Optometry 99 related-costs take toll on balance sheet

The AOP, which made a &\#163;138,685 surplus for the financial year to December 31 1998, will shortly report at its AGM that for the 12 months to December 31 1999 it recorded an operating deficit &\#163;137,555. The AOP and the Southern Council of Optometrists formed the Vision Education Partnership three years ago to run the educational congress project. This project resulted in last year's Optometry 99 and a second congress is scheduled for 2001. The AOP's investment in the operation was &\#163;133,348 by the end of 1998. However, it reported a reduction in value of the investment of &\#163;127,750 in 1999. Prior to this calculation, and taxation during 1999 of &\#163;9,474, the AOP would have reported a surplus of &\#163;73,123. General councillors' allowances/honoria increased from &\#163;21,125 in 1998 to &\#163;54,837 in 1999. - The Association of Optometrists will hold its annual general meeting at the New Connaught Rooms, London, on May 17. The meeting will start at 9am.