

The average discount rate used by the valuer in the Group's property Portfolio Valuation is 6.38% (2022: 5.5%). In setting the discount rates adopted in the valuation, the valuers have considered market standard and anticipated returns to set a benchmark for the portfolio as a whole. They have then considered the various characteristics of the individual properties in order to adjust those rates for each property. JLL will keep yields, and therefore discount rates, under regular review.

The range of discount rates used by the valuer in the Group's property Portfolio Valuation is from 4.6% to 11.7% (2022: 4.6% to 11.5%). In assessing the range of discounts, the valuer considers the likely net initial yield which would be sought by the investment market and builds additional discounts to reflect added risk into the discount rate of the term and, in some cases, the discount rate for the reversion. For example where larger rental growth is allowed during the lease, an additional discount is built into the reversion because of the greater risk of a fall in the rent at the end of the lease.

Similarly additional discounts are considered where properties are in the process of being re-purposed and premiums are considered where residential care assets are funded by back-to-back leases with care providers.

The table below illustrates the change to the value of investment properties if the discount rate and CPI used for the portfolio valuation calculations are changed:

 
                             -1.0% in    +1.0% in                 -0.5% 
                             discount    discount      +0.5%         in 
                                 rate        rate     in CPI        CPI 
                              GBP'000     GBP'000    GBP'000    GBP'000 
-------------------------  ----------  ----------  ---------  --------- 
 Increase/(decrease) in 
  the IFRS fair value of 
  investment properties 
  at: 
 31 March 2023                 71,929    (62,507)     56,676   (52,583) 
 31 March 2022                 73,955    (64,020)     58,150   (53,815) 
-------------------------  ----------  ----------  ---------  --------- 
 

16.0 Subsidiary resale

 
                                               For the          For the 
                                            year ended       year ended 
                                         31 March 2023    31 March 2022 
                                               GBP'000          GBP'000 
------------------------------------  ----------------  --------------- 
 Acquisition of subsidiary 
  companies (including intercompany 
  loan)                                              -           13,559 
 Acquisition costs                                   -              765 
 Transfer to investment 
  property                                           -         (11,629) 
 Sale proceeds                                       -          (2,695) 
------------------------------------  ----------------  --------------- 
 Total                                               -                - 
------------------------------------  ----------------  --------------- 
 

During the previous year, the Group entered into a transaction to acquire the freehold properties operated by CPI Care Limited. Upon the acquisition of the companies for GBP13,559,000 plus transaction costs, the properties were transferred into other group companies and the company acquired, along with its associated operations, was sold to Envivo Corundum Bidco Limited for GBP2,695,000. Envivo Corundum Bidco Limited is a subsidiary of Specialist Healthcare Operations Limited ("SHO"). Andrew Dawber

and Tom Pridmore (both directors of the Investment Adviser), are 14.99% shareholders in SHO. They are not directors of SHO, and have no operational role. SHO does not meet the definition of a related party under IAS 24.

17.0 Trade and other receivables

 
                                           31 March 
   Amounts falling due in less than one        2023   31 March 2022 
   year                                     GBP'000         GBP'000 
----------------------------------------  ---------  -------------- 
 
 Trade receivables                            6,676           4,960 
 Less provision for impairment of trade 
  receivables                                 (459)           (239) 
 Accrued income                               3,313           4,982 
 Prepayments and other receivables            1,730           3,162 
----------------------------------------  ---------  -------------- 
 Total                                       11,260          12,865 
----------------------------------------  ---------  -------------- 
 

Prepayments and other receivable amounts include prepaid legal and professional fees of GBPNil (2022: GBP34,000) that have been incurred in connection with acquisitions yet to be completed and GBP286,000 (2022: GBP1,046,000) in respect of ongoing works on the property portfolio.

Accrued income relates mainly to rent accrued for the year but not yet demanded.

 
                                        31 March 
                                            2023   31 March 2022 
                                         GBP'000         GBP'000 
-------------------------------------  ---------  -------------- 
 Amounts falling due after more than 
  one year 
 Straight line adjustments                 2,639           2,053 
 Lease incentives                         22,144          21,466 
-------------------------------------  ---------  -------------- 
 Total                                    24,783          23,519 
-------------------------------------  ---------  -------------- 
 

The aged analysis of trade receivables was as follows:

 
                                  31 March 
                                      2023   31 March 2022 
                                   GBP'000         GBP'000 
-------------------------------  --------- 
 Debtors past due 
-------------------------------  ---------  -------------- 
 Current                             2,518           1,777 
 < 30 days                             862             355 
 30-60 days                            275             105 
 > 60 days                           3,021           2,723 
-------------------------------  ---------  -------------- 
                                     6,676           4,960 
-------------------------------  ---------  -------------- 
 Debtors past due 
 Less provision for impairment       (459)           (239) 
-------------------------------  ---------  -------------- 
 Total                               6,217           4,721 
-------------------------------  ---------  -------------- 
 

The Directors consider the fair value of receivables equals their carrying amount.

Other categories within trade and other receivables do not include impaired assets

The provision for impairment movement was as follows:

 
                           31 March 2023   31 March 2022 
                                 GBP'000         GBP'000 
------------------------  --------------  -------------- 
 Balance at beginning 
  of year                            239             256 
 Impairment provision 
  made                               306             109 
 Amounts recovered                  (67)           (126) 
 Amounts written off                (19)               - 
------------------------  --------------  -------------- 
 Balance at end of year              459             239 
------------------------  --------------  -------------- 
 

18.0 Cash and cash equivalents

 
                                           31 March 2023   31 March 2022 
                                                 GBP'000         GBP'000 
----------------------------------------  --------------  -------------- 
 Cash held by solicitors                              64             376 
 Liquidity funds                                  15,636          10,489 
 Cash held at bank                                16,939          38,110 
----------------------------------------  --------------  -------------- 
 Unrestricted cash and cash equivalents           32,639          48,975 
 Restricted cash                                   2,949           4,362 
----------------------------------------  --------------  -------------- 
 Total                                            35,588          53,337 
----------------------------------------  --------------  -------------- 
 
 

Liquidity funds refer to money placed in money market funds. These are highly liquid funds with accessibility within 24 hours and subject to insignificant risk of changes in value.

Cash held by solicitors is money held in escrow for expenses expected to be incurred in relation to investment properties pending completion. These funds are available immediately on demand.

Restricted cash represents amounts held for specific commitments, tenant deposits and retention money held in relation to deferred payments subject to achievement of certain conditions, other retentions and cash segregated to fund repair, maintenance and improvement works to bring the properties up to satisfactory standards for the Group and the tenants.

19.0 Trade and other payables

 
                                                      31 March 2022 
                                      31 March 2023     (Restated*) 
                                            GBP'000         GBP'000 
-----------------------------------  --------------  -------------- 
 Deferred income                                761             860 
 Acquisition costs accrued                      600             960 
 Finance costs                                3,688           1,840 
 Dividends withholding tax payable              940           1,057 
 Accruals and other creditors                   773           2,202 
 Tenant deposits                              2,538           2,573 
-----------------------------------  -------------- 
 Total                                        9,300           9,492 
-----------------------------------  --------------  -------------- 
 

Acquisition costs accrued also include monies retained at the point of acquisition to be paid at a later date totalling GBP383,000 (2022: GBP262,000).

* Comparatives have been restated to correct the analysis of GBP1,896,000 of tenant deposits which had previously been included in acquisition costs accrued.

20.0 Bank and loan borrowings

Bank borrowings are secured by charges over individual investment properties held by certain asset-holding subsidiaries. The banks also hold charges over the shares of certain subsidiaries and any intermediary holding companies of those subsidiaries. Any associated fees in arranging the bank borrowings unamortised as at the year end are offset against amounts drawn on the facilities as shown in the table below:

 
 
 
                                                 For the          For the 
                                              year ended       year ended 
                                           31 March 2023    31 March 2022 
                                                 GBP'000          GBP'000 
--------------------------------------  ----------------  --------------- 
 Bank borrowings drawn at start of 
  year                                           357,050          357,050 
 Bank borrowings advanced                         70,875                - 
--------------------------------------  ----------------  --------------- 
 Bank borrowings repaid                         (60,000)                - 
--------------------------------------  ----------------  --------------- 
 Bank borrowings drawn at end of year            367,925          357,050 
--------------------------------------  ----------------  --------------- 
 Unamortised costs at start of year              (5,000)          (4,930) 
 Less: loan issue costs incurred                 (3,544)          (1,723) 
 Add: loan issue costs amortised upon 
  repayment of bank loan                             665                - 
--------------------------------------  ----------------  --------------- 
 Add: loan issue costs amortisation                1,869            1,653 
--------------------------------------  ----------------  --------------- 
 Unamortised costs at end of year                (6,010)          (5,000) 
--------------------------------------  ---------------- 
 At end of year                                  361,915          352,050 
--------------------------------------  ----------------  --------------- 
 
 
 
                       Loan Balance(1)   Loan Balance    Loan Principle(1)   Loan Principle 
                              31 March       31 March             31 March         31 March 
                                  2023           2022                 2023             2022 
                               GBP'000        GBP'000              GBP'000          GBP'000 
-------------------  -----------------  -------------  -------------------  --------------- 
 Maturity of bank 
  borrowings: 
 Repayable within 
  1 year                             -              -                    -                - 
 Repayable between 
  1 to 2 years                  59,600        158,746               60,000          160,000 
 Repayable between 
  2 to 5 years                 302,315         59,365              307,925           60,000 
 Repayable after 
  5 years                            -        133,939                    -          137,050 
-------------------  ----------------- 
 Total                         361,915        352,050              367,925          357,050 
-------------------  -----------------  -------------  -------------------  --------------- 
 

1 Loan balance net of unamortised costs.

The Group has been party to the following loan facility agreements in the year:

 
 
                                                    Loan Principal 
                                       Facility            GBP'000                         Interest 
                                                                     Expiry Date               rate 
---------------------------  ------------------  -----------------  ------------  ----------------- 
 Summary of Borrowings 
 Scottish Widows                      Term loan             52,500    02/11/2027      2.9936% fixed 
  Limited 10-year 
  facility 
 Lloyds Bank plc                      Revolving                  -             -   SONIA + 1.67%(1) 
                                credit facility 
 Deutsche Bank AG                    Loan Notes             70,875    03/02/2028        5.69% fixed 
 HSBC Bank plc                        Revolving            100,000    28/11/2025   SONIA + 2.15%(1) 
                                credit facility 
 National Westminster                 Revolving             60,000    14/08/2024   SONIA + 2.00%(2) 
  Bank Plc 5-year               credit facility 
  facility 
 M&G Investment Management            Term loan             84,550    24/02/2028       3.137% fixed 
  Limited 7-year facility 
---------------------------  ------------------  -----------------  ------------  ----------------- 
                                                           367,925 
 ----------------------------------------------  -----------------  ------------  ----------------- 
 

Borrowings are secured on investment properties to the value:

 
                                                    31 March 2023   31 March 2022 
                                                          GBP'000         GBP'000 
-------------------------------------------------  --------------  -------------- 
 Scottish Widows Limited 10-year facility 
  principal GBP52,500,000                                 173,510         173,777 
 Deutsche Bank AG Loan Notes principal 
  GBP70,875,000                                           168,610               - 
 HSBC Bank plc facility principal GBP100,000,000          231,116         222,745 
 National Westminster Bank Plc 5-year 
  facility principal GBP60,000,000                        137,827         135,330 
 M&G Investment Management Limited 
  7-year facility principal GBP84,550,000                 230,279         230,487 
-------------------------------------------------  --------------  -------------- 
 

At 31 March 2023, the Group is in compliance with all covenants.

