CONSTITUTION AND ADMINISTRATION
forms the main part of its income, with the balance coming from various licence fees and other charges.
The council has ward offices spread throughout the urban areas, where council members deal with the public on a wide variety of matters. Members of the public may also make their complaints and views known to the council through the 'Members Duty Roster System'. Under this system, council members are placed on a duty roster to meet the public, by appointment, twice a week.
Regional Council
The Regional Council is the statutory municipal authority for the New Territories, where some 2.8 million people live. It is responsible for all matters concerning environmental hygiene, public health, sanitation and liquor licensing; and the provision of recreational, sports and cultural facilities and services within its jurisdiction.
The Regional Council consists of 12 members elected from geographical constituencies, 12 appointed by the Governor and one representative member from each of the nine New Territories district boards. There are also three ex-officio members who are the chairman and the two vice-chairmen of the Heung Yee Kuk (a statutory advisory body which represents the indigenous population of the New Territories). The chairman and vice- chairman of the council are elected by members among themselves.
The council's policies are implemented by its executive arm, the Regional Services Department, which is headed by the Director of Regional Services and has a staff of about 10 500.
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The council is financially autonomous. Its main source of revenue comes from rates collected in the council area, and in 1993-94, this provided about 84 per cent of its total revenue. The remainder of its revenue comes from fees and charges, and rental income (mostly from market stalls). In 1993-94, total revenue amounted to $2,582 million, while total expenditure stood at $2,865 million. The deficit was met by the council's General Reserve Fund.
The council discharges its responsibilities through four functional select committees and a Liquor Licensing Board. The four select committees, which meet monthly, are responsible for finance and administration, capital works, environmental hygiene, and recreation and culture. The Liquor Licensing Board meets quarterly to consider contested applications. All meetings of the council, its various committees and the Liquor Licensing Board are open to the public, unless confidential items are under discussion.
The council has established nine geographically-based district committees to assist in gauging local needs and aspirations in the planning and provision of municipal services and facilities. Each district committee comprises eight Regional Council members, four district board members and three co-opted personalities. They meet every two months.
The Regional Council also 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.
The council is represented on a number of organisations whose work is closely related to its responsibilities. These organisations include the Sports Development Board, the Hong Kong Arts Centre, the Chung Ying Theatre, the Hong Kong Children's Choir, the Hong Kong Ballet, the Hong Kong Sinfonietta and the Hygiene Services Advisory Committee.
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