News

Voters in the City of London have cast their votes to elect their representatives to the Square Mile’s governing body. A total of 100 Members were elected by resident and business voters yesterday to the City of London Corporation’s principal decision-making body, the Court of Common Council.

On Thursday 24 March elections will take place across the City of London. I am standing for re-election together with my fellow Ward of Cheap colleagues Alastair Moss and Nick Bensted-Smith. During the election period – which starts on Tuesday 22 February – you can find more information and updates about our campaign at http://www.wardofcheap.city This personal website stays live, but will not be used for our Ward of Cheap Team’s election campaign.

It was great to see the streets around Cheapside buzzing again this week. On Thursday we had an opportunity to come together as a ward. Over 20 City workers, livery companies, residents and members of the Ward Club joined us as local Alderman and Common Councillors for the Ward of Cheap. We discussed local issues, new ways of working and the priorities for the Square Mile as we re-emerge from the pandamic. One thing was clear everyone was glad to be off Zoom and meeting in person in the beautiful St Vedast Church!

The City of London is unique as it’s the only place in the UK where residents and workers get a vote in local elections. This year elections for Common Councillors will take place across the Square Mile on 24 March 2022. It has been an honour to represent the Ward of Cheap over the last 5 years. Together as a team with my fellow Councillors Alastair Moss and Nick Bensted-Smith we intend to stand for re-election.

This week the Chair of the City of London Police Authority joined City’s Business Ratespayers consultation meeting and proposed an increase in the Business Rates Premium of 0.4p to invest in security and policing in the City. This would add £135 to a £17k rates bill or 0.7% – lower than increases nationally.

Responding to the launch of the Levelling Up White Paper the City of London Corporation welomed the Levelling Up White Paper saying the City looks forward to working closely with the Government to support growth across the UK. It is important however that levelling up includes all parts of the UK, including London. The capital faces unique challenges and still has major inequalities, with 2.5 million people currently living in poverty.

Net zero can feel overwhelming for small and medium sized businesses (SMEs). Heart of the City knows that from its 21 years of working with SMEs. But they also know that SMEs can do great things and have a real impact.

The City of London Corporation last week welcomed the Government’s announcement that Plan B measures will not be extended after 26 January. The announcement that working from home guidance will be lifted is very welcome news for the many businesses in the Square Mile which have been seriously affected by the recent drop in footfall. The green shoots of recovery can now thrive again.

I’m extremely pelased that the City of London Corporation has agreed to launch a new grant scheme to support Square Mile businesses that have been hit by restrictions introduced in response to the Covid-19 Omicron variant. Together with a group of fellow Councillors, including my ward colleagues Alastair and Nick, I’ve pushed hard to make this happen. The scheme of up to £10 million will be targeted at businesses that primarily operate in the City of London in the retail, hospitality, leisure and medical sectors.

Residents, businesses and City workers based in the Ward of Cheap are invinvited to join an unique virtual event with the new City of London Police Commissioner, Angela McLaren on Thursday 13 January. The event is organised by Ward of Cheap Alderman Robert Hughes-Penney, and Common Councillors Alastair Moss, Nick Bensted-Smith and Tijs Broeke, together with the Cheapside Business Alliance.