News

London’s largest independent funder has handed a £5 million boost to a coronavirus emergency fund – and is urging businesses to dig deep to help good causes facing a ‘perfect storm’ caused by the pandemic. The cash from City Bridge Trust, the City of London Corporation’s charitable funder, brings its total pledge to the London Community Response to £6m.

The City of London Corporation is ramping up its transport recovery plan, designed to ensure the gradual and safe return of people who work, live and visit the Square Mile. At the Policy and Resources Committee last week I joined other members to endorse Phase Two of the recovery plan offering support for City businesses through the introduction of various transportation and public realm changes. We also reiterated the need to accommodate access for disabled people.

The Policy and Resources Committee, the City’s main decision-making Committee, unanimously agreed to set up a working group to look at we are doing to tackle racism in all its forms. The Tackling Racism Working Party will assess whether the City Corporation could take any further action to promote economic, educational and social inclusion. It will also consider how to respond to historical issues, such as statues and monuments.

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.