The covenants in place under the five agreements are summarised in the table below:

 
                                        Historical 
                                         and projected    Loan to Value 
 Loan:                                   interest cover    Ratio 
------------------------------------- 
 Scottish Widows Limited 10-year                          Must not exceed 
  facility                              At least 325%      40% 
-------------------------------------  ----------------  ---------------- 
                                                          Must not exceed 
 Deutsche Bank AG Loan Notes            At least 175%      50% 
                                                          Must not exceed 
 HSBC Bank PLC facility                 At least 250%      50% 
 National Westminster Bank Plc 5-year                     Must not exceed 
  facility                              At least 250%      50% 
 M&G Investment Management Limited                        Must not exceed 
  7-year facility                       At least 250%      55% 
-------------------------------------  ----------------  ---------------- 
 

1 Interest rate caps have been purchased to cap interest costs on this facility as per details in notes 21.0 and 31.3.

2 Fixed by way of an interest rate swap as detailed in note 21.0.

21.0 Interest rate derivatives

The Group has entered into an interest rate swap with NatWest Markets in order to mitigate the risk of changes in interest rates on its loan with National Westminster Bank Plc under which GBP60 million is currently drawn. The swap has a notional value of GBP60,000,000 and fixes interest at 2.60% (including the 2% margin on the bank loan).

During the year, the Group has entered into three new interest rate cap arrangements for a total cost of GBP8,841,000:

An interest rate cap that capped the GBP60,000,000 Lloyds Bank plc facility at 3.92% (including the 1.67% margin on the loan facility) for the period from 16 September 2022 to 20 February 2023. This arrangement was sold upon the repayment of the loan with proceeds of GBP17,000.

An interest rate cap that capped the SONIA interest rate on the GBP100,000,000 HSBC Bank plc facility at 2.60% for the period from 21 September 2022 to 17 April 2023.

An interest rate cap transaction to mitigate the risk of the SONIA interest rate exceeding 2.45% p.a. on the principal of GBP100,000,000 HSBC Bank plc facility for the period 17 April 2023 to 28 November 2025. This instrument covers the remaining term of the revolving credit facility with HSBC Bank plc and its extension to November 2025.

 
 
                                                       For the 
                                                    year ended          For the 
                                                      31 March       year ended 
                                                          2023    31 March 2022 
                                                       GBP'000          GBP'000 
-----------------------------------------------  -------------  --------------- 
 Interest rate derivative assets/(liabilities) 
-----------------------------------------------  -------------  --------------- 
 At start of year                                        2,131            (544) 
 Interest rate cap premiums paid                         8,841                - 
 Disposal proceeds                                        (17)                - 
 Realised loss on disposal                               (187)                - 
 Change in fair value during the year                  (2,639)            2,675 
-----------------------------------------------  -------------  --------------- 
 At end of the year                                      8,129            2,131 
-----------------------------------------------  -------------  --------------- 
 

The table below shows the fair value measurement hierarchy for interest derivatives:

 
                 Quote prices   Significant     Significant 
                    in Active    Observable    Unobservable 
                      Markets        Inputs          Inputs 
                    (Level 1)     (Level 2)       (Level 3) 
                      GBP'000       GBP'000         GBP'000 
--------------  -------------  ------------  -------------- 
 31 March 2023              -         8,129               - 
 31 March 2022              -         2,131               - 
--------------  -------------  ------------  -------------- 
 

The fair value of Group's interest rate derivatives is recorded in the Group Statement of Financial Position and is determined by the respective counterparties. The counterparties use a number of assumptions in determining the fair values, including estimations over future interest rates and future cash flows using observable yield curves. The fair value represents the net present value of the difference between the cash flows produced by the contracted rate and the valuation rate. This valuation technique falls within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy as defined by IFRS 13.

There have been no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 during any of the periods, nor have there been any transfers between Level 2 and Level 3 during any of the periods.

22.0 Share capital

Share capital represents the nominal value of consideration received by the Company for the issue of Ordinary shares.

 
 
                                         For the          For the 
                                      year ended       year ended 
                                   31 March 2023    31 March 2022 
                                         GBP'000          GBP'000 
------------------------------  ----------------  --------------- 
 Share capital 
 At beginning and end of year              6,225            6,225 
------------------------------  ----------------  --------------- 
 
 Number of shares issued and 
  fully paid 
  Ordinary shares of GBP0.01 
  each 
 At beginning and end of year        622,461,380      622,461,380 
------------------------------  ---------------- 
 
 

During the year, the Company purchased 6,050,000 Ordinary shares to be held in treasury at a cost of GBP4,651,000 (31 March 2022: 10,025,000 Ordinary shares for GBP9,259,000).

During the previous year, the Company reissued 565,000 Ordinary shares held in treasury for GBP647,000. The cost of purchasing these shares into treasury of GBP484,000 has been credited to the capital reduction reserve with the gain credited to the Share premium reserve.

At 31 March 2023, the Company held 16,075,000 (31 March 2022: 10,025,000) Ordinary shares in treasury. The shares will continue to be held in treasury until either reissued or cancelled.

At 31 March 2023, the number of Ordinary shares used to calculate the net asset value per share i s 606,386,380 (31 March 2022: 612,436,380) which excludes the shares held in treasury.

23.0 Share premium reserve

The share premium reserve represents the amounts subscribed for Ordinary share capital in excess of nominal value less associated issue costs of the subscriptions.

 
 
                                               For the          For the 
                                            year ended       year ended 
                                         31 March 2023    31 March 2022 
                                               GBP'000          GBP'000 
------------------------------------  ----------------  --------------- 
 At beginning of year                          292,626          292,463 
 Premium arising on shares reissued 
  from treasury                                      -              163 
------------------------------------  ---------------- 
 At end of year                                292,626          292,626 
------------------------------------  ----------------  --------------- 
 

For movements in the year, please see details in note 22.0.

24.0 Capital reduction reserve

The capital reduction reserve is a distributable reserve to which the value of the cancelled share premium was transferred. Pursuant to Article 3 of The Companies (Reduction of Share Capital) Order 2008, the balance held in the capital reduction reserve is to be treated for the purposes of Part 23 of the Companies Act 2006 as a realised profit and therefore available for distribution in accordance with section 830 of the Companies Act. The Company has used this reserve for the costs of buying back shares to be held in treasury and payment of dividends.

 
                                          For the          For the 
                                       year ended       year ended 
                                    31 March 2023    31 March 2022 
                                          GBP'000          GBP'000 
-------------------------------  ----------------  --------------- 
 
 At beginning of year                     322,365          331,140 
 Shares reissued from treasury                  -              484 
 Shares bought back into 
  treasury                                (4,651)          (9,259) 
-------------------------------  ----------------  --------------- 
 At end of year                           317,714          322,365 
-------------------------------  ----------------  --------------- 
 
 

For movements in the year, please see details in note 22.0.

25.0 Retained earnings

This reserve represents the profits and losses of the Group.

 
 
                                 For the          For the 
                              year ended       year ended 
                           31 March 2023    31 March 2022 
                                 GBP'000          GBP'000 
----------------------  ----------------  --------------- 
 At beginning of year             54,331           43,670 
 Profit for the year              25,472           44,754 
 Dividends paid                 (34,459)         (34,093) 
----------------------  ----------------  --------------- 
 At end of year                   45,344           54,331 
----------------------  ----------------  --------------- 
 

26.0 Net asset value

Basic NAV per share is calculated by dividing net assets in the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position attributable to Ordinary equity holders of the parent by the number of Ordinary shares outstanding at the end of the year.

Net asset values have been calculated as follows:

 
                                         31 March 2023   31 March 2022 
--------------------------------------  --------------  -------------- 
 
 Net assets (GBP'000)                          661,909         675,547 
 Number of Ordinary shares in 
  issue at end of year                     622,461,380     622,461,380 
 Number of Ordinary shares held 
  in treasury                             (16,075,000)    (10,025,000) 
--------------------------------------  --------------  -------------- 
 Number of Ordinary shares excluding 
  treasury shares held by the Company      606,386,380     612,436,380 
--------------------------------------  --------------  -------------- 
 
   NAV per share - basic and diluted           109.16p         110.30p 
--------------------------------------  --------------  -------------- 
 

27.0 Analysis of financial liabilities and assets arising from financing activities

 
                                                                     For the 
                                     Interest rate         Bank   year ended 
                                                                    31 March 
                                       derivatives   borrowings         2023 
                                           GBP'000      GBP'000      GBP'000 
----------------------------------  --------------  -----------  ----------- 
 
 At beginning of year                      (2,131)      352,050      349,919 
 Cash flows from financing 
  activities 
 Loan issue costs paid                           -      (3,148)      (3,148) 
 Interest rate derivative 
  premiums paid                            (8,841)            -      (8,841) 
 Proceeds from the sale 
  of Interest rate derivatives                  17            -           17 
 Bank borrowings advanced                        -       70,875       70,875 
 Bank borrowings repaid                          -     (60,000)     (60,000) 
 
 Non cash movements 
 Loan issue fees accrued                         -        (396)        (396) 
 Amortisation of loan arrangement 
  costs                                          -        1,869        1,869 
 Unamortised loan arrangement 
  fees written off                               -          665          665 
 Change in fair value of 
  interest rate derivatives                  2,826            -        2,826 
----------------------------------  --------------  -----------  ----------- 
 At end of year                            (8,129)      361,915      353,786 
----------------------------------  --------------  -----------  ----------- 
 
 
                                                                  For the 
                               Interest rate         Bank      year ended 
                                 derivatives   borrowings   31 March 2022 
                                     GBP'000      GBP'000         GBP'000 
----------------------------  --------------  -----------  -------------- 
 
 At beginning of year                    544      352,120         352,664 
 Cash flows from financing 
  activities 
 Loan draw down                            -      (1,805)         (1,805) 
 
 Non cash movements 
 Loan issue fees payable                   -           82              82 
 Amortisation of loan issue 
  costs                                    -        1,653           1,653 
 Change in fair value of 
  interest rate derivatives          (2,675)            -         (2,675) 
----------------------------  --------------  -----------  -------------- 
 At end of year                      (2,131)      352,050         349,919 
----------------------------  --------------  -----------  -------------- 
 

28.0 Operating leases

The Group is party to a number of operating leases on its investment properties with Approved Providers. The future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases receivable by the Group are as follows:

 
                        31 March 
                            2023   31 March 2022 
                         GBP'000         GBP'000 
--------------------  ----------  -------------- 
 Amounts receivable 
 < 1 year                 57,262          53,821 
 1-2 years                57,352          53,879 
 2-5 years               172,536         161,940 
 > 5 years               958,286         928,210 
--------------------  ---------- 
 At end of year        1,245,436       1,197,850 
--------------------  ----------  -------------- 
 

Leases are direct-let agreements with Approved Providers for a term between 20-40 years with indexed linked annual rent reviews. All current leases are full repairing and insuring leases; the tenants are therefore obliged to repair, maintain and renew the properties back to the original conditions.

The following table gives details of percentage of annual rental income per Approved Provider:

 
                                            31 March 2023   31 March 2022 
                                                        %               % 
-----------------------------------------  --------------  -------------- 
 Auckland Home Solutions and Qualitas 
  Housing                                            24.9            24.4 
 Falcon Housing Association CIC                      19.1            18.7 
 Bespoke Supportive Tenancies                        12.5            12.6 
 Inclusion Housing CIC                                9.4             9.3 
 Westmoreland Supported Housing Limited               5.6             5.9 
 Encircle Housing Limited                             5.2             5.9 
 Trinity Housing Association Limited                  5.2             5.1 
 Pivotal Housing Association                          4.0             3.8 
 Chrysalis Supported Association Limited              3.7             3.6 
 New Walk Property Management CIC                     2.7             2.8 
 Harbour Light Assisted Living CIC                    2.3             3.6 
 My Space Housing Solutions                           1.3             1.3 
 Elysium Healthcare Limited                           1.1               - 
 IKE Supported Housing Limited                        1.0             1.1 
 Hilldale Housing Association Limited                 1.0             1.0 
 Windrush Alliance UK CIC                             0.7             0.7 
 Lilly Rose Supported Housing                         0.2             0.1 
-----------------------------------------  --------------  -------------- 
 Blue Square Residential Ltd                          0.1             0.1 
-----------------------------------------  -------------- 
 Total                                              100.0           100.0 
-----------------------------------------  --------------  -------------- 
 
 

Auckland Home Solutions and Qualitas Housing are both members of the Social Housing Family CIC and subject to common control. Their annual rent figures have therefore been aggregated in the table above. The percentage relating to Auckland Home Solutions and Qualitas Housing was 16.5% and 8.4% (2022: 16.3% and 8.1%) respectively. The annual rent at 31 March 2023 for Auckland Home Solutions and Qualitas Housing was GBP9,266,000 and GBP4,730,000 (2022: GBP8,679,000 and GBP4,334,000) respectively.

