Sous-fonds COL/CC/GRC - COURT OF COMMON COUNCIL: GRESHAM COMMITTEE (CITY SIDE)

1.6 linear metres

COL/CC/GRC 1922-2001 subfonds 1.6 linear metres Depositor

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.

Under the will of Sir Thomas Gresham certain property, including the Royal Exchange, was left jointly to the Corporation and the Mercers' Company upon various trusts, including the payment of lecturers at Gresham College and the maintenance of almshouses. The trust was administered by the Joint Grand Gresham Committee with representatives from both the Mercers' and the City. However, it was necessary to form certain smaller committees within the Corporation, including the Gresham Committee (City Side) which met to select representatives to go forward to the Joint Grand Gresham Committee.

Corporation of London Records Office.

Records of the Gresham Committee (City Side), Court of Common Council, including minutes, 1939-1956 and 1986-2001; committee papers, 1922-1961 and letters, 1958-1998. Please note that the letters are closed until 2029.

In sections according to catalogue.

These records are available for public inspection, although records containing personal information are subject to access restrictions under the UK Data Protection Act, 1998.

Copyright City of London
English

Fit

Please see online catalogues at: http://search.lma.gov.uk/opac_lma/index.htm

See also CLA/062: Gresham College and Royal Exchange and COL/CC/GRJ: Joint Gresham Committee.

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. February 2009 The Royal Exchange , Corporation of London Gresham College , Corporation of London Gresham Committee (City Side) , Court of Common Council , Corporation of London Educational institutions Colleges (UK) Organisation and management Administration Administrative history Mercers Company Europe City of London London England UK Western Europe Further education institutions

Corporation of London Records Office.

Records of the Gresham Committee (City Side), Court of Common Council, including minutes, 1939-1956 and 1986-2001; committee papers, 1922-1961 and letters, 1958-1998. Please note that the letters are closed until 2029.

In sections according to catalogue.

These records are available for public inspection, although records containing personal information are subject to access restrictions under the UK Data Protection Act, 1998.

Copyright City of London

• anglais

• latin

English

See also CLA/062: Gresham College and Royal Exchange and COL/CC/GRJ: Joint Gresham Committee.

Please see online catalogues at: http://search.lma.gov.uk/opac_lma/index.htm

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.

• anglais