Issue no 58
N E W S
A N D
K E Y
I S S U E S
F O R
T H E
C I T Y
O F
L O N D O N
Dec/Jan 2007
cityview
the City surveyed Arts focus
Lord Mayor's Show
The Barbican turns 25
Welcoming the new Lord Mayor
2 C I T Y V I E W
cityviewmagazine Welcome to cityviewmagazine
C O N T E N T S C I T Y
S T R A T E G Y
keeping planning streamlined
3
cityview is the magazine of the City of London Corporation, provider of local government services for the Square Mile.
T H E I N T E R V I E W
recognising the City’s importance T H E
C I T Y
4
S U R V E Y E D
feedback on the City L O R D
M A Y O R ’ S
6
S H O W
the City on show A R T S
8
F O C U S
25th birthday for arts innovator E N G A G I N G
T H E
S Q U A R E
12
F O C U S
around the world in images A R T S
10
M I L E
City heart beats strongly A R T S
Unless otherwise stated in individual features, more information on both the magazine and online articles is available from the Public Relations Office below.
14
F O C U S
journey to a new world
15
...and finally
16
The magazine is available to download from www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/cityview. If you would like a summary of this publication in your language or in an alternative format such as large print, Braille or audio tape, please contact The Public Relations Office City of London PO Box 270 Guildhall London EC2P 2EJ 020 7332 3099 pro@cityoflondon.gov.uk www.cityoflondon.gov.uk We welcome, and value, feedback but regret that correspondence cannot be individually acknowledged. MAILING ENQUIRIES cityviewmagazine PO Box 3014,
Registered at Stationers’ Hall
Romford
Designed by Raphael Whittle
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Printed by Empress Litho on
01708 37 35 32
environmentally friendly paper
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C I T Y V I E W 3 C I T Y
S T R A T E G Y
keeping planning streamlined The City of London Corporation has responded to Government proposals giving the Mayor of London new powers. Michael Snyder,the City’s Chairman of Policy & Resources,believes these proposals will generally help provide London with modern and efficient regional government,in particular powers for waste,learning and skills and housing.“However,while we recognise the Mayor has a strategic role,the proposed new planning powers may detract from our ability to adapt quickly to the needs of businesses – and threaten the City’s competitive position.” The City commissioned an independent assessment into the issues and based on this has recommended an alternative approach. ■ It suggests increasing the height and floorspace
thresholds, that would trigger referral of City developments to the Mayor, so that he would only deal with strategic applications. ■ It proposes a different three-part test instead of the one proposed by the Government, based around whether a planning application raises real strategic issues.
■ It believes the Mayor must abide by local guidance
on S.106 agreements.This is a key planning provision which allows local authorities to negotiate an agreement for a developer to provide local benefits as part of the development. Under the Government’s proposals,the Mayor would lead on negotiations and so influence the benefits in accordance with his own priorities. “While we understand the wish to see the supply of new housing maintained,the present proposals could well have unintended consequences – in the City and elsewhere,” Michael Snyder continued.“It’s therefore essential that the Mayor’s new powers are very carefully considered and defined before any changes are made.We will be discussing this further with ministers and officials in the Department for Communities and Local Government.” The Queen’s speech in November included a Greater London Authority Bill that would increase powers for the Mayor.The Bill received its second reading in December and the new powers are expected to start sometime in 2008.
More information 020 7332 3099 pro@cityoflondon.gov.uk
O N L I N E
O N L I N E
cityviewonline
liverylivedigest
November Young City
October Bridging the divide
August
The Goldsmiths’ Company
Driving force in the City
held its annual exhibition of
Young City workers got the
Bridge House trust launches £1m
City of London takes on
contemporary designer jewellery
chance to visit Mansion House as
scheme promoting peace in
responsibility for certain vehicular
and silverware in October.
