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.
Read about the current
Ward Boundary Review.
For further details of the ward boundary review please call the
electoral services helpline on 0800 587 5537 or email
electoralservices@cityoflondon.gov.uk.
Ward websites
Many of the wards currently have websites under development and
they will be listed here as they are launched.
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.
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
Martyn Craddock (Aldersgate)
Alan Clarke (Aldgate)
Michael Daley (Bassishaw)
Mark Booty (Billingsgate)
Pat Connolly (Bishopsgate)
Joseph Akoto-Mensah (Bishopsgate)
Angus Ross (Bread Street) President
Malcolm Potter (Bridge)
Terry Taylor (Broad Street)
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)
Peter Webster (Dowgate)
George Reed (Farringdon Within)
Freddie Trowman (Farringdon Without)
Roger Davis (Farringdon Without)
Jayne Bain-Stewart (Farringdon Without)
David Boston (Langbourn)
Stephen 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 Centre Point
London SE1 5NX
Tel 020 7394 1271
Email 4tonysharp@lineone.net
List revised November 2008.