Court of Common Council

Court of Common Council. It is the primary decision-making body of the City of London Corporation, functioning as the local authority for the historic Square Mile. The Court is responsible for governance, policy, and the management of the Corporation's extensive assets and services. Its origins trace back to medieval times, and it remains a unique institution within the UK's local government structure.

History

The Court's origins lie in the medieval Guildhall assemblies of the 13th century, evolving from the earlier Folkmoot. It formally emerged as a distinct body from the Court of Aldermen following the reforms of the Great Charter of 1285. The Court gained significant legislative authority through royal charters granted by monarchs like Edward III and Elizabeth I, which cemented its role in governing the City of London. Its historical purview included regulating the powerful Livery Companies, overseeing markets like Billingsgate Market, and managing the Port of London. The Municipal Corporations Act 1835 largely reformed other boroughs but preserved the unique constitution of the City of London Corporation, thereby securing the Court's continued existence. Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, it adapted to modern governance while retaining its ancient ceremonies and traditions.

Composition and election

The Court is composed of 100 members, known as Common Councilmen, who are elected from the City's 25 wards. Elections are held every four years, with a franchise extended not only to resident voters but also to business voters, representing the City's unique non-residential electorate. The Lord Mayor and the 25 Aldermen are also members of the Court, with the Lord Mayor presiding over its meetings. Candidates often have backgrounds in the financial services sector, legal profession, or the historic Livery Companies. The electoral process and the Court's structure are detailed in the City of London (Various Powers) Act 1957 and subsequent legislation.

Powers and functions

The Court exercises the full range of local government functions within the Square Mile, including planning under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, environmental health, and highways maintenance. It sets the annual budget for the City of London Corporation, which funds not only local services but also the upkeep of major assets like Epping Forest, Hampstead Heath, and the Barbican Centre. The Court also has responsibility for the City of London Police and the Old Bailey, and it oversees the administration of the City's Cash, a private fund supporting charitable and heritage activities. Its committees, such as the Policy and Resources Committee, handle specific portfolios like economic development, responding to events like the Big Bang and the 2008 financial crisis.

Relationship with the City of London Corporation

The Court of Common Council is the central, democratic assembly of the wider City of London Corporation, which is headed ceremonially by the Lord Mayor of London. The Court appoints members to the Corporation's key committees and to its executive body, the Court of Common Hall. While the Court of Aldermen holds certain approval powers and judicial functions, the Common Council is the principal policy-making and representative body. This structure operates under royal charters and specific statutes like the City of London (Ward Elections) Act 2002. The Corporation, through the Court, also maintains special relationships with national institutions such as the Bank of England, the Royal Exchange, and 10 Downing Street.

Notable members and decisions

Historically, the Court has included figures like William Beckford, a two-time Lord Mayor of London, and more recently, individuals who have also served as MPs or in the House of Lords. Its decisions have shaped the City's landscape, from the post-Great Fire of London rebuilding led by figures like Christopher Wren to modern developments such as the Barbican Estate. The Court played a crucial role in establishing the Metropolitan Police in 1829 and has made significant investments in education, including the founding of the City of London School and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Its governance during events like the Blitz and its economic strategies following the Big Bang are key parts of its legacy.

Category:City of London Category:Local government in the United Kingdom Category:History of London