part of a networking reception
London
offences
020 7367 5913
hosted by the Lord Mayor
The.clerk@thegoldsmiths.co.uk
Bloomin’ marvellous Food for thought Residents at Middlesex Street trial
Art attack
www.thegoldsmiths.co.uk
City Park and Gardens win
Economic benefits of arts shown
‘Champion of Champions’ awards
in new report
Arts relay heavily on marketing was
a new food waste collection service
the message from Trevor Moross,
September Going green
Winners take it all
Report says City carbon market
The Dragon Awards recognise
vital to combat climate change
City businesses
Indian Summer
chairman of The Academy of
Business leader to chair India City
St. Martin in the Fields at the
of London Advisory Board
Worshipful Company of Marketors annual Bowden Dinner. 0208 202 7821
Park life Public can air views on future of
clerk@marketors.org www.marketors.org
Wanstead Park
www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/cityview
www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/liverylive
4 C I T Y V I E W
T H E I N T E R V I E W
Peter Riddell of The Times talks to Ed Balls, Economic Secretary to the Treasury
recognising the
City’s importance Ed Balls is the most active, and influential, City minister in recent memory. Hardly a day passes when he does not pop up with a speech or initiative. In three days recently, he undertook four events with the City of London Corporation.
was the instinctive cynical response that it was all just a public relations event. But, now, he is being asked about a second meeting, likely to be in the next few months. Prior to that there will be followup meetings on specific issues before the spring Budget.
This is a big change for Mr Balls. For seven years in the Treasury, he was Gordon Brown’s closest adviser, focussing mainly on the big macro-economic decisions such as Budgets and spending reviews. Mr Brown has never been very involved in the details of City issues.As Economic Secretary to the Treasury since last May, Mr Balls is able, because of his continued closeness to the Chancellor, to have both influence and the freedom to carve out his own niche and be active.
Mr Balls is keen to maintain a risk-based approach to regulation for financial services, though he was worried when, at a conference in Japan, his reference to “light-touch”was translated as “soft-touch”. He quickly interrupted to correct the false impression.
However, his current role is “much more operational than when doing the advisory job”. For instance, decisions on stopping terrorist financing have to be taken almost daily. He is keen to “knuckle down and do the job well”. The increased Treasury interest in the City predates the arrival of Mr Balls as a minister.The Government recognises the importance of the City and financial services as Britain’s most successful sector on a global scale – as “Europe’s wholesale financial services gateway to the world”– and vice versa.This is coupled with an awareness of the growing challenges from new financial centres. Mr Balls recently visited Dubai on his way back from a trip to the Far East.And he points also to the role of Bermuda in wholesale insurance and Luxembourg and Dublin in asset management. These factors led to the creation of the Chancellor’s High Level Group on City competitiveness, involving all the big players, which met for the first time in October. Mr Balls notes that before the meeting there
Mr Balls argues that the Government will remain active in Brussels to ensure that new EU regulations do not inhibit the expansion of financial services in face of global competition. He stresses the need for European regulators explicitly to consider the EU’s competitive position in the wider international system. He praises the three key commissioners on competition, the single market and trade for their attitudes. Britain has fought and won arguments against overburdensome regulation from Brussels on the savings, investment services, capital requirements and transparency directives.The Government has argued for a market based, not a legislation based approach, in clearing and settlements and the single European payments area. He acknowledges business concerns about avoiding unnecessary gold plating. As we talked, he was finalising the Investment Exchanges and Clearing Houses Bill, which has been rapidly pushed through Parliament to ensure that the Financial Services Authority will remain the regulator of the London Stock Exchange.The legislation covers all UK recognised investment exchanges and clearing houses and the markets they operate or support.This is to avoid excessive regulation if, for example, the LSE is taken over by a group from a
He regards the City Corporation as having a very important role and being very active in furthering the City’s interests.
C I T Y V I E W 5
foreign country with a heavier regulatory regime than in Britain. Mr Balls argues that it matters less who owns the LSE than that it remains regulated by the FSA.And the bill is intended to clarify the position. Mr Balls stresses that what matters is not ownership but the presence of activities and jobs in London. “We judge the success of London as a financial centre not by the market share of particular British companies but by the scale and depth of the market and the ability to attract the best talent”. Britain wants to be part of the global revolution in financial services and part of this is being blind to national ownership. He recalls Japanese bankers talking favourably about the “Wimbledon approach”in Britain, by which they meant the ability to host an international tournament drawing in the world’s best players.That had been underlined by what has happened in the City after the “Big Bang”in the stock market 20 years ago.The key is having jobs and investment located in Britain. Among the other issues being followed up after the meeting of the High Level Group are changes in the regulatory and tax regime to permit the issue of Islamic bonds, know as Sukuk bonds. Mr Balls is very cautious about making commitments on new infrastructure projects such as Crossrail.The necessary legislation is going through Parliament, but there are big issues on timing and resources in view of existing commitments to the big Olympics project.There are, he says, a number of things which need to be sorted out on finance and the availability of skilled workers to ensure the position is sustainable. Mr Balls has contacts with a wide variety of bodies in the City. Since 1997, the Bank of England has focussed on monetary policy, though retains responsibility for the broader health of the financial system and is “an important source of information on markets”, while the FSA is naturally primarily concerned with regulating companies. UK Trade International will, he says, be taking on more of a promotional role for the City within its overall brief.This recognises that the City is “a very important source of jobs, investment and export earnings”, which has not been fully reflected in the balance of its activities before now. He regards the
City Corporation as having a very important role and being very active in furthering the City’s interests. As a Yorkshire MP, Mr Balls argues that a strong financial services industry matters not just for London and the south but also for economic growth and job creation throughout the country, helping, for instance, Edinburgh, Leeds and Birmingham.A strong financial services sector is important not just for the City, but throughout Britain. Peter Riddell is Chief Political Commentator of The Times
6 C I T Y V I E W
T H E
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feedback on the City It was good news for the City of London Corporation from the latest survey of its stakeholders.
