Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1794-1857 (Creation)
Level of description
Extent and medium
0.01 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 Thames Navigation Committee was responsible for keeping the river clear of obstructions and maintaining and regulating locks, weirs, tow-paths and docks.
Repository
Archival history
COL/CC/TNC 1794-1857 subfonds 0.01 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 Thames Navigation Committee was responsible for keeping the river clear of obstructions and maintaining and regulating locks, weirs, tow-paths and docks.
Corporation of London Records Office.
Records of the Thames Navigation Committee, Court of Common Council, including Chairman's minute book, 1855-1857; minutes of the Committee and Sub-Committee for improving the Navigation of the River Thames, for preventing encroachments and under two Acts of Parliament, 1857; blank application form to be used by owners and occupiers of property on the banks of the Thames who wish to advance their frontage; petitions and letters, 1798-1811; remembrancer's bills for fees and disbursements for business done by order of the Committee for improving the navigation of the River Thames, 1794-1817; surveyors' bills, 1806-1811; standing orders of the Thames Navigation Committee, and orders and regulations as to the Navigation Barge and the collection of tolls at Kew, 1826-1840.
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 CLA/006 Commissioners of Sewers records for papers on river pollution, CLA/036 for records of the Thames Conservancy Court, CLA/037 for records relating to the Thames, COL/CC/CTC: Consolidated Committee for the dispute with the Crown over the bed and soil of the Thames, COL/CC/JTT for Joint Bridge House Estates and Thames Navigation and Port of London Committee, COL/CC/TNC for Thames Navigation Committee and COL/PL and COL/SVD/PL for surveys and soundings of the Thames.
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 Thames, river Europe Locks Thames Navigation Committee , Court of Common Council , Corporation of London Docks Built works Weirs Engineering Maintenance Waterways Inland waterways River navigation Transport infrastructure Footpaths Towpaths England UK Western Europe City of London London
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Corporation of London Records Office.
Content and structure area
Scope and content
Records of the Thames Navigation Committee, Court of Common Council, including Chairman's minute book, 1855-1857; minutes of the Committee and Sub-Committee for improving the Navigation of the River Thames, for preventing encroachments and under two Acts of Parliament, 1857; blank application form to be used by owners and occupiers of property on the banks of the Thames who wish to advance their frontage; petitions and letters, 1798-1811; remembrancer's bills for fees and disbursements for business done by order of the Committee for improving the navigation of the River Thames, 1794-1817; surveyors' bills, 1806-1811; standing orders of the Thames Navigation Committee, and orders and regulations as to the Navigation Barge and the collection of tolls at Kew, 1826-1840.
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
See CLA/006 Commissioners of Sewers records for papers on river pollution, CLA/036 for records of the Thames Conservancy Court, CLA/037 for records relating to the Thames, COL/CC/CTC: Consolidated Committee for the dispute with the Crown over the bed and soil of the Thames, COL/CC/JTT for Joint Bridge House Estates and Thames Navigation and Port of London Committee, COL/CC/TNC for Thames Navigation Committee and COL/PL and COL/SVD/PL for surveys and soundings of the Thames.
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)
Access points
Subject access points
Place access points
Name access points
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