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Pennon Group PLC

Report Publication Announcement Jun 20, 2022

4705_10-k_2022-06-20_28f5df86-51c1-40d9-8838-de62ab895aa5.pdf

Report Publication Announcement

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PENNON GROUP PLC

PUBLICATION OF ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2022 & NOTICE OF AGM 2022

In compliance with Listing Rule 9.6.1 Pennon Group Plc (the "Company") announces that the following documents have been submitted to the Financial Conduct Authority electronically via the National Storage Mechanism and will shortly be available for inspection at https://data.fca.org.uk/#/nsm/nationalstoragemechanism.

  • Annual Report and Accounts 2022
  • Notice of AGM 2022

These documents have been posted to those shareholders who have opted out of receiving electronic communications from the Company and may also be viewed on the Company's website at www.pennongroup.co.uk.

The Company will hold its 2022 Annual General Meeting ("AGM") at Peninsula House, Rydon Lane, Exeter, Devon EX2 7HR, at 9.30am on Thursday 21 July 2022. Remote participation and electronic voting will be provided, with further information on this set out in the Notice of AGM.

The following information in the Appendix to this announcement is as set out in the Company's Annual Report and Accounts 2022. It should be read in conjunction with the Company's Full Year Results announcement released on 31 May 2022, which included a set of consolidated financial statements, a fair review of the development and performance of the business and the position of the Company and its main trading subsidiary companies. Together these documents constitute the information required by Disclosure and Transparency Rule 6.3.5.

Simon Pugsley Group General Counsel & Company Secretary

20 June 2022

APPENDIX

Principal risks and uncertainties

(The following is extracted from the Annual Report 2022 and page numbers referred to are those in the Annual Report 2022.)

The Group's business model exposes the business to a variety of external and internal risks which are influenced by the potential impact of macro political, economic and environmental factors. Specifically, the UK is currently experiencing a high inflationary environment as a result of a number of global factors.

While the ability of the Group to influence these macro level risks is limited, they continue to be regularly monitored and the potential implications are considered as part of the ongoing risk assessment process. The Group performs a range of scenario planning and analysis exercises to understand the risk exposure of one, or a number, of these events occurring.

The Directors confirm that during 2021/22, they have carried out a robust assessment of current and emerging risks facing the Group, including the consideration of risks associated with the activities of Bristol Water. The assessment of the Group's principal risks has considered the impact on its business model, future performance, solvency and liquidity. These principal risks have been considered in preparing the Viability Statement on page 123.

