Inaugural Meeting
Members of the UK Trade and Business Commission met on the 26th March 2021 to agree Terms of Reference for the Commission and set priorities for its inquiries.
The Terms of Reference that were agreed were as follows:
Terms of Reference
These Terms of Reference will be considered for adoption at the first meeting of the Commission.
Purpose
“To make recommendations to the UK government about its trade deals with Europe and the world.”
Scope
To examine and take evidence from industry and other experts on the UK-EU TCA, the NI Protocol and other bilateral and multilateral trade deals and recommend improvements.
To capture lessons learned to improve the UK Government’s future negotiations. To assess the impacts of the Government’s deals on the four nations, different sectors, notably services, manufacturing, and other factors e.g. skills, talent and environmental footprint.
To inform legislators on the impacts and make recommendations, providing evidence to parliamentary committees and inquiries related to matters and legislation within the Commission's scope.
To engage with businesses and consumers to understand the impacts of trade agreements and to educate the public on those impacts.
The Commission will broaden its scope as evidence comes to light.
Methodology
The Commission and its secretariat will use secondary data and evidence from literature e.g., from systematic reviews applying rapid review methodology. Primary data will be collected from expert witnesses and stakeholder groups providing written or oral evidence to the Commission, and other evidence may be gathered through polls and focus groups.
Procedures
The Commission will meet fortnightly on Thursday mornings for two hours on the following dates:
15th April 2021
29th April 2021
13th May 2021
Etc, until December 2021
Meetings will be held online for the foreseeable future. The Commission will take stock of this decision once Covid-19 restrictions are lifted but Commissioners will be able to participate in meetings via Zoom for the rest of 2021.
The Commission will operate with a flexible and rotating chairing structure. Commissioners will be invited to chair sessions relevant to their area of expertise and interest.
Co-conveners act as management of the Commission, and are elected annually (if the Commission runs for a full year).
Other meetings of the Commission with interested parties may take place on an ad-hoc basis.
Maintenance of a full repository of submissions and resources, by the Commission secretariat, Best for Britain Limited.
If the Commission runs for more than a year, an AGM will be held to review these Terms of Reference, with Commissioners given 4 weeks notice. This is also an opportunity to elect two co-conveners.
Indicative 2021 Timeline - UK Trade and Business Commission
Quorum
Five Commissioners will need to be present for the session to be quorate, with at least two Members of Parliament and two business commissioners to ensure balanced representation. It is understood that commissioners will almost certainly not be able to attend every meeting, and the expectation is that each commissioner will try to attend one meeting every 6 weeks.
The same quorum applies to any annual general meeting to review the Terms of Reference.
Duties and responsibilities
Best for Britain Limited
Coordinate and convene meetings with Chairs and Commissioners, as well as drafting and circulating agendas and minutes
Build the Commission website, promote it, collate evidence submissions and prepare briefings for Commissioners ahead of meetings
Draft comms materials including press releases, press lines for Commissioners, reports for publication and recommendations to government
Arrange and cover the costs of any visits the Commissioners may take in the course of their research
We will inform legislators on the impacts and recommendations, providing evidence to parliamentary committees and inquiries related to the Commission's scope, making recommendations and proposals to the government on forthcoming legislation that falls within the scope.
We will engage with businesses and consumers to understand the impacts of trade agreements and to educate the public on those impacts.
Commissioners
Attend fortnightly meetings and evidence sessions organised by the Secretariat. Commissioners would not be expected to attend all meetings but would be encouraged to attend evidence sessions related to their area of interest or expertise. It is understood that commissioners will almost certainly not be able to attend every meeting, and the expectation is that each commissioner will try to attend one meeting every 6 weeks. If the Commission runs for a full year, Commissioners should attend an AGM
Read briefings provided by the Secretariat ahead of meetings
Provide insight in area of expertise in the creation of Commission recommendations and reports
Consider oral evidence and ask questions at inquiry hearings
Review, agree and sign off on Commission outputs and recommendations to the government for submission
Undertake trips to witness the impact of trade restrictions (if content to, and subject to Covid restrictions)
Speak to the media about Commission outputs (if content to, and following press briefing from the secretariat
Co-Conveners
Act as the management committee of the Commission
Review expressions of interest to join as members of the Commission
Accept resignations from members of the Commission
Attend an AGM, if needed
Duration
These Terms of Reference shall be in force from March 2021 until further notice but it is anticipated that the Commission will run for the rest of the year. If the Commission runs for more than a year an AGM will be held to review the terms and elect Co-conveners.
Changes to the Terms of Reference
Changes to the Terms of Reference can be made at any quorate meeting of the Commissioners or at an annual AGM.
Procedure for joining as a member of the Commission
Expressions of interest are invited by the Co-conveners, and those wishing to join agree to follow these Terms of Reference
Procedure for resigning as a member of the Commission
Members of the Commission may resign by giving written notice to the Co-conveners.
Financial rules
No member of the Commission may commit the association to any contract or expense without consent of the Co-conveners and the secretariat.
Dissolution of the Commission
The Commission can be dissolved by the Co-conveners, with four weeks notice given to the Commissioners.