Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Minutes of Proceedings - 23 March 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
Apologies:
Mr Jonathan Buckley MLA
Mr Stewart Dickson MLA
Also In attendance:
Mr Simon Burrowes, CPA Branch Secretary
Ms Louise Close, Engagement Manager
Ms Pauline Carlisle, Parliamentary Engagement (Minutes)
1. WELCOME
The Chair welcomed Members of the CPA NI Executive Branch to the meeting and wished Dr Aiken a speedy recovery after his recent fall.
2. APOLOGIES
Mr Jonathan Buckley MLA and Mr Stewart Dickson MLA were unable to attend.
3. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING
The minutes were agreed.
4. MARKETING STRATEGY
The Deputy Secretary advised Members that a Facebook Group and Twitter account have been set up.
The Chair stated that he had trouble accessing the Facebook Group. The Deputy Secretary advised that the Communications Service were looking into it.
ACTION: CPA NI logo to be added to the CPA website page.
5. PARTNER COUNTRIES
The Chair advised that a an email has been sent to the Association Secretary of the Canada-United Kingdom Inter-Parliamentary Association to seek help with a possible partnership with the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.
He also advised that an email has been received from CPA Gibraltar Branch asking for discussion points/proposals ahead of a meeting to discuss our partnership. He asked Members if there were any particular points that they would like to discuss with Gibraltar CPA. Dr Aiken suggested discussing common issues such as Brexit and the NI Protocol and Mr Newton suggested showing Gibraltar a promotional/tourist board video of Northern Ireland.
The Chair stated that he would like CPA Gibraltar and Gibraltar House to be invited to the BIMR Conference gala dinner.
ACTIONS: Draw up discussion points for meeting with CPA Gibraltar.
6. BIMR CONFERENCE
The Deputy Secretary advised Members that a Conference programme had been drafted and asked for their feedback.
The Chair suggested the following:
- Using the Monday evening to take the Gibraltar delegation out for dinner in a private room in a Belfast restaurant.
- To invite all the Lord Lieutenants to the dinner in Titanic.
- That he could speak to Gary Middleton MLA about holding a short reception at the Guildhall.
Mr Storey offered to contact Alan Crowe from the RUAS about attendance at the Balmoral Show. He also stated the PSNI should be informed of the level of the delegation for security purposes.
Ms McIlveen suggested giving delegates more time at the Show to ensure that they can see round everything properly and get the full experience.
Regarding the optional tour day, the Engagement Manager suggested putting together a survey to ask delegates if they would be willing to stay an extra for the tour and gather return flight information.
The Chair advised Members that a 10 year old girl from Birmingham has designed the mascot for the 2022 Commonwealth Games, a patchwork bull called Perry, and that the Branch should send her a letter of congratulation.
ACTIONS:
- Mervyn Storey to contact Alan Crowe.
- PSNI to be contacted regarding the delegation and their security.
- Ian Crozier, Ulster Scots Agency, to be invited to the next meeting, regarding putting a programme together for Hillsborough Castle reception (e.g. piper) at the conference.
- Letter to be written to Emma Lou re Commonwealth Games mascot.
7. COMMONWEALTH DAY
The Deputy Secretary advised Members that the virtual Commonwealth Day event was very successful and showed Members the video which will be published on the website.
8. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
No other business.
9. DATE OF THE NEXT MEETING
The next meeting will take place on Tuesday 20th April.
WILLIAM HUMPHREY MLA
CHAIR