Principal
Risk
Strategic
Impact
Mitigation Net Risk Appetite
Law, regulation and finance
A: Changes in Government policy
Long-term priorities
1, 2
Changes in
Government policy
may fundamentally
impact our ability to
deliver the Group's
strategic priorities,
impacting
shareholder value.
The current UK Government remains supportive of
the existing regulatory model. During the year the
UK Government has published its Strategic Policy
Statement (SPS) which sets the strategic priorities
for Ofwat, enacted the Environment Act and has
consulted on their Storm Overflows Discharge
Reduction Plan.
South West Water and Bristol Water have actively
engaged and provided responses during the
consultation process.
The Group also regularly engages with MPs and
other political stakeholders, both directly and via
Water UK, demonstrating the value from our
operational performance, continued investment in
our network and wider societal contribution.
Horizon scanning of emerging changes in
Government policy, including policies designed to
mitigate the impact of climate change, is regularly
undertaken to monitor and assess the potential
direct or indirect impact on the Group.
Medium
Increasing
We recognise
that Government
policy evolves.
The Group seeks
to minimise the
potential risk and
maximise
opportunities
through regular
engagement and
robust scenario
planning.
B: Regulatory Frameworks
Long-term priorities
1, 2
Changes to
regulatory
frameworks may
impact on the
Group's priorities,
performance and the Certainty over the 2020-25 regulatory framework
has been provided through South West Water's and
Bristol Water's Final Determination.
The Group's Regulatory Affairs Steering Committee
monitors changes in the regulatory environment.
There remains the potential that regulatory
mechanisms within the next Price Preview period
do not provide sufficient funding to achieve the
High
Stable
We accept that
regulatory reform
occurs and seek
to leverage
opportunities
where possible
and minimise
the
potential risks by
Principal
Risk
Strategic
Impact
Mitigation Net Risk Appetite
can impact
shareholder value.
service we provide to
our customers which
environmental ambitions set out by the Government
within the Environment Bill.
Internal PR24 planning has commenced and both
South West Water and Bristol Water have actively
responded to positioning papers from Ofwat which
will inform the PR24 price review methodology
which will be published in July 2022.
targeting
changes which
are NPV neutral
over the longer
term to protect
customer
affordability and
shareholder
value.
C: Non-compliance with laws and regulations
Long-term priorities
1, 2
The Group is
required to comply
with a range of
regulated and non
regulated laws and
regulations across
may result in
financial penalties
negative impact on
effectively and
our businesses. Non
compliance with one
or a number of these
our ability to operate
reputational damage.
The Group operates within robust and mature
frameworks ensuring compliance with permit and
other requirements of Ofwat, the Environment
Agency and other relevant regulators. These
frameworks are subject to regular review and
enhancement to ensure the Group remains
compliant with the increasingly complex legal and
regulatory landscape. There remains an increased
appetite amongst regulators for pursuing
enforcement action for perceived non-compliance
with the Environment Agency and Ofwat both
currently undertaking industry-wide investigations of
wastewater treatment works permit compliance.
The Group also maintains a comprehensive internal
framework to ensure compliance with corporate
laws and regulations. This is reinforced through key
policies which are endorsed by the Pennon Board
and refreshed legal compliance training has been
provided to staff during the year.
Confidential whistleblowing processes exist which
allows concerns to be raised confidentiality and
appropriately investigated. Activity through the
whistleblowing process is reported periodically to
the Pennon Board.
Medium
Increasing
The Group
maintains the
highest standards
of compliance
and has no
appetite for legal
or regulatory
breaches.
commitments D: Inability to secure sufficient finance and funding, within our debt covenants, to meet ongoing
2, 3
funding
put our growth
agenda at risk.
Breach of
covenants could
result in the
requirement to
Long-term priorities
Failure to maintain
requirements could
lead to additional
financing costs and
repay certain debt.
The Group has well established treasury, funding
and cash flow arrangements in place, underpinned
by a Treasury Management Policy endorsed by the
Pennon Board.
The impact of macro political, economic and
regulatory risks on the Group's financing
commitments and cash flow, funding and covenant
compliance is regularly reviewed by the Group
Executive and Pennon Board.
The Group retains £827 million of cash and
committed facilities as at 31 March 2022. South
West Water and Bristol Water are well funded for
the 2020-25 regulatory period.
Low
Stable
The Group
operates a
prudent
approach to our
financing
strategy in order
to ensure our
funding
requirements are
fully met.
Principal Strategic
Risk Impact Mitigation Net Risk Appetite
Since March 2021 the Group has signed £295
million of new and renewed facilities at both
Pennon and South West Water levels.
E: Non-compliance or occurrence of an avoidable health and safety incident1
Long-term priorities
1, 2, 3
A significant health
and safety event
could result in
financial penalties,
and damage to the
Group's reputation.
significant legal costs The effective management of health and safety risks
continues to be a key priority for the Group Executive
and Pennon Board. The review of health and safety
performance is monitored regularly through the
dedicated Board and Executive Health and Safety
Committees.
The Group has continued to deliver and embed the
HomeSafe strategy during the year. Additionally,
