Bulletin from The Rt Hon the Lord Mayor
12 October 2020, Read the full bulletin (PDF) here
An abridged version is below:
Fellow Liverymen
I am sending you this bulletin in an unusual dual capacity, as both Lord Mayor and Lord Mayor Elect. On 30 September, at a COVID-secure gathering of Common Hall, I was humbled to be elected to serve a second term of office, which will start on 13 November. It will be a very great honour to be one of the few Lord Mayors to serve a consecutive term……When I sent the first of these Mayoral bulletins back in March I am sure that I was not alone in hoping that the Coronavirus emergency would pass in a matter of months and that the normal rhythm of our lives would be re-established by the autumn. However, the virus continues to disrupt our activities, keeping our halls closed and causing financial anxiety for many. Among those cancelled events is the Lord Mayor’s Show, our traditional opportunity to celebrate the Mayoralty, the City and the Livery. While I have been impressed by the Livery’s resilience and versatility in response to the crisis, I recognise that this is a frustrating and worrying time for all of us, as well as a disappointing one…..
It is a troubling time for the City’s businesses as well. Firms that had put in place preparations for staff to make a physical return to offices in the Square Mile are now keeping employees at home in accordance with the latest Government guidance. Significantly reduced footfall on our streets is having a clear economic impact on the wider ecosystem, including in the retail and hospitality sectors. Many fear that this will have a profound effect on their business and on London in the long-term. I am lucky to be working at the Mansion House for most of the week, where, with appropriate precautions, I have been able to undertake face-to-face meetings, including with the President of Ukraine on his visit to the UK this month. This has re-affirmed my conviction that being able to come to work and interact with colleagues and business partners in person is essential for organisations to prosper and for relationships to flourish.
Lord Mayor with the President of the Ukraine
For this reason, alongside the Corporation’s Chair of Policy, I have been calling on Government to permit people to return to the workplace where appropriate. Employers have already dedicated considerable resources to deliver COVID-secure workplaces, which will be especially welcome to staff that need to be in the office for their mental health and wellbeing. Alas, this recent progress is in danger of being reversed.
We are asking that the Government’s advice is reviewed regularly in light of the evidence. Other international financial centres have seen workers return to the office without an apparently linked increase in infections. The virus is not going to go away quickly so we need to find a way of living with it. Hibernating through the winter is not an option for our economy. To help to bolster confidence among City residents and returning workers, the Corporation is establishing a COVID19 testing site in Guildhall Yard. The facility is currently being installed and will be up and running by the end of this week.
I believe that the Livery has an important role to play in helping the City through these challenges and ensuring that London has a robust future ahead of it. One of the ways we are already doing so is through the charitable and voluntary support that our Companies traditionally provide, which this year has been especially important. In order to build a better picture of the Livery’s charitable giving, the Pan Livery Steering Committee will shortly circulate a survey to all Companies…..
I am in no doubt that these will continue to be very challenging times, but the Lady Mayoress and I draw much strength and cheerfulness from the support that we have been lucky to receive from the whole Livery on our journey so far. We are most grateful for it.
With best wishes from me and Hilary.
Alderman William Russell
The Rt Hon the Lord MayorRead the full bulletin (PDF) here
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