BRITISH ISLANDS & MEDITERRANEAN REGION REGIONAL SECRETARIAT

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0610AGEN/BIMR10

MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE BRITISH ISLES & MEDITERRANEAN REGION HELD AT 0900 ON 13 MAY 2010 AT THE VILLA MARINA

Present: Janet Ryder AM (Chairperson and Regional Representative Wales) Lord Harrison of Chester (Regional Representative UK) Edwin Reyes MP (Regional Representative Gibraltar) Delegates

In Attendance: Mr Andrew Tuggey (Regional Secretary)

ITEM 1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE.

1.01. The Secretary reported that the delegation from Malta and the CPA Secretariat had sent their apologies.

ITEM 2. CHAIRMAN’S WELCOME AND OPENING REMARKS.

2.01. The Chairperson welcomed everyone to the AGM. She asked delegates to express their appreciation to the Isle of Man branch for their guidance and exceptional hospitality and for arranging an interesting and challenging conference programme with high quality speakers.

ITEM 3. MINUTES OF THE REGIONAL AGM IN GUERNSEY 15 & 17 JUNE 2009.

3.01. The minutes of the Regional AGM held at the States of Guernsey on 15 and 17 June 2009 were approved.

ITEM 4. MATTERS ARISING.

4.01. There were no matters arising

ITEM 5. REPORTS.

5.01. Report from ExCo Meetings at 55th CPC in Arusha. Lord Harrison reported that the region's representatives had met before the CPA AGM in Arusha. Nigel Evans MP had spoken very vigorously at the AGM on the need to enhance governance, but most of the issues raised there had since been overtaken by events.

5.02. CWP Representative. The Regional CWP Representative, Hon. Justine Caruana MP (Malta) had sent her apologies. The women delegates present at the conference had met informally on 12 May; Anne Craine MHK gave their report. a. A meeting of women Parliamentarians had been held the previous day. The meeting agreed that CWP meetings should be included in the timetable for regional conferences.

b. The CWP had previously discussed human trafficking, which had links to prostitution, slavery, poverty and sexual abuse. However, it was not clear what actions had been taken by the CWP to address the issue, and Branch secretariats were asked to look into this issue and feedback through Branches to the Regional CWP representative, who would then provide feedback to the plenary conference. An online forum to enable further discussion between CWP representatives in the region had been proposed, and the regional secretariat were asked to look into how this might be provided, and at what other, more formal, feedback mechanisms might be provided.

5.03. The Regional Secretary reported on issues arising from the mid-year meeting of the CPA ExCo in Swaziland. Much time had been spent discussing administrative issues rather than the big programme issues. The meeting had become quite adversarial when discussing matters such as the terms and conditions of members of the secretariat: a vote was held, which descended into bloc voting. This was unfortunate because such actions split the executive and could impact on the general assemblies. He hoped that all these issues would be agreed by the Nairobi meeting in September because too much time was being spent on administrative matters.

a. CPA Subscriptions. The CPA Secretariat had produced a complicated paper offering three options for the revision of CPA membership fees. Only 24 responses had been received, which was probably not sufficient to gauge the feeling of the membership. It had been decided to include the matter in the terms of reference for the CPA Working Group due to be announced on 30 June 2010.

b. CPA Regional Secretaries’ Meeting 5 March 2010. The Regional Secretaries had strongly suggested to the Secretariat-General that Regional Secretaries be allowed to attend the formal meetings of the CPA Executive Committee. The matter had been on the agenda in Swaziland and had been due for consideration yesterday. The matter would now be put to a vote, but it was possible there would be no change.

ITEM 6. ENHANCING GOVERNANCE PAPER.

6.01. Lord Harrison took the Chair

6.02. Janet Ryder AM introduced the paper which had been produced by a working group including representatives from the Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, the Isle of Man and Wales. The Isle of Man Branch had submitted a substantial response and proposed amendments which had the support of the working group. If approved by the AGM the paper would be submitted to the CPA Secretariat for inclusion on the CPA ExCo agenda when it met at the CPC in Nairobi, where it was hoped it would prompt discussion.

