Dowgate Alderman at work in the City of London

23/12/2024

Dowgate Alderman at work in the City of London

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Hosting the Lord Mayor's Coffee Colloquy with the Royal Society at Mansion House

Whilst I give priority to working for my residents, businesses and occupiers in Dowgate Ward, as an Alderman, I also have a major role in the governance of the City of London and this is fulfilled in working on committees and projects, serving on outside bodies and as the lead member (appointed by the Chair of Policy and Resources Committee, Chris Hayward) to oversee the City's climate action strategy, biodiversity and urban greening.
The highlights of 2024 have included:
My role as City of London Corporation lead member involves a lot of committee engagement and scrutiny as well as encouragement to members and officers; seeking solutions and efficiencies in what we do. Publishing the third-year report on the progress of the City's Climate Action Plan was key to the scrutiny of our progress and planning for the next few years. Read the report here https://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/assets/Services-Environment/taking-climate-action-our-progress-2024.pdf
The role includes speaking at events and this year that lead to events to promote the City Plan and the new Heritage Buildings Toolkit as well as leading a discussion about greening the City and pollinators at the NLA.
I was also interviewed by the Financial Times about the resilience work of the City Corporation alongside Tim Munday https://www.ft.com/content/eafeddeb-6dca-42d9-9f22-d821d158ec6d and this led to an interview on Radio 4's The World Tonight with James Coomarasamy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8oSEqXiwkD8
It is exciting to hear about the many climate projects on the books for 2025 and beyond which the City Corporation are scoping. They all need careful curation and none more so that the relighting of St Paul's Cathedral that will create a brilliant new skyline for the City and be more energy and carbon efficient. Some trial lighting was tested early in 2024. At the end of 2024 I was engaged with the Barbican Estate about their plans to reduce the emissions from the communal underfloor heating system that is a blessing and a curse for residents. Innovative data collection will establish how some changes can be made.
As lead member it is important to engage with businesses and the various residents' fora about their hopes and plans and activities and this led to speaking at the Fleet Street Quarter's first climate action programme and the launch of the Urban Farmer Project using meanwhile space for skills development and providing food to many in need across London.
Another highlight is acting as representative Lord Mayor, including giving out the Clean City Awards and the Considerate Contractors Awards to businesses and organisations that deserve recognition for their work on creating a more sustainable City and with good and responsible business practices. Our late Lord Mayor instituted many in person discussions around the Sustainable Development Goals and I hosted three of these at the Mansion House on the topics of SDG 12 (circular economy and waste) and 13 (climate) working with UCL and the Royal Society respectively.
Having been involved in creating the City's celebration of International Women's Day over the last 14 years it was great this year to include a market opening at the London Stock Exchange as well as a musical march through the City with my megaphone handy. My fellow female members of Common Council were united in the theme this year of Inspire Inclusion. The 125 fellow members of Common Council and Aldermen are a powerhouse – although we don't all agree on everything.
I hold many posts in my own right and some as representing the City. Two of these have ended this year after 10 years of service - at the London Museum and MOLA. It is sad to end direct involvement and responsibility for two much loved charities. London Museum is nearing the conclusion of the new site at Smithfield Market and I am proud of my work there – latterly on starting a full sustainability plan but also chairing the Audit and Risk Committee, the Remuneration Committee and acting as the Senior Independent Governor. For MOLA I was also the chair of Audit and Risk Committee and a regular link to the Museum and the City Corporation. Ending these roles will give me a little breathing space but I will not be slowing down!