IDENTITY STATEMENT
Reference code(s): COL/CC/CPC
Held at: London Metropolitan Archives
Title: COURT OF COMMON COUNCIL: COUNTY PURPOSES COMMITTEE
Date(s): 1889-1981
Level of description: sub-fonds
Extent: 11.03 linear metres
Name of creator(s): Corporation of London
CONTEXT
Administrative/Biographical history:
The concept of the Court of Common Council grew from the ancient custom of the Folkmoot, when the assent of the citizens to important acts was obtained. This custom was continued by the Mayor who consulted the Commons several times during the 13th century. From 1376 the assembly began to meet regularly and was referred to as the Common Council. It was decided that the Council should be made up of persons elected from each Ward. By 1384 a permanent Common Council chosen by the citizens was established for all time. The Council assumed legislative functions and adopted financial powers, confirmed by Charters of 1377 and 1383. The Council has often used these powers to amend the civic constitution, regulate the election of Lord Mayor and other officials, and amend the functions of the City courts. The Council was judged so successful in the conduct of its duties that it was the only Corporation unreformed by Parliament following the Municipal Corporations Commission report of 1837, while the Corporation Inquiry Commission of 1854 suggested only minor reforms. The work of the Council is conducted by a number of committees, while the whole Council has the right to approve policy, confirm major decisions and sanction expenditure. The committees handle many aspects of the running of the City including land and estates, finance and valuation, open spaces, street improvement and town planning, public health, police, Port of London, civil defence, airports, libraries, markets, education, and law. The Town Clerk has held responsibility for recording the minutes of the Council and its committees since 1274.
The County Purposes Committee was appointed to exercise county functions reserved to the Corporation under the Local Government Act, 1888, and subsequent Acts, relating to Weights and Measures, Shops, Explosives, Massage, Employment Agencies, Gas, and establishments and trades subject to licences.
CONTENT
Scope and content/abstract:
Records of the County Purposes Committee, Court of Common Council, including minutes, 1889-1956; committee papers, 1889-1956; papers regarding the use of inland waterways, 1917-1918; papers relating to the War Charities Act, 1916-1981; list of Chairmen, 1889-1931; list of powers and duties of the Committee, 1931; report books, 1913-1923 and 1941-1947, and solicitors' correspondence, 1890-1891.
ACCESS AND USE
Language/scripts of material: English
System of arrangement:
In sections according to catalogue.
Conditions governing access:
Available for general access.
Conditions governing reproduction:
Copyright City of London.
Physical characteristics:
Fit
Finding aids:
Please see online catalogues at: http://search.lma.gov.uk/opac_lma/index.htm
ARCHIVAL INFORMATION
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling information:
Accruals:
Archival history:
Immediate source of acquisition:
Corporation of London Records Office.
ALLIED MATERIALS
Existence and location of originals:
Existence and location of copies:
Related material:
Publication note:
DESCRIPTION NOTES
Note:
Date(s) of descriptions: February 2009