Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Minutes of Proceedings - 17 November 2020
Northern Ireland Assembly Branch - Executive Committee
Present:
Mr William Humphrey MLA, Chair
Ms Michelle McIlveen MLA
Mr Jonathan Buckley MLA
Mr Stewart Dickson MLA
Mr Mervyn Storey MLA
Dr Steve Aiken MLA
Mr Robin Newton MLA
Apologies:
Mr Simon Burrowes, CPA Branch Secretary
Also In attendance:
Mr Ian Crozier, CEO of the Ulster Scots Agency
Ms Louise Close, Engagement Manager
Ms Nicola Crawford, Parliamentary Engagement Co-ordinator (Minutes)
Ms Pauline Carlisle, Engagement Officer
1. WELCOME
The Chair welcomed Members of the CPA NI Executive Branch to the meeting.
2. APOLOGIES
Mr Simon Burrowes was unable to attend.
3. MEETING WITH MR IAN CROZIER, CEO OF THE ULSTER SCOTS AGENCY
The Chair introduced Mr Crozier to the members and thanked him for coming to the meeting. The Chair gave Mr Crozier some background on the Branch and the planned programme of work, including hosting the BIMR Conference.
Mr Crozier thanked members for the invitation to the meeting. He discussed the work of the Ulster Scots Agency and how it could provide cultural support at the BIMR Conference as well as links with prospective partner countries, Canada and Gibraltar. He advised that the NI Bureau in Washington is currently working with Canada.
Members agreed that there should be reciprocal engagement with Canada and the Deputy Secretary advised that the Assembly has hosted large-scale visits to the Assembly from Canadian delegations in the past.
The Chair suggested that the Branch should celebrate both Canada and New Zealand Day. Members agreed that these dates should be celebrated, and Mr Newton suggested that all the national days of the Commonwealth countries should be recognised by the Branch with the Chair issuing a message on these days.
ACTIONS:
- Previous engagement with Canada to presented to Committee at the next meeting.
- Find out the dates of the national days of each of the Commonwealth countries.
4. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING
The minutes were agreed without amendment.
5. FORWARD WORK PLAN
a. Christmas Reception
The Deputy Secretary advised that Room 115/MDR have been booked for the Christmas Reception on Tuesday 15th December from 1.00pm to 2.00pm and that all CPA members will be invited to attend.
b. Marketing Strategy
A marketing strategy for the Branch is currently being developed with the Communications Office.
c. Partner Countries
The Chair advised that he had spoken to Gibraltar House in London and that they are keen to establish links with the NI Assembly. The Chair asked members if they were content to pursue this partnership and members agreed.
Members also agreed to pursue a partnership with Canada.
The Chair advised that Anguilla is being considered as another partnership country. Dr Aiken suggested considering Ghana as another possibility as Northern Ireland has strong links with the country.
The Deputy Secretary stated that research has been requested on these countries and will be ready for the next meeting.
ACTION: Letter to be issued to Dominique Searle at Gibraltar House.
6. REVIEW OF BRANCH RULES
Members had reviewed the new Branch rules and were content with the amendments.
7. CPA STRATEGIC PLAN CONSULTATION PAPER
Members had no comments on the paper
8. BIMR CONFERENCE
Members agreed that the Conference will take place in the week commencing 21st June 2020.
They also agreed that the Economy Minister should be invited to the meeting in January.
ACTION: The Economy Minister to be invited to the January meeting.
9. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
a. Letter from Mr Stephen Twigg, CPA Secretary General
Members agreed that Mr Twigg will be invited to the Assembly once travel is viable.
10. DATE OF THE NEXT MEETING
The next meeting will take place on Tuesday 8th December at 1.00pm in Room 115.
WILLIAM HUMPHREY MLA
CHAIR