The Group is also party to a number of operating leases on its long leasehold properties. The ground rent payment commitments under these operating leases are negligible so the future minimum lease payments under these leases have not been disclosed in these financial statements.

29.0 Controlling parties

As at 31 March 2023, there is no ultimate controlling party.

30.0 Related party disclosures

A list of all subsidiary undertakings including the address of the registered office is detailed in note 8.0 to the Company accounts below.

30.1 Transactions with Directors

The Directors are remunerated for their services at such rate as the Directors shall from time to time determine. The aggregate remuneration and benefits in kind of the Directors of the Company (in each case, solely in their capacity as such) in respect of the year ended 31 March 2023 payable out of the assets of the Company is not expected to exceed GBP250,000.

Fees of GBP194,000 (2022: GBP190,000) were incurred and paid to the Directors.

As at 31 March 2023 and 2022, the Directors held the following number of shares:

 
                                                      31 March   31 March 2022 
                                                          2023 
 Director                                             Ordinary        Ordinary 
                                                        shares          shares 
----------------  ---------------------------------  ---------  -------------- 
 
 Michael Wrobel    Chairman                            200,000         120,598 
 Alastair 
  Moss             Director                             11,766          11,766 
 Alison Hadden     Director                             31,937               - 
 Caroline          Audit and Management Engagement 
  Gulliver          Committee Chair                     58,832          58,832 
 Peter Baxter      Director                             82,065          82,065 
----------------  ---------------------------------  ---------  -------------- 
 

Remuneration

The Investment Adviser has reviewed its remuneration policies and procedures to ensure incentives are aligned with the requirements of AIFMD. It includes measures to avoid conflicts of interest such as providing staff with a fixed monthly salary and determining discretionary payments by the performance of the Investment Adviser as a whole and not linked to any one AIF in particular. The Investment Adviser and its staff receive no remuneration through profit share, carried interest, co-investment or other schemes related to the Company's performance.

30.2 Transactions with the Investment Adviser

On 1 November 2016, Civitas Investment Management Limited ("CIM") was appointed as the Investment Adviser of the Company. Its address is shown below.

Fees of GBP6,206,000 (2022: GBP6,132,000) were incurred and paid to CIM. In addition GBP11,000 (2022: GBPnil) disbursements were paid in the year.

The Investment Adviser agreed to contribute GBPnil (2022: GBP100,000) towards legal and professional fees incurred. This amount was offset against legal and professional fees in note 9.0.

As at 31 March 2023, a net amount of GBP48,000 (2022: GBP151,000) was due from CIM, which has since been received.

As at 31 March 2023, CIM held 167,664 (2022: 50,000) Ordinary shares in the Company.

31.0 Financial risk management

31.1 Financial instruments

The Group's principal financial assets and liabilities are those that arise directly from its operations: trade and other receivables, trade and other payables and cash and cash equivalents. The Group's other principal financial liabilities are bank borrowings, the main purpose of which is to finance the acquisition and development of the Group's investment property portfolio, and interest rate derivatives as detailed in notes 20.0 and 21.0.

All financial liabilities are measured at amortised cost, except interest rate derivatives, which are measured at fair value. All financial instruments were designated in their current categories upon initial recognition.

Set out below is a comparison by class of the carrying amounts and fair value of the Group's financial instruments that are carried in the financial statements:

 
                                   Book value   Fair value   Book value      Fair value 
                                     31 March     31 March     31 March        31 March 
                                         2023         2023         2022    2022 GBP'000 
                                      GBP'000      GBP'000      GBP'000 
--------------------------------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -------------- 
 Financial assets 
 Interest rate derivatives              8,129        8,129        2,131           2,131 
 Trade and other receivables(1)        34,949       34,949       34,580          34,580 
 Cash and cash equivalents             35,588       35,588       53,337          53,337 
--------------------------------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -------------- 
 
 Financial liabilities 
 Trade and other payables(2)            7,599        7,599        8,632           8,632 
 Bank borrowings                      361,915      350,179      352,050         349,406 
--------------------------------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -------------- 
 

(1) Excludes prepayments

(2) Excludes deferred income and dividend withholding tax payable

The Group has five bank loans as detailed in note 20.0. The fair value of the fixed rate loan is determined by comparing the discounted future cash flows.

Financial risk management

The Group is exposed to market risk, interest rate risk, credit risk and liquidity risk in the current and future years. The Board of Directors oversees the management of these risks. The Board of Directors reviews and agrees policies for managing each of these risks that are summarised below.

31.2 Market risk

The Group's activities will expose it primarily to the market risks associated with changes in property values and changes in interest rates.

Risk relating to investment in property

Investment in property is subject to varying degrees of risk. Some factors that affect the value of the investment in property include:

   --      changes in the general economic climate; 
   --      competition for available properties; 
   --      obsolescence; and 
   --      government regulations, including planning, environmental and tax laws. 

Variations in the above factors can affect the valuation of assets held by the Group and as a result can influence the financial performance of the Group.

Risk relating to liquidity funds classified as cash and cash equivalents

The Group holds positions in two AAA rated liquidity funds that invest in a diversified range of government and non-government money market securities, which are subject to varying degrees of risk. Some factors that affect the value of the liquidity funds include:

-- the performance of the underlying government and non-government money market securities; and

   --      interest rates. 

Variations in the above factors can affect the valuation of assets held by the Group and as a result can influence the financial performance of the Group.

31.3 Interest rate risk

Interest rate risk is the risk that the fair value or future cash flows of a financial instrument will fluctuate because of changes in market interest rates.

At 31 March 2023 all long-term borrowings are either at fixed rate or have an interest rate cap or interest rate swap in place which has mitigated the risk of rising interest rate. Interest rate derivative instruments are in place to the loan maturity date on the variable rate loans.

The table below shows the bank loans, derivative instruments and interest rates:

 
                                                                          Derivative     Maximum 
   Summary of Borrowings                                                  instrument    interest 
                            Loan Principal       Expiry      Interest       in place        rate 
                                   GBP'000         Date          rate                    payable 
-------------------------  ---------------  -----------  ------------  -------------  ---------- 
 Scottish Widows 
  Limited 10-year                                             2.9936% 
  facility                          52,500   02/11/2027         fixed                      2.99% 
 Deutsche Bank 
  AG                                70,875   03/02/2028   5.69% fixed                      5.69% 
                                                              SONIA +       Interest 
 HSBC Bank plc                     100,000   28/11/2025         2.15%    rate cap(1)       4.75% 
 National Westminster 
  Bank Plc 5-year                                             SONIA +       Interest 
  facility                          60,000   14/08/2024         2.00%      rate swap       2.60% 
 M&G Investment 
  Management Limited                                           3.137% 
  7-year facility                   84,550   24/02/2028         fixed                      3.14% 
-------------------------  ---------------  -----------  ------------  -------------  ---------- 
                                   367,925 
-------------------------  ---------------  -----------  ------------  -------------  ---------- 
 

(1) Maximum interest rate reduces to 4.6% from 18 April 2023.

The exposure of the Group to variable rates of interest is considered upon drawing of any new loan facilities, to ensure that the Group's exposure to interest rate fluctuations is within acceptable levels.

The Investment Adviser monitors the Group's exposure to any changes in interest rate on an ongoing basis, with the Board updated on a quarterly basis of the current exposure of the Group's loan facilities.

As at 31 March 2023, if interest rates had been 100 basis points higher/(lower) with all other variables held constant the impact on profits after taxation for the year would be as below. The Investment Adviser anticipates these levels are reasonably possible based on the observation of current market conditions that interest rates would not fluctuate more than 1%.

 
                                   31 March 2023   31 March 2022 
                                         GBP'000         GBP'000 
--------------------------------  --------------  -------------- 
 Increase/(decrease) in profits 
  due to interest rates 
 100 basis points higher                     256         (1,066) 
 100 basis points lower                    (210)           1,572 
--------------------------------  --------------  -------------- 
 

The average effective interest rates of financial instruments at 31 March 2023 and 2022 were as follows:

 
                                        31 March 2023   31 March 2022 
                                                    %               % 
------------------------------------  ---------------  -------------- 
 Bank borrowings - fixed rate                    2.65            2.94 
 Bank borrowings - variable rate(1)              6.07            2.23 
 Cash and cash equivalents                       0.82            0.05 
------------------------------------  ---------------  -------------- 
 
 

(1) Variable rate borrowings are subject to a maximum interest rate of 4.75% due to an interest rate cap. The maximum interest rate reduces to 4.6% from 18 April 2023.

31.4. Credit risk

Credit risk is the risk that a counterparty will not meet its obligations under a financial instrument or customer contract, leading to a financial loss. The Group is exposed to credit risks from both its leasing activities and financing activities, including deposits with banks and financial institutions.

Debtors and accrued income represent rent due or accrued. These amounts due are diversified between a number of different Approved Providers of differing financial strength, see note 28.0 for details of the different counterparties. None of the Approved Providers have a credit rating, however, the diversified nature of this asset supports the credit quality.

The Group has policies in place to ensure that rental contracts are entered into only with lessees with an appropriate credit and operational history, and limits exposure to any one tenant. The credit risk is considered to be further reduced as the source of the rents received by the Group is ultimately provided by the Government, by way of housing benefit and care provision, via a diverse range of local authorities.

For details of provisions for impairment please refer to note 17.0.

Credit risk related to financial instruments and cash deposits

One of the principal credit risks of the Group will arise with the banks and financial institutions. The Board of Directors believes that the credit risk on short-term deposits and current account cash balances is limited because the counterparties are banks considered to be of good credit quality. In the case of cash deposits held with lawyers, the credit risk is limited because the cash is held by the lawyers within client accounts at banks with high credit quality.

The credit ratings for banks where balances are held by the Group are as follows:

 
 Lloyds Bank plc                 A+/F1 
 HSBC Bank plc                   AA-/F1+ 
 RBS International Limited       A/FI 
 National Westminster Bank plc   A/F1 
 

Ratings advised by Fitch.

No balances are held with Deutsche Bank AG.

31.5. Liquidity risk

The Group manages its liquidity and funding risks by considering cash flow forecasts and ensuring sufficient cash balances are held within the Group to meet future needs. Prudent liquidity risk management implies maintaining sufficient cash and marketable securities, the availability of financing through appropriate and adequate credit lines, and the ability of customers to settle obligations within normal terms of credit. The Group ensures, through forecasting of capital requirements, that adequate cash is available.

