The area
of the Square Mile is divided into 25
wards each of which are represented by a number of
Members. Allocation
of Members is determined by the size of the electorate and
comprises one Alderman, with the remaining allocation made up by
Common Councilmen.
Click here for a map of the current ward boundaries in the
City.
The City of London gave a number of
parliamentary undertakings to secure wider electoral reform than
was provided for in the City of London (Ward Elections) Act,
the legislation promoted by the City of London Corporation to
change the City's electoral system. These included a
commitment to review the boundaries of the four residential wards
to preserve the residential character of those wards and a further
pledge to review the boundaries of the remaining wards.
A ward boundary review was
undertaken in 2003, and as part of that process the City of London
carried out a reduction in the number of Members.
For further details of the ward
boundary review please call the electoral services helpline on 0800
587 5537 or email
electoralservices@cityoflondon.gov.uk.
See the
Lime
Street ward website here.
Ward clubs
All wards in the City also have
a ward club. Members of the ward clubs – which were originally
formed as ratepayers associations – include Liverymen, Freemen,
Common Councilmen, City professionals and residents who look to
promote and encourage interest in the City’s affairs and to help
maintain the high traditions and prestige of the City. They also
offer support to the Alderman of the Ward, the Deputy and Common
Councilmen in carrying out their duties on behalf of the City of
London and, in particular, the ward itself. Most clubs hold annual
banquets, meetings and dinners for members, as well as charitable
contributions. More specific details are available from each club,
including information on membership.
For further details about ward clubs, including clubs'contact
details, please see the United Ward Clubs of the City of London
website.
Ward Beadles
The twenty five Wards of the City elect a suitable person to the
ancient office of ‘Ward Beadle’ of which there are twenty nine (the
three largest Wards have two or three Beadles).
History of Beadles
The Beadle is an elected officer of the Ward acting on
instruction of the Alderman. In the reign of King John, the
Beadle was the sole judge and witness of a citizen’s compliance
with summonses to "Chief Folk-Moots" (meetings) of which they were
three a year. Today these have become 'Common Hall' meetings -
one for election of the Lord Mayor, one for election of the
sheriffs - and a Ward Mote (ward meeting). Citizens who failed
to attend were subject to the fine of £2.00 at a time when a
workmen often earned only a penny a week.
Ward Motes were originally meetings of the Freemen (now those on
the Ward List) and that the democratic and electoral element of the
meetings was a later development. This was because they were
essentially the same as a Court Leet / Manorial Court with the
Freemen making ‘presentments’ of civil issues and criminal matters
with the Alderman punishing miscreants according to law and the
Beadle ‘attaching’ such persons as the court’s officer. Even today,
ward electors can ask general questions at the Ward Motes which the
Alderman, Ward Clerk and Common Councilmen attempt to address.
According to the Liber Albus compiled by the City Secretary John
Carpenter at the request of Sir Richard Whittington in 1419 the
Beadle as an elected officer actually predates that of the
Councilmen as elected representatives.
The Beadles were elected at the Folk-Moot (now the Ward Motes
and Common Halls) but whether this was originally an open election
by those present or only to choose from those nominated by the
Alderman, is unknown.
The Beadles duties were as follows:
- To prepare the list of Freemen of the Ward for the Ward Mote
and Folk-Moot and summon them to these
- To conduct the details of any elections, in regard to the list,
held at the Ward Mote with the Ward Clerk.
- To open / close and keep order at the Ward Mote
- To ‘amerce’ non-attendees of the Ward Mote and Folk-Moot and
‘attach’ ie collect the fines for this; the Beadle’s word in regard
to summons being delivered to a freeman and his non-compliance was
the only evidence required.
The original role of the Beadle was as an Electoral Officer,
with the Ward Clerk as Recorder and the Alderman as Returning
Officer. Duties 1 and 2 are now performed by the
Electoral Services department. Duties 3 are largely ceremonial
and are still the preserve of the Beadle. Duties 4 are no longer
performed.
The Beadles attend on the Aldermen at ceremonial occasions.
The Ward Beadles of the City of London
Alan Clarke (Aldgate)
Martyn Craddock (Aldersgate)
Michael Daley (Bassishaw)
Victor DeSilva (Billingsgate)
Pat Connolly (Bishopsgate)
Joseph Akoto-Mensah (Bishopsgate)
Angus Ross (Bread Street)
Terry Taylor (Broad Street)
Malcolm Potter (Bridge)
William Bateman (Candlewick)
Geoff Tucker (Castle Baynard)
Phillip Chancellor (Cheap)
Jeremy Brown (Coleman St)
Alan Warman (Cordwainer)
RC Collins (Cornhill)
David Trumble (Cripplegate Within)
Christopher Stoner (Cripplegate)
Paul Webster (Dowgate)
Freddie Trowman (Farringdon Without)
Roger Davis (Farringdon Withouut)
Jayne Bain-Stewart (Farringdon Without)
George Reed (Farringdon Within)
David Boston (Langbourn)
Edward Kipping (Lime Street)
Stan Brown (Portsoken)
David Keil (Queenhithe)
Anthony White (Tower)
Ellis Pike (Vintry)
Wilfred Jones (Walbrook)
Honorary Secretary and Clerk
Tony Sharp
59 Centrepoint
London SE1 5NX
Tel 020 7394 1271
List supplied April 2008.