improvement plans and initiatives are being
consolidated within Bristol Water and a Bristol
Water specific HomeSafe Plan will be developed
during 2022/23.
Investment has also been accelerated for safety
specific asset improvements, focused on
operational sites and activities.
These measures have helped to contribute to the
Group's lowest ever health and safety score of 22
Lost Time Injuries. The Group
has also set out the
roadmap to becoming leaders in health and safety
in the water sector.
1.
2021/22 performance and target excludes Bristol Water – Actual
LTIs for Bristol was 10 giving a Pennon Group total of 32 for the
Medium
Stable
The Group has
no appetite for
health and
safety related
incidents and
maintains the
highest
standards of
compliance for
our staff,
contractors and
other third
parties.
year. Future targets to 2025 includes Bristol Water.
F: Failure to pay all pension obligations as they fall due and increased costs to the Group should the
defined benefit pension scheme deficit increase
Long-term priorities
2
The Group could be
called upon to
increase funding to
reduce the deficit,
impacting our cost
base.
The Group has in-house pensions expertise
supplemented by external specialists, including
professional advisors who manage the scheme's
investment strategy.
Following consultation, the Pennon Defined Benefit
scheme was closed to future accrual from 30 June
2021.
Low
Stable
The Group will
ensure that all
obligations are
met in full but
seeks to
manage this
without
unnecessary
Following the disposal of Viridor, the Group has
contributed £59 million over and above the agreed
deficit recovery payments from the 2019 actuarial
valuation.
costs to
the
Group.
As at 31 March 2022, there is a surplus of £66.3
million relating to the Group's retirement obligations
and the Pennon Group Pension Scheme is
approximately 105% funded against its technical
provisions.
The 2022 triennial valuation is underway.
Market and economic conditions
G: Non-recovery of customer debt
Principal
Risk
Strategic
Impact
Mitigation Net Risk Appetite
Long-term priorities
1, 2
Reduced customer
adversely impact on
debt collection would
the Group's revenue.
South West Water and Bristol Water have robust
collection strategies which have continued to adapt
in response to the impact of COVID-19 and the
increasing inflationary environment on customers
during the year. The effectiveness of the measures
taken have resulted in collection rates and debt
levels at levels broadly comparable with prior year.
Continued support has also been provided to South
West Water and Bristol Water customers most in
need by proactively promoting affordability measures
and tariffs.
Similarly, Pennon Water Services' collection rates
and debt levels have remained robust and there
has been proactive engagement with customers
most impacted by COVID-19 restrictions to provide
tailored support, in line with market code
requirements.
Despite the effectiveness of mitigations in place,
further increases in inflation and the cost of living
may result in future affordability challenges for our
customers.
High
Stable
While seeking to
minimise non
recoverable
debt, we
recognise
customer
affordability
challenges and
the inability to
disconnect
domestic
customers
results in a
residual risk of
uncollectable
debt remaining.
H: Macro-economic near term risks impacting on inflation, interest rates and power prices
Long-term priorities
2, 3
Lower inflation or
deflation could
adversely impact on
and significant
changes in interest
rates and power
the Group's cost
base.
the Group's revenue
prices could increase
The volatility currently being experienced in the
global economy is impacting on the Group's near
term cost base through increased operational costs,
power prices and financing costs.
Action is taken to mitigating these near term
impacts through utilising the Group's in-house
procurement function to drive value through
competitive tendering, regularly review of the
Group's debt portfolio and
level of index linked
debt, monitoring of forward power prices to manage
the exposure to price volatility and increasing the
level of renewable energy.
Despite these mitigations there remains a degree of
exposure beyond the Group's control.
Long-term protection from the increasing
inflationary environment is provided through
High
Increasing
The Group
seeks to take
well-judged and
informed
decisions while
ensuring plans
are in place to
mitigate the
potential impact
of
macroeconomic
risks.
inflation linked revenues and RCV growth, along
with regulatory true-ups.
Operating Performance
events I: The Group's operations and assets are impacted as a result of climate change and extreme weather
Long-term priorities
1, 3
Failure of our
operations to cope
with short-term
extreme weather or
A low appetite remains amongst regulators and
stakeholders for reduced performance arising from
extreme weather and climate change.
The assessment of both transitional and physical
climate change related risks on the Group's assets
and operations has informed South West Water's
Climate Change Adaptation Plan which was
Medium
Stable
The Group
seeks to mitigate
the impact of
climate change
and extreme
weather events
through long-
Principal
Risk
Strategic
Impact
Mitigation Net Risk Appetite
long-term
implications of
climate change may
meet customer
impacts, increased
costs and
reputational damage.
result in an inability to
needs, environmental
published in December 2021 and the Group's
TCFD statement on pages 106 to 122.
Additionally, extensive water resource scenario
planning has been undertaken as part of the
development of South West Water's updated 25
year Water Management Plan, which will be
published later in the year, and drought plans are
subject to regular review. Bristol Water's Water
Resources Management Plan was last published in
2019 and Drought Plan was published in 2022.
Proactive capital investment is undertaken on the
Group's assets to ensure the continued resilience