Resident satisfaction was the highest score among London local authorities seen by MORI over recent years and similarly strong support was shown by all audiences for the City of London Police.
A cross section of City residents, workers, senior executives and businesses were quizzed by Ipsos MORI to see how well they recognise the City Corporation and how they view it. The results show that recognition of the organisation has increased significantly over the past three years and that satisfaction with its work is also up.There have been large increases in number of residents, workers and business who feel the City keeps them informed about its services. Top rated services across the four audiences were ■ parks, gardens and open spaces ■ support for the arts ■ parks, gardens and opens spaces ■ and support for the arts.
Chairman of the City’s Policy & Resources Committee, Michael Snyder, was pleased with the results but warned against complacency. “Overall these results are very positive and slightly better than the corresponding surveys from 2003. While very good news for us, as with any performance-related feedback, we have to continue to build on them. “The MORI surveys are only one of several feedback systems we have – from the CPA scores to the residents meetings and from the City Workers Panel to the Community Strategy groups.They all help focus our efforts to directing resources where people want them.” One weakness identified was in value for money which, while higher than scores for other local authorities, was seen as only average.“This might be a case of raising awareness of the range of services we provide.We produced a user-friendly breakdown of spending for our City Fund-related work this year but
Public transport information was also rated highly and recycling services were second highest for residents – representing a dramatic turnaround from three years ago when figures were the worst ever recorded by MORI.
How satisfied or dissatisfied are you with the City of London as a place to live, work, run or do business? Very dissatisfied
Resid en ts
City W or k
Busin es se
Seni or
Ci
Very satisfied:
ty
s
ecutives Ex
s er
Fairly dissatisfied Fairly satisfied Very satisfied
55% of Residents 37% of Workers
Neither satisfied or
40% of Businesses
dissatisfied/don’t know
55% of Senior City Executives
Overall, how satisfied or dissatisfied are you with the way the City of London Corporation performs its functions? Very dissatisfied
Busin es se
Seni or
Ci
ty
ecutives Ex
Very satisfied
City W or k
s
Fairly satisfied
Resid en ts
s er
Fairly dissatisfied
Very satisfied: 27% of Residents 18% of Workers
Neither satisfied or
25% of Businesses
dissatisfied/don’t know
41% of Senior City Executives
C I T Y V I E W 7
■ Satisfaction with recycling ■ Senior executives identify
services was 80% for
regulation as the single
residents – a dramatic
biggest threat to the City’s
increase from 3 years ago.
long term status as a leading global financial centre.
■ The majority of senior executives and City businesses feel that the
■ Resident satisfaction was the
City Corporation’s role in
highest score among London
promoting the Square Mile and
local authorities seen by
representing its interests at home
MORI over recent years.
and abroad should be increased.
Commission’s Continuous Performance Assessment system which only questions residents and concentrates on specific service performance in certain areas.These results help to highlight any overall or specific weaknesses which can be addressed in the City’s strategic planning and service delivery.The results have been given to individual departments for them to act on locally and feed into the development and review of their services.
we may need to highlight our additional work too,” said Michael Snyder. Other concerns relate to crime (personal theft most worrying City workers and violent assault concerning residents) and although not the City’s direct responsibility, the underground was singled out as the part of the transport system most in need of improvement.
Top-rated services Parks, gardens, open spaces Workers
Residents
73%
Workers
48%
Businesses
55%
Senior City Executives
Support for arts
Residents
75%
Workers
43%
cityview remains a key source of information for
Businesses
different groups but this has been joined by additional channels of information – the website, email newsletters, other publications (internal and external) and cityresident magazine.
