Author: Tijs Broeke

The City of London is planning to eliminate its carbon dioxide emissions by 2040 – ten years ahead of the national target – investing 68 million pounds to tackle climate change and create 800 jobs over the next six years. Earlier this month we approved a Climate Action Strategy at our full Council meeting. For more info click here.

In the shadows of St Paul’s Cathedral in the historic heart of the City of London Cheapside has been an attractive area for shopping and hospitality for centuries. And it is open for business! At the end of September the Cheapside Business Alliance reported that out of the 288 shops, cafes, restaurants and pubs in the area, 207 (or 72%) were open. This is up from 66% at the start of September. Come and visit. Now it is more than ever important to support our local businesses where you can.

Rough sleeping rates have fallen dramatically since the City of London Corporation converted a youth hostel in the Square Mile to provide beds for homeless people in May, at the height of the pandemic.

The world of worship in the City of London will be featured in an open-air photographic exhibition this month. Faith in the City of London, which showcases the work of photographer Niki Gorick, will be presented in Paternoster Square from 3 October to 28 October, before transferring to Aldgate Square for its 29 October to 26 November run. 

If you’re a City worker, you may spend more time in the office than you do at home, even after we re-emerge from Covid19… so why not have the same say on services in the Square Mile as you have where you live? Staff in City businesses and organisations can join residents and vote in the City of London Corporation’s elections.

The Ward of Cheap newsletter is out! In this Autumn edition you can find a message from your local Alderman and Common Councillors, an update on major projects in the City, information on how you can register to vote and how you can share your views with the Corporation’s Tackling Racism Taskforce. Click here for more.

For schools, for young Londoners of all backgrounds to enjoy their city the Under 18s’ Zip Card is a lifeline which should not be scrapped. I asked the City of London Corporation at the influential Public Relations and Economic Development Committee to support the call to protect free travel for under 18 year olds in London.

As a member of the City of London Police’s Professional Standards and Integrity Committee I recently asked the Assistant Commissioner about the number of Covid19 relates fines and warnings issued. Young BAME members of the public are more often fined. We need to reflect on this and see how we can work together.

As the City re-emerges from lockdown, the Ward of Cheap team of Alderman and Councillors have been engaging with City workers and businesses in our ward. It is vital that we support people returning to work safely, and that we shape a sustainable future of the Square Mile.

London’s overall attractiveness as a top investment destination has remained undiminished, with the first major poll of global investors since the start of the Covid-19 crisis showing that 99 per cent are still keen to invest in the city, with 79 per cent currently actively doing so. Having recently been re-appointed to the City of London Corporation’s Investment Committee and elected onto its Property Investment Board, I know how important this onfidence is as we are looking to shape our City’s post Covid-19 future. Resilience planning, acceleration of our transport startegy and reimagining of our approach are essential.