of both water and wastewater assets, particularly
those located on or near flood plains or at risk of
rising sea levels and coastal erosion. Additionally
the CREWW venture with the University of Exeter
was launched during the year which will consider
the impact of climate change in delivering resilient
water supplies.
The Group is also minimizing its environmental and
climate change impact through the delivery of its
2030 Net Zero and WaterFit plans.
term planning,
forecasting and
investment.
supply clean drinking water J: Failure of operational water treatment assets and processes resulting in an inability to produce or
Long-term priorities
1, 3
An inability to
produce or supply
clean drinking water
could result in
financial penalties,
regulatory
enforcement and
damage to the
Group's reputation.
Whilst the region continues to experience high
levels of demand, water resources have remained
resilient during the year and are in a robust position
ahead of the summer period. The Group also seeks
strategic value enhancing opportunities and has
procured a site for the development of a new
reservoir in the region.
Asset health is managed through a well-established
programme of planned and preventative
maintenance works which has continued to assist in
delivering further improvements within the Group's
drinking water operations.
In the event of a significant incident detailed
contingency plans and incident management
procedures are maintained which are regularly
reviewed.
Medium
Stable
The Group
operates a low
tolerance for
significant
operational
failure of its
water treatment
assets and
seeks to mitigate
these risks
where possible.
K: Failure of operational wastewater assets and processes resulting in an inability to remove and treat
wastewater and potential environmental impacts, including pollutions
Long-term priorities
1, 3
or treat wastewater
could result in
impacts, financial
penalties, regulatory
An inability to remove
adverse environment
Minimising the impact of our activities on the
environment is a strategic priority for the Pennon
Board and Executive.
The continued delivery of South West Water's
Pollution Incident Reduction Plan has resulted in
one-third less pollutions compared with the
previous year. This has been achieved through
continued asset investment and maintenance,
High
Stable
The Group
operates a low
tolerance for
significant
operational
failure of its
wastewater
processes and
assets and
Principal
Risk
Strategic
Impact
Mitigation Net Risk Appetite
enforcement and
damage to the
Group's reputation.
enhancing our systems and processes,
collaborating with others in the industry to share
best practice, helping customers to understand how
their behaviour impacts on the local environment
and a focus on culture, training, and standards with
our workforce.
maintains the
highest level of
environmental
standards.
It is recognised, however, that there is more to do
to deliver the desired step change in this area.
The Group's WaterFit investment programme will
deliver £330 million of investment focused on
protecting and improving the quality of the region's
rivers and seas. Further detail is provided on page
42.
L: Failure to maintain excellent service or effectively engage with our customers and wider stakeholders
Long-term priorities
1
adequate level of
service and
engagement could
lead to financial
penalties for South
West Water, the
inability of Pennon
Water Services to
retain and grow
market share and
damage to the
Group's reputation.
Failure to maintain an The Group continues to invest in its customer
services teams and expand the channels by which
it can interact with and support customers. Both
South West Water and Bristol Water hold the
Institute of Customer Service's ServiceMark
accreditation. Additionally, South West Water is
BSI18477 accredited, a dedicated standard for
identifying and responding to customer
vulnerability.
While written complaints have decreased by 60% in
South West Water, C-MeX performance is not
where we would like it to be and action is underway
to address this. Bristol Water's written complaints
have halved during the year and were ranked sixth
in the industry for C-MeX
performance.
Pennon Water Services continues to maintain high
customer satisfaction scores, including a rating of
4.85 out of 5 on Trustpilot.
The independent WaterShare+ advisory panel acts
as a key mechanism for engaging and
demonstrating to customers how South West Water
is delivering on its business plan and Board
pledges. During the year the first WaterShare+
AGM was held.
The Group regularly engages with a wide variety of
internal and external stakeholders including our
people, customers, regulators, environmental
stakeholders and our supply chain. During the year
and extensive stakeholder engagement process
was undertaken and the outcomes have been
aligned with the Group's ESG Capitals framework.
Further detail is on page 31.
Medium
Increasin
g
The Group
continually seeks
to engage with and
increase customer
and wider
stakeholder
satisfaction levels.
Group's strategic priorities M: Insufficient skills and resources to meet the current and future business needs and deliver the
Long-term priorities
1, 2, 3
There remains high demand nationally for skills and
experiences utilised across the Group. The
Medium
Stable
While a certain
level of employee
Principal
Risk
Strategic
Impact
Mitigation Net Risk Appetite
Failure to have a
workforce of skilled
and motivated
individuals will
detrimentally impact
all of our strategic
priorities. We need
right places to
practice, deliver
synergies and move
the Group forward.
the right people in the
innovate, share best
acquisition of Bristol Water has further enhanced
the skills and talent available across the Group.
During the year senior leaders from across the
Group
have participated in a talent development
programme and Bristol Water's future leaders
programme.
The Group's HR strategy enables the Group to
