WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 1984
14
PROVISIONAL REGIONAL COUNCIL BILL INTRODUCED
*****
LEGISLATION TO SET UP THE PROVISIONAL REGIONAL COUNCIL WAS INTRODUCED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS AFTERNOON BY THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, MR DAVID AKERS-JONES.
IN MOVING A MOTION FOR THE PROVISIONAL REGIONAL COUNCIL BILL 1984, HE SAID THAT WITH THE ENACTMENT OF THIS LEGISLATION, ANOTHER IMPORTANT STEP WOULD HAVE BEEN TAKEN TO ESTABLISH THE REGIONAL COUNCIL WHICH WOULD COVER AREAS OUTSIDE THE AEGIS OF THE URBAN COUNCIL.
+THE REGIONAL COUNCIL WILL INVOLVE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE PEOPLE IN THE PROVISION AND MANAGEMENT OF FACILITIES AND SERVICES WHICH HAVE A DIRECT BEAR ING ON THE IR DAILY LIVES, HE SAID.
+ THE DEVELOPMENT OF THIS ARM OF GOVERNMENT AND THE OPPORTUNITY FOR PARTICIPATION IN GOVERNMENT THAT IT AFFORDS, HAS BEEN WIDELY WELCOMED BY THOSE LIVING IN THE AREAS CONCERNED.+
THE PROVISIONAL REGIONAL COUNCIL, EXPECTED TO BE SET UP IN APRIL NEXT YEAR, WOULD ALLOW SOME WORKING EXPERIENCE TO BE GAINED BEFORE THE FULL COUNCIL COMES INTO BEING.
+ IT WILL NOT BECOME A FULL STATUTORY EXECUTIVE AUTHORITY, BUT WILL GIVE ADVICE ON THE PLANNING, INAUGURAL AND OPERATIONAL MATTERS RELATING TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE FULL REGIONAL COUNCIL, + MR AKERS-JONES SAID.
+ IT WILL ALSO DEAL WITH MATTERS RELATING TO THE ENVIRONMENT, PUBLIC HEALTH, SANITATION, HYGIENE AND RECREATION AND CULTURE.+
THE PROVISIONAL REGIONAL COUNCIL WILL CONSIST OF 24 MEMBERS - 12 APPOINTED, THREE WITH EX-OFFICIO STATUS COMPRISING THE CHAIRMAN AND TWO VICE-CHAIRMEN OF THE HEUNG YEE KUK, AND THE REMAINING NINE WILL BE INDIVIDUALLY ELECTED BY EACH OF THE DISTRICT BOARDS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
+AS THE ELECTIONS OF DISTRICT BOARD REPRESENTATIVES WILL BE HELD AFTER THE DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS AND DURING APRIL, MEMBERSHIP OF THE PROVISIONAL REGIONAL COUNCIL WILL BE COMPLETE BY MAY 1, 1985, + HE ADDED.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
/15