We held our contested Wardmote today.  While the agenda is below, we had a special item of business, thanking John Bennett MBE most sincerely for 17 years of excellent and selfless service on behalf of Broad Street Ward and the City of London.  John served in numerous capacities on many committees, including Chief Commoner, the highest honour, and as Deputy of our Ward for many years.

WARD OF BROAD STREET
ELECTION OF COMMON COUNCILMEN
AGENDA FOR THE CONTESTED WARDMOTEMINUTES OF THE WARDMOTE
FOR THE ELECTION OF COMMON COUNCILMEN
HELD AT FURNITURE MAKERS’ HALL AT NOON ON WEDNESDAY 23rd
MARCH 2022
1. The Beadle opened the Wardmote in the usual manner and commanded silence whilst the
Precept was read.
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:
Bakth, Shanan
Corrin, Elizabeth Turner
Hayward, Christopher Michael
Manchester, Anthony Geoffrey
Scott, John George Stewart
4. The Alderman asked if the candidates would like to address the Wardmote.
Mr Bakth began by observing that he worked within the Ward for 6 years and in the City for 15
years, and that he had both been schooled and lived within the City. He was passionate about
accessibility in the Ward. He wished that the City remains a world leading and attractive place
to work where its reduction of pollution is an exemplar for the world. He also wanted to help
local businesses, change the City’s offer and develop the City as a powerhouse. He is teaming
up with Mr Hayward and Mr Manchester as a joined-up offer to electors.
Ms Corrin first explained that she is Head of Legal at the China Construction Bank. Her
strapline is that she wishes both to cherish the past and protect the future. The first part is
driven by her heritage background of being a former archaeologist. She sees protecting the
future through grassroots development of which she has lots of experience, identifying the need
to renew and repair the community post the coronavirus pandemic. She also noted the need for
diversity, drawing attention to her being the sole female on the ballot paper.
Mr Hayward drew attention to his record as a Common Councillor, as a Sheriff and his
committee activity. In particular, his role in getting a grant for street traders. He noted that he is
a resident and through that he wished that they are cared for as well. He further mentioned that
should he be re-elected he would become the effective political leader in the Corporation of
London through Chairmanship of the Policy and Resources Committee where his policy
priorities would be on technology, Environmental, Social and Governance (‘ESG’) & climate
change, and having a ‘24/7’ economy, especially through greater weekend trading.
Mr Manchester could not be present at the Wardmote as he was recovering from coronavirus. A
pre-prepared written statement was therefore read out by the Beadle. In his statement, Mr
Manchester noted that he had worked within the Ward for over 5 years where he now works as
Head of UK Public Policy for a leading asset manager and therefore active in helping shape the
City of London Corporation’s policy agenda for many years. He noted that there is a need to
support local businesses who are affected by the post-COVID change in working patterns of
home working and a three-day week where larger companies should support smaller ones, more
buying local, and replacing lost footfall with tourism/leisure. Brexit means the City needs to
compete harder for international business, and shift to sustainable and more ethical finance and
be at the forefront of new trends and technologies. H also noted the increase in diversity within
businesses and that the City of London Corporation needs to catch up and lead this change. He
is teaming up with Mr Hayward and Mr Bakth as a joined-up offer to electors.
Mr Scott first noted that he is wearing the colours of Ukraine in their support, and that the
conflict is relevant to the preservation of democracy. From this he drew attention to his
independent status and freedom to make his own decisions. He then spoke about his role on
various committees as a Common Councillor, that he mentors an Ethiopian student and has the
time and flexibility to be able to fulfil the duties of a Common Councillor. He is an advocate of
diversity and encourages female participation and therefore urged electors to vote for Ms
Corrin as well as for him.
5. When all the addresses were complete, the Alderman asked if there were any questions from
any voters present.
There was only one question which came from Nicholas Westguard, asking all candidates as to
which issue caused them the most concern.
Mr Bakth responded that it was his wanting the City to be a 24/7 city.
Ms Corrin responded that wanted to see grassroots community actions tailored to the Ward.
Mr Hayward responded that in light of the change in footfall from 530,000 commuters down to
no higher than 300,000 there was a need for the City to be a ‘destination city’ and to deal with a
three-day week culture.
Mr Scott responded that it was rough sleeping where it had seen a rise from 85 referrals to 402.
6. Next the Alderman as the Returning Officer announced that as the number of candidates
exceeded the number of vacancies and in accordance with the Notice of Poll given on 16th
March 2022, a Poll would take place the next day in the same room at Furniture Makers’ Hall
between the hours of 8.00 am and 8.00 pm.
7. The Alderman then appointed Mr Adrian Smallwood to be the Honorary Ward Clerk for the
ensuing year.
8. 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.
9. The Alderman then appointed Ms Jenny Pitcairn as his Deputy and Presiding Officer for the
day of the Poll and Ms Vimala Pereira Wright and Mr Brad Smith as Polling Clerks.
10. The Honorary Ward Clerk then required all candidates and those authorised who intended to
attend the Count to make their statutory declarations of secrecy as required by Section 4 of the
Ballot Act 1872 and these were given to each declarant to sign with the form countersigned by
the Alderman.
11. Lastly, there was one item of general business where the Alderman gave a vote of thanks and
presented a gift to John Bennett MBE for his long service as Common Councillor, Deputy and
Chief Commoner which was now drawing to a close given he wasn’t standing as a candidate in
tomorrow’s election. Mr Bennet returned thanks.
12. The Alderman next directed the Ward Beadle to adjourn the Wardmote by proclamation until
after the Count the next day.