COURT OF COMMON COUNCIL: LIBRARY AND MUSEUM COMMITTEE
Identity Statement
Reference code(s) | : COL/CC/LMC |
Held at | : London Metropolitan Archives Click here to find out how to view this collection at https://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/lma › |
Full title | : COURT OF COMMON COUNCIL: LIBRARY AND MUSEUM COMMITTEE |
Date(s) | : 1869-1875 |
Level of description | : subfonds
View parent record |
Extent | : 0.7 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 Library Committee administered the Guildhall Library, Museum, Art Gallery and Records Office from 1824 to 1986. In 1868 it was recognised that the accommodation of the library was insufficient both in terms of space and fire safety. The Library and Museum Committee was formed to consider the construction of a new Library with proper fire-safe rooms for the deposit of records and archives. The work was completed by 1873.
Content
Scope and content/abstract:
Records of the Library and Museum Committee, Court of Common Council, including minutes, 1869-1874 and committee papers, 1869-1875.
Access & 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.
Finding aids:
Please see online catalogues at: http://search.lma.gov.uk/opac_lma/index.htm
Archival Information
Archival history:
Immediate source of acquisition:
Corporation of London Records Office.
Allied Materials
Related material:
For Corporation of London records relating to museums, libraries and art galleries, see: CLA/076: Museum of London, COL/AC: Archives, COL/CC/BRA: Barbican Arts Centre Joint Working Party (Arts Centre), COL/CC/BRC: Barbican Centre Committee, COL/CC/GHY: Guildhall Yard East Building Committee, COL/CC/LIB: Libraries, Guildhall Art Gallery and Archives Committee, COL/CC/LMC: Library and Museum Committee, COL/CC/MLB: Museum of London Board of Governors, COL/LBD/AD: Libraries and Art Galleries: Administration, COL/LBD/AG: Libraries and Art Galleries: Guildhall Art Gallery, COL/LBD/GHL: Libraries and Art Galleries: Guildhall Library and COL/LBD/MUS: Libraries and Art Galleries: Guildhall Museum.
Publication note:
Description Notes
Archivist's 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
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