Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Minutes of Proceedings - 18 January 2022
Northern Ireland Assembly Branch - Executive Committee
Commonwealth Parliamentary Association - Northern Ireland Assembly Branch 18 January 2022.pdf (116.39 kb)
Present:
Mr William Humphrey MLA, Chair
Mr Jonathan Buckley MLA
Mr Mervyn Storey MLA
Dr Steve Aiken MLA
Mr Stewart Dickson MLA
Apologies:
Ms Michelle McIlveen MLA
Mr Robin Newton MLA
Also In attendance:
Mr Simon Burrowes, CPA Branch Secretary
Ms Louise Close, Engagement Manager
Ms Nicola Crawford, Parliamentary Engagement (Minutes)
Ms Emma Steele, Engagement
1. WELCOME
The Chair welcomed Members of the CPA NI Executive Branch to the meeting.
2. APOLOGIES
Apologies were received from Michelle McIlveen MLA and Robin Newton MLA.
3. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING
The minutes were agreed.
4. PARTNER COUNTRIES
The Chair advised that he is still waiting for a response to his letter to Minister Sacramento regarding how to take the partnership with Gibraltar forward. The Chair will inform Members when he receives a response.
5. BIMR CONFERENCE 2022
The Chair advised Members that the Branch has received confirmation that the next BIMR Conference will be hosted by CPA Isle of Man. The conference will take place from Wednesday 23 to Friday 25 March and the Branch is entitled to send four members to the conference.
Members agreed to send a delegation to the Conference and to issue the application for to the Branch membership.
6. COMMONWEALTH DAY 2022
The Chair told Members that this year Commonwealth Day will take place on Monday 14 March. He explained that the Branch is planning to approach uniformed youth associatations and ask them to submit a piece of artwork reflecting this year’s theme of “Delivering a Common Future: Connecting, Innovating, Transforming”. The artwork would then be displayed in the Long Gallery over Commonwealth Day and, COVID-19 restrictions permitting, a reception held for the artists.
The Members were content with this.
7. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Gender Sensitive Parliaments
Members were asked to note the Speaker’s response to the Gender Sensitive Parliaments information request from the CWP.
Parliamentarian Article
Members were advised of the article about the BIMR Conference in the Parliamentarian.
ACTION: Copies of the Parliamentarian to be placed in Members pigeon holes.
Platinum Jubilee Tree
The Chair advised that a letter had been send to the Speaker requesting that a tree be planted on behalf of the CPA in the grounds of Stormont to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
Commonwealth Room
The Chair discussed requesting a room to be used in Parliament Buildings
as a Commonwealth Room. The room would be used for CPA meetings and to display gifts received for visiting Commonwealth delegations.
ACTION: The Engagement Team to speak to David Lynn about the forthcoming Accommodation Review and a possible Commonwealth Room.
Tsunami in Tonga
Dr Aiken stated that the branch should send a letter of support to CPA Tonga Branch in the aftermath of the recent Tsunami.
ACTION: Letter to be drafted.
End of Mandate Reception
The Chair suggested having a reception for CPA members to mark the end of the mandate.
ACTION: The Engagement Team to organise reception.
8. DATE OF THE NEXT MEETING
The next meeting will take place on Tuesday 15th February
WILLIAM HUMPHREY MLA
CHAIR