6.03. Statement by CPA Scotland. Karen Gillon MSP said that the Scotland Branch supported the paper, but had concerns regarding the growing divisions that were apparent in the CPA. It would be important to seek consensus when the paper was taken forward. The message had to be that the paper aimed to enhance the transparency and accountability the CPA and parliamentarians. BIMR politicians were aware that financial issues could be misconstrued or reported to harm a legislature’s reputation, and that those reputations would also be damaged by any allegations of financial waste by the CPA. It would important to marshal these arguments before the conference and ensure the Commonwealth moved forward together.

6.04. Statement by CPA Jersey. Deputy Ben Fox welcomed the document and its appropriate timing. It was usually a danger sign when organisations started looking inwards more than outwards. He hoped all delegates would support the paper.

6.05. Statement by CPA Guernsey. Deputy Jenny Tasker said that CPA Guernsey supported the paper. Accountability had been on the agenda for some time and many countries had emphasised its importance: this was the message that should be adopted to persuade other regions to accept the proposals.

6.06. Summary of Discussion and Approval of Paper. Janet Ryder AM agreed that consensus would be needed when the paper was taken forward. The presentations received at this conference had shown how boundaries between countries were being eroded, making the CPA more relevant than ever and an institution which needed to be defended and promoted. Public disquiet about Westminster expenses had arisen because the system had not been reformed to meet modern day standards. This demonstrated how all long-established organisations needed to look at themselves to ensure that they operated in line with public expectation. The Regional Secretary’s report had intimated the feelings emerging within the Association, but the region needed to work with other regions to encourage them to take this issue forward too.

6.07. The amendments from CPA Isle of Man were approved. The paper, as amended, was unanimously approved by the AGM.

6.08. Statement by CPA Gibraltar. Hon Steven Linares asked whether the Regional Secretariat would be able to prepare a strategy regarding how best to take forward the paper. Janet Ryder AM said she had already discussed the paper with the CPA Secretary-General, and asked the Regional Secretary to take the paper forward.

6.09. Janet Ryder AM resumed the chair.

ITEM 7. REGIONAL SPECIALIST CONFERENCES/SEMINARS/WORKSHOPS PLANNED FY 2010/2011.

7.01. CPA UK’s 3rd International Parliamentary Conference on Climate Change would to be held at Westminster from 12 to 16 July, and invitations had been sent out. The conference was an opportunity for delegates to attempt to influence the new UK Government on climate change issues. It was not necessary for delegates from the BIMR to attend the whole conference. CPA Northern Ireland also might hold a Peacebuilding Conference in late January / early February 2011.

ITEM 8. COMMONWEALTH PARLIAMENTARY CONFERENCES (CPC) 2010, 2011 and 2012.

8.01. Delegates noted the outline programme for the 2010 Conference. Invitations had been sent and the Kenyan Parliament had asked for prompt responses. Due to the timing of the two cultural days some concerns that had been raised about the conference timetable, which meant that some representatives might go would go to the last two day of the Conference. The Small Branches Conference was always extremely productive and there was a need to have a strong BIMR representation at the CWP Conference which would include the election of a new CWP Chairperson.

8.02. CPA Scotland noted that it was very difficult to justify the cost of sending participants for two days and the decision to hold cultural days in the middle of the programme would make it increasingly difficult for smaller branches to justify their attendance. It was confirmed that this issue had been raised with the Kenyan organisers but that it was likely that it was now too late for arrangements to be changed. The Speaker of the Kenyan Parliament would be visiting Gibraltar and the Isle of Man later in the month and the issues could be discussed with him then.

8.03. Deputy Ben Fox said that arrangements should be made in advance to enable delegates from smaller countries to attend. Hon Stedson Francis said that St. Helena had concerns about security and a decision regarding attendance was yet to be made; the Regional Secretary responded that presently it would be safe to visit Nairobi.

ITEM 9. CPC2011 – DRAFT PROPOSALS PUT TO MID-YEAR CPA EXCO MEETING.

