Author: Tijs Broeke

For the first time in its history, the City of London Corporation’s main decision-making body – the Court of Common Council – convened virtually earlier this week. Elected Members debated a number of key issues, including the City Corporation’s response to COVID-19, at the first meeting held remotely instead of the usual location of Guildhall. I took the opportunity to urge the Policy Chair, our Council leader, to re-establish full democratic oversight as we are facing important decisions to support residents and businesses, and shape the recovery and future of our great City.

Following the Government’s announcement of an outline roadmap for the next period, Transport for London has set out its initial plan to support this and help Londoners who need to travel do so safely and sustainably. The plan will require significant changes to the way in which people travel in the City and across London until CV19 restrictions can be lifted. I also call upon the City of London to accelerate our plans to transform and reimagine transportation in the Square Mile. As an immediate step I’ve asked we look at options to support higher levels of walking and cycling around Cheapside to enable shops and restaurants to reopen when it is safe to do so.

This is an update on the City of London’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic from your local Ward of Cheap team: Alderman Robert Hughes-Penney, Common Councillors Alastair Moss, Nick Bensted-Smith and Tijs Broeke.

The first ever Freedom of the City of London ceremony to be conducted ‘virtually’ will take place on Tuesday (12 May) at 10.30am for Captain Tom Moore, the 100-year-old Second World War veteran who raised nearly £33 million for the NHS. You can follow the ceremony here.

As a member of the Goldsmiths’ Company- one of the historic Livery Companies or Guilds in the City of London – I am proud that we are supporting our trade (self-employed, sole traders, or running micro-businesses) in these challenging times. This shows that livery companies can play an important modern role. The £1 million Goldsmiths’ COVID-19 Fund provides support to individuals working in the jewellery, silversmithing and allied industries, helping them through a period of hardship, to sustain the craft, skills and future of the industry during an unprecedented period in most people’s lifetimes.

Day 21 of #MuseumsUnlocked presented by Professor Dan Hicks is on to the MUSEUM OF LONDON! Enjoy the virtual tour on Twitter.

City Bridge Trust, the City of London Corporation’s charity funder, is giving new grants of up to £15,000 to all of the small charities it currently supports. The funding will be given to all of City Bridge Trust’s grantees with a turnover of less than £500,000 to cope with the sudden unexpected loss of income due to Covid-19. Around 170 small charities across London will benefit meaning an estimated £1,250,000 will be given in financial support.

The City of London Corporation has agreed to make rental payments more manageable for its smaller business tenants as they deal with the financial strain of the COVID-19 outbreak.

The City of London Corporation’s charitable funder, City Bridge Trust (CBT), has pledged £1 million to a new emergency support fund to help London’s community and voluntary organisations affected by the impact of the COVID-19.

Businesses in the Square Mile are being urged to take advantage of measures announced in the Budget to support them through the COVID-19 pandemic, with the City of London Corporation pledging to support firms struggling as a result of the current outbreak.