City of London Corporation
From SR
Contents |
Roles
The City of London Corporation provides local government services for the financial and commercial heart of Britain, the 'Square Mile'. It is committed to maintaining and enhancing the status of the business City as the world's leading international financial and business centre through the policies it pursues and the high standard of services it provides. Its responsibilities extend beyond the City boundaries in that it also provides a host of additional facilities for the nation, ranging from open spaces such as Epping Forest and Hampstead Heath to Barbican Arts Centre.
The City of London combines its ancient traditions and ceremonial functions with the role of a modern and efficient local authority, looking after the needs of its residents, businesses and over 320,000 people who come to work in the 'Square Mile' every day.
In addition to the usual services provided by a local authority such as housing, refuse collection, education, social services, environmental health and town planning, the City of London performs a number of very special functions. It runs its own police force and the nation's Central Criminal Court, the Old Bailey. It provides five Thames bridges, runs the quarantine station at Heathrow Airport and is the Port Health Authority for the whole of the Thames tidal estuary. Three premier wholesale food markets ( Billingsgate, Spitalfields and Smithfield) which supply London and the South East with fresh produce also belong to the City of London. Many of these services are funded from the City of London's own investments.
Structure
The City of London is the oldest local authority in the country and operates on a non-party political basis through its Lord Mayor, Aldermen and members of the Court of Common Council. The Lord Mayor in particular plays an important diplomatic role with overseas visits and functions at Guildhall and Mansion House for visiting heads of State.
The Lord Mayor
As head of the City of London, the Lord Mayor presides over its governing bodies - the Court of Aldermen and the Court of Common Council. He is Chief Magistrate of the City of London, Admiral of the Port of London, Chancellor of City University and President or Patron of many other civic and charitable organisations. Each Lord Mayor serves for one year marked by the annual Lord Mayor’s show. Whilst in office his official residence is the Mansion House.
The Lord Mayor also has a much wider business role - working for Britain as a whole, supporting and promoting the world's leading international financial centre, the City of London, both at home and abroad. His position as a spokesman for the business community is enhanced by the apolitical nature of his office.
Outputs
The City of London engages in a programme of activities designed to assist its neighbours to combat social deprivation so that they can benefit from the wealth the 'Square Mile' generates. Staff and members of the City of London have, through centuries of careful stewardship, ensured that the 'Square Mile' has continued to thrive. Today's City of London, through its philosophy of sustainable development, aims to share these benefits with future generations of residents, businesses and workers.
Regulation
The City of London’s Code of Corporate Governance incorporates a series of regulatory documents and research paper help protocols which govern how they operate, take decisions and the procedures followed to ensure that their actions are fair, efficient, transparent and accountable to their stakeholders.
