I am a banking and communications professional with 25 years of City and business experience and a former Director of Communications with NatWest Group. I'm passionate about the City of London and want to help the businesses and people who live and work in the square mile to have every opportunity to thrive and be as successful as possible.
If you represent a business, work or live in the Ward I am keen to know what the issues are for you and what you think can be done to improve things in the City and in the Ward.
In this video I talk about Bridge Ward in the City of London and my passion for first standing to represent the Ward as a Councilman in 2015.
In this update I cover the results of the survey of electors that I conducted in March 2015 and talk about the Thames Riverside Strategy in relation to Bridge Ward.
Riverside strategy survey and results
Latest news
Bringing businesses together in our Ward to discuss Youth Unemployment at Vanquis Bank. Watch the video to find out more.
As Chairman of Broad Street Ward Club I played host to the future Lord Mayor, Alderman and Sheriff Dr Andrew Parmley and 200 other guests at Guildhall to celebrate the election of the new Lord Mayor.
A passion for the City of London and the role of Common Councilman
My priorities for 2024, as your elected representative on the City of London Corporation, are:
1. Recovery and redefining the City as a 'Destination City' for all.
I am Deputy Policy Chairman at the City Corporation. Support for SMEs through the pandemic has been a vital area of focus for me and this will continue through the recovery and revitalisation of the City. It is vital that the Square Mile remains internationally competitive and locally vibrant and I am committed to ensuring that the City is the world’s most innovative, inclusive and sustainable business ecosystem, and an attractive place to work, live, learn and visit. We need to do more to deliver a broader economic base, socially inclusive and green growth, and a vibrant culture in the Square Mile. A strong business offer and a strong leisure offer.
2. Addressing social issues
I will continue to invite people in our Ward to meet to discuss business and social Issues, for example Homelessness and Rough Sleeping. I am involved in opening up opportunities for young people through providing experience of work and career advice. I am Chairman of Partnership for Young London and, as a Governor of two of the City Corporation sponsored schools, I will continue to devote time and attention to youth opportunity in London where youth unemployment and wellbeing is a huge issue made much worse by the pandemic. Social mobility must improve further as a key to delivering opportunity for young people. I have been directly involved with HM Treasury Skills Taskforce.
3. Improving safety, health and amenity
The City's transportation response to pandemic was fast and determined in giving more space for pedestrians and cyclists on the streets. As we continue to recover I will ensure that the needs of all the City’s stakeholders are understood and a balance is stuck in meeting those needs. I have focussed specifically on the vital importance of tackling air quality, which has improved 40% over the past four years, in my role as Chairman of City's Environment Committee. Through the Police Authority Board I have pressed the Police to educate and enforce where necessary to promote good road behaviour by all and reduce road danger. I am the lead member for Sustainability and Climate Action and will hold the Corporation firmly to account for delivery against its strategy.
4. Open spaces and cultural spots
There must be more open green spaces in the City and better public realm for people to enjoy during the working day especially celebrating London’s heritage and culture. The significant improvements to the area around the historic Monument in our Ward have made a big difference. I would also like to see the riverside in our Ward enhanced and improved through re-development in which I am actively involved.
5. Policing
A high-quality, well-funded, police capability is vital in today’s world. Threat levels remain high and counter terrorism is clearly a vital element of policing today, where the City's Force has, and does, play an integrated role. The City is unique in having its own Police Force and I am a former member of the Police Authority Board and lead member for Safeguarding and Public Protection. The City Police is the UK lead force for economic and cyber crime and I want to see that continue to be the case and that we take a greater national role in leading the policing response to fraud and cyber crime. I'm keen that vulnerable people are prioritised in policing, whether as victims of physical or economic crime and fraud.
Guildhall Civic Lunch
Keith Bottomley - Common Councilman for Bridge and Bridge Without Ward, City of London
Keith in Bridge Ward
I spent 4 months talking with the people and businesses of the Ward before first being elected - those who live and work in the Ward or have a connection with it.
In this video, I give my view on the issues in Bridge Ward, the big challenges facing the City of London, my passion for serving as a Common Councilman and the commitments and difference that I want to make.
Read the latest news from Bridge Ward in our regular newsletters....