Commonwealth Parliamentary Association - Northern Ireland Assembly Branch - Executive Committee

Tuesday 15 February 2022

Present:                                                          

Mr William Humphrey MBE MLA, Chair                    

Mr Jonathan Buckley MLA

Mr Mervyn Storey MLA                                        

Dr Steve Aiken OBE MLA

Mr Stewart Dickson MLA

Apologies:

Ms Michelle McIlveen MLA 

Mr Robin Newton MBE 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 MBE 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 received four applications from Members to attend the BIMR Conference in the Isle of Man.

Members were content with the applications.  Registration forms will now be completed and travel arrangements made.

6. COMMONWEALTH DAY 2022

The Chair advised Members that the Commonwealth Day event would now encompass the planting of a tree in the grounds of Stormont Estate to celebrate the Queen’s platinum jubilee.  He also stated that there would be invited guests at the event, including Honorary Consuls and Lord Lieutenants, as well as performers from different Commonwealth countries.  He advised that the Speaker, as Branch President, would assist in the planting of the tree.

The Members were content.

7. COMMONWEALTH ROOM

The Chair advised Members that a letter has been drafted for the Commission requesting that the previous Commonwealth Room be restored/replaced in the forthcoming Accommodation Review.

The Members approved the letter.

8. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

Lunch with Clerks from the National Assembly of Gambia

Members agreed to have lunch with Clerks from the National Assembly of

Gambia during their two day visit to the NI Assembly.

9. DATE OF THE NEXT MEETING

The next meeting will take place in March, date to be confirmed.

WILLIAM HUMPHREY MLA

CHAIR