Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (Wales Branch)

Commonwealth Parliamentary Association

Branch Executive Meeting

CPA 1-08 (Minutes)

Date:

Tuesday 29 January 2008

Time:

5.45pm

Venue:

Cwrt

Present:

Janet Ryder AM (Branch Chair)
Alun Cairns AM
Jeff Cuthbert AM
Claire Clancy (Branch Secretary)
Peter Kellam (Branch Secretariat)

1.Apologies for absence

Apologies for absence were received from the Deputy Presiding Officer and Mike German.

2.Minutes of the Last Meeting

The minutes of the last meeting of the Branch Executive Committee (CPA-04-07) were approved as a correct record.

3.Reports and Matters arising from recent activity

New South Wales.    

The Branch Executive was advised that Brynle Williams would provide a brief written report of his visit to the New South Wales Parliament.

Climate Change Conference.

The Branch Executive was advised that a report of Darren Millar’s attendance at the CPA UK Branch had been provided to the Secretariat and was now available for circulation to Members.

Action:  Secretariat.

South Africa.  

The Branch Secretariat was asked to seek feedback from the South African Parliament on their recent visit to the Assembly - in particular on the prospect for developing further exchange and communication.  The Branch’s continuing relations with the Lesotho Parliament mean that a call on the South African Parliament could be factored into an outward delegation to the region at marginal extra cost.   

Action:  Secretariat.

Branch Fellowship Scheme.  

The Branch Executive was advised that Members had been reminded of the scheme; two had subsequently expressed interest though no bids had yet been submitted.

4.Future Events.

CPA UK Branch Drugs Conference.

The Branch Executive noted that this had been advertised to Members but that there had been no takers.

BIMR Conference.

It was confirmed that the Branch is entitled to send a delegation of four Members and that the Secretariat would circulate a note to Members inviting expressions of interest for consideration by the Branch Executive.  

Action:  Secretariat.

Future Direction and Priorities.

Possible future activities for the Branch were outlined by the Chair and discussed by the Branch Executive in the context of the CPA (International) Strategic Plan 2007 and the Assembly Commission’s own objectives.  Possible directions and priorities for the Branch discussed were:

• Greater involvement in the work of  Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians
• network activities of the CPA including possible staging of events at the Senedd;
• Continuing links with Lesotho and extending parliamentary strengthening work to Somaliland
• in line with the CPA core function of representing and promoting parliamentary democracy, the Association and values of the Commonwealth to both Commonwealth and non-Commonwealth worlds;
• Hosting the BIMR Conference before 2011.

The Branch Secretariat was tasked with producing a provisional three-year forward to be tabled at the next meeting of the Branch Executive.  

Action:  Branch Secretariat.

5.Commonwealth Day.

The meeting received an update on progress for Commonwealth Day.  It was agreed that:

• The theme of the day ‘The Environment – Our Future’ provided an opportunity to highlight the sustainable aspects of the Senedd;
• That the possibility of adding a panel discussion between young people and Assembly Members to the programme should be considered;
• That the Branch Secretariat share work done to date on a possible motion for debate with Cabinet Secretariat;
• That the event be used to raise the profile and understanding of the Branch amongst Assembly Members;
• That the Welsh Assembly Government be asked to provide data on inward investment projects in Wales involving Commonwealth nations over the last five years.  

Action:  Secretariat (all above).

Members of the Branch Executive agreed that they would work within their respective party groups to maximise Members’ participation in the day’s programme.  

Action:  Branch Executive Members.

6.Correspondence

Themes for 2008 Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference.  

The Branch Executive discussed possible themes that might be submitted as items for debate at the conference.  Those that emerged from the discussion were:

• The representation and participation of women and young people in politics;
• The funding of political parties;
• Encouraging public participation in politics and engagement with parliaments.

The Branch Secretariat was asked share these initial suggestions with and seek input from all Members.  

Action:  Branch Secretariat.

CPA Centennial.

The Branch Secretariat was asked to seek feedback from all Members on possible ways the CPA (International) might celebrate the CPA Centennial in 2011.  

Action:  Branch Secretariat.

7.Date and Time of Next Meeting

Immediately after plenary Tuesday 26 February 2008.

PJP Kellam

Secretariat

CPA Wales Branch