XN000022-1985-05-29 — Page 26

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WEDNESDAY, Mmi 29, 1985

MEMBERS CONSIDER REGIONAL COUNCIL BILL

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THE PROVISIONAL REGIONAL COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) DEBATED A BILL THAT PROVIDES FOR ITS CONSTITUTION, FUNCTIONS AND POWER WHEN IT BECOMES A FULLY FLEDGED COUNCIL WITH FINANCIAL AUTONOMY NEXT APRIL.

THE COUNCIL ALSO DISCUSSED ITS COMMITTEE STRUCTURE AND FINANCIAL PROVISIONS IN THE FISCAL YEAR 1985-86 FOR ITSELF AND ITS EXECUTIVE ARM, THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT.

THE REGIONAL COUNCIL BILL 1985 WAS PRESENTED TO THE PROVISIONAL REGIONAL COUNCIL FOR COMMENT BEFORE IT WAS SUBMITTED TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AND THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL FOR CONSIDERATION AND ENACTMENT ABOUT A MONTH LATER.

SENIOR ASSISTANT LAW DRAFTSMAN, MR ERIC MARTIN, WAS PRESENT TO EXPLAIN NUMEROUS LEGAL POINTS RAISED BY MEMBERS IN CONNECTION WITH THE BILL.

THE BILL SETS THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE REGIONAL COUNCIL AT 36, WHO WILL ELECT A CHAIRMAN AND A VICE CHAIRMAN FROM AMONG THEMSELVES.

TWELVE OF THE MEMBERS WILL BE APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR AND ANOTHER 12 WILL BE DIRECTLY ELECTED TO THE COUNCIL IN MARCH 1986 IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE ELECTORAL PROVISIONS ORDINANCE.

THE REMAINING 12 WILL CONSIST OF NINE ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES FROM DISTRICT BOARDS IN THE NON-URBAN AREAS AND THE CHAIRMAN AND FIRST AND SECOND VICE-CHAIRMEN OF THE HEUNG YEE KUK WHO WILL BE EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL.

THE BILL ALSO PROVIDES PROTECTION TO MEMBERS FROM ANY LIABILITY WHILE CARRYING OUT THEIR DUTIES UNDER THE PROVISION OF THE BILL.

AT THE MEETING, MEMBERS, HOWEVER, EXPRESSED A DESIRE FOR ABSOLUTE PRIVILEGE WHICH THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEMBERS HAVE. IT WAS DECIDED THAT THEIR WISH WOULD BE REFLECTED TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.

THE BILL OUTLINES THE SCOPE OF THE REGIONAL COUNCIL'S FUNCTIONS, WHICH WILL COVER ALL MATTERS RELATING TO THE ENVIRONMENT, PUBLIC HEALTH, SANITATION, HYGIENE, RECREATION AND CULTURE IN NON-URBAN AREAS.

/IT PROVIDES