The City of London Corporation

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The Corporation is the governing body for the City. It comprises of 25 Aldermen (one for each Ward) and 100 Common Councilmen (Councillors). Each Ward has a particular allocation of councillors, intended to reflect their number of electors (ranging from two councillors to eight).

The franchise is open to residents and to workers (registering via their employer – each business or charity having an allocation of broadly 1/5 of their workforce – the calculation being based on a complex formula).

The Corporation fulfils the functions of a standard local authority – cleaning streets, providing community services (including libraries,  galleries and such like) and collects rates and council tax to do so. It also has wider range – reflecting the history and heritage.

The Corporation:

Owns and maintains five bridges across the Thames

Conventionally represents UK Financial and Professional Services internationally

Has a dedicated Police Force, distinct from ‘the Met’

Provides three wholesale markets for London (Smithfield, Spitalfields and Billingsgate)

Runs Hampstead Heath and other open spaces across wider London

Houses several thousand residents in social housing across London

Hosts major State functions on behalf of His Majesty’s Government 

… and much more besides. 

For example, in the last century, the Corporation played a key role in developing the legalisation which became the Clean Air Act.

To find out more about the Corporation and how to secure a vote in our elections or stand, please go to the website…www.cityoflondon.gov.uk