Latest FAQs
Latest FAQ following the removal of tents at St Paul’s on 28
February
View the latest press release
Q: Why did you remove the tents?
A: The High Court found in favour of the City of London
Corporation in the case against the camp at St Paul’s on 18 January
2012. The Court of Appeal rejected the protesters challenge
to the High Court Judgment on 22 February. The camp was clearly in
breach of highway and planning law.
The City of London Corporation enforced the High Court orders
for the removal of the tents and equipment on 27 February. High
Court enforcement officers employed by the City of London
Corporation undertook the removal with the support of the Police to
ensure public safety and maintain order. The City of London
Corporation ensured any vulnerable people at the site were helped
and supported to find appropriate accommodation in partnership with
Broadway, a charity for the homeless.
The site is now undergoing a deep clean and some areas may be
cordoned off during this cleaning. We will complete the work as
quickly as possible, in order to return the site to its regular
use.
Q: What was the role of the ‘City’ in this
protest?
A: The City of London Corporation is the Planning and
Highways Authority, under its local authority powers.
Q: What is the City of London Corporation; what does it
do?
A: It is the body that provides local authority services –
like highways and planning control – for the Square Mile. Although
it is a very long-established body – dating back 800 years – its
modern roles are three: to provide local authority services for the
Square Mile, to support and promote the financial services
industry, to provide London and the wider UK with a number of other
special services. Full details are on the website
www.cityoflondon.gov.uk.
Q: How is the City funded and how does its governance
work?
A: The City of London Corporation is led by directly
elected local members/councillors. Our website is very extensive
and contains details of how members are elected, how the mixed
business-residential franchise works and how our funds are spent on
the three areas of responsibility detailed above. Committee
meetings are generally open to the public (with the
usual exemptions for legal advice, HR and commercial matters). The
City of London and the wider City is fully covered by all UK
legislation and plays a role alongside other authorities in wider
governance of London. A very large amount of information is on our
website.
Links
Download the Court of Appeal
Judgment (PDF, 186kb)
Download the Summary Judgment (PDF,
180kb)
Download the Full Judgment (PDF,
3.6mb)