Senior City Executives
The full survey results are available from the City’s website below and will also be on the agenda at residents’ meetings in the new year.
The survey was commissioned by the City and carried out with almost 1,500 people, representing a variety of City stakeholders. It was collected through face to face or phone interviews.These surveys are carried out every three years amd are an informal gauge for the City Corporation on how it is performing. The MORI surveys differ from the Audit
More information 020 7332 1771 pro@cityoflondon.gov.uk www.cityoflondon.gov.uk
Are you aware that the City of London Police polices the Square Mile? Resid en ts
82%
Ci
ecutives Ex
72%
Seni or
ty
73%
s
%
Busin es se
s er
85
City W or k
% satisfaction with the City of London Police Residents Businesses Senior City Executives
74%
79% 88% 90%
71% 77%
8 C I T Y V I E W
L O R D
M A Y O R ’ S
S H O W
the City on show A giant mechanical tiger, Kazakh horsemen, a bun tower and Dick Whttington’s cat come to life – it can only have been the Lord Mayor’s Show. Alderman John Stuttard’s first full day in the role of Lord Mayor got off to the best start possible with a huge crowd to cheer him on and enjoy all the different elements that make the City of London so unique.
As with any Show,many of the floats reflected the Lord Mayor’s own links with the City.Alderman Stuttard’s ward of Lime Street was represented as was the company he works for – PriceWaterhouseCoopers. His chosen charities (see separate box) were on display and so too were the Finnish British Chamber of Commerce and the China-Britain Business Council.
A flypast of helicopters and aircraft topped and tailed a two minutes’silence in remembrance of those fallen,before the Show proper got underway. The formal and military aspects of the show were as polished as ever but one regular entry had a makeover this year – a new Gog and Magog woven in Somerset willow made their debut in Show.
The Lord Mayor formally took office on the Friday, following the Silent Ceremony, but it is the Saturday when he ‘shows’ himself to the crowd. BBC cameras were there to record the event as the procession travelled from Mansion House to St Paul’s Cathedral where the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress received a blessing before they continued to the Royal Courts of Justice to swear the Oath of Allegiance.A brief break for lunch and then the Show continued back to Mansion House.
The City’s links with its surrounding communities were again celebrated,this year represented by Kinetika Art Links International,Ujamaa Arts,Arts for All,Praxis,Albion Kids Show and Mandinga Arts all showing a flair for creativity and performance.
The high profile nature of the events continued on the Monday evening with the Lord Mayor’s Banquet, held to thank the former Lord Mayor for his work and which featured a keynote speech by Prime Minister Tony Blair (top right).
More information, including a biography of the Lord Mayor, 020 7332 3099 pro@cityoflondon.gov.uk www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/ lordmayor
C I T Y V I E W 9
Alderman John Stuttard is the 679th Lord Mayor of the
He is married to Lesley and they
Scholarship Scheme, the Guild
have two sons, Tom and Jamie.
of Educators and King
City of London.
Edward’s School, Whitley. The Lord Mayor’s Appeal for
He served as Sheriff of the City
2007 is based around the theme of
The Lord Mayor is the head
2005-2006, is an eminent
‘Sharing Skills, Changing Lives’
of the City of London
accountant and City
and is dedicated to raising funds
Corporation and the main
businessman who advised
for cross-border learning.
part of his job is to act as
government in the 1980s, and
The main beneficiary is the
ambassador for the City –
has spent most of his career
Voluntary Service Overseas but
promoting it as the world’s
helping businesses access
other organisation set to benefit
leading international financial
global markets.
include the Mansion House
and business centre.
10 C I T Y V I E W
A R T S
F O C U S
25th birthday for arts inno visitors into the arts centre. Entitled
by the Barbican of plans to celebrate
Passage 2006, it was created by
its 25th birthday in 2007. The
Reaching 25 years of age is
Graham Sheffield. “The idea at the
contemporary artist Alex Hartley
celebrations begin in January with
always a milestone and cause for
time was that people didn’t want or
and now creates a true sense of
the first of 25 events that represent
celebration, but the Barbican
need imposing front entrances, and
arrival at the Barbican.
the full scope and diversity of the
won’t be resting on its laurels.
that having several entrances on
To mark its 25th birthday, the
different levels was more
The newly refurbished Barbican was
Barbican has programmed a
egalitarian. It was part of a whole
officially opened in September by
diverse year-long programme –
philosophy about how social
the late Lord Mayor, David Brewer
including 25 very special
change could be created through
in front of an audience including City
landmark events – which reflect
architecture, and that’s part of what
Policy & Resources Chairman
its reputation today as a world
makes the Barbican such a
Michael Snyder, Barbican
class centre for the arts.
fascinating place.”
