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Wednesday, January 31, 1973

URBAN COUNCIL BILL INTRODUCED

Gives Substantial Financial Autonomy To Council

The Urban Council Bill 1973 gives effect to one of the main

recommendations in the White Paper on the Council that it should enjoy a "substantial degree of financial autonomy," The Colonial Secretary, Sir

Hugh Norman Walker said today.

He was speaking in the Legislative Council this afternoon when he

moved the second reading of the bill.

The bill, he said, enables the Council to make its own financial

by-laws, which will among other things specify the degree of financial authority delegated by the council to its committees and public officers.

"The Government has agreed to assist. the Urban Council in drafting

the by-laws and we hope to use as a guide the authority delegated to the Financial Secretary and the Deputy Financial Secretary," he said.

The Colonial Secretary referred to a clause in the Bill which

provides that the Governor shall consult the Urban Council before appointing

ite Secretary.

It also provides that the Governor should consult the Urban Council

about the appointment of the most senior Directorate staff of the Urban

Services Department.

Sir Hugh said that the Governor had agreed to write to the Chairman

of the Urban Council confirming the Government's acceptance of this policy

as contained in the White Paper.

/Sir Hugh