Graphical version

London Metropolitan Archives

COURT OF COMMON COUNCIL: SPECIAL COMMITTEE


IDENTITY STATEMENT

Reference code(s): COL/CC/SPC

Held at: London Metropolitan Archives

Title: COURT OF COMMON COUNCIL: SPECIAL COMMITTEE

Date(s): 1882-1966

Level of description: sub-fonds

Extent: 3.8 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 Special Committee was originally appointed in 1882 to consider Government proposals for the reform of the Corporation. Later the Special Committee became the Committee for Policy and for co-ordinating the work of other Committees. By resolution of Common Council of 21 Apr 1966 it was replaced by the Policy and Parliamentary (later Policy and Resources) Committee.

CONTENT

Scope and content/abstract:

Records of the Special Committee, Court of Common Council, including minutes, 1882-1966, and committee papers, 1882-1957; reports to Common Council, 1947-1964; files relating to various subjects including town planning, Parliamentary and City elections, the Local Government Act 1948, tithes, ward boundaries, public relations, Corporation of London reform and organisation.

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:

For other papers relating to the reform of the Corporation of London, see COL/CA/WCA: Court of Aldermen Whole Committee, COL/CC/CPR: Enquiries into the Constitution of the Corporation Committee, COL/CC/CTC: Consolidated Committee, COL/CC/LGT: Local Government and Taxation Committee and COL/CC/ACC: Affairs of the Corporation Committee.

Publication note:

DESCRIPTION NOTES

Note:

Rules or conventions: Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997.

Date(s) of descriptions: February 2009


INDEX ENTRIES
Subjects
Local government legislation | Legislation | Law
Parliamentary bills | Legislation | Law
Policy making | Management operations

Personal names

Corporate names
Policy and Parliamentary Committee | Court of Common Council | Corporation of London x Policy and Resources Committee
Special Committee | Court of Common Council | Corporation of London x Committee for Policy and for co-ordinating the work of other Committees

Places