Committee Chairman John Barker
Groundwork for the celebrations has
Any lack of clarity has now been
already been laid with the recent
remedied with the creation of a
completion of a major £14m
major new entrance and reception
redevelopment of the centre’s
at Silk Street. The entrances at the
foyers and open spaces, which
Lakeside Terrace have also been
has taken place over three years.
refurbished and there is new
Fully funded by the City of London
illuminated signage throughout the
Corporation, which built and owns
centre. But the redevelopment
the Barbican, the work has stripped
goes much further. There are new
out additions to the Centre made
bars, cafes, cloakrooms, furniture
during the mid-1990s, refocusing
and 48 plasma screens which have
the entrances and public spaces and
all helped transform the venue and
dramatically improving navigation
bring it up to the very best
for audiences and visitors.
international standards.
Ever since the Barbican first
The centrepiece of the
opened, it has been the subject of
redevelopment is a dramatic 22m
discussion about the apparent lack
light wall, commissioned by the
of a clear front door. “This lack of
Barbican in partnership with global
single front door stemmed from the
legal firm and Barbican neighbour,
philosophy that informed the design
Linklaters. This now illuminates the
overall” explained Artistic Director,
Silk Street entrance and welcomes
Barbican’s arts programme. The
and Managing Director Sir John Tusa. It also saw the announcement
landmark events feature many
C I T Y V I E W 11
vator ■ Ramadan Nights – music from
seasons, and the creation of BITE which showcases new international
across the Islamic world
work in dance, theatre and music. The events bring together longstanding partners and artistic
The success of the Barbican over
associates, including the LSO, BBC
the years has been demonstrated
Symphony Orchestra and Guildhall
in a number of different ways –
School and reflect the Barbican’s
not just the increase in audiences
ongoing mix of classical and
for all its art forms. It has been
contemporary music, theatre and
identified as one of Britain’s
dance, visual arts, cinema and
‘coolest’ brands alongside
education.
companies like Aston Martin.
The 25th birthday programme
A survey by Oxford Economic Forecasting recently showed the
connects with the overall aim of the celebrations and refurbishment
to 10 March) includes a special
ripple effect of the arts. For every
work – that of engaging new
birthday concert on Saturday
£10 spent on arts in the City,
audiences, deepening awareness of
3 March (the birthday itself) by the
another £6.50 is channelled back
its arts programme and increasing
LSO, a new Icelandic production of
into the general economy from
its links with the City of London.
the classic play Peer Gynt and a
spending on food and services.
screening of six of the top films
More than 10.5 million people
During February and March a
from Halliwell’s Best 100 Movies list
visited festivals or institutions within
birthday fortnight (from 25 February
as voted by Barbican audiences.
the City arts cluster, almost a
artists who are new to the venue
quarter of all visitors to London
and other festivals and series which
While the anniversary programme
attractions, and the Barbican is
build on successful programme
definitely looks forward, reflection on
looking forward to future
strands developed over the years.
the past won’t be entirely absent. A
developments to further enhance its
The events include
birthday publication will be published
links with the City.
in March, looking back at the history ■ the London Symphony Orchestra,
of the Barbican, its social context and
The City’s Chairman of Policy &
the Barbican’s resident orchestra,
how the organisation evolved. With
Resources Michael Snyder believes
with Valery Gergiev, performing
commissioned articles from different
the next 25 years will be just as
the work of Stravinsky, Debussy
authors, the book will explore how
successful. “The City benefits
and Prokofiev
the Barbican has evolved. It will trace
enormously from the Barbican both
how it has changed from being
in its role as an internationally
Alvar Aalto, seen through the
primarily a home to the LSO and
acknowledged arts centre and as a
eyes of Japanese architect
Royal Shakespeare Company to
focal point for the local community
Shigeru Ban
become a centre which creates and
and the wider City of London.
commissions its own material and
We look forward to its birthday
brings the arts under one roof and
celebrations and to it continuing at
More information one management.