9.01. It was hoped that delegates would support CPA UK’s proposals for the CPC programme next year. The House of Commons Commission and the House of Lords House Committee had been asked to authorise funding for CPC2011. The initial proposal was for a nine day conference with one cultural day. Strict instructions had now been given that, to increase transparency, scrutiny and accountability, there would be no cultural day and a reduction in the length of the conference. Some dinners and receptions would also be removed, and delegates would not be met at airports. Informal meetings had been held with the CPA Secretariat and it was agreed the programme should be seven “and a bit” days (the “bit” was for a meeting of the CWP Steering Committee, who would be arriving early).

9.02. ExCo members had generally accepted the revised proposals. Some members had asked why, given the UK’s relative wealth and the fact that Kenya could afford a two-day safari; it was not possible for the UK to offer something similar. The difficultly in conveying issues of transparency, accountability and media interest to members were noted. ExCo members agreed to put forward the proposals with support to the General Assembly plenary.

9.03. CPA UK sought support from delegates for the programme. The delegates approved the paper.

ITEM 10. EU – COMMONWEALTH ACTIVITIES AND ISSUES.

10.01. Sophoclis Fittis MP reported that the President of the Cypriot House of Representatives, Marios Garolyian, had visited Brussels in November 2009 and met with the European Parliament’s Friends of the Commonwealth Group. The Group had also held a reception to celebrate Commonwealth Day 2010, and was planning an event for later in the year to discuss migration. Cyprus was also preparing for its period as the EU Presidency country in the second half of 2012, and it was hoped that some Commonwealth activities could be included in that programme.

ITEM 11. FUTURE REGIONAL ANNUAL CONFERENCES.

11.01. Volunteers were requested to host the 2011, 2013 and 2015 Conferences. The 43rd BIMR Conference in 2012 would be hosted by CPA Scotland and the 45th in 2014 by CPA Wales.

11.02. The next BIMR annual conference and AGM would need to be in January / early February 2011 as the mid-year meeting of the CPA ExCo would be in the Yukon in the last week of February 2011 and CPC2011 was during the period 21-29 July 2011. If no conference host was found, CPA UK would host the AGM only as the CPA BIMR constitution required an AGM, thus enabling any BIMR position on various matters to be agreed in order for the three Regional Representatives to represent the BIMR’s views at the CPA ExCo meetings in the Yukon. The AGM would take place on an afternoon and should delegates need overnight accommodation, it would be at the expense of the parent branch.

11.03. Karen Gillon MSP said that CPA Scotland was likely to have serious difficulties arranging a cultural day and the level of evening entertainment for its BIMR Conference in 2012. The Branch had to operate within a 20% cut in budgets.

11.04. It was highlighted that the CPA culture was that the host branch fund all aspects of a conference for delegates, except that in the BIMR the costs of the voluntary cultural events should be funded by delegates. The CPA was unique in terms of its funding culture and it was not unreasonable in this day and age that each branch funded itself. He agreed to prepare a document setting up the requirements of hosting a conference, to help inform discussions within branches. The need to factor in the additional costs faced by delegates from St Helena and the Falkland Islands was also noted

11.05. The Chair said that the AGM was the important part of the meeting: this should be the focal point for conferences.

ITEM 12. CPA ACTIVITY REPORTS FROM BRANCHES, INCLUDING PLANS TO MARK THE CENTENNIAL.

12.01. CPA Alderney. No report was given because the delegate presenting the report was unable to attend at short notice. The report would be published on Alderney’s website.

12.02. CPA Cyprus. The Regional Secretary had visited the Branch in November 2009 and a visit was made to the UK Branch in January 2010. In February, the Branch had been represented at the International Conference on Peacebuilding and the Fragility of States in London and Belfast. The Branch had prepared a report on gender equality to be incorporated into the regional report to the CWP Steering Committee. Dialogue with the Turkish Cypriot communities continued with limited success; the Greek Cypriots remained committed to finding a solution in line with EU and UN resolutions. To celebrate the CPA centennial, the Branch was planning to issue commemorative stamps. 2010 would also mark the 50th anniversary of the Republic of Cyprus and the Parliament had planned events to celebrate this.