attract, retain and develop our employees and a
number of reward and recognition initiatives have
been launched during the year reflecting the
significant contribution that our people make.
During the year the Group has recruited a further
28 graduates, 136 apprentices and offered 54
placements through the Kickstart programme and
13 placements through the Black Intern initiative.
The employee engagement forum has been
refreshed during the year and nine new employee
networks have been launched.
The continued impact of the Group's Employee
Benefits and Reward Strategy, a focus on talent
management and prioritisation of
the Group's
diversity and inclusion agenda has again resulted in
Pennon being an accredited Great Place to Work
for a second year running.
turnover is
desirable, we
ensure the
appropriate skills
and experience are
in place with
succession plans
providing adequate
resilience.
N: Non-delivery of regulatory outcomes and performance commitments
Long-term priorities
1, 2, 3
South West Water's
and performance
commitments cover
key strategic focus
areas.
these could result in
financial penalties
as reputational
damage to the
Group.
regulatory outcomes
Non-delivery against
being applied as well
The delivery of our regulatory outcomes and
performance commitments is principally through
our operational activities and initiatives.
Performance against South West Water and
Bristol Water's ODIs is subject to regular scrutiny
and review by both the Executive and the Board.
This is supplemented by a comprehensive
programme of internal and external assurance
over reported performance.
Approximately 80% of South West Water's and
75% of Bristol Water's ODIs are on track or ahead
of target.
Medium
Stable
The Group is
committed to
achieving all
performance
commitments over
the length of each
regulatory period.
Where performance
in an individual year
falls below
expectations, action
plans and targeted
intervention are
implemented to
ensure performance
returns to
committed levels.
Business systems and capital investment
O: Inefficient or ineffective delivery of capital projects
Long-term priorities
1, 3
Inability to
successfully deliver
on our capital
programme may
Capital projects are subject to an established and
robust business case process which includes
challenge and modelling of key assumptions.
Projects are delivered utilizing skilled project
management resource with Executive level
oversight.
Medium
Stable
The Board has a
low-risk appetite for
risk associated with
the delivery of
capital investment
Principal
Risk
Strategic
Impact
Mitigation Net Risk Appetite
result in increased
costs and delays,
detrimentally
impacting our ability
to provide top class
achieve our growth
agenda.
customer service and The delivery of projects during the currently
regulatory period, including as part of South West
Water's Green Recovery Initiative, are
progressing.
The current volatility in the global economy is
placing additional challenges on the Group's
supply chain through reducing availability of
goods and materials , increased costs and skills
shortages.
The Group works closely and regularly engages
with its supply chain as well as monitoring the
financial health of key partners. Established plans
and alternative arrangements provide mitigation
and early intervention where necessary.
within our regulated
business plan.
P: Inadequate technological security results in a breach of the Group's assets, systems and data
Long-term priorities
1
Failure of our
technology security,
due to inadequate
external cyber
threats, could result
unable to operate
effectively and the
corruption or loss of
on our customers
penalties and
to the Group.
internal processes or
in the business being
data. This could have
a detrimental impact
and result in financial
reputational damage
External threats to the Group's assets and
systems remain heightened, particularly due to
the war in Ukraine. External threats, including
additional risks resulting from the current conflict
in Ukraine, are being regularly monitored by the
Group's information security teams.
The Group maintains a strong preventive and
detective information security framework, aligned
to guidance issued by the National Cyber Security
Centre.
A refreshed information security awareness
programme has been launched during the year
and South West Water continues to hold the
ISO27001 accreditation.
During the year both South West Water and
Bristol Water have continued to implement
improvements as part of the roadmap to meet the
requirements of the Network and Information
Systems Directive (NIS), with activities aligned to
the priorities identified by the Drinking Water
Inspectorate.
Disaster recovery plans are in place for both
corporate and operational technology and are
regularly reviewed.
Medium
Stable
The Group seeks to
minimise
technology and
security risk to the
lowest possible
level without
detrimentally
impacting on the
Group's operations.
Q: Failure to fully realise the strategic value arising from the acquisition of Bristol Water
Long-term priorities
3
The inability to
effectively integrate
the acquired
in a failure to
maximise the value
of this transaction,
business could result Following the clearance of the Bristol Water
merger by the CMA, integration planning has
commenced focused on highlighting and adopting
best practices from across the enlarged Group.
Synergies of c.£20 million per annum by 2024/25
have been identified through service
improvements, supply chain efficiencies, creating
common systems and processes and sharing of
vest practice.
Low
stable
Opportunities that
support the Group's
strategic priorities
are assessed
against an expected
level of return
adopting clearly
defined factors and
metrics.
Principal
Risk
Strategic
Impact
Mitigation Net Risk Appetite
impacting on
shareholder return.
The delivery of the integration programme
includes Executive involvement with oversight by
the Pennon Board.

