AOP AGM 2018

Introduction by chairman  

Mike George welcomed the attendees to the AOP AGM. He said that much had been achieved in what was another significant year for the AOP.

Approval of the minutes of the last AGM held on 6 June 2017.

The chairman asked the members to approve the minutes of the last AGM held on 6 June 2017. The vote was carried and the chairman signed the minutes.

Roll of deceased members

The chairman asked the members at the meeting to stand as the chief executive read the roll of deceased members:

• Mr Michael Beaver, Alcester
• Mrs Judith Booth, Princes Risborough
• Miss Joanne Boyd, Kingston-upon-Thames
• Miss Isabel Brown, Dundee
• Mr A Critchley, Scarborough
• Mr James Gibson Horrocks, Guildford
• Mr Leonard Hillier, Woking
• Mrs Kathleen Holland, Malvern
• Ms Aveline Horton, Norwich
• Mr R Hulett, Sudbury
• Dr Patricia Ibraimoh, Manchester
• Mr James King, Bursledon
• Ms Judith Lavery, Melton Mowbray
• Mrs Helen Marshall, Nottingham
• Mr Robert McLachlan, Glasgow
• Mrs Priya Mistry, Leicester
• Mr Daniel Nicklin, Guildford
• Mr David Preston, Whitley Bay
• Mr Trevor Whitaker, Halifax
• Mr Derek Woods, Sheringham.

Report from the chairman

Mr George opened by stating that the defence of members was at the heart of the AOP's activity, highlighting that 2017 had proved to be another challenging year, particularly for the in-house legal team, which handled an increasing number of cases and enquiries.  

He said that a number of new initiatives had been undertaken to increase member awareness of the support given by the AOP. These included the Who's got your back campaign, a second legal CET drama – jointly funded by the Central Optical Fund – entitled Team under pressure, which highlighted the possible pitfalls encountered in practice and ways to avoid them with AOP support.  

The chairman said that health and wellbeing had been a significant theme for 2017. He highlighted that the AOP peer support line was launched in May and was having a positive impact, handling a considerable number of calls related to stress and working conditions. He said that employment support for members was now a growth area, adding that a decision had been taken to increase the in-house employment resource during 2018.

Mr George said that, in 2017, the investment in promoting the profession led to creation of the Voice of Optometry Panel, raising the AOP's public profile, linking campaigns with members, the public, politicians and the media. The Don't swerve a sight test PR campaign was a success and would be built on further in 2018, he added. 

The chairman said that balancing the needs of members and representing the profession was at the heart of the AOP's policy work during 2017, explaining that this had been refined through the policy committee and the Council with valuable input through online forums from the wider AOP membership. 

The chairman also said that building relationships with a wide range of volunteers, as well as decision-makers, had been key. He noted that through the honorary associates programme, the AOP had developed contacts with members of both the House of Commons and House of Lords, which had enabled better participation in parliamentary debates. 

Mr George explained that the General Optical Council's Education Strategic Review had occupied a great deal of the AOP’s time and that this would continue in 2018. He said that the AOP continued to be active in this arena as it was essential that members were equipped for the way technology would play a greater part in optometry and clinical skills would be in greater demand in the future. He added that in 2017, a study had been commissioned from the Institute of Employment to build on previous work relating to the supply of optometrists and this would be completed in 2018.   

The chairman reported that investment in education had continued in 2017 and ‘education’ was the theme for the AOP in 2018, stating that the range and reach of CET provision for members had increased. 

He highlighted that 100% Optical was the flagship event, but regional and legal peer-to-peer events, together with CPD events, provided a broad range of face-to-face activity. He added that this had been augmented with specific events for locums, which is a growing sector of the membership. As the largest provider of education in the sector, together with the journal and face-to-face delivery, the AOP was mindful of future educational developments in the profession, he explained.   

Mr George concluded by saying that the AOP’s membership grew by 4% in 2017, making the AOP the largest representative body in the sector with 81.4% of registered optometrists in membership. He said that it continued to invest in its core services of protection and support to meet the changing needs of its members in every mode of practice.  

To receive a report from the chairman of finance and approve the Annual Report and accounts

The chairman invited the chairman of finance, Mike Fegan, to present the annual report and accounts for the year ended 31 December, 2017.

In his summary, Mr Fegan said that 2017 had been a sound year financially with a surplus of £615,000. He highlighted that membership subscription income had risen by 2.4% to £6.6 million due to a strong growth in members and that net assets had increased to £5.4 million. 

He said that in 2016 a new reserves policy had been set at £3 million of available reserves. He said that this had now reached £2 million and more work had to done to achieve the target. 

Mr Fegan reported that the size of medical malpractice claims had risen. He noted that a number of claims remained outstanding from 2010–2014 and had to be reserved at very high levels. He said that the insurers had doubled the premium for 2018, and this increase meant that the AOP budget for 2018 was set with a reduced surplus of £141,000. He concluded that the financial position for 2018 was secure, but that there was a risk in 2019 of having to use the AOP reserves or increase membership subscriptions to reflect that claims were rising along with the premium.

Mr Fegan stated that the auditors, Moore Stephens, had concluded that the accounts showed a true and accurate record of the AOP's finances.

AOP Councillor Susan Bowers asked a question on equal pay, to which the chief executive gave an assurance that salaries were equal between the male and female members of staff.

In a question from AOP Councillor Martin Sweeney on a possible increase in membership fees, the chief executive said that highlighting the value and protection that the AOP gave to its members was important. 

Mr George paid tribute to Mr Fegan for his work as chairman of finance.

To approve the proposal of the Board to re-appoint Moore Stephens LLP as the Association’s auditors. Mr Fegan, on behalf of the Board, moved that Moore Stephens LLP be re-appointed as the Association’s auditors. The vote was seconded and carried.

Any other business

There was no other business and the AGM was closed by the chairman.

Image credit: Getty