The following table details the Group's maturity profile in respect of its financial instrument liabilities based on contractual undiscounted payments:

 
                    On demand    <1 year   1-5 years   > 5 years      Total 
                      GBP'000    GBP'000     GBP'000     GBP'000    GBP'000 
-----------------  ----------  ---------  ----------  ----------  --------- 
 31 March 2023 
 Trade and other 
  payables              7,599          -           -           -      7,599 
 Bank borrowings            -     14,482     407,770           -    422,252 
-----------------  ---------- 
                        7,599     14,482     407,770           -    429,851 
-----------------  ----------  ---------  ----------  ----------  --------- 
 
 31 March 2022 
 Trade and other 
  payables              8,632          -           -           -      8,632 
 Bank borrowings            -      9,336     245,974     144,602    399,912 
-----------------  ---------- 
                        8,632      9,336     245,974     144,602    408,544 
-----------------  ----------  ---------  ----------  ----------  --------- 
 

The profile above shows the maturity profile at 31 March 2023 and included within the contracted payments is GBP54,327,000 (2022: GBP42,862,000) of loan interest payable up to the point of maturity.

32.0 Capital Commitments

At 31 March 2023, the Company had funds committed totalling GBPNil (2022: GBP92,000 concerning capital expenditure for a property in Surrey).

33.0 Post balance sheet events

Dividends

On 9 May 2023, the Company announced a dividend of 1.425 pence per share in respect of the period 1 January 2023 to 31 March 2023 totalling GBP8,641,000. The dividend payment was made on 9 June 2023 to shareholders on the register as at 19 May 2023. The financial statements do not reflect this dividend. The dividend was paid as a REIT property income distribution ("PID").

Financing

On 1 December 2022, the Company signed a facility with an institutional lender. Subsequent to this, on 21 June 2023, the Company received credit approved terms for an additional GBP61.0 million fixed facility based on a 3-year SONIA rate at the date of draw down +195bps margin with a maturity date of 3 August 2026. The eventual drawdown on the facility is subject to certain standard closing conditions.

Recommended cash offer for the Group

On 9 May 2023 an announcement was made to the market for an all-cash offer of Civitas Social Housing PLC (Civitas) from Wellness Unity Limited, a wholly owned indirect subsidiary of CK Asset Holdings Limited (CKA). The offer of 80 pence per share received values the entire issued share capital (excluding treasury shares) of CSH at approximately GBP485 million. This represents a 44.4% premium to the share price of 55.4 pence per share on 5 May 2023 (the last trading day prior to announcement of the offer), and 26.7% discount to 31 March 2023 NAV of 109.16p. This provides shareholders the opportunity to exit in full and in cash at a significant premium to the current share price. The offer will be implemented by way of a takeover offer within the meaning of Part 28 of the Companies Act.

On 22 May 2023, the Offer Document was made available. The offer became unconditional on 23 June 2023. Payment of consideration due to shareholders who have submitted valid acceptances will be made no later than 14 calendar days after the date the Offer becomes or is declared unconditional, or, in relation to valid acceptances received after such date, within 14 calendar days of receipt of that acceptance. According to the Offer Document, it is intended that Civitas Investment Management Limited ("CIM") is maintained as the Investment Adviser to Civitas so that the day-to-day management of the Civitas portfolio will continue uninterrupted, and Civitas be re-registered as a private limited company as soon as practicable following the cancellation of the listing and trading of Civitas shares. At the balance sheet date, CKA, as an indirect investor in CIM, was not a related party to the Group as per IAS 24. On 23 June 2023, when the offer became unconditional, CKA subsequently became the ultimate controlling party of the Company, and a related party under IAS 24.

Company Statement of Financial Position

As at 31 March 2023

 
                                         31 March 2023   31 March 2022 
                                  Note         GBP'000         GBP'000 
-----------------------------  -------  --------------  -------------- 
 Assets 
 Fixed assets 
 Investment in subsidiaries        7.0         794,733         793,284 
-----------------------------  -------  --------------  -------------- 
 
 Current assets 
 Trade and other receivables       9.0           2,599           4,310 
 Cash and cash equivalents        10.0          26,193          23,438 
-----------------------------  -------  --------------  -------------- 
                                                28,792          27,748 
-----------------------------  -------  --------------  -------------- 
 Total assets                                  823,525         821,032 
-----------------------------  -------  --------------  -------------- 
 
 Liabilities 
 Creditors - amounts falling 
  due within one year 
 Trade and other payables         11.0       (318,414)       (274,020) 
-----------------------------  -------  --------------  -------------- 
                                             (318,414)       (274,020) 
-----------------------------  -------  --------------  -------------- 
 
 Total liabilities                           (318,414)       (274,020) 
-----------------------------  -------  --------------  -------------- 
 Total net assets                              505,111         547,012 
-----------------------------  -------  --------------  -------------- 
 
 Equity 
 Share capital                    12.0           6,225           6,225 
 Share premium reserve            13.0         292,626         292,626 
 Capital reduction reserve        14.0         317,714         322,365 
 Accumulated losses               15.0       (111,454)        (74,204) 
-----------------------------  -------  --------------  -------------- 
 Total equity                                  505,111         547,012 
-----------------------------  -------  --------------  -------------- 
 

The Company has taken advantage of the provisions of Companies Act 2006 s408 and does not disclose the Company's individual profit and loss account. Loss for the year was GBP2,791,000 (2022: profit GBP21,362,000).

The Company financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors of Civitas Social Housing PLC and authorised for issue and signed on its behalf by:

Michael Wrobel

Chairman and Independent Non-Executive Director

28 June 2023

Company No: 10402528

Company Statement of Changes in Equity

For the year ended 31 March 2023

 
 
                                                               Share     Capital 
                                                     Share   premium   reduction   Accumulated      Total 
                                                   Capital   reserve     reserve        losses     equity 
 
                                            Note   GBP'000   GBP'000     GBP'000       GBP'000    GBP'000 
---------------------------------------  -------  --------  --------  ----------  ------------  --------- 
 Balance at 1 April 2021                             6,225   292,462     331,140      (61,473)    568,354 
 Profit and total comprehensive income 
  for the year                                           -         -           -        21,362     21,362 
 Shares reissued from treasury              13.0         -       164         484             -        648 
 Shares bought back into treasury           14.0         -         -     (9,259)             -    (9,259) 
 Dividends paid                             15.0         -         -           -      (34,093)   (34,093) 
 Balance at 31 March 2022                            6,225   292,626     322,365      (74,204)    547,012 
---------------------------------------  -------  --------  --------  ----------  ------------  --------- 
 
 Loss and total comprehensive loss 
  for the year                                           -         -           -       (2,791)    (2,791) 
 Shares reissued from treasury              13.0                   -           -             -          - 
 Shares bought back into treasury           14.0         -         -     (4,651)             -    (4,651) 
 Dividends paid                             15.0         -         -           -      (34,459)   (34,459) 
 Balance at 31 March 2023                            6,225   292,626     317,714     (111,454)    505,111 
---------------------------------------  -------  --------  --------  ----------  ------------  --------- 
 

The Company's distributable reserves comprise retained earnings/(accumulated losses) and the capital reduction reserve. These in aggregate had sufficient realised distributable reserves to support dividends paid to date.

The notes below are an integral part of these financial statements.

Notes to the Company Financial Statements

As at 31 March 2023

1.0 Corporate information

Civitas Social Housing PLC ("the Company") was incorporated in England and Wales under the Companies Act 2006 as a public company limited by shares on 29 September 2016 with company number 10402528 under the name Civitas REIT PLC, which was subsequently changed to the existing name on 3 October 2016.

The address of the registered office is 6th Floor, 65 Gresham Street, London EC2V 7NQ. The Company is registered as an investment company under section 833 of the Companies Act 2006 in England and Wales and is domiciled in the United Kingdom.

The Company did not begin trading until 18 November 2016 when the shares were admitted to trading on the London Stock Exchange ("LSE").

The Company's Ordinary shares have been admitted to the Official List of the Financial Conduct Authority ("FCA"), and are traded on the LSE.

The principal activity of the Company is to act as the ultimate parent company of its subsidiaries (the "Group") and to provide shareholders with an attractive level of income, together with the potential for capital growth from investing in a portfolio of social homes.

2.0 Basis of preparation

The financial statements have been prepared on a historical cost basis and in accordance with Financial Reporting Standard 101 Reduced Disclosure Framework ("FRS 101") and the Companies Act 2006 as applicable to companies using FRS 101.

In preparing these financial statements, the Company applies the recognition, measurement and disclosure requirements of International Financial Reporting Standards ("Adopted IFRSs"), but makes amendments where necessary in order to comply with the Companies Act 2006 and has set out below where advantage of the FRS 101 disclosure exemptions has been taken.

In preparing these financial statements the Company has taken advantage of all disclosure exemptions conferred by FRS 101.

Therefore, these financial statements do not include:

   --      certain comparative information as otherwise required by IFRS; 
   --      certain disclosures regarding the Company's capital management; 
   --      certain disclosures in relation to IFRS 15 Revenue Contracts with Customers; 
   --      a statement of cash flows; 
   --      the effect of future accounting standards not yet adopted; 
   --      the disclosure of the remuneration of key management personnel; and 

-- disclosure of related party transactions with other wholly owned members of Civitas Social Housing PLC.

In addition, and in accordance with FRS 101, further disclosure exemptions have been adopted because equivalent disclosures are included in the Company's consolidated financial statements. These financial statements do not include certain disclosures in respect of:

   --      financial instruments; and 

-- fair value measurement other than certain disclosures required as a result of recording financial instruments at fair value.

The Company has taken advantage of the exemption in section 408 of the Companies Act 2006 not to present its own income statement or statement of comprehensive income.

New standards, amendments and interpretations

After a review of new accounting standards which are now effective, none are relevant to be adopted in the preparation of the Company's financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2023.

Going concern

The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis.

As discussed in the Group financial statements above, the underlying assets of the Company benefit from a secure income stream.

The Company financial statements show an accumulated loss, however this is due to a time-lag on profits from subsidiary companies being moved up the structure in the form of dividends.

The Company has net current liabilities of GBP289,622,000 (2022: GBP246,272,000). This balance arises due to the intercompany balances totalling GBP316,128,000 (2022: GBP271,632,000) with the Company's subsidiary companies. The amounts principally relate to bank loans drawn in the Company's subsidiary companies in order to finance the purchase of new acquisitions in accordance with the Group's business model. The directors of the subsidiary companies have provided a letter of comfort that they will not seek repayment of these balances within 12 months from the date of approval of the Company's financial statements.

The Company's articles of association include a requirement for the Board to propose an ordinary resolution at the annual general meeting following the fifth anniversary from the initial public offering of the Company for the Company to continue in its current form (the Continuation Resolution). This vote was passed in September 2022 so the Company will continue its business as presently constituted and will propose the same resolution at the AGM in September 2027 and every fifth annual general meeting thereafter.

On 9 May 2023, an announcement was made to the market for an all-cash offer of Civitas Social Housing PLC (CSH) from Wellness Unity Limited, a wholly owned indirect subsidiary of CK Assets Holdings Limited (CKA). The offer became unconditional on 23 June 2023. The Group's existing committed debt facilities contain a standard change of control clause has now been triggered due to the offer becoming unconditional. This could result in the existing committed debt facilities being withdrawn. Furthermore, the Directors do not have visibility of the post completion funding for the Group and Company at this time. The Directors note the detailed intentions statement included within the announcement on 9 May 2023, which states that CKA does not envisage making any changes to the management team nor any disruption to any counterparties or to the underlying tenants. However, the conditions outlined above indicate a material uncertainty which may cast significant doubt upon the Group's and Company's ability to continue as a going concern. The Independent Auditors' Report included within the Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2023 also highlights this material uncertainty. Therefore, notwithstanding the material uncertainty arising from the offer from CKA, the Directors are satisfied that the going concern basis remains appropriate for the preparation of the financial statements. The financial statements do not include the adjustments that would result if the Group and the Company were unable to continue as a going concern.

Significant judgements and sources of estimation uncertainty

The key source of estimation uncertainty relates to the Company's investment in Group companies, and is stated in the Company's separate financial statements at cost less impairment losses, if any. Impairment losses are determined with reference to the investment's fair value less estimated costs of disposal. Investment properties held by the subsidiary companies are supported by independent valuation. Judgements and assumptions associated with the property values of the investments held by the subsidiary companies are detailed in the Group financial statements.