Statement of Directors' responsibilities

(This statement is extracted from the governance section of the Annual Report 2022 and page numbers referred to are those in the Annual Report 2022.)

The Directors are responsible for preparing the annual report and the Group financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations. Company law requires the Directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law the Directors have elected to prepare the Group and parent company financial statements in accordance with UK adopted international accounting standards (IFRSs) in conformity with the Companies Act 2006. Under company law the Directors must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Group and the Company and of the profit or loss of the Group for the year.

In preparing these financial statements the Directors are required to:

  • select suitable accounting policies in accordance with IAS 8 Accounting Policies, Changes in Estimates and Errors and then apply them consistently;
  • make judgments and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
  • present information, including accounting policies, in a manner that provides relevant, reliable, comparable and understandable information;
  • provide additional disclosures when compliance with the specific requirements of IFRSs is insufficient to enable users to understand the impact of particular transactions, other events and conditions of the Group's financial position and financial performance;
  • in respect of the Group financial statements, state whether UK adopted international accounting standards in conformity with the Companies Act 2006 have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
  • in respect of the parent company financial statements, state whether UK adopted international accounting standards in conformity with the Companies Act 2006 have been followed; and
  • prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is appropriate to presume that the Company and/or Group will not continue in business.

The Directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the Company's and Group's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Group and the Company; and enable them to ensure that the Company and Group financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Group and the Company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. Under applicable law and regulations, the Directors are also responsible for preparing a Strategic Report, Directors' Report, Directors' Remuneration Report and Corporate Governance Statement that comply with the law and those regulations. The Directors are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on the Company's website.

