Subfonds COL/CC/PLH - COURT OF COMMON COUNCIL: PORT OF LONDON HEALTH COMMITTEE

7.2 linear metres

COL/CC/PLH 1872-1957 subfonds 7.2 linear metres 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.

The Port of London Health Committee was appointed in 1872 as the Port of London Sanitary Committee. In 1935 it was renamed the Port of London Health Committee. Its duties were taken over by the Port and City of London Health Committee in 1957.

The Port of London comprised a stretch of the River Thames from Teddington Lock in Surrey to the Isle of Sheppey in Kent, including all streams, channels, creeks, harbours and docks within these limits. The various health committees of the Port of London were concerned with the health and hygiene of ship's crews and passengers; the control of infectious diseases; the running of the Port Isolation Hospital at Denton, Gravesend, Kent; the disinfection of vessels and control of onboard rodents and pests; the inspection of imported foodstuffs, particularly shellfish; the registration and inspection of canal boats and rodent control at docks.

Corporation of London Records Office.

Records of the Port of London Health Committee, Court of Common Council, including minutes, 1872-1957; committee papers, 1872-1956; report books, 1873-1946 and subject files, 1878-1957. Subjects include air pollution, smoke abatement, Basildon New Town (with plans), the disposal of condemned meat, the transfer of Denton Hospital to the National Health Service (NHS), bye-laws regarding houseboats, the inspection of ships and reports of the Medical Officer of Health.

In sections according to catalogue.

Available for general access.

Copyright City of London
English

Fit

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

See also Port and City of London Health Committee (COL/CC/PHC), Port Health and Environmental Services Committee (COL/CC/PHE), and Port and City of London Health and Social Services Committee (COL/CC/PHS).

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 Port of London Health Committee , Court of Common Council , Corporation of London x Port of London Sanitary Committee Transport infrastructure Harbours Trade (practice) Water transport Trade Isolation hospitals Hospitals International trade Imports Import control Agronomy Pest control Rodent control Transport Maritime transport Shipping Health policy Disease control Hygiene Health services Medical institutions Health Port Isolation Hospital , Port of London Public health

Corporation of London Records Office.

Records of the Port of London Health Committee, Court of Common Council, including minutes, 1872-1957; committee papers, 1872-1956; report books, 1873-1946 and subject files, 1878-1957. Subjects include air pollution, smoke abatement, Basildon New Town (with plans), the disposal of condemned meat, the transfer of Denton Hospital to the National Health Service (NHS), bye-laws regarding houseboats, the inspection of ships and reports of the Medical Officer of Health.

In sections according to catalogue.

Available for general access.

Copyright City of London

• English

• Latin

English

See also Port and City of London Health Committee (COL/CC/PHC), Port Health and Environmental Services Committee (COL/CC/PHE), and Port and City of London Health and Social Services Committee (COL/CC/PHS).

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

Held at the headquarters of the World Council of Churches, Geneva.

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.

• English