12.03. CPA Falkland Islands. No report was given. It was not yet clear what events were planned for the centennial.

12.04. CPA Gibraltar. The Speaker of the Gibraltar Parliament and President of the CPA Gibraltar Branch would be hosting a familiarisation visit by the Speaker of the Kenya National Assembly and current President of the CPA on 19–20 May. CPA Gibraltar was in the process of forming a sub- committee to consider how to mark the centennial of the CPA in 2011. The life of the present Parliament would come to an end in the latter part of 2011. In accordance with the Gibraltar constitution, the Governor would dissolve the Parliament at the expiration of 4 years, specifically not later than midnight on 7 November 2011. However, the Governor acting in accordance with the advice of the Chief Minister could dissolve the Parliament before that date. A new Register of Electors needed to be compiled for publication in 2011.

12.05. CPA Guernsey. The Branch had enjoyed hosting the 2009 Regional Conference. Two delegates had attended the 55th CPC and the Branch benefitted from the opportunity to discuss best practice at the Small Branches Conference. Similarly, the opportunity to examine electronic voting at this conference was welcomed. A lunchtime meeting had been held with the Royal Commonwealth Society and the Branch hoped to work more closely with them on their work to raise young people’s understanding of the Commonwealth and of Parliamentary process. The Branch hoped to invite Commonwealth citizens to participate in celebrations for the CPA centenary in 2011. The Branch had considered the CPA governance working group’s paper and supported it. The issues of finance and accountability were familiar ones, and the press in Guernsey had criticised Parliamentarians’ trips to CPA events leading to the Branch having to explain the value of the work undertaken. Transparency was to be welcomed and delegates needed to explain that CPA events helped Parliamentarians to explain their activities, promote their jurisdictions and share best practice.

12.06. CPA Isle of Man. In March 2010 Baroness Quinn joined CPA Isle of Man Branch for its Commonwealth Day dinner at Milltown. In the spring of 2009 the Branch hosted three bilateral visits from delegates from the Falkland Islands, South Australia and Queensland. On Day in July 2009 the Branch welcomed the Secretary-General of the CPA and other distinguished Commonwealth parliamentarians including David McClarty. The Branch would be hosting a visit by the Speaker of the Kenyan Parliament next week. In July 2009, senior school students had again taken part in the annual Junior Tynwald. The topics debated were the impact of the financial crisis on the job market in the Isle of Man and the idea of establishing a unique education system in the Isle of Man independent of the UK system. This year, for the first time, two Junior Tynwald alumni currently studying at UK universities played the part of the . The same two students had represented the Island at the CPA Headquarters Commonwealth Day Observance in Westminster on 9 March 2009. In another innovation, proceedings of Junior Tynwald were recorded and a short film encapsulating the events of the day was prepared for use in participating schools. At the end of September 2009 representatives of the Branch visited the 55th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference and Small Branches Conference held in Tanzania. In October 2009 MHK attended a parliamentary seminar in Ottawa, Canada. CPA Isle of Man Branch was very pleased to be hosting this year’s Regional Conference and was committed to continuing to participate in the main plenary and regional conferences. However, delegates would not be sent to any other events or seminars for the year 2010–11 due to financial pressures. In terms of the CPA Centennial in 2011, the Branch was considering issuing commemorative stamps and was in discussion with the CPA International Secretariat on this matter.

12.07. CPA Jersey. The Branch had sent a delegate to the Westminster seminar in March which, as usual, was very beneficial for newly elected members. Two students studying in the UK had been sent to the Commonwealth Day Observance in London. The Annual Youth Assembly involved 50 sixth formers who questioned Ministers and took part in debates, and was broadcast on BBC radio. In addition, Year 5 schoolchildren regularly visited the Chamber to learn about the Assembly and take part in small debates. The Reciprocal Health Agreement with the United Kingdom was terminated in April 2009, but it had been noted that the Isle of Man had gained an extension to its Agreement with indications that it might continue more permanently. This was an area where Parliamentarians in the region could work together to find a solution. A draft Freedom of Information law would come before the States in the next year. The deputy UK Information Commissioner and the Director of the Campaign for Freedom of Information had both visited and progress had been made. Less progress had been made in reforms to the composition of the Assembly, as there were many practicalities to overcome, but steps had been taken to move to a single election day for 47 of the 53 members with a single election day still the eventual aim. Preparations were also beginning to be made for the CPA centennial.

