Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1834 - 1999 (Creation)
Level of description
Extent and medium
1.6 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 Whole Court of Common Council meets to approve policy, confirm major decisions and sanction expenditure.
Repository
Archival history
COL/CC/WCC 1834 - 1999 subfonds 1.6 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 Whole Court of Common Council meets to approve policy, confirm major decisions and sanction expenditure.
Corporation of London Records Office.
Records of the Committee of the Whole Court of Common Council including minutes 1874-1999 (closed from 1927 onwards); minutes of Committee of the Whole Court to consider the evidence laid before the Commissioners regarding Municipal Institutions, 1834-1836; minutes and papers regarding London Corporation Bills, 1854-1858 and committee papers, 1874-1960 (closed from 1933 onwards).
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 COL/CC/PPC: Policy and Parliamentary Committee, COL/CC/PRC: Policy and Resources Committee, COL/CC/GPC: General Purposes Committee and COL/CC: Court of Common Council.
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 Committee of the Whole Court of Common Council , Court of Common Council , Corporation of London Law Legislation Local government legislation Management operations Policy making Resource allocation
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Corporation of London Records Office.
Content and structure area
Scope and content
Records of the Committee of the Whole Court of Common Council including minutes 1874-1999 (closed from 1927 onwards); minutes of Committee of the Whole Court to consider the evidence laid before the Commissioners regarding Municipal Institutions, 1834-1836; minutes and papers regarding London Corporation Bills, 1854-1858 and committee papers, 1874-1960 (closed from 1933 onwards).
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
System of arrangement
In sections according to catalogue.
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
These records are available for public inspection, although records containing personal information are subject to access restrictions under the UK Data Protection Act, 1998.
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 also COL/CC/PPC: Policy and Parliamentary Committee, COL/CC/PRC: Policy and Resources Committee, COL/CC/GPC: General Purposes Committee and COL/CC: Court of Common Council.
Finding aids
Please see online catalogues at: http://search.lma.gov.uk/opac_lma/index.htm
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
Unknown.
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