3.0 Accounting Policies

The financial statements of the Company follow the accounting policies laid out in the Group's consolidated financial statements along with the following accounting policies which have been consistently applied:

Investments in subsidiaries

The investments in subsidiary companies are included in the Company's Statement of Financial Position at cost less provision for impairment. Impairment losses are determined with reference to the investment's fair value less estimated selling costs. On disposal, the difference between the net disposal proceeds and its carrying amount is included in the income statement.

The investment in a subsidiary company may include both the purchase of shares and an intercompany loan which is subsequently capitalised in return for shares in the subsidiary company. The intercompany loan capitalised is disclosed in note 7.0 as a transfer between the shares and loan columns.

Loans to subsidiaries

Loans made to subsidiary companies which arise as part of the transactions for the acquisition of investments and are subsequently capitalised by the issue of shares are recognised as investment in subsidiaries at cost. At the point the loan is capitalised, this transaction is recognised as a transfer within the table in note 7.0.

Amounts due to subsidiary companies

Balances arising with subsidiary companies of a temporary nature are initially recognised at fair value and subsequently measured at amortised cost.

4.0 Dividends

Dividends are included in the financial statements in the year in which they are paid. Details of dividends paid and proposed are included in note 14.0 of the Group's consolidated financial statements.

5.0 Employee information

Details of Directors' remuneration are included in note 6.0 of the consolidated financial statements. The Company had no employees during the year (2022: nil).

6.0 Audit fees

Audit fees in relation to the Company's financial statements total GBP358,000 (2022: GBP296,000). For further details, please refer to note 9.0 of the Group financial statements.

7.0 Investments in subsidiaries

 
 
                                                                         For the 
                                    Shares in         Loans to        year ended 
                                 subsidiaries     subsidiaries     31 March 2023 
   Year ended 31 March 2023           GBP'000          GBP'000           GBP'000 
-----------------------------  --------------  ---------------  ---------------- 
 Balance at the beginning of 
  the year                            768,075           25,209           793,284 
 Increase in investments                1,090              600             1,690 
 Loans transferred                      7,727          (7,727)                 - 
 Impairment                             (241)                -             (241) 
-----------------------------  -------------- 
 At the end of the year               776,651           18,082           794,733 
-----------------------------  --------------  ---------------  ---------------- 
 
 
 
                                                                              For the 
                                         Shares in         Loans to        year ended 
                                      subsidiaries     subsidiaries     31 March 2022 
 Year ended 31 March 2022                  GBP'000          GBP'000           GBP'000 
---------------------------------  ---------------  ---------------  ---------------- 
 Balance at the beginning of the 
  year                                     703,435           17,483           720,918 
 Increase in investments                    41,712           31,013            72,725 
 Loans transferred                          23,287         (23,287)                 - 
 Impairment                                  (359)                -             (359) 
---------------------------------  --------------- 
 At the end of the year                    768,075           25,209           793,284 
---------------------------------  --------------- 
 

Following a review comparing cost of investments to the underlying net assets of subsidiary companies, an impairment provision has been made of GBP241,000 (2022: GBP359,000).

8.0 Subsidiary entities

The Company has provided a guarantee under s479C of the Companies Act 2006 in respect of the financial year ended 31 March 2023 for a number of its subsidiary companies (as indicated in the table below). The guarantee is over all outstanding liabilities to which the subsidiary companies are subject at 31 March 2023 until they are satisfied in full.

The Group consists of a parent company, Civitas Social Housing PLC, incorporated in England and Wales (company number 10402528) and a number of subsidiaries held directly by Civitas Social Housing PLC, which operate and are incorporated in England and Wales or Jersey.

The Group owns 100% equity shares of all subsidiaries listed below and has the power to appoint and remove the majority of the board of directors of those subsidiaries. The relevant activities of the below subsidiaries are determined by the Board of Directors based on the purpose of each company.

Therefore, the Directors concluded that the Group has control over all these entities and all these entities have been consolidated within the consolidated financial statements.

A list of all related undertakings included within these consolidated financial statements are noted below. Indirectly held subsidiary companies are marked by an indentation in the table below:

 
 
                       Name                         Registered number  Principal activity   Country of incorporation 
Civitas Social Housing Finance Company 1 Limited *           10997707  Finance company      England & Wales 
Civitas Social Housing Jersey 1 Limited                        124129  Holding company      Jersey 
            Civitas SPV1 Limited*                            10518729  Property investment  England & Wales 
            Civitas SPV2 Limited*                            10114251  Property investment  England & Wales 
            Civitas SPV11 Limited*                           10546749  Property investment  England & Wales 
            Civitas SPV15 Limited*                           09777380  Property investment  England & Wales 
            Civitas SPV25 Limited*                           10791473  Property investment  England & Wales 
            Civitas SPV27 Limited*                           10883112  Property investment  England & Wales 
            Civitas SPV33 Limited*                           10546407  Property investment  England & Wales 
            Civitas SPV35 Limited*                           10588530  Property investment  England & Wales 
            Civitas SPV38 Limited*                           10738318  Property investment  England & Wales 
            Civitas SPV39 Limited*                           10547333  Property investment  England & Wales 
            Civitas SPV40 Limited*                           10738510  Property investment  England & Wales 
            Civitas SPV41 Limited*                           10738542  Property investment  England & Wales 
            Civitas SPV50 Limited*                           10775419  Property investment  England & Wales 
Civitas Social Housing Finance Company 2 Limited*            10997698  Finance company      England & Wales 
Civitas Social Housing Jersey 2 Limited                        124876  Holding company      Jersey 
            Civitas SPV3 Limited*                            10156529  Property investment  England & Wales 
            Civitas SPV4 Limited*                            10433744  Property investment  England & Wales 
            Civitas SPV5 Limited*                            10479104  Property investment  England & Wales 
            Civitas SPV6 Limited*                            10674493  Property investment  England & Wales 
            Civitas SPV9 Limited*                            10536388  Property investment  England & Wales 
            Civitas SPV10 Limited*                           10535243  Property investment  England & Wales 
            Civitas SPV12 Limited*                           10546753  Property investment  England & Wales 
            Civitas SPV17 Limited*                           10479036  Property investment  England & Wales 
            Civitas SPV18 Limited*                           10546651  Property investment  England & Wales 
            Civitas SPV19 Limited*                           10548932  Property investment  England & Wales 
            Civitas SPV20 Limited*                           10588735  Property investment  England & Wales 
            Civitas SPV22 Limited*                           10743958  Property investment  England & Wales 
            Civitas SPV24 Limited*                           10751512  Property investment  England & Wales 
            Civitas SPV26 Limited*                           10864336  Property investment  England & Wales 
            Civitas SPV29 Limited*                           10911565  Property investment  England & Wales 
            Civitas SPV30 Limited*                           10956025  Property investment  England & Wales 
            Civitas SPV31 Limited*                           10974889  Property investment  England & Wales 
            Civitas SPV32 Limited*                           11007173  Property investment  England & Wales 
            Civitas SPV34 Limited*                           10738381  Property investment  England & Wales 
            Civitas SPV36 Limited*                           10588792  Property investment  England & Wales 
            Civitas SPV42 Limited*                           10738556  Property investment  England & Wales 
            Civitas SPV43 Limited*                           10534877  Property investment  England & Wales 
            Civitas SPV45 Limited*                           10871854  Property investment  England & Wales 
            Civitas SPV46 Limited*                           10871910  Property investment  England & Wales 
            Civitas SPV47 Limited*                           10873270  Property investment  England & Wales 
            Civitas SPV48 Limited*                           10873295  Property investment  England & Wales 
            Civitas SPV51 Limited*                           10826693  Property investment  England & Wales 
            Civitas SPV52 Limited*                           10827006  Property investment  England & Wales 
            Civitas SPV63 Limited*                           10937805  Property investment  England & Wales 
            Civitas SPV64 Limited*                           10938411  Property investment  England & Wales 
            Civitas SPV70 Limited*                           10770201  Property investment  England & Wales 
            Civitas SPV71 Limited *                          10888639  Property investment  England & Wales 
            Civitas SPV72 Limited*                           10938022  Property investment  England & Wales 
            Civitas SPV74 Limited*                           11001855  Property investment  England & Wales 
            Civitas SPV75 Limited*                           11001834  Property investment  England & Wales 
            Civitas SPV80 Limited*                           11001998  Property investment  England & Wales 
            Civitas SPV163 Limited*                          14527873  Property investment  England & Wales 
Civitas Social Housing Finance Company 3 Limited*            10997714  Finance Company      England & Wales 
            Civitas SPV8 Limited*                            10536157  Property investment  England & Wales 
            Civitas SPV28 Limited*                           10895228  Property investment  England & Wales 
            Civitas SPV53 Limited*                           11021625  Property investment  England & Wales 
            Civitas SPV55 Limited*                           11056455  Property investment  England & Wales 
            Civitas SPV57 Limited*                           11091444  Property investment  England & Wales 
            Civitas SPV60 Limited*                           11111908  Property investment  England & Wales 
            Civitas SPV61 Limited*                           10937662  Property investment  England & Wales 
            Civitas SPV66 Limited*                           10937898  Property investment  England & Wales 
            Civitas SPV77 Limited*                           11166491  Property investment  England & Wales 
            Civitas SPV78 Limited*                           11170099  Property investment  England & Wales 
            Civitas SPV79 Limited*                           11236544  Property investment  England & Wales 
            Civitas SPV81 Limited*                           11192811  Property investment  England & Wales 
            Civitas SPV82 Limited*                           11380796  Property investment  England & Wales 
            Civitas SPV83 Limited*                           11371128  Property investment  England & Wales 
            Civitas SPV85 Limited*                           11300749  Property investment  England & Wales 
            Civitas SPV95 Limited*                           11208184  Property investment  England & Wales 
            Civitas SPV97 Limited*                           11463890  Property investment  England & Wales 
            Civitas SPV103 Limited*                          11500596  Property investment  England & Wales 
            Civitas SPV105 Limited*                          11532177  Property investment  England & Wales 
            Civitas SPV106 Limited*                          11532179  Property investment  England & Wales 
            Civitas SPV107 Limited*                          11532182  Property investment  England & Wales 
            Civitas SPV116 Limited*                          11504399  Property investment  England & Wales 
            Civitas SPV117 Limited*                          11504445  Property investment  England & Wales 
Civitas Social Housing Finance Company 4 Limited*            11906660  Finance Company      England & Wales 
            Civitas SPV23 Limited*                           10746881  Property investment  England & Wales 
            Civitas SPV54 Limited*                           11039750  Property investment  England & Wales 
            Civitas SPV59 Limited*                           11111912  Property investment  England & Wales 
            Civitas SPV69 Limited*                           11142372  Property investment  England & Wales 
            Civitas SPV73 Limited*                           10939075  Property investment  England & Wales 
            Civitas SPV84 Limited*                           11381455  Property investment  England & Wales 
            Civitas SPV86 Limited*                           11418432  Property investment  England & Wales 
            Civitas SPV87 Limited*                           10888903  Property investment  England & Wales 
            Civitas SPV88 Limited*                           10939044  Property investment  England & Wales 
            Civitas SPV90 Limited*                           10939131  Property investment  England & Wales 
            Civitas SPV91 Limited *                          10941377  Property investment  England & Wales 
            Civitas SPV92 Limited*                           11449913  Property investment  England & Wales 
            Civitas SPV93 Limited*                           11043111  Property investment  England & Wales 
            Civitas SPV94 Limited*                           11208105  Property investment  England & Wales 
            Civitas SPV96 Limited*                           11270786  Property investment  England & Wales 
            Civitas SPV100 Limited*                          11069703  Property investment  England & Wales 
            Civitas SPV101 Limited*                          09978282  Property investment  England & Wales 
            Civitas SPV102 Limited*                          11521555  Property investment  England & Wales 
            Civitas SPV109 Limited*                          11532120  Property investment  England & Wales 
            Civitas SPV112 Limited*                          11579750  Property investment  England & Wales 
            Civitas SPV114 Limited*                          11579733  Property investment  England & Wales 
            Civitas SPV115 Limited*                          11522178  Property investment  England & Wales 
            Civitas SPV118 Limited*                          11411498  Property investment  England & Wales 
            Civitas SPV121 Limited*                          11099917  Property investment  England & Wales 
            Civitas SPV122 Limited*                          11482646  Property investment  England & Wales 
            Civitas SPV126 Limited*                          11459821  Property investment  England & Wales 
            Civitas SPV127 Limited*                          10941401  Property investment  England & Wales 
            Civitas SPV129 Limited*                          11664994  Property investment  England & Wales 
            Civitas SPV130 Limited*                          11705074  Property investment  England & Wales 
            Civitas SPV131 Limited*                          11675132  Property investment  England & Wales 
            Civitas SPV132 Limited*                          11473735  Property investment  England & Wales 
            Civitas SPV145 Limited*                          11842306  Holding company      England & Wales 
                 SPV153 Limited (previously                   5219012  Property investment  England & Wales 
                 Fieldbay Limited) * 
            Civitas SPV148 Limited*                          11632633  Property investment  England & Wales 
            Civitas SPV149 Limited*                          11462691  Property investment  England & Wales 
            Civitas SPV150 Limited*                          11462555  Property investment  England & Wales 
            FPI CO 324 Ltd*                                  11633019  Property investment  England & Wales 
Civitas Social Housing Finance Company 5 Limited*            13083077  Finance Company      England & Wales 
            Civitas SPV7 Limited*                            10536368  Property investment  England & Wales 
            Civitas SPV13 Limited*                           09517692  Property investment  England & Wales 
            Civitas SPV37 Limited*                           10738450  Property investment  England & Wales 
            Civitas SPV44 Limited*                           10588783  Property investment  England & Wales 
            Civitas SPV49 Limited*                           11031349  Property investment  England & Wales 
            Civitas SPV56 Limited*                           11056465  Property investment  England & Wales 
            Civitas SPV62 Limited*                           10937528  Property investment  England & Wales 
            Civitas SPV65 Limited*                           10938467  Property investment  England & Wales 
            Civitas SPV67 Limited*                           10937929  Property investment  England & Wales 
            Civitas SPV68 Limited*                           10938269  Property investment  England & Wales 
            Civitas SPV98 Limited*                           11478695  Property investment  England & Wales 
            Civitas SPV99 Limited*                           11478707  Property investment  England & Wales 
            Civitas SPV104 Limited*                          11532174  Property investment  England & Wales 
            Civitas SPV108 Limited*                          11532135  Property investment  England & Wales 
            Civitas SPV113 Limited*                          11580068  Property investment  England & Wales 
            Civitas SPV123 Limited*                          08253452  Property investment  England & Wales 
            Civitas SPV133 Limited*                          11698972  Property investment  England & Wales 
            Civitas SPV134 Limited*                          11689461  Property investment  England & Wales 
            Civitas SPV135 Limited*                          11579880  Property investment  England & Wales 
            Civitas SPV136 Limited*                          11579760  Property investment  England & Wales 
            Civitas SPV143 Limited*                          11546808  Property investment  England & Wales 
            Civitas SPV144 Limited*                          11546696  Property investment  England & Wales 
            Civitas SPV146 Limited*                          11861500  Holding Company      England & Wales 
                 Bryn Eithin (2019) Limited *                11844898  Property investment  England & Wales 
            Civitas SPV147 Limited*                          11861974  Holding Company      England & Wales 
                 Mynydd Mawr (2019) Limited *                11844917  Property investment  England & Wales 
            Civitas SPV152 Limited*                          11955719  Property investment  England & Wales 
            Civitas SPV155 Limited*                          12044281  Property investment  England & Wales 
            Civitas SPV156 Limited*                          12081093  Property investment  England & Wales 
            Civitas SPV157 Limited*                          12188610  Property investment  England & Wales 
            Civitas SPV158 Limited*                          12202674  Property investment  England & Wales 
            Civitas SPV160 Limited*                          12272906  Property investment  England & Wales 
            Bedford SPV1 Limited*                            12315518  Property investment  England & Wales 
            Bridge Property Herts Limited*                   12435985  Property investment  England & Wales 
                 Bridge Propco Limited*                      12445439  Property investment  England & Wales 
            FPI Co 294 Ltd*                                  11519226  Property investment  England & Wales 
Civitas SPV14 Limited*                                       10479041  Property investment  England & Wales 
  Civitas SPV HP Ltd*                                    12784895      Property investment  England & Wales 
Civitas SPV16 Limited*                                       09917557  Property investment  England & Wales 
Civitas SPV21 Limited*                                       10631541  Property investment  England & Wales 
Civitas SPV159 Limited*                                      12258313  Property investment  England & Wales 
Civitas Financing PLC*                                       13546154   Holding Company     England & Wales 
 

