Capital structure
Total funds including long term creditors at the end of the period amounted to £824.814 million (2016: £800.216 million),
of which £136.781 million (2016: £128.333 million) comprised the income and expenditure account reserve. The increase is
due to an increase in tangible fixed assets, social housing grant, investments increased borrowing and the surplus for the
year. Long term borrowings at the end of the period have increased to £414 million from £400 million in 2016. Balance sheet
gearing of Accord at the year-end is 46.7% (2016: 47.1%) and remains comfortably within its funding covenants at all times.
The Association has access to undrawn borrowing facilities of £49.25 million, and has substantial unutilised security on
its balance sheet. These facilities ensure that we remain in a strong position to fund future growth plans and investment
opportunities. The net movement in cash for the year was an outflow of £3.558 million (2016: £2.574 million inflow) reflecting the
net impact of our development programme, increased borrowing, higher debt management costs and increased growth linked
to new developments and services. The average interest rate for the year stood at 4.02% (2016: 4.28%). Interest cover for the
Association is 190.7% (2016: 172.2%) and remains comfortably within funding covenants.
Treasury management and control
Treasury activities are controlled by the Executive Director of Resources with the assistance of external consultants as
required, and are carried out in accordance with policies approved by the Board. The purpose of the treasury management
function within Accord is to ensure that adequate cost-effective funding is available at all times and that exposure to financial
risk is minimised. The key risks managed by the treasury function are interest rate risk and liquidity risk. Treasury management
activity is subject to regular review by internal auditors and treasury specialists. Treasury activity is closely monitored on a
regular basis and compliance with covenant conditions continues to be met with no breaches in the year. Quarterly monitoring
information and management accounts are submitted in accordance with funder and regulatory requirements. Short, medium
and longer term liquidity requirements are monitored through ongoing forecasting and the business planning process. It is the
Association’s policy to balance the cash held by repaying debt as far as possible, while ensuring sufficient access to funding
facilities to cover investment and business development plans.
Interest rate exposure is managed via the use of interest rate fixings. Accord’s policy is that between 60% - 80% of its total
borrowing should be at fixed rates of interest. At the year-end, 66% (2016: 73%) of borrowings were at fixed rates of interest
– the levels of fixed/hedged debt remains under constant review. Accord has not used stand-alone derivative financial
instruments to manage its interest rate exposure during the year. However, Accord does have the Wider Rule Change and
approval from the Homes and Communities Agency to use stand-alone derivative financial instruments, and has facilities in
place with three funding institutions to utilise these instruments. Continuity of funding is ensured by arranging for short term
borrowings and committed facilities and by limiting the amount of debt repayable in any one year. In 2016/17 a further £20m
of new funding was secured to further support the Association’s commitment to delivering new housing supply and ensure
ongoing liquidity requirements continue to be met at all times. Year-end undrawn committed facilities were £57.1 million (2016:
£66.8 million). Interest payable decreased to £15.73 million (2016: £16.68 million), and debt increased from £400.29 million to
£414.07 million. Increased total funding facilities highlights Accord’s commitment to the development of new homes and the
regeneration of communities. Principal financial covenants are in respect of loan gearing and interest cover. The Board believes
that the financial covenants entered into are appropriate for Accord’s operations. The table below provides an analysis of when
the debt falls due for repayment.
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Accord Housing Association