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XVIII
PROVISIONAL URBAN COUNCIL
members (on the Regional Council). On the level of district boards, there used to be 346 elected members and 27 ex-officio members before the transfer of sovereignty. The originally elected members are now in name appointed by the Chief Executive for full transition, but then considerations for their appointment are obviously based on their elected background. The Democratic Party feels there is no need to cut the number of elected members and block chances of democratic participation through the review of district organisations. As for the number of seats on the two municipal councils and district board constituencies, it is generally in proportion to our population distribution and there should be no need to increase or decrease the number of seats drastically.
Proposal: 60 elected seats for the merged municipal council and the same number of elected seats for district boards.
(iv) Regarding food safety matters that involve professional knowledge including medical and food science expertise, the Democratic Party has taken reference from other committees and found that in addition to representatives of public opinion, professionals should be invited to participate. In this way, professional opinion will be absorbed in the process of policy formulation.
Proposal: The Democratic Party suggests that a Food Safety Bureau be set up under the merged municipal council to be in charge of the formulation of food safety policies. The new council should also actively invite and appoint professionals and scholars in the medical, nursing and food hygiene fields to participate in the work of this new bureau.
(vi) At present, rates income is the source of finance for the two municipal councils. The two councils have full discretion in drawing up annual budgets, deciding on the establishment of the two municipal services departments and basic work projects. The Democratic Party feels the future district organisation should be put under strict financial supervision so as to ensure effective use of public funds.
Proposal: The Democratic Party suggests for the Legislative Council to approve the vote of funds to the new merged municipal council.
(vii) As district organisations, District Boards are quite limited in their functions. They can carry out minor environmental improvement works with very limited resources. Such works have little effect in improving district environment. Nevertheless, the district characteristic of these boards should not be wiped out. Board members acting as representatives of their localities are closely related to the people. This function should be enhanced so that members can have more impetus to provide services for their respective districts.
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