* These entities are exempt from the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 relating to the audit of individual financial statements by virtue of Section 479A of that Act. These are all entities that have a year end of 31 March 2023.

The registered addresses for the subsidiaries are consistent based on their country of incorporation and are as follows:

-- England & Wales entities: Link Company Matters Limited, 6th Floor, 65 Gresham Street, London EC2V 7NQ

-- Jersey entities: 12 Castle Street, St Helier, Jersey, JE2 3RT

9.0 Trade and other receivables

 
                                                    31 March 
                                    31 March 2023       2022 
                                          GBP'000    GBP'000 
                                                   --------- 
 
Trade receivables                           1,544      1,150 
Prepayments and other receivables             420      1,902 
Accrued income                                635      1,258 
                                                   --------- 
Total                                       2,599      4,310 
                                                   --------- 
 

Prepayments and other receivable amounts include prepaid legal and professional fees of GBPNil (2022: GBP34,000) that have been incurred in connection with acquisitions yet to be completed and GBP286,000 (2022: GBP1,046,000) in respect of uncompleted works on the property portfolio.

10.0 Cash and cash equivalents

 
                                           31 March 
                            31 March 2023      2022 
                                  GBP'000   GBP'000 
 
Cash held by solicitors                64       376 
Liquidity funds                    15,636    10,489 
Cash held at bank                  10,239    12,258 
Cash and cash equivalents          25,939    23,123 
Restricted cash                       254       315 
Total cash held at bank            26,193    23,438 
 
 

Liquidity funds refer to money placed in money market funds. These are highly liquid funds with accessibility within 24 hours and subject to insignificant risk of changes in value.

Cash held by solicitors is money held in escrow for expenses expected to be incurred in relation to investment properties pending completion. These funds are available immediately on demand.

Restricted cash represents amounts held for specific commitments, tenant deposits and retention money held by lawyers in relation to deferred payments subject to achievement of certain conditions, other retentions and cash segregated to fund repair, maintenance and improvement works to bring the properties up to satisfactory standards for the Group and the tenants.

11.0 Trade and other payables

 
                                                     31 March 2022 
                                      31 March 2023       Restated 
                                            GBP'000        GBP'000 
Retentions*                                      20             60 
Accruals                                        745            685 
Dividends withholding tax payable               940      1,057 
Deferred income                                 374            358 
Amounts due to subsidiary companies         316,128        271,632 
Tenant deposits held*                           207            228 
Total                                       318,414        274,020 
 
 

* Comparatives have been re-analysed to correct the analysis of GBP228,000 of tenant deposits which had previously been included in retentions.

12.0 Share capital

Share capital represents the nominal value of consideration received by the Company for the issue of Ordinary shares.

 
                                                   For the 
                                      For the   year ended 
                                   year ended     31 March 
                                31 March 2023         2022 
                                      GBP'000      GBP'000 
Share capital 
At beginning and end of year            6,225        6,225 
 

Number of shares authorised, issued and fully paid

 
                                         For the         For the 
                                      year ended      year ended 
                                   31 March 2023   31 March 2022 
Ordinary shares of GBP0.01 each 
At beginning and end of year         622,461,380     622,461,380 
 

During the year, the Company purchased 6,050,000 Ordinary shares to be held in treasury at a cost of GBP4,651,000 (31 March 2022: 10,025,000 Ordinary shares for GBP9,259,000).

During the previous year, the Company reissued 565,000 Ordinary shares held in treasury for GBP647,000. The cost of purchasing these shares into treasury of GBP484,000 has been credited to the capital reduction reserve with the gain credited to the share premium reserve.

At 31 March 2023, the Company held 16,075,000 (31 March 2022: 10,025,000) Ordinary shares in treasury. The shares will continue to be held in treasury until either reissued or cancelled.

At 31 March 2023, the number of Ordinary shares used to calculate the net asset value per share is 606,386,380 (31 March 2022: 612,436,380) which excludes the shares held in treasury.

13.0 Share premium reserve

The share premium reserve represents the amounts subscribed for Ordinary share capital in excess of nominal value less associated issue costs of the subscriptions.

 
                                            For the         For the 
                                         year ended      year ended 
                                      31 March 2023   31 March 2022 
                                            GBP'000         GBP'000 
At the beginning of the year                292,626         292,462 
Premium arising on shares reissued 
 from treasury                                    -             164 
At end of year                              292,626         292,626 
 

For movements in the year, please see details in note 12.0.

14.0 Capital reduction reserve

The capital reduction reserve is a distributable reserve to which the value of the cancelled share premium was transferred. Pursuant to Article 3 of The Companies (Reduction of Share Capital) Order 2008, the balance held in the capital reduction reserve is to be treated for the purposes of Part 23 of the Companies Act 2006 as a realised profit and therefore available for distribution in accordance with section 830 of the Companies Act. The Company has used this reserve for the costs of buying back shares to be held in treasury.

 
                                          For the         For the 
                                       year ended      year ended 
                                    31 March 2023   31 March 2022 
                                          GBP'000         GBP'000 
At the beginning of year                  322,365         331,140 
Shares reissued from treasury                   -             484 
Shares bought back into treasury          (4,651)         (9,259) 
At end of year                            317,714         322,365 
 

For movements in the year, please see details in note 12.0.

15.0 Accumulated losses

This reserve represents the profits and losses of the Company.

 
                                    For the         For the 
                                 year ended      year ended 
                              31 March 2023   31 March 2022 
                                    GBP'000         GBP'000 
At the beginning of year           (74,204)        (61,473) 
(Loss)/profit for the year          (2,791)          21,362 
Dividends paid                     (34,459)        (34,093) 
At end of year                    (111,454)        (74,204) 
 

16.0 Controlling parties

As at 31 March 2023, there is no ultimate controlling party.

17.0 Related party transactions

For all related party transactions and transactions with the Investment Adviser please make reference to notes 30.1 and 30.2 of the Group's consolidated financial statements and amounts due to subsidiary companies in note 11.0 above.

18.0 Post balance sheet events

Please refer to note 33.0 of the Group Consolidated financial statements above in relation to the cash offer for the Group.

Since the year end, Civitas Social Housing Jersey 1 Limited and Civitas Social Housing Jersey 2 Limited have issued dividends to the Company totalling GBP10,246,000.

Appendix 1 (unaudited): Notes to the calculation of EPRA and other alternative performance measures

The Group has chosen to adopt EPRA best practice guidelines for calculating key alternative performance measures. Notes 1.0 to 7.0 support the EPRA metrics disclosed where the definition and purpose of each metric are outlined.

