IDENTITY STATEMENT
Reference code(s): COL/CC/PVC
Held at: London Metropolitan Archives
Title: COURT OF COMMON COUNCIL: PRIVILEGES COMMITTEE
Date(s): 1911-2000
Level of description: sub-fonds
Extent: 0.3 linear metres
Name of creator(s): Depositor
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 Privileges Committee was formed in 1911 to consider any questions relating to the rights and privileges of members of the Courts of Aldermen and Common Council. This included action to be taken when a member of the Courts abused their privileges, for example, in the matter of free tickets to receptions or events, by behaving poorly at such events or by being out of official dress. It was replaced by the Standards Committee in March 2001.
CONTENT
Scope and content/abstract:
Records of the Privileges Committee, Court of Common Council, including minute books, 1911-2000 (closed from 1931) and committee papers, 1941-1964 (closed until 2040).
ACCESS AND USE
Language/scripts of material: English
System of arrangement:
In sections according to catalogue.
Conditions governing access:
These records are available for public inspection, although records containing personal information are subject to access restrictions under the UK Data Protection Act, 1998.
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:
For Corporation of London records relating to staffing, see COL/CC/ESC: Establishment Committee, COL/CC/JTA: Joint Advisory Committee, COL/CC/JTC: Joint Committee, COL/CC/OCC: Officers and Clerks Committee, COL/CC/OCL: Officers and Clerks Committee (1815-1834), COL/CC/MIN: Committees, COL/CC/PVC: Privileges Committee, COL/CC/ROC: Revenue and Officers Committee, COL/CC/SGP: Select General Purposes (Porters) Committee, COL/CC/SLC: Special (Labour) Committee, COL/CC/STF: Staff Committee, COL/CHD/PN: Chamberlain's Department: Pensions and COL/OF: Officers.
Publication note:
DESCRIPTION NOTES
Note:
Date(s) of descriptions: February 2009