the cutting edge of arts provision in
■ the modernist architecture of
■ a Do Something Different weekend for families ■ the 13th London Australian Film Festival ■ Panic Attack! Art in the Punk Years
the future.” This can be seen through the Great
Performers and Mostly Mozart More information www.barbican.org.uk/25
12 C I T Y V I E W
E N G A G I N G
T H E
S Q U A R E
M I L E
City heart beats strongly Business has always been the heart of the City of London but over recent years business has been looking for ways to put something back into their local communities – and that’s where Heart of the City comes in. Heart of the City is a free service from the City of London Corporation, providing support to companies looking to get involved in the community. It was launched in 2000 by the then governor of the Bank of England, Lord Eddie George, with the slogan “Helping the City make a difference”. It was set up in recognition of the fact that a growing number of companies either already had or were developing Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programmes. CSR stemmed from a realisation by industry that companies don’t exist in a vacuum but have a duty to improve their surrounding areas – socially, economically and environmentally. In terms of community involvement, this can mean financial donations but more often involves creating a framework in which staff themselves can take part – such as allowing employees time off work to help in community-related projects. This philosophy is now being built into companies’ business planning process to gain competitive advantage and is also seen as an additional way of attracting and retaining employees if they are given the chance to broaden their horizons beyond simply work.
Heart of the City has taken this idea further and started a unique model of collaboration that passes on the experience of companies already involved in their communities to others looking to do the same. Its Newcomers’ Programme was launched in 2005 as targeted support for companies new to corporate community involvement, using best practice from experienced City businesses. Around 40 City businesses are taking part this year, with an equal number of experienced businesses contributing their expertise – including PriceWaterhouseCoopers, Reuters, British Land and Goldman Sachs, who have integrated community involvement into their operations. The Newcomers’ Programme consists of a series of core workshops, facilitated by a range of
C I T Y V I E W 13
contributors.These workshops focus on the practicalities of rolling out a corporate community involvement programme, such as ■ the business benefits of community involvement ■ choosing community partners, building relationships and engaging staff ■ measuring and communicating a programme’s success. It also offers optional mentoring from a more “seasoned”business, visits and signposting to community partners and a range of materials to support companies starting up their own community programme.“We were mentored by Julia Fuller at Reuters,”explained Anna King, Marketing Manager for BDGworkfutures.“It was great to have such an experienced person at the other end of the telephone, and our expectations and targets for our programme were much more realistic as a result of her great advice and guidance". From the mentors’ point of view it can also be rewarding: "It was an intelligent challenge about how we develop our strategy to engage with our
communities and a very useful time to reflect on what works best for us within the business and why," said Mike Kelly, Director, Corporate Social Responsibility, for KPMG. The programme has already proved to be a success with three companies (iMPOWER, Buzzacott and BDGworkfutures) from 2005 making so much progress that they were short listed for this year’s Lord Mayor’s Dragon Awards.These prestigious awards celebrate the contribution made by London companies towards the social and economic regeneration of their local communities.
“Heart of the City... is matching business support with charities that need help... to translate the widespread social concern that exists among employers and employees alike into effective action for the common good.” Rt Hon Gordon Brown, MP, Chancellor of the Exchequer
The programme has also helped generate an extra £1.39m of cash, in-kind and volunteering support for communities from the newcomers in 2005 alone and has gained recognition from the Government as a model of good practice. April sees the start of each year’s programme and the 2007 programme will be launched by Lord George at an evening reception at Mansion House in February, which will showcase some of the partnerships created from the 2006 Programme.
More information on Heart of the City 020 7332 3643 / 3848 info_heartofthecity@cityoflondon.gov.uk www.theheartofthecity.com
Case study iMPOWER is a management
joined with Kidscape, a national
the day at Stockwell Primary School
consultancy with fewer than 30
charity focused on the prevention of
working with teachers to educate
staff. It chooses an annual charity to
bullying among children.
children (ages 5-11) about bullying.
