Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Minutes of Proceedings - 25 June 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
Apologies:
Mr Robin Newton MLA
Also In attendance:
Mr Simon Burrowes, CPA Branch Secretary
Ms Louise Close, Engagement Manager
Ms Nicola Crawford, Parliamentary Engagement Co-ordinator (Minutes)
1. WELCOME
The Chair welcomed Members of the CPA NI Executive Branch to the meeting.
2. APOLOGIES
Mr Robin Newton was unable to attend.
3. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING
The minutes were agreed without amendment.
Proposed: Stewart Dickson
Seconded: William Humphrey
4. FORTHCOMING CPA EVENTS
a. Virtual BIMR Conference, September 2020
The Chair advised Members that CPA Malta was due to host the BIMR Conference this year but due to COVID-19 and the subsequent travel restrictions, they will now host a virtual conference on the 24th and 25th September.
The Chair explained that the Branch is still waiting for further information but that it will be issued as soon as it is received.
b. Annual CPA Conference, Nova Scotia, Canada, January 2021
The Chair advised Members that the CPC will take place in Nova Scotia in January 2021. The NI Assembly Branch will be invited to send one delegate who can be accompanied by an observer (e.g. secretary) and Clerk attending the Society of Clerks at the Table (SOCATT). As agreed at the AGM, the Assembly will send a delegate to the conference.
5. REVIEW OF BRANCH RULES
The Secretary advised Members that the branch rules have not been reviewed since 2016 and that they now need to be reviewed to ensure that all current branch procedures are included.
The Chair asked that the rules are reviewed and suggestions for amendments be brought to the next meeting.
ACTION: Branch rules to be reviewed and suggested amendments brought to the next meeting.
6. FORWARD WORK PLAN
a. Virtual meeting with Mr Jon Davies, Chief Executive of CPA UK (to include CPA update)
The Secretary suggested arranging a meeting with Mr Jon Davies, Chief Executive of CPA UK, to get an update on the work of the CPA over the last three years and forthcoming work. Mr Davies would also be able to provide an update on the work of the other Branches in the region.
The Chair stated that he was keen for this meeting to take place.
Mr Storey stated that he believes it is important to enhance and expand the Branch’s activity. Once possible, he would like to see more CPA events within Parliament Buildings in order to promote the work of the CPA.
The Chair stated that it is important to put together a forward work plan for the Branch as soon as possible and suggested that Committee have a planning meeting in September to put together a forward work plan.
ACTION: Planning meeting to be arranged for September.
b. Hosting the BIMR and CWP Conferences
The Secretary asked Louise Close to discuss the conferences with Members.
Ms Close advised that the NIAssembly Branch is due to host both the BIMR Conference and CWP (Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians) Conference. The Assembly had been pencilled in to host next year but has asked to host the BIMR Conference in 2023 to allow the Branch to be operational again and to give engagement staff sufficient time to organise such a large-scale conference.
Ms Close suggested that plans for the conferences could be discussed at the planning day.
The Secretary advised that the conferences would need to be added to the business dairy and budgeted for, as there is a large cost for hosting them.
The Chair stated that the conferences would be a great way to ‘sell’ Northern Ireland to the other Commonwealth countries and that the Branch should ask Visit Belfast for assistance in arranging some aspects of the conference programme.
Mr Storey stated that the Branch should be considering all the significant dates coming up over the next few years with the view of hosting appropriate events to celebrate them. He also stated that it is important to use such events to integrate with people in the community from Commonwealth countries. He suggested that it would be worthwhile trying to make connections with the different Commonwealth diasporas in Northern Ireland.
Dr Aiken suggested that the Branch should look at the role of Northern Ireland in life sciences and how the country can showcase their success in the world of bioscience and work with Commonwealth countries in this area.
The Chair also suggested looking at other links with organisations such as universities etc. in Commonwealth countries, which Northern Ireland may already have and build on these.
ACTION: Research will be conducted into Commonwealth diasporas and organisations in Northern Ireland with links to the Commonwealth.
ACTION: Research will be conducted into significant dates coming up over the next few years with the view of hosting appropriate events to celebrate them.
7. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
a. Newly appointed CPA Secretary General
The Chair advised Members that Mr Stephen Twigg has been appointed new CPA Secretary General.
The Chair asked that a letter be sent to Mr Twigg congratulating him on his appointment and inviting him to visit the NI Assembly at his convenience.
ACTION: Letter to be issued from the Chair to Mr Stephen Twigg.
b. Website Update
Ms Close advised Members that the CPA pages on the Assembly website have been updated and photos of the Executive Committee added.
Members viewed the website and the Chair asked for the CPA logo to be added to the front page.
ACTION: CPA logo to be added to CPA website page.
8. DATE OF THE NEXT MEETING
The next meeting will take place at the end of July, details to be confirmed.
WILLIAM HUMPHREY MLA
CHAIR