 
                                                                            For the         For the 
  1.0 EPRA Earnings                                                      year ended      year ended 
                                                                      31 March 2023   31 March 2022 
Earnings from operational activities 
Profit after taxation (GBP'000)                                              25,472          44,754 
Change in fair value of derivative financial instruments (GBP'000)            2,826         (2,675) 
Changes in value of investment properties (GBP'000)                         (2,640)        (12,269) 
Costs of early repayment of debt (GBP'000)                                    1,271               - 
EPRA Earnings (GBP'000)                                                      26,929          29,810 
Weighted average number of shares in issue 
 (adjusted for shares held in treasury)                                 608,552,681     618,797,942 
EPRA Earnings per share (EPS) - basic & diluted                               4.43p           4.82p 
 
 

2.0 EPRA NAV Metrics

 
                                  EPRA Net Reinstatement Value       EPRA Net Tangible Assets  EPRA Net Disposal Value 
31 March 2023 
Net assets (GBP'000)                                   661,909                        661,909                  661,909 
Fair value of derivative 
 financial instruments (GBP'000)                       (8,129)                        (8,129)                        - 
Adjustment to fair value for 
 bank borrowings (GBP'000)                                   -                              -                   11,736 
NAV (GBP'000)                                          653,780                        653,780                  673,645 
Number of shares in issue 
 (adjusted for shared held in 
 treasury)                                         606,386,380                    606,386,380              606,386,380 
NAV per share                                          107.82p                        107.82p                  111.09p 
 
 
                                       EPRA Net Reinstatement Value  EPRA Net Tangible Assets  EPRA Net Disposal Value 
31 March 2022 
Net assets (GBP'000)                                        675,547                   675,547                  675,547 
Fair value of derivative financial 
 instruments (GBP'000)                                      (2,131)                   (2,131)                        - 
Adjustment to fair value for bank 
 borrowings (GBP'000)                                             -                         -                    2,644 
NAV (GBP'000)                                               673,416                   673,416                  678,191 
Number of shares in issue (adjusted 
 for shares held in treasury)                           612,436,380               612,436,380              612,436,380 
NAV per share                                               109.96p                   109.96p                  110.74p 
 

3.0 EPRA Net Initial Yield

 
                                                                               For the year ended   For the year ended 
                                                                                         31 March             31 March 
                                                                                             2023                 2022 
Investment property (GBP'000)                                                             978,147              968,756 
Allowance for estimated purchasers' costs (GBP'000)                                        59,973               56,412 
Gross up completed property portfolio (GBP'000)                                         1,038,120            1,025,168 
Annualised net rents (GBP'000)                                                             57,654               54,091 
Add: notional rent expiration of rent free periods or other lease incentives 
(GBP'000)                                                                                       -                    - 
Topped-up net annualised rent (GBP'000)                                                    57,654               54,091 
EPRA NIY                                                                                    5.55%                5.28% 
EPRA Topped-up NIY                                                                          5.55%                5.28% 
 

4.0 EPRA Vacancy Rate

 
                                                    For the year ended 31 March 2023  For the year ended 31 March 2022 
Estimated Market Rental Value (ERV) of vacant 
 spaces (GBP'000)                                                                 10                                 - 
Estimated Market Rental Value (ERV) of whole 
 portfolio (GBP'000)                                                          57,654                            54,091 
EPRA Vacancy Rate                                                              0.02%                             0.00% 
 
   5.0   EPRA Costs Ratio 
 
                                                   For the year 
                                                       ended 31          For the year 
                                                     March 2023   ended 31 March 2022 
Total administrative and operating expenses              11,821                10,247 
Direct property expenses                                  1,941                   978 
Less property expenses recovered through rents          (1,512)                 (995) 
EPRA Costs (including direct vacancy costs)              12,250                10,230 
Direct vacancy costs                                          -                     - 
EPRA Costs (excluding direct vacancy costs)              12,250                10,230 
 
Rental income                                            54,607                51,636 
Less rechargeable costs received                        (1,512)                 (995) 
Gross rental income                                      53,095                50,641 
 
EPRA Cost Ratio (including direct vacancy costs)         23.07%                20.20% 
EPRA Cost Ratio (excluding direct vacancy costs)         23.07%                20.20% 
 

The Group has not incurred any direct vacancy costs.

6.0 EPRA LTV

 
                                                          For the         For the 
                                                       year ended      year ended 
                                                    31 March 2023   31 March 2022 
                                                          GBP'000         GBP'000 
Net Debt 
Borrowings from financial institutions (GBP'000)          367,925         357,050 
Cash and cash equivalents (GBP'000)                      (35,588)        (53,337) 
                                                          332,337         303,713 
 
 
                                                       For the         For the 
                                                    year ended      year ended 
                                                 31 March 2023   31 March 2022 
                                                       GBP'000         GBP'000 
Total Property Value 
Investment properties at fair value (GBP'000)          953,364         945,237 
Net receivables (GBP'000)                               26,743          26,892 
                                                       980,107         972,129 
EPRA LTV                                                33.91%          31.24% 
 
 
                                       For the         For the 
                                    year ended      year ended 
                                 31 March 2023   31 March 2022 
                                       GBP'000         GBP'000 
Net receivables comprises 
Other receivables                       24,783          23,519 
Trade and other receivables             11,260          12,865 
Less trade and other payables          (9,300)         (9,492) 
Total                                   26,743          26,892 
 
 
                                                               For the         For the 
                                                            year ended      year ended 
                                                         31 March 2023   31 March 2022 
                                                               GBP'000         GBP'000 
Components of Net Assets used in EPRA LTV calculation 
Investment properties at fair value                            953,364         945,237 
Net receivables                                                 26,743          26,892 
Cash and cash equivalents                                       35,588          53,337 
Less borrowings from financial institutions                  (367,925)       (357,050) 
Net assets used in the EPRA LTV calculation                    647,770         668,416 
Less amounts excluded from the calculation 
  Interest rate derivatives                                      8,129           2,131 
  Unamortised loan issue costs                                   6,010           5,000 
Net assets                                                     661,909         675,547 
 

7.0 EPRA Table of Capital Expenditure

 
                                                             For the         For the 
                                                          year ended      year ended 
                                                       31 March 2023   31 March 2022 
                                                             GBP'000         GBP'000 
Acquisitions including incidental costs of purchase              543          33,466 
Development                                                        -               - 
Investment properties 
 Incremental lettable space                                        -               - 
 Enhancing lettable space                                      4,944           5,818 
 Tenant incentives                                             1,700           1,614 
 Other material non-allocated types of expenditure                 -               - 
Capitalised interest                                               -               - 
Total Capital Expenditure                                      7,187          40,898 
Conversion from accruals to cash basis                         (597)           1,312 
Total Capital Expenditure on a cash basis                      6,590          42,210 
 

The Group has not capitalised any overhead or operating expenses.

The Group has no Joint Ventures so there is no joint venture property to disclose in the above table.

8.0 Leveraged Internal Rate of Return (IRR)

This is the annual growth rate, based on growth in net asset value per share since launch and dividends paid to Ordinary shareholders.

 
                                                                                  31 March              31 March 
                                                                                      2023                  2022 
            NAV per share                                                        109.1600p             110.3000p 
            31 May 2017                           Interim dividend                 0.7500p               0.7500p 
            31 August 2017                        Interim dividend                 0.7500p               0.7500p 
            30 November 2017                      Interim dividend                 0.7500p               0.7500p 
            9 March 2018                          Interim dividend                 0.7500p               0.7500p 
            8 June 2018                           Interim dividend                 1.2500p               1.2500p 
            7 September 2018                      Interim dividend                 1.2500p               1.2500p 
            30 November 2018                      Interim dividend                 1.2500p               1.2500p 
            11 January 2019                       Interim dividend                 1.1100p               1.1100p 
            28 February 2019                      Interim dividend                 0.1400p               0.1400p 
            7 June 2019                           Interim dividend                 1.3250p               1.3250p 
            6 September 2019                      Interim dividend                 1.3250p               1.3250p 
            29 November 2019                      Interim dividend                 1.3250p               1.3250p 
            28 February 2020                      Interim dividend                 1.3250p               1.3250p 
            12 June 2020                          Interim dividend                 1.3250p               1.3250p 
            7 September 2020                      Interim dividend                 1.3500p               1.3500p 
            4 December 2020                       Interim dividend                 1.3500p               1.3500p 
            1 March 2021                          Interim dividend                 1.3500p               1.3500p 
            11 June 2021                          Interim dividend                 1.3500p               1.3500p 
            10 September 2021                     Interim dividend                 1.3875p               1.3875p 
            13 December 2021                      Interim dividend                 1.3875p               1.3875p 
            11 March 2022                         Interim dividend                 1.3875p               1.3875p 
            28 June 2022                          Interim dividend                 1.3875p                     - 
            9 September 2022                      Interim dividend                 1.4250p                     - 
            9 December 2022                       Interim dividend                 1.4250p                     - 
            11 March 2023                         Interim dividend                 1.4250p                     - 
                                                                                 139.0100p             134.4875p 
            NAV per share at launch                                               98.0000p              98.0000p 
            Levered IRR                                                              6.29%                 6.63% 
 

Five Year Financial Results

Group Statement of Comprehensive Income

 
                                             For the         For the         For the         For the         For the 
                                          year ended      year ended      year ended      year ended      year ended 
                                       31 March 2023   31 March 2022   31 March 2021   31 March 2020   31 March 2019 
Revenue                                      GBP'000         GBP'000         GBP'000         GBP'000         GBP'000 
Rental income                                 54,607          51,636          49,020          46,165          35,738 
Less direct property expenses                (1,941)           (978)         (1,175)           (259)               - 
Net rental income                             52,666          50,658          47,845          45,906          35,738 
Directors' remuneration                        (211)           (206)           (198)           (176)           (163) 
Investment advisory fees                     (6,217)         (6,132)         (6,117)         (6,183)         (6,457) 
General and administrative expenses          (5,393)         (3,909)         (3,183)         (3,501)         (3,022) 
Total expenses                              (11,821)        (10,247)         (9,498)         (9,860)         (9,642) 
Change in fair value of investment 
 properties                                    2,640          12,269           5,511           9,389           3,652 
Operating Profit                              43,485          52,680          43,858          45,435          29,748 
 
Finance income                                   148               7              20             110             491 
Finance expenses - relating to bank 
 borrowings                                 (15,335)        (10,608)         (7,737)         (7,342)         (3,975) 
Finance expenses - relating to C 
 share amortisation                                -               -               -               -         (6,400) 
Change in fair value of interest 
 rate derivatives                            (2,826)           2,675            (66)           (478)               - 
Profit before tax                             25,472          44,754          36,075          37,725          19,864 
Taxation                                           -               -               -               -               - 
Profit being total comprehensive 
 income                                       25,472          44,754          36,075          37,725          19,864 
Earnings per share - basic                     4.19p           7.23p           5.80p           6.06p           4.67p 
Earnings per share - diluted                   4.19p           7.23p           5.80p           6.06p           4.22p 
Dividend declared (per share)                  5.70p           5.55p           5.40p           5.30p           5.00p 
 
 

Group Statement of Financial Position

 
                                           31 March 2023  31 March 2022  31 March 2021  31 March 2020  31 March 2019 
                                                 GBP'000        GBP'000        GBP'000        GBP'000        GBP'000 
Assets 
 Non-current assets 
Investment property                              953,364        945,237        893,684        867,988        820,094 
Other receivables                                 24,783         23,519         21,905         10,755          6,824 
Interest rate derivatives                          8,129          2,131              -              -              - 
                                                 986,276        970,887        915,589        878,743        826,918 
Non-current assets 
Trade and other receivables                       11,260         12,865         12,821         10,838          5,723 
Cash and cash equivalents                         35,588         53,337        107,097         58,374         54,347 
                                                  46,848         66,202        119,918         69,212         60,070 
Total assets                                   1,033,124      1,037,089      1,035,507        947,955        886,988 
Liabilities 
Current liabilities 
Trade and other payables                         (9,300)        (9,492)        (9,345)        (7,743)       (15,324) 
Bank and loan borrowings                               -              -       (59,937)       (59,730)              - 
                                                 (9,300)        (9,492)       (69,282)       (67,473)       (15,324) 
Non-current liabilities 
Bank and loan borrowings                       (361,915)      (352,050)      (292,183)      (209,440)      (205,156) 
Interest rate derivatives                              -              -          (544)          (478)              - 
                                               (361,915)      (352,050)      (292,727)      (209,918)      (205,156) 
Total liabilities                              (371,215)      (361,542)      (362,009)      (277,391)      (220,480) 
 
Total net assets                                 661,909        675,547        673,498        670,564        666,508 
Assets 
Share capital                                      6,225          6,225          6,225          6,225          6,225 
Share premium reserve                            292,626        292,626        292,463        292,405        292,405 
Capital reduction reserve                        317,714        322,365        331,140        330,926        331,625 
Retained earnings                                 45,344         54,331         43,670         41,008         36,253 
Total equity                                     661,909        675,547        673,498        670,564        666,508 
 
Net assets per share - basic                     109.16p        110.30p        108.30p        107.87p        107.08p 
Net assets per share - diluted                   109.16p        110.30p        108.30p        107.87p        107.08p 
Share price                                       53.70p         87.40p        107.80p         96.40p         96.00p 
Total shareholder return (on a NAV basis          41.84%         37.23%         29.56%         23.64%         17.45% 
Leverage                                          35.61%         34.43%         34.48%         26.90%         22.00% 
 

Shareholder Information

The Company's Ordinary shares of 1p each are quoted on the Official List of the FCA and traded on the premium segment of the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange (LSE).

