Corporation of London

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.

In 1756 an Act of Parliament was passed for 'building a bridge cross the river Thames from Blackfriars in the City of London to the opposite side in the county of Surrey'. The Act empowered the Mayor, Aldermen and Commons of the City of London to design, direct, order and build the bridge, and to maintain it once built, and allowed them to assemble a committee to carry out these actions. The Blackfriars Bridge (Building) Committee advertised a competition for the design of the Bridge in 1759 which was won by Robert Mylne who was appointed as surveyor to oversee the construction. Blackfriars Bridge was opened in 1769. It had nine arches and was decorated with motifs drawn from classical architecture. New approach roads were constructed with wider bridge entrances. The river Fleet was covered over at the same time, with its outflow into the Thames built under the bridge.