News

A new model Local Optical Committee (LOC) constitution has been approved by the Department of Health and the national representative/negotiating bodies detailing the functions of LOCs as prescribed by law.

The updated constitution will allow LOCs to review their membership as well as encourage the participation of individuals who could not previously be involved.

Under the new legislation, dispensing opticians as contractors will now be legally entitled to be members of LOCs, as will lay contractors.

Sir Anthony Garrett, general secretary of ABDO, commented on the new entitlement: 'A right has been restored to practice-owning DOs, which is a serious move forward and greatly welcomed.'

The LOC Central Support Unit guidance also states that the committee's proposed expenses are expected to be incorporated (including contribution to the LOCSU) in each LOC's annual business plans.

Other key points of the new constitution included:

• Each LOC needs at least six elected members, split equally between contractors (OOs, DOs and lay contractors) and performers (OOs)
• Contractors can only be elected by contractors and performers can only be elected by performers
• Members of the committee will be elected for three years and may stand for re-election
• A chairman, secretary and treasurer will be elected for one year at the AGM and may stand for re-election
• Committees are required to meet at least three times a year
• An annual budget should be set by the committee, including a voluntary levy as required and accounts should be audited
• Observers (such as optometric advisers) may be invited to attend relevant parts of committee meetings but will not be eligible to vote
• Written minutes must be kept of all committee meetings and be made available for inspection to all local contractors and performers
• An AGM should take place within three months of the end of a committee's financial year
• All local contractors should be kept informed by the committee of all opportunities for the provision of local optometric services.

The LOCSU recommends that each LOC at its next AGM should formally adopt the new constitution and asks any LOCs who have their AGM planned in 2008 to contact them so that they can provide appropriate documentation.

www.loc-net.org.uk/locsu/12194044947274.html

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