THE CITY
The City of London, also known as the Square Mile, is a local authority and so much more.
Not to be confused with Greater London, the City is distinct and has a history stretching back 2000 years.
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The City of London Corporation
The City of London Corporation is the local authority for the Square Mile with 25 ancient wards. The Court of Common Council is sovereign; comprised of 25 Aldermen and 100 Common Councillors.
The Chief Executive of the Corporation holds the ancient office of Town Clerk and leads ~4,000 employees.
The Corporation is headed by the Lord Mayor of the City of London, one of the world’s oldest continuously elected civic offices.
The City’s Functions
Planning, Transport and Licensing
What is the City Plan 2040?
City Plan 2040 is a plan for the development of the Square Mile, setting the City Corporation's priorities for development up to 2040, together with policies that will guide future decisions on planning applications
The City of London Corporation paid the Department for Transport (DfT) £200m as a contribution towards the Elizabeth line, a game changer for London's transport infrastructure.
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Barbican Centre, Guildhall School of Music and Drama and LSO
The Barbican Centre is a world-renowned arts and learning hub in the heart of the City of London, celebrated for its dynamic programming across music, theatre, dance, film, and visual arts. Home to the London Symphony Orchestra (LSO), the Centre offers transformative cultural experiences.
The LSO, a globally esteemed orchestra, is known for its groundbreaking performances and recordings, engaging diverse audiences with classical and contemporary works.
Adjacent is the Guildhall School of Music & Drama, a premier conservatoire nurturing exceptional talent in performing arts. Together, these institutions create a vibrant cultural ecosystem fostering innovation, collaboration, and artistic excellence
City of London Police
We are the national lead police force for fraud. We investigate some of the country’s most complex cases of fraud, set the national strategy and coordinate the operational response. We also host Action Fraud, the national reporting centre for fraud and cybercrime, on behalf of policing.
With over 40 per cent of all crime reported in the UK being fraud related, the National Lead Force (NLF), as part of the City of London Police, serves a crucial role in the coordination of the policing response: identifying, disrupting and prosecuting fraud and economic crime across the country
City of London Schools
The City of London Academies Trust (CoLAT) is an educational organisation operating within the Square Mile and beyond, supported by the City of London Corporation. Dedicated to providing outstanding educational opportunities, CoLAT oversees a network of schools, including primary, secondary, and sixth-form academies, serving diverse communities in London.
CoLAT leverages the educational excellence of City of London School and City of London Girls School to support communities across London where educational provision was insufficient.
Today CoLAT is one of the most successful Academy Trusts in the UK.
Vision for Economic Growth - FPS Policy
The City of London Corporation convened a steering board of leading figures(external link) from across UK FPS to set out a roadmap to strengthen UK-based FPS as a driver of jobs and prosperity, and to reinforce our international competitiveness.
Strengthening the UK’s status as a world -leading international financial centre requires ongoing commitment, focused innovation and close cooperation between industry, policymakers and regulators. The rewards are substantial, with the industry enabled to play its full role in driving long-term economic growth right across the country and supporting customers in their everyday lives.
City Bridge Fund
City Bridge Foundation’s primary purpose is to manage and maintain five of London’s key bridges, ensuring they not only serve the capital now, but will continue to do so, for as long as they are needed.
The City Bridge Foundation is the biggest charitable donor in London Communities, giving £30m per annum to smaller charities in London
Wholesale Markets
The City of London’s wholesale food markets—Billingsgate, Smithfield, and New Spitalfields—are historic yet vital components of the UK’s food supply chain. Serving London and beyond, they collectively handle over one million tonnes of fresh produce annually, including seafood, meat, fruit, and vegetables. These markets support thousands of jobs and contribute significantly to the economy.
11,000 Acres - Open Spaces
The City of London Corporation is a proud steward of over 10,000 acres of green spaces, ensuring London thrives as a city of nature and wellbeing. Within the Square Mile, tranquil gardens and pocket parks like Postman’s Park offer vital urban respite. Beyond the city, it manages vast landscapes, including Epping Forest and Hampstead Heath, iconic havens of biodiversity and recreation. These spaces host ancient woodlands, rare wildlife habitats, and cherished public amenities, attracting millions of visitors annually. Essential for environmental sustainability, they remove thousands of tonnes of CO2 yearly and preserve London’s natural heritage. Through careful custodianship, the Corporation balances conservation, accessibility, and ecological innovation, enriching the lives of residents, workers, and visitors across the capital.