Each of the Directors, whose names and functions are listed on pages 130 and 132, confirms that, to the best of his or her knowledge:

  • The consolidated financial statements, prepared in accordance with UK adopted international accounting standards in conformity with the Companies Act 2006 give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and profit of the parent company and undertakings included in the consolidation taken as a whole.
  • The Annual Report, including the Strategic Report (pages 1 to 125), includes a fair review of the development and performance of the business during the year and the position of the Company and undertakings included in the consolidation taken as a whole, together with a description of the principal risks and uncertainties they face.

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

Related party transactions

(The following is Note 43 to the Financial Statements set out in the Annual Report 2022.)

Group companies entered into the following transactions with joint ventures which were not members of the Group. Transactions listed below with INEOS Runcorn (TPS) Limited and Lakeside Energy from Waste Limited related to Viridor and were reported as part of discontinued operations in 2021. Bristol Wessex Billing Services Limited and Water 2 Business Limited are joint venture investments of Bristol Water plc.

2022 2021
£m £m
Sales of goods and services
INEOS Runcorn (TPS) Limited 3.5
Water 2 Business Limited 14.5
Purchase of goods and services
Lakeside Energy from Waste Limited 3.8
INEOS Runcorn (TPS) Limited 2.2
Bristol Wessex Billing Services Limited 2.4

Year-end balances

2022
£m
2021
£m
Receivables due from related parties
Water 2 Business Limited (including loan receivable of £9.6 million) 11.1
Bristol Wessex Billing Services Limited 0.9
Payables due to related parties
Water 2 Business Limited 0.4
Bristol Wessex Billing Services Limited 1.4

The receivables due from related parties are unsecured and will be settled in cash. No guarantees have been given or received. No provisions have been made, or are considered necessary, for doubtful debts in respect of these amounts due.

The loans to Water 2 Business Limited are due to be repaid on 28 February 2023 and carry interest at LIBOR plus 1.75%.

Company

The following transactions with subsidiary undertakings occurred in the year:

2022
£m
2021
£m
Sales of goods and services (management fees) 9.0 10.5
Purchase of goods and services (support services) 0.5 3.3
Interest receivable 1.3 4.7
Dividends received 94.5 101.6

Sales of goods and services to subsidiary undertakings are at cost. Purchases of goods and services from subsidiary undertakings are under normal commercial terms and conditions which would also be available to unrelated third parties.

Year-end balances

2022
£m
2021
£m
Receivables due from subsidiary undertakings
Loans 31.5 26.1
Trading balances and other receivables 48.2 59.9

£26.1 million of the loan balance is due for repayment in instalments over a five-year period following a receipt of a request to repay. No request to repay has been issued at the current time. Interest on £13.1 million (2021 £13.1 million) of the loans has been charged at a fixed rate of 5%. Interest on £13.0 million (2021 £13.0 million) of the loans has been charged at 12-month LIBOR +3.0%.

The remaining loan receivable of £5.4 million is with Bristol Water Holdings UK Limited (BWHUK). As part of the acquisition of the Bristol Water Group, Pennon Group plc acquired a loan receivable from BWHUK with a principal repayable of £5.5 million. This loan receivable is due for repayment on 31 December 2023 and the rate of interest charged on the amount outstanding is 0%. Under the requirements of IFRS9 the fair value of the loan is recognised using the rate of 3.565% (comprising an indicative market rate of 0.765% and a margin of 2.8%). The difference between the fair value and the notional value is amortised over the remaining term of the loan with the effective interest being charged to the income statement.

No material expected credit loss provision has been recognised in respect of loans to subsidiaries (2021 nil).

2022
£m
2021
£m
Payables due to subsidiary undertakings
Loans 282.8 283.4
Trading balances 8.6 8.6

The loans from subsidiary undertakings are unsecured and interest-free without any terms for repayment.

20 June 2022

www.pennon-group.co.uk

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