Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Minutes of Proceedings - 18 May 2021

Northern Ireland Assembly Branch - Executive Committee

Present:

Mr William Humphrey MLA, Chair 
Ms Michelle McIlveen MLA
Mr Robin Newton MLA
Mr Mervyn Storey MLA
Dr Steve Aiken MLA
Mr Stewart Dickson MLA

Apologies:

Mr Jonathan Buckley MLA

Also In attendance:

Mr Jeremy Gardner, Centenary Task Group
Mr Simon Burrowes, CPA Branch Secretary
Ms Louise Close, Engagement Manager
Ms Nicola Crawford, Parliamentary Engagement (Minutes)
Ms Pauline Carlisle, Engagement
Mr Micky McCoy, Engagement

1. WELCOME

The Chair welcomed Members of the CPA NI Executive Branch to the meeting.

2. APOLOGIES

Apologies were received from Jonathan Buckley.

3. JEREMY GARDNER, CENTENARY TASK GROUP

The Chair welcomed Mr Gardner to the meeting and asked him if he could update Members on the planned events to celebrate the centenary. Mr Gardner advised that the events were going to act as a springboard to economic recovery post COVID and would focus on investment opportunities for Northern Ireland. He stated that events would acknowledge the past but focus on the country's future including new industries and innovations.

Mr Gardner advised that he will send through the list of events once it has been approved.

4. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

The minutes were agreed.

5. MARKETING STRATEGY

The Chair discussed the CPA pop-up stand mock up and Members agreed that the Union Jack and Commonwealth flags should be superimposed on the building.

ACTION: Comms to be contacted re flags.

6. PARTNER COUNTRIES

The Chair advised that a date for the first meeting with CPA Gibraltar has been requested and that we are waiting for a response.

6. BIMR CONFERENCE

The Deputy Secretary discussed the draft programme and invitation with Members as well as the meetings that have taken place with the RUAS and Nic Cheeseman from the University of Birmingham.

The Members were content with the programme and agreed the conference themes.

7. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

There was no other business.

8. DATE OF THE NEXT MEETING

The next meeting will take place on Tuesday 22nd June.

WILLIAM HUMPHREY MLA
CHAIR