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# PROVISIONAL URBAN COUNCIL
## Annex
## Findings of the public opinion Survey on 'Review of District Organisations'
Following the recent publication of the Consultation Paper on Review of District Organisations by Government, the Democratic Party successfully interviewed 545 persons by telephone on 7th and 8th this month in order to understand how they feel about the retention or abolition of the two municipal councils. The following are findings of the survey:
(1) Division of opinions over the performance of the two municipal councils The survey found that interviewees were divided over the service performance of the two municipal councils. One third of the interviewees were 'satisfied', another third 'dissatisfied' and the remaining third had 'no comments' on the performance of the Urban Council. As regards the performance of the Regional Council, 26.6% were 'satisfied', 37.7% were 'dissatisfied' and 35.7% had 'no comments'.
(2) Only few people were aware of government's consultation document The survey found that among the 500-odd persons interviewed, over 75% did not know of the consultation document released by Government. Among them, only 24.6% had read the paper.
(3) Public opinion clearly supports merging of the two municipal councils Among the options listed in the Consultation Document, support for merging of the two municipal councils has the greatest share at 33%. Support for disbanding the two municipal councils takes up just 17.1% whereas the option to re-organise into several district organisations gets support from 26.4% of the interviewees and support for no change takes up just 11.2%.
(4) Public opinion supports a merged municipal council to take up overall responsibility on food safety and environmental health 70% of interviewees is found to support a merged municipal council in overall charge of food safety and environmental health functions. Only 15% disagrees with this option.
(5) Interviewees support full direct election to district organisations The survey reveals that the majority of interviewees at 64% support full direct election to district organisations (including the municipal council/s and district boards). Those opposed to the idea take up 16.9%.
The opinion of the Democratic Party The Democratic Party believes that the public opinion survey clearly reflects the community's opinion on the future of district organisations which is clearly
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