Staff have been involved in a variety
"We have come to know nearly
support, and also supports employees wanting to get involved in the community individually
every member of iMPOWER staff.
through payroll giving, volunteering
We really benefit from the energy
and employee sponsorship.
and dedication shown by them as well as more practical help they are
iMPOWER’s Ashleigh Nel believes
able to offer", said Michele Elliot,
that “The Newcomers' Programme
Director Kidscape.
was instrumental to the successful launch of our community
Janet Mulholland, Head Teacher
involvement programme. Starting
added “The day was a very useful
with a blank sheet of paper is
opportunity for the children to
difficult and the workshops and
interact with adults and people from
case studies gave us a basic
of activities including assertiveness
different professions which can be
framework which we developed to
training for children who are victims
extremely powerful in terms of
suit our business.” They were
of bullying. In November 2005,
increasing their awareness of
mentored by the Community Affairs
during National Anti-Bullying Week,
the potential opportunities available
team from Lloyd's in 2005 and
iMPOWER and Kidscape staff spent
to them.“
14 C I T Y V I E W East River (Brooklyn) Bridge under A R T S
construction. New York, USA c. 1880
F O C U S
around the world in images From Accra to Zanzibar, streets
the Square Mile but were active in
fascinating photographs from
scenes in Shanghai and Puerto
all parts of the world. They had a
around the world and admission is
Rico, the Grand Bazaar in
wide variety of business interests
free. An illustrated catalogue is on
Constantinople and elephants in
including gold mining, rubber
sale in Guildhall Library Bookshop.
Burma – an exhibition of early
tapping and teak extraction.
overseas photographs taken from
More information
its business collections is now on
Although many of the images were
www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/
display at Guildhall Library Print
taken to demonstrate business
guildhalllibrary
Room until 29 December.
activities, they show a wide range of people and places.
The six companies whose
Below right, Indian shop in Bazaar
photographs have been selected
This is an exciting and unique
for display had their head office in
opportunity to see these
Street, Nairobi, Kenya, 1908
Left, Many Happy
Returns of the
works borrowed from galleries
Day, William
across Britain and features his
Powell Frith (1856)
great ‘modern life’ panoramas including Derby Day, from Tate Britain and The Railway Station, from Royal Holloway College, University of London, without an
A long overdue exhibition devoted
regional galleries around the
illustration of which no book on
to William Powell Frith, one of the
country.
Victorian art is complete. These
greatest British painters of the
paintings are populated by
social scene since Hogarth, is
Frith (1819-1909) was a
numerous figures, based on his
also now on display at Guildhall
quintessential yet radical and
friends, family, professional models
Art Gallery.
innovative Victorian painter who
and characters that he met in the
enjoyed huge success and
street, and remain icons of their age.
It is more than 50 years since his
popularity - on six separate
work was highlighted and this
occasions rails had to be put up in
William Powell Frith: Painting the
exhibition contains more than
front of his pictures in the
Victorian Age is on display until 4 March 2007.
60 paintings, prints and drawings,
Royal Academy to hold back the
Annie Gambart,
many from private collections,
admiring crowds.
William Powell Frith (1851)
alongside most of Frith’s major works, with loans from national and
More information This major exhibition includes
www.guildhall-art-gallery.org.uk
C I T Y V I E W 15
A R T S
F O C U S
journey to a new world Emigrants and immigrants are the
come to London, the challenges of
At the other end of the migrant
The Jamestown settlement holds a
subjects of two separate
their new lives, the barriers they face,
experience, Journey to the New
central place in early American and
exhibitions at the Museum of
and the immeasurable contributions
World: London 1606 to Virginia 1607
British colonial history. It provided
London and Museum in
they make to the City. People from
marks the 400th anniversary of the
the springboard for the development
Docklands.
more than 15 communities are
first permanent English settlement in
of the English North American
included – representing such regions
America at Jamestown, Virginia.
colonies and helped to form English
Belonging: voices of London’s
as Africa, the Middle East, Europe,
refugees is now on show at the
Asia and Latin America.
Museum of London and reveals the
colonial policy. It was the first The exhibition at the Museum in
important transfer of English people
Docklands tells the story of how The
to a foreign shore, and the
experiences and contributions of
The focus of the exhibition is on the
Virginia Company of London
contributions and experiences of
refuges in the capital. It presents
voices of refugees themselves and
established the colony in 1607 and
its early settlers provided the
powerful interviews, photographs,
on questions such as ‘What is it like
shows how ordinary and
foundations for many of the enduring
objects, art, and film to tell the
to be forced to leave your country?
extraordinary men, women and
social, economic and political ideals
personal stories of why refugees
How do you build a new life in exile?
children helped to create an
of the American nation.
And how on earth do you get a grip
emerging nation - a New World for
on London?’ It also looks at the
the English and the American
A whole series of exhibitions and
importance of family, the role of
Indians.
celebratory events will take place in
community and culture, perceptions
the Commonwealth of Virginia and
of London itself, challenges and
throughout the United States, but
achievements, and ideas about home
this will be the only exhibition in the
and belonging.
