Guildhall
The City of London provides local government services for the
financial and commercial heart of Britain, the 'Square Mile'. It is
committed to maintaining and enhancing the status of the business
City as the world's leading international financial and business
centre through the policies it pursues and the high standard of
services it provides. Its responsibilities extend far beyond the
City boundaries in that it also provides a host of additional
facilities for the benefit of the nation. These range from open
spaces such as Epping Forest and Hampstead Heath to the famous
Barbican Arts Centre.
The City of London combines its ancient traditions and
ceremonial functions with the role of a modern and efficient local
authority, looking after the needs of its residents, businesses and
over 320,000 people who come to work in the 'Square Mile' every
day. Among local authorities the City of London is unique; not only
is it the oldest in the country but it operates on a non-party
political basis through its Lord Mayor, Aldermen and members of the
Court of Common Council. The Lord Mayor in particular plays an
important diplomatic role with his overseas visits and functions at
the historic Guildhall and Mansion House for visiting heads of
State.
In addition to the usual services provided by a local authority
such as housing, refuse collection, education, social services,
environmental health and town planning, the City of London performs
a number of very special functions. It runs its own police force
and the nation's Central Criminal Court, the Old Bailey. It
provides five Thames bridges, runs the quarantine station at
Heathrow Airport and is the Port Health Authority for the whole of
the Thames tidal estuary. Three premier wholesale food markets (
Billingsgate, Spitalfields and Smithfield) which supply London and
the South East with fresh produce also belong to the City of
London. Many of these services are funded from the City of London's
own investments at no cost to the public.
The City of London is committed to an extensive programme of
activities designed to assist its neighbours to combat social
deprivation so that they can benefit from the wealth the 'Square
Mile' generates. Staff and members of the City of London have,
through centuries of careful stewardship, ensured that the 'Square
Mile' has continued to thrive. Today's City of London, through its
philosophy of sustainable development, aims to share these benefits
with future generations of residents, businesses and workers.
The City of London: a unique authority.