Each electoral ward in the City of London holds an annual meeting, called a Wardmote to meet the electors and others working or living in the Ward. On 22nd March Dowgate Ward held this event and we had a good turnout both from voters we know well and those new to the electoral roll from a range of businesses in the Ward.
The Wardmote started with a traditional ceremony led by me as the Alderman during which I appointed the Honorary Ward Clerk, Michael Stewart and my Deputy, Henry Pollard. All present elected the Ward Beadle who is John Cash. That role probably predates that of the Alderman ( 900 years old) and started as the equivalent of a Ward Constable but is now more ceremonial. However John carries the ancient Dowgate Mace (see picture) that could hurt someone if used in anger. When this ceremonial was concluded the three elected representatives - Alderman Alison Gowman, Deputy Henry Pollard and Common Councillor Mark Wheatley - gave an update on the activity over the past year, the range of committees they serve highlighting some important issues. This was necessarily only a brief overview and all members would be happy to talk more about the range of activity they undertake at the Corporation and visit businesses and voters in Dowgate Ward when convenient. An update had been requested from the City of London Police and two officers who cover the Dowgate and Fleet Street areas spoke followed by a short presentation by James Chapman, the Station Commander of Dowgate Fire Station (the second busiest in London). The next formal meeting with the local City Police Officers is on 24th July at the Salvation Army HQ on Queen Victoria Street. If you want to be in touch please email : [email protected] A question and answer session threw up a range of queries, where the following questions were asked and responses given and enhanced later with information from the Environmental Services department as follows:
All three members are keen to meet businesses, residents and other voters or occupiers and so do get in touch. I am indebted to Deputy Henry Pollard for sending a briefing to all voters following the meeting which I have used to create this blog.
0 Comments
|
Details
AuthorAlison Gowman Archives
January 2024
Categories
All
|