UK to use material from the unrivalled collections of the Museum
Some of the evocative items which,
in Docklands alongside recently
along with the personal stories, bring
excavated 17th century finds from
home experiences of loss and
Jamestown which have never been
struggle, and of finding one’s feet and
exhibited before.
making a difference in London include
■ a blanket from Ethiopia that provided comfort for its owner when he had to sleep at Heathrow on his first night in London
■ paintings by an artist from Ecuador who was transfixed by red telephone boxes;
■ an award won by a Tamil local councillor for combating anti-social behaviour;
■ stunning images of refugees that have found work – a hairdresser, a restaurateur, a scientist, among
Belonging: voices of London’s
Journey to the New World: London
others.
refugees is at the Museum of
1606 to Virginia 1607 is at the
London until 25 February 2007.
Museum in Docklands until
More information
13 May 2007.
www.museumoflondon.org.uk
More information www.museumindocklands.org.uk
16 C I T Y V I E W
N E W S
I N
B R I E F
...and finally
A brand new building for the City’s information service
The City Information Centre by
visitor interest. The new building is
St Paul’s Cathedral closed on
due to open next autumn and is being
29 September this year, having
built by the City of London
provided a dedicated face-to-face
Corporation with support from the
service to visitors and London alike,
private sector. Until then the service
Mail of the species
uninterrupted for 50 years. Since
will be operated from two temporary
1956 things have moved on a bit and
sites, the Shop in the Crypts of St
The City Property Advisory
this valued service needs a new
Paul’s Cathedral and the Museum of
Team has met with Post Office
building from which to operate. And it
London foyer area. The contact
representatives to encourage them
will get it in style next year when a
number remains 020 7332 1456.
to re-introduce a branch on or close
distinctively contemporary presence
to Cheapside to replace the Wood
will be introduced into one of
More info on the new building
Street branch which closed last year.
London's most exceptional areas of
infocentre@cityoflondon.gov.uk
Whilst the Post Office has ruled out a direct investment for cost reasons, it will look again at Cheapside, particularly as the planned new offices and retail units are developed, and encourage their partners (eg Ryman the Stationer or WH Smith) to consider opening a new store incorporating a Post Office branch.
Better choice for City Christmas shoppers in 2007 In the meantime there are eight branches in and around the City –
While ongoing Cheapside
heading a group to attract new
largely silent because it is not seen
■ 12 Eastcheap EC3M 1AJ
renovation work may have reduced
retailers including department stores
as a leisure destination as shoppers
■ 35 Broadgate Circle EC2M 2BY
the number of shops available in
to the City as well as informing the
head to the West End.
■ 53 Moorgate EC2R 6BH
2006, Christmas 2007 looks to be a
public on progress and working with
■ 16-18 New Bridge Street EC4V 6HX
bumper one for City shoppers.
other City of London departments to
“There are plenty of shoppers in
improve the street scene and
the City with large disposable
vibrancy of the area.
incomes”, said the City’s Chairman
It’s also hoped the new shops will
Snyder. “We need to convince
■ 81-89 Farringdon Road EC1M 3LL ■ 151 Goswell Road EC1V 7ET ■ Mount Pleasant, Rosebery Avenue
EC1R 4SQ ■ 205 Old Street; EC1V 9QN
As part of the work, there are 12 new building sites made up of 167 new retail units – an increase in
of Policy & Resources Michael
retail space of almost 50% – with
trade at week-ends and encourage
retailers that people will also shop at
the aim of making Cheapside the
more people to enjoy a visit to the
weekends. We have a team of
More information at
City’s major shopping street linking
Square Mile. During the week the
people working to improve the City’s
www.postoffice.co.uk
Paternoster to the Royal Exchange.
City is frenetic with activity yet on
Street Scene – planting trees, paving
Saturdays and Sundays the area falls
and putting in benches.”
or on 08457 223344. The first two developments to be completed will be One Wood Street in summer 2007 followed in the autumn by Bow Bells House in Bread Street. The largest new ‘mixed use’ development will be One New Change, opposite St Paul’s Cathedral, with more than 221,000sq ft of retail space. The scheme will contain a mixture of shops on three levels, office space, and a large public roof terrace providing views of the Cathedral. The City Property Advisory Team is