Royal Commission on the City of London facts for kids
The Royal Commission on the Corporation of the City of London was a special group set up in 1853. This group, called a Royal Commission, was asked to look into how the City of London was governed. They also looked at the areas around it, known as the metropolitan area.
Three important people were chosen for this commission. They were named by a special official document from the King or Queen on June 20, 1853. Their job was to "enquire into the existing state of the Corporation of the city of London." The people chosen were Henry Labouchere, Sir John Patteson, and George Cornewall Lewis. J. D. Coleridge was their secretary. The commission finished its report and sent it to the government on April 28, 1854.
Contents
What the Commission Suggested
The commission's report had 32 ideas for changes. Here are some of the main ones and what happened with them:
How Leaders Were Chosen
- A new rule book for the City: The commission thought the City of London needed a clear set of rules, like a modern charter. The City's rules were old and unclear.
* What happened: This was never put into place. The City still uses its old ways, though it has made some small updates.
- Choosing the Lord Mayor: They suggested changing how the Lord Mayor was elected. They wanted it to be more like other towns in England.
* What happened: The old way of choosing the Lord Mayor stayed the same.
- Electing Aldermen: They wanted aldermen (City leaders) to be elected for six years by local voters. Each area, called a ward, would elect one alderman.
* What happened: Aldermen continued to be elected for life for a long time. Now, they are elected for six-year terms.
- Getting rid of the Court of Aldermen: This group of aldermen had special powers. The commission wanted to give these powers to the Common Council, which is the main decision-making body.
* What happened: The Court of Aldermen still exists and has some duties.
- Fewer Wards: They suggested reducing the number of wards in the City to make them more equal in size and population.
* What happened: This was never done. The City still has 25 wards.
- Smaller Common Council: They wanted to make the Common Council smaller and have it include the aldermen.
* What happened: The Common Council was eventually made smaller in 2004, but it still has its own members and aldermen.
- Who Could Vote: They wanted more people to be able to vote in City elections. Anyone who lived in the City and paid a certain amount in rent could vote.
* What happened: The City made it easier for these people to become "Freemen" of the City, which gave them voting rights.
- Ending Livery Company Influence: The commission wanted to stop the livery companies (old trade groups) from having so much power in City elections.
* What happened: Livery companies still play a role in choosing ceremonial officers like the Lord Mayor.
Police and River Control
- Merging Police Forces: A big suggestion was to combine the City of London Police with the Metropolitan Police.
* What happened: This was never done. The City of London Police is still a separate force today.
- Controlling the River Thames: They wanted to take control of the River Thames away from the City of London. They suggested a new group to manage the river.
* What happened: Control was later given to the Port of London Authority. However, the City still manages health matters for the port.
- Watermen and Lightermen: They wanted to end the special rights of the Company of Watermen and Lightermen on the Thames. This company controlled who could work on the river.
* What happened: The company still trains people, but its power to give licenses was removed in 2009.
Money and Other Rules
- City's Money: The commission found the City's money system very complicated. They suggested making it simpler and putting all the money in the Bank of England.
* What happened: The City mostly ignored this. The City's financial officer, called the Chamberlain, still acts like a bank for the City.
- Ending Trade Restrictions: They wanted to allow anyone to trade in the City, not just those who were "freemen" of London.
* What happened: The City made it easier for traders to become freemen, which solved this issue.
- Ending River Taxes: The City used to collect taxes on goods brought up the River Thames. The commission wanted to stop this.
* What happened: These taxes were mostly stopped in 1868, though some money was still collected for bridges.
- Ending Street Tolls: They wanted to get rid of tolls (small fees) for carts entering or leaving the City.
* What happened: These tolls were also ended in 1868.
- The Irish Society: They suggested dissolving The Honourable The Irish Society, a group that managed properties in Ireland for the City.
* What happened: This was never done. The Irish Society still exists as part of the Common Council.
- Southwark Control: The commission suggested that the City should no longer control the area of Southwark.
* What happened: Over time, other local groups took over the day-to-day running of Southwark.
A New Board for London
- Metropolitan Board of Works: The commission suggested creating a new group called the Metropolitan Board of Works. This board would manage public works for the whole of London.
* What happened: This board was indeed created by a law in 1855. However, the City of London did not become part of it. The City did help pay for some of its projects, like Tower Bridge.
- Coal Duties: They suggested transferring the City's taxes on coal to this new Metropolitan Board.
* What happened: This was done in 1868.
What Happened After the Report
The commission's report led to the creation of the Metropolitan Board of Works in 1855. This board was important for managing public projects across London.
However, many of the commission's ideas for the City of London itself were not put into action. The City did not have to follow most of the suggestions. Some minor ideas were adopted by the City on its own, but no new laws were passed that directly changed how the City of London was run.
