MINUTES OF THE WARDMOTE
FOR THE ELECTION OF COMMON COUNCILMEN
HELD AT FURNITURE MAKERS’ HALL
AT 12.30pm ON WEDNESDAY 19th MARCH 2025
1. The Beadle opened the Wardmote in the usual manner, with Alderman Prem Goyal deputising for Alderman Professor Michael Mainelli.
2. The Honorary Ward Clerk read the Precept of the Right Honourable Lord Mayor for holding
the Wardmote.
3. The Honorary Ward Clerk read out the names of those validly nominated as standing for
Common Council, namely:
Elizabeth CORRIN
Christopher Michael HAYWARD
Anthony Geoffrey MANCHESTER
4. The candidates were then asked by the Alderman if they would like to address the meeting.
Ms Corrin thanked the audience for showing up and engaging. She would do likewise as a Common Councilman.
Mr Hayward first apologised that the election was uncontested and therefore no choice of candidates for electors, but from his own perspective he was delighted to be unopposed but grateful for the confidence electors had for him to continue as a Common Councilman. He then drew attention to his being first elected in 2013, but this election was the last one he was going to stand as a candidate. In his current role at the Corporation he is the Chair of the Policy Committee and therefore the effective political leader of the Corporation. With 125 largely independent elected members, the task is very much akin to herding cats. Within the City of London there may only be 9,000 residents but it has over 680,000 office workers, a figure 25% greater than pre-COVID. As such there is strong demand for office space from international occupiers and investors. Mr Hayward then mentioned the initiative known as ‘Destination City’; a drive to generate new footfall and now a growth plan to target businesses for the City of London to be the global financial and professional services centre of the world. Finally, he concluded with thanks to electors for their support over the past four years.
Mr Manchester declared that it was a pleasure to be back and he was delighted to be re-elected. He wishes to engage in the process despite no contested election. He has seen the renaissance of the City, and got through Brexit, Covid, and hopefully Trump too?! He recognised various things: that it is a job to be a Common Councilman, the importance of establishing a community of Broad Street, that within the built environment there is access to light, open spaces and to ensure architecture is sympathetic. Therefore Austin Friars needs to be a better place, and that Bank Junction is now a quasi-pedestrian space and a hub the City hasn’t had before, akin to Trafalgar Square.
5. Following the addresses, the Alderman asked if there were any questions from any voters
present.
The first question was from James Johnstone (CGS International Securities Ltd) who asked the candidates about their objectives and priorities for the Ward and City of London.
Ms Corrin answered that her focus was on heritage and green spaces, and also financial services. In time she hoped to become a member of the Audit and Risk Committee of the Corporation given her experience in that field.
Mr Hayward then answered by initially referring to a leaflet he had distributed to the audience which gave details of the three candidates and what they stood for. He highlighted that he wanted the Ward to be clean and safe, but that more could be done for public open spaces, including pocket parks and roof gardens, and for the City of London Police who make the City of London the safest city in the world.
He then moved on the need to keep the City of London as the world premier location for financial services, mindful of competition from New York and Singapore. This can be aided by constructing good relationships with Europe so that the City of London can straddle working well with both a Trump-led America and Europe. He rounded off by saying that the City of London needs to be treated as a business.
Mr Manchester gave the final answer by identifying that the City of London was more than just being about financial services. It needs to be vibrant with more culture, hotels, and bars, where the Museum of London re-opening at a new site at Smithfield in 2026 was part of this. However, financial services were still important and stressed that the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) needs to take into account competitiveness, especially from an international perspective. The City of London needs to be a hub to all three international regions of financial activity. It can also leverage its diversity, as being the most international place in the world. He then finished by mentioning Finsbury Circus and his wish for it to be more accessible, as he felt its byelaws are restrictive.
The second question came from John May (resident) who asked that if the City of London
could be described as a “village”, how could village activities be promoted?
Mr Hayward answered first by restating his initiative known as ‘Destination City’. He identified that thirty years ago the City’s pubs shut at 9pm whereas now the City has a vibrant night economy, much more retail, £250m invested to renovate the Barbican, and soon a new Museum of London. The annual “village fête” of the Lord Mayor’s Show allows for great free advertising from the BBC coverage, however, he felt that it could be commercialised a bit more. The goal was to have a 7-day week City, but not a 24/7 City.
Mr Manchester then answered by saying that there could be more advertising of what the City does already, such as Inter-Livery Pancake Day Race in Guildhall Yard, and the Christmas Market in the Guildhall. However, there could be greater participation of City events with residents and workers.
Ms Corrin gave the final answer by noting that residents and workers comprised the fabric of community and that their views should be listened to. She was keen on nurturing relationships with people in real life away from the distractions of everything online. There was a prevalence of not knowing people immediately around you.
The final question came from Catriona Still (UK Finance Ltd) who focussed on diversity and inclusion, asking where are the young people? The context was given of involving more young people in cultural activities, and also to include them in City of London Corporation activities. Mr Hayward answered first by stating that all young people want to work in London, and that
the age demographic has decreased over the past twenty years. Workers are now more discerning by wanting work in Grade A space and wanting a social life with venues not closing early. The City needs to be open at weekends for families rather than being for ‘stag and hen parties’ on Friday nights. He then further answered the question by inviting Ms Still be the next generation to be Common Councilmen, although he acknowledged the difficulty in balancing daytime meetings with the demands of a fulltime job, and that a solution is needed.
Mr Manchester answered by noting that the City has so much history to appreciate which could be made available to families, suggesting the need for ticketing across attractions and in conjunction with accommodation to support this. He further identified that young people don’t want to join things, giving the example of ward clubs which have a more mature membership the challenge of how they could attract younger members.
6. Ms Corrin gave the final response by noting that she had had experience both of having the doors of a city open to her and finding them shut and it was important to understand the perspectives of both kinds of access when considering city spaces.
7. The Alderman declared that Ms Corrin, Mr Hayward and Mr Manchester had been elected as Members of Common Council for the Ward of Broad Street for the ensuing term.
8. Those elected then each made and subscribed their Declarations of Office and Corporation of London Code of Conduct for Members, which the audience celebrated with applause.
9. Under the direction of Alderman Michael Mainelli, the Alderman then announced the appointment of Mr Hayward as Deputy for the ensuing year.
10. The Alderman then appointed Mr Adrian Smallwood to be the Honorary Ward Clerk for the ensuing year.
11. The election of the Ward Beadle was next undertaken, and as there was only one candidate, the
Alderman announced the election of Mr George Martin for the ensuing year.
12. The Alderman, together with two voters as witnesses, signed the Return to Precept.
13. Next Ms Corrin proposed a resolution that a public notice be posted of the Poll result on the Ward Notice Board. This was seconded by Mr Manchester and passed unanimously.
14. Mr Hayward then proposed a vote of thanks to the Alderman for presiding at the Wardmote. This was seconded by Ms Still and passed unanimously.
15. Mr Manchester completed the votes of thanks by proposing one to the Master and Worshipful Company of Furniture Makers for the use of their Hall. This was seconded by Mr May and passed unanimously.
16. Finally the Honorary Ward Clerk asked the Ward Beadle to close the Wardmote in the usual manner.