The man who has overseen some of the biggest developments in the UK and managed a portfolio of more than 16m sq ft is canvassing for votes from City of London businesses including JLL, Cushman & Wakefield and Kinney Green to become a common councilman.
Former City surveyor Peter Bennett is standing for election to the City of London Corporation on 1 December in the Walbrook ward by-election.
His opponents for the role of common councilman (see box) include Lady Xuelin Bates, deputy chairman of the UK Chinese Business Association and a former sponsor of the ZhongRong Group’s canned Crystal Palace exhibition centre scheme, and independent media consultant Sophia Morrell.
Bennett worked for the City of London Corporation for 26 years and was City surveyor for six, overseeing projects including the relocation of the Museum of London, the launch of the Cheapside Business Improvement District and infrastructure investment.
The City resident, who lives near the Barbican, E1, said: “I am really interested in going out and talking to businesses and trying to provide solutions for them.”
His election bid has raised eyebrows among some in the corporation, who fear he may try to interfere with the role of his successor as City surveyor, Paul Wilkinson. However, Bennett said he would not want to go back to his old job.
“I believe that the elected members are there to look at strategy, hold officers to account, but not to interfere in the day-to-day operations of business,” he said.
Striking a balance between encouraging innovation and maintaining tradition will be a challenge. Bennett said: “London is at the same time a global city and a village community. It is an amazing, unique place that has international corporations and international businesses.”
The winner will join James Thomson, formerly of DTZ, as one of the 100 common councilmen. Thomson was first elected in 2013 following the resignation of Martin Farr, another property agent.
What is a common councilman and how much power do they have?
The City of London has 100 common councilmen elected from 25 wards, and 25 aldermen, representing the interests of businesses and residents in the Square Mile. They are equivalent to councillors but non-political, serving as elected representatives representing the public interest and informing how the City of London Corporation should carry out its work. Their position is voluntary with no remuneration. They can also have a role in voting and deciding on major planning applications by sitting on the planning and transportation committee.
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