Author: Tijs Broeke

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.

Residents and City workers in the Ward of Cheap were due to meeting on Thursday 19th March for the annual ward meeting (Wardmote). However, due to heightened concern regarding the coronavirus (COVID-19), Alderman Robert Hughes-Penney as presiding officer, supported by the team of Common Councillors, has decided to reschedule this event.

A 24/7 assessment hub for rough sleepers in the Square Mile and a new 30-bed hostel have been given the green light. The City of London Corporation’s Court of common Council, the authority’s top decision-making body, backed the £11.4m plans earlier this week. As deputy chairman I am proud to have worked with fellow councillors on the City’s homelessness and rough sleeping Committee to succefuly argue for this investment and new approach.

In March there are a couple of events taking place in the Ward of Cheap starting with our annual reception on Wednesday 4 March, a public consultation on the transformation of the current BT Centre on 4-5 March, and our annual ‘Wardmote’ or meeting of citizens on 19 March.

The proportion of workers in the City of London’s financial services sector born outside the UK jumped to 36% in 2019, up from 32% a year earlier, according to new data from the ONS. Now more than ever it’s essential that the UK remains open to international talent in order to compete on the world stage. As Catherine McGuiness, Policy Chair at the City of London Corporation, said the City will continue to recognise the vital contribution that international workers make to our local economy and community.