BELL GROUP LTD
Company number: SC114142
Reporting period:
1 April 2025 to 30 September 2025
Report filed on:
30 October 2025
Approved by:
Lynne Thomson
Contracts and payments
Do any of this business's construction contracts with its suppliers include retention clauses? Yes
Payment statistics
Average time taken to pay invoices: 45 days
Total value paid:
- within 30 days: £25,191,963 (38%)
- in 31 to 60 days: £32,623,185 (49%)
- in 61 days or more: £8,574,070 (13%)
Invoices paid:
- within 30 days: 33%
- in 31 to 60 days: 49%
- in 61 days or more: 18%
Late and disputed:
- total value of payments due in the reporting period which have not been paid within the agreed period: £2,655,569
- payments due in the reporting period which have not been paid within the agreed period: 4%
- not made in the reporting period due to a dispute: 2%
Payment terms
Shortest standard payment periods
0 days
Longest standard payment period
60 days
Standard payment terms
Purchase ledger payment terms typically vary between 30 to 60 days, typically from the end of the month the invoice is received. Subcontractor payment terms vary from 7 days to 35 days, from the end of month the invoice is received.
Were there any changes to the standard payment terms in the reporting period?
No
Were suppliers notified or consulted about these changes before they were made?
N/A
Maximum contractual payment period agreed
60 days
Payment terms often apply from the end of the month the invoice is received.
Any other information about payment terms
N/A
Retention clauses
How does this business use retention clauses?
Retention clauses are used in specific circumstances:
The use of retentions (typically 3-5%) on a small number of specific contracts with our subcontractor supply chain is generally a reciprocal decision, applied to mirror those stipulated in some contracts with our clients.
Does this business only use retention clauses in construction contracts above a specific contract sum?
No
Does this business use a standard percentage rate in retention clauses?
No
Does this business apply retention clause practices that are no more onerous than those applied to it on the same project?
No
Releasing money under a retention clause
Process for releasing money this business has deducted or retained under a retention clause
50% of retention is released on practical completion of the job. The remainder is released at the end of the making goods defects period. This is only applied on specific contracts, typically to mirror the retention release contractually stipulated by our customer.
Is the money released in stages?
Yes:
50% on practical completion and 50% based on completion of the making goods defect period.
Amount retained from suppliers in the reporting period
Amount retained stated as a percentage of the money retained from this business by its clients
20%
Amount retained stated as a percentage of the total construction payments made by this business
1%
Dispute resolution process
Bell Group Ltd recognise the strategic importance of supply chain partners and are committed to treating them fairly at all times. Our aim is to resolve any disputes in a timely manner, through open and constructive discussion. Any disputes would initially be discussed with the ordering party. If this does not resolve the situation then the matter should be escalated to the purchase ledger manager or senior members of the finance or commercial teams. They will endeavour to resolve the dispute in good faith within 30 days from the date the dispute was referred to them.
Other payment information
Has this business signed up to a code of conduct or standards on payment practices? If so, which?
For example, signatories to The Fair Payment Code must commit to paying 95% of their invoices within 60 days.
No, this business has not signed up to a code of conduct or standards on payment practices.
Does this business offer e-invoicing in relation to qualifying contracts?
This is where suppliers can electronically submit and track invoices. It's not just allowing suppliers to email them an invoice.
No
Does this business offer supply chain finance?
This is where a supplier who has submitted an invoice can be paid by a third-party finance provider earlier than the agreed payment date. The business would then pay the finance provider the invoiced sum.
No
Under its payment practices and policies, can this business deduct sums from payments under qualifying contracts as a charge for remaining on a supplier list?
No
During the reporting period, did the business deduct sums from payments as a charge for remaining on a supplier list?
No