CONSTITUTION AND ADMINISTRATION
18
of services and advise on the management of council facilities in individual districts. The select committees meet monthly, the district committees meet bi-monthly and the Liquor Licensing Board meets quarterly. All meetings of the council, its select committees, district committees, as well as the Liquor Licensing Board, are open to the public.
The Regional Council maintains close liaison with the district boards in the New Territories and the Heung Yee Kuk to ensure that local aspirations and views are taken into account in its deliberations. Four members from district boards as well as other personalities are co-opted to each of the district committees of the council, thus providing an opportunity for the views of district representatives to be taken into account in the planning and provision of services and facilities.
The council is represented on a number of organisations whose work is closely related to that of the council. These organisations include the Council for the Performing Arts, the Sports Development Board, the Hong Kong Arts Centre, the Chung Ying Theatre, the Antiquities Advisory Board, the Hong Kong Ballet and the Hygiene Services Advisory Committee.
District Administration
District Boards are statutory bodies established in 1982 to provide an effective forum for public consultation and participation in the administration of the districts.
There are 19 district boards throughout the territory. Each board consists of appointed - non-government members, elected members from the respective constituencies and, in the case of the New Territories, rural committee chairmen. The elected members are in the majority. For the present term of the district boards (1991-4), there are altogether 274 elected and 140 appointed members.
The last district board general election was held on March 3, 1991. A by-election was held in Tuen Mun on October 11, 1992 to fill a seat vacated by a member who had passed away. Three candidates were nominated for the seat. Of the 12 036 registered voters in the constituency where the seat was contested 29.58 per cent turned out to vote.
The functions of the district boards are basically to advise the government on a wide range of matters affecting the well-being of the people living and working in the districts. Through their advice, they make important contributions to the management of district affairs. They also help monitor the work of government departments at district level. In addition, they are often invited to give views on important territory-wide issues, such as the broadcasting policy review, deposit protection scheme and review of the housing subsidy policy.
Where funds are available, they undertake minor environmental improvement projects and help organise and sponsor activities to promote community involvement in the districts. In 1992-3, $66.8 million was provided, partly with the assistance of the two Municipal Councils, for these purposes.
Each district board operates a 'meet-the-public' scheme under which residents may, by appointment, meet the board members face-to-face to express their views on any district problems and suggest ways for improvement. The scheme has been well received by the general public and proved effective in providing a direct channel for collecting public views on local issues and reflecting them to the government.
The 20 Public Enquiry Service Centres throughout the territory provide a wide range of free services to members of the public, including answering general enquiries on