Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1879 (Creation)
Level of description
Extent and medium
0.1 linear metres
Context area
Name of creator
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 Inquiry Committee was formed in 1879 to investigate allegations that the advertising accounts of the Remembrancer's Office were in excess of what they should have been, and that the clerks in that office received commissions on the advertising and printing of Bills.
Repository
Archival history
COL/CC/SQC 1879 subfonds 0.1 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 Special Inquiry Committee was formed in 1879 to investigate allegations that the advertising accounts of the Remembrancer's Office were in excess of what they should have been, and that the clerks in that office received commissions on the advertising and printing of Bills.
Corporation of London Records Office.
Records of the Special Inquiry Committee, Court of Common Council, including minutes, committee papers, evidence and report, 1879.
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
The Officers and Clerks Committee (COL/CC/OCL) met to consider general staffing matters including discipline while the Privileges Committee (COL/CC/PVC) considered abuses of the privileges of Corporation members and the Court of Aldermen Administration of Justice Committee (COL/CA/AJA) was formed to consider maladministration and misuse of his powers by an Alderman.
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 Special Inquiry Committee , Court of Common Council , Corporation of London Communication process Advertising People People by occupation Personnel Clerical personnel
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Corporation of London Records Office.
Content and structure area
Scope and content
Records of the Special Inquiry Committee, Court of Common Council, including minutes, committee papers, evidence and report, 1879.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
System of arrangement
In sections according to catalogue.
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
Available for general access.
Conditions governing reproduction
Copyright City of London.
Language of material
- English
Script of material
- Latin
Language and script notes
English
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
The Officers and Clerks Committee (COL/CC/OCL) met to consider general staffing matters including discipline while the Privileges Committee (COL/CC/PVC) considered abuses of the privileges of Corporation members and the Court of Aldermen Administration of Justice Committee (COL/CA/AJA) was formed to consider maladministration and misuse of his powers by an Alderman.
Finding aids
Please see online catalogues at: http://search.lma.gov.uk/opac_lma/index.htm
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related units of description
Publication note
Notes area
Note
Alternative identifier(s)
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Genre access points
Description control area
Description identifier
Institution identifier
Rules and/or conventions used
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.
Status
Level of detail
Dates of creation revision deletion
Language(s)
- English