12.08. CPA Northern Ireland. No report was given.

12.09. CPA St Helena. St Helena had an association with the Isle of Man stretching back to the Napoleonic era. Both shared similarities in that they were both islands, although St Helena had no airport. St Helena was looking forward to sending athletes to the Commonwealth Youth Games. In February 2009 St Helena had hosted a delegation from CPA UK Branch. A general election had been held in November. There was no party system in St Helena: six Members represented the east of the island, and six Members the west. There had been a 58% turnout compared to 45% in 2005. Ten men and two women had been elected. For the 2011 CPA centenary, CPA St Helena had agreed to pursue the establishment of a Youth Parliament. The idea of holding a conference had also been suggested: further work was required to identify whether this would be feasible. It was hoped that St Helena would soon have an airport. 12.10. CPA Scotland. Karen Gillon MSP said that the Branch had organised an outward visit to Australia and New Zealand, which had focused on the development of minority languages, public engagement, coalition government, the Melbourne Commonwealth Games legacy, and the Scottish diaspora. The Branch had also hosted a visit by the CPA Secretary-General and had been pleased to help host the UK Branch seminar. Twenty inward visits had been hosted in total. Commonwealth Day had been marked by a debate in the Chamber. The Scottish Parliament had twinned with the Malawia Parliament and as part of that link five Parliamentary service commissioners had visited Scotland, and MSPs had visited Malawi in February where they had hosted seminars including a joint seminar on the changing role of Parliamentarians. It was hoped that the partnership could be developed further. Preparations for the CPA centennial were continuing and the focus would be on women and young people.

12.11. CPA UK. The Branch had conducted two seminars at Westminster: International Parliamentary Governance Seminar in November 2009 (where, in addition to spending time at Westminster, delegates visited Brussels and Edinburgh) and the 59th Westminster Seminar on Parliamentary Practices and Procedures in March 2010 (where delegates also visited constituencies to see a Member’s work at first hand). The Branch had conducted two major International Parliamentary Conferences. The first was Climate Change: Countdown to Copenhagen in July 2009. The Conference issued a communiqué which delegates asked to be laid before the CPC in Arusha and the Commonwealth Heads of Government at CHOGM in Port of Spain. By way of follow up, UK Branch would be holding a further conference on climate change in London in July 2010 entitled ‘Global to Local: Climate Change Post-Copenhagen’ which would discuss the role of parliamentarians in addressing climate change at local, national and international levels. The second conference was entitled ‘Peacebuilding: Tackling the State Infragility’, held in February 2010, which was the first conference to address the subject. The final two days of the conference were spent in Northern Ireland, and UK Branch was most grateful to Northern Ireland Branch for their support in making the conference such a success. Parliamentary Strengthening was a growth area for CPA UK and delegations had been sent to, and parliamentary seminars organised in, several countries. The Branch had sent delegations to, and welcomed delegations from, several counties in relation to Parliamentary Diplomacy. A seminar on International Governance would be held in November 2010 and the 60th Westminster Seminar would be in March 2011. The Branch would be hosting CPC 2011 and the Project Team had already started work.

12.12. CPA Wales. In the past year the Branch had sent delegates to conferences and seminars and hosted inward visits from Singapore, Australia and staff of the Indian High Commission, amongst others. The Branch was also strengthening its links with Lesotho, and on 16 June a reception would be held to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the link. The Branch had also worked with the Royal Commonwealth Society in Wales to promote the Commonwealth. In December the 60th anniversary of the modern Commonwealth had been celebrated with a reception at the Senedd. The Branch had been represented by two young people at Commonwealth Day events in London. The Branch had hosted the CPA Secretary General in June and had used the opportunity to emphasise the value they placed on his work as Secretary General as well as to have a detailed discussion on governance.

ITEM 13. DATE OF NEXT MEETINGS

13.01. It was confirmed the next meeting would be on 14 September 2010 in Nairobi during CPC2010.