   SEDOL number   BD8HBD3 
   ISIN      GB00BD8HBD32 

Ticker/TIDM CSH

   LEI       213800PGBG84J8GM6F95 

Frequency of NAV Publication

The Company's NAV is released to the LSE on a quarterly basis and published on the Company's website: www.civitassocialhousing.com.

Sources of Further Information

Copies of the Company's Annual and Half-Yearly Reports, Stock Exchange announcements and further information on the Company can be obtained from its website: www.civitassocialhousing.com.

Share Register Enquiries

The register for the Company's Ordinary shares is maintained by Link Group. In the event of queries regarding your holding, please contact the Registrar on 0371 664 0300 (calls are charged at the standard geographic rate and will vary by provider; calls outside the UK will be charged at the applicable international rate). Lines are open between 9.00am and 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays in England and Wales. You can also email enquiries@linkgroup.co.uk.

Changes of name and/or address must be notified in writing to the Registrar: Link Group, Central Square, 29 Wellington Street, Leeds LS1 4DL

Key Dates

June

Annual results announced

Payment of fourth interim dividend

September

Company's half-year end

Annual General Meeting

Payment of first interim dividend

December

Half-yearly results announced

Payment of second interim dividend

February

Payment of third interim dividend

March

Company's year end

Association of Investment Companies

The Company is a member of the AIC, which publishes statistical information in respect of member companies. The AIC can be contacted on 020 7282 5555, enquiries@ theaic.co.uk or visit the website: www.theaic.co.uk.

Electronic Communications from the Company

Shareholders now have the opportunity to be notified by email when the Company's Annual Report, Half Yearly Report and other formal communications are available on the Company's website, instead of receiving printed copies by post. This has environmental benefits in the reduction of paper, printing, energy and water usage, as well as reducing costs to the Company.

If you have not already elected to receive electronic communications from the Company and wish to do so, please contact the Registrar.

Glossary

AIFM means the Alternative Investment Fund Manager.

AIFMD means the Alternative Investment Fund Managers Regulations 2013 (as amended by The Alternative Investment Fund Managers (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019) and the Investment Funds Sourcebook forming part of the FCA Handbook.

ALMO means an arm's length management organisation, a not-for-profit company that provides housing services on behalf of a local authority.

Alternative Performance Measures (APMs) means a financial measure of historical financial performance, financial position, or cash flows, other than a financial measure defined or specified in the applicable financial reporting framework.

Annual contracted rent roll means the annual contractual rental income currently receivable on a

property as at the Balance Sheet date.

Approved Provider means Approved Providers, local authorities, ALMOs, Community Interest Companies, Registered Charities and other regulated organisations directly or indirectly in receipt of payment from local or central government including the NHS.

Care Provider means a provider of care services to the occupants of Specialist Supported Housing, registered with the Care Quality Commission.

CIM means Civitas Investment Management Limited or CIM (formerly known as Civitas Housing Advisors Limited until its change of name on 7 May 2020).

Community Interest Company or CIC means a company approved by the Office of the Regulator of Community Interest Companies as a community interest company and registered as such with Companies House.

Company means Civitas Social Housing PLC, a company incorporated in England and Wales with company number 10402528.

CMA Order means the Statutory Audit Services Order 2014, issued by the Competition and Markets Authority.

Current Leverage means the percentage taken as total bank borrowings drawn over total assets.

Dividend Yield means the ratio of the total annual dividend declared for the financial year over market price per share.

EPRA means the European Public Real Estate Association.

EPRA EPS is the EPRA earnings divided by the weighted average number of shares in issue in the period.

EPRA LTV is the EPRA loan to value ratio calculated as debt net of cash balances divided by the market value of property (including net receivables) as defined in the EPRA Best Practice Guidelines.

EPRA Net Initial Yield ("EPRA NIY") is calculated as the annualised rental income based on the cash rents passing at the balance sheet date less non-recoverable property operating expenses, divided by the gross market value of the property.

EPRA Net Reinstatement Value ("EPRA NRV") is an EPRA NAV metric which assumes that entities never sell assets and aims to represent the value required to rebuild the entity.

EPRA Net Tangible Assets ("EPRA NTA") is an EPRA NAV metric which assumes that entities buy and sell assets, thereby crystallising certain levels of unavoidable deferred tax.

EPRA Net Disposal Value ("EPRA NDV") is an EPRA NAV metric which represents the shareholders' value under a disposal scenario, where deferred tax, financial instruments and certain other adjustments are calculated to the full extent of their liability, net of any resulting tax.

Gross Asset Value means total assets.

Group means the Company and its subsidiaries.

Housing Association or HA means an independent society, body of trustees or company established for the purpose of providing low-cost social housing for people in housing need generally on a non-profit making basis. Any trading surplus is typically used to maintain existing homes and to help finance new ones. Housing Associations are regulated by the Regulator of Social Housing.

Investment Adviser means Civitas Investment Management Limited ("CIM"), a company incorporated in England and Wales with company number 10278444, in its capacity as investment adviser to the Company.

IPO means Initial Public Offering.

IRR means internal rate of return.

Levered IRR means the internal rate of return including the impact of debt.

Local Authority or LA means the administrative bodies for the local government in England comprising 326 authorities (including 32 London boroughs).

Net Asset Value or NAV means the net asset value of the Group on the relevant date, prepared in accordance with IFRS accounting principles.

Net Initial Yield means the ratio of net rental income and gross purchase price of a property.

NHS means the publicly funded healthcare system of the United Kingdom comprising The National Health Service in England, NHS Scotland, NHS Wales and Health and Social Care in Northern Ireland, including, for the avoidance of doubt, NHS Trusts.

NHS Trust means a legal entity, set up by order of the Secretary of State under section 25 of, and Schedule 4 to, the National Health Service Act 2006, to provide goods and services for the purposes of the health service.

Ongoing Charges means the figure published annually by the Company which shows the drag on performance caused by operational expenses. More specifically, it is the annual percentage reduction in shareholder returns as a result of recurring operational expenses assuming markets remain static and the portfolio is not traded. Although the Ongoing Charges figure is based on historical information, it provides shareholders with an indication of the likely level of costs that will be incurred in managing the Company in the future.

Portfolio means the Group's portfolio of assets.

Portfolio Net Asset Value or Portfolio NAV means the net asset value of the Company, with assets aggregated rather than valued on an asset by asset basis, as at the relevant date, calculated on the basis of an independent Portfolio Valuation. See note 7.0 to Appendix 1 for a reconciliation to IFRS NAV.

Portfolio Basis means the Portfolio NAV (as defined above)

Portfolio Valuation means an independent valuation of the Portfolio by Jones Lang LaSalle Limited or such other property adviser as the Directors may select from time to time, based upon the Portfolio being held, directly or indirectly, within a corporate vehicle or equivalent entity which is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company and otherwise prepared in accordance with RICS "Red Book" guidelines.

REIT means a qualifying real estate investment trust in accordance with the UK REIT Regime introduced by the UK Finance Act 2006 and subsequently re-written into Part 12 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010.

RICS means Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.

RSH means the Regulator of Social Housing, the executive non-departmental public body, sponsored by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, which is the regulator for Social Homes providers in England and Wales.

Social homes or social housing means social rented homes and other accommodation that are offered at rents subsidised below market level or are constituents of other appropriate rent regimes such as exempt rents or are subject to bespoke agreement with entities such as NHS Trusts and are provided by Approved Providers.

Specialist Supported Housing or SSH means social housing which incorporates some form of care or other ancillary service on the premises.

SPV means special purpose vehicle, a corporate vehicle in which the Group's properties are held.

Target Return means the target return on investment.

Total Return means Net Total Return, being the change in NAV over the relevant period plus dividend paid.

Total Shareholder Return means a measure of the return based upon share price movement over the period plus dividend paid.

Valuation means an independent valuation of the Portfolio by Jones Lang LaSalle Limited or such other property adviser as the Directors may select from time to time, prepared in accordance with RICS "Red Book" guidelines and based upon a valuation of each underlying investment property rather than the value ascribed to the portfolio and on the assumption of a theoretical sale of each property rather than the corporate entities in which all of the Company's investment properties are held.

WAULT or "Weighted Average Unexpired Lease Term" is the product of annual contracted rent roll at period end and the time in years to when the lease expires for each given lease, summed across leases, and then divided by the total annual contracted rent roll of the portfolio. The result is expressed in years. WAULT is a key measure of the quality of the Company's portfolio. Long lease terms underpin the security of the Company's income stream.

Company Information

Non-executive Directors

Michael Wrobel, Chairman

Peter Baxter, Senior Independent Director and Chairman of the Nomination and Remuneration Committee

Caroline Gulliver, Chair of the Audit and Management Engagement Committee

Alison Hadden

Alastair Moss

Registered Office

Link Company Matters Limited

6th Floor

65 Gresham Street

London EC2V 7NQ

Registered no: 10402528

www.civitassocialhousing.com

Alternative Investment Fund Manager

G10 Capital Limited

3 More London Riverside

London SE1 2AQ

Investment Adviser

Civitas Investment Management Limited

25 Maddox Street

London W1S 2QN

Joint Corporate Brokers

Liberum Capital Limited

Ropemaker Place

25 Ropemaker Street

London EC2Y 9LY

Panmure Gordon (UK) Limited

One New Change

London EC4M 9AF

Company Secretary

Link Company Matters Limited

6th Floor

65 Gresham Street

London EC2V 7NQ

Administrator

Link Alternative Fund Administrators Limited

Broadwalk House

Southernhay West

Exeter EX1 1TS

Depositary

INDOS Financial Limited

5th Floor

54 Fenchurch Street

London EC3M 3JY

Registrar

Link Group

Central Square

29 Wellington Street

Leeds LS1 4DL

Independent Auditors

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

7 More London Riverside

London SE1 2RT

Legal and Tax Adviser

Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP

Dashwood House

69 Old Broad Street

London EC2M 1QS

Public Relations Adviser

Buchanan

107 Cheapside

London EC2V 6DN

Tax Adviser

BDO LLP

55 Baker Street

London W1U 7EU

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