TNAG-0201-FCO40-237-Local-government-reforms-1969 — Page 122

(e)

-2-

would have significant freedom in determining its revenue (share of rates, fees, service charges, plus grants-in-aid for schools etc and loan-raising powers);

;

(f) would be consulted on appointments to key

posts and could lay down policies within which staff must work;

(g) would be subject to general control or inspection by government (through Home Secretary) of major projects, records, by-laws and procedures, to financial control (through approval of rates, estimates, loans and major tenders, and through audit), and to dissolution or loss of function in case of misfeasance;

(h)

Jishict Officer, Tsuen Wan.

(a)

(b)

should be bi-lingual and develop the "ward system" (eventually if practical by electoral districts).

The Tsuen Wan Authority

Diskrict offer, Tsuen Wan VID.O.T

would be initially D.O...

would have an advisory council of 20-25 mainly nominated locals, partly official;

(c) would have some of City Council's powers to

start;

(a) would be controlled by Secretary for Home

Affairs. "through" D.C.N.T.

Housing Authority would be modified to emphasize its independence but maintain connexion with C.C. and T.W.A. through mutual unofficial membership. x

Executive Council advised last summer that Urban Council and Heung Yee Kuk should be consulted in confidence, not on the whole report but on a summary of the relevant main recommendations. The Urban Council have, after swallow- ing some pride over not seeing the full paper, agreed to give their comments, and these are about to come up. We believe they will merely amount to a rehash of their own earlier proposals. Heung Yee Kuk have also discussed it and confirmation in writing of their comments is also awaited. Some departments directly concerned have expressed some views but one or two are outstanding.

We have quite a long way to go then, not least because we still have to reassess (and consult you on) the validity of the political objections to any widening of the franchise, and have to go back to Exco in the light of all these comments when collated. But when we have reached a provisional consensus you will be hearing from a higher level.

Aye yours

Tran

Encl

(A.T. Clark)