CONFIDENTIAL
10.
The Dickinson proposals are as follows:
(i) Structure of local administration: the report has left
untouched the area of jurisdiction of the present Urban Council (to be renamed Municipal Council) and has
proposed only one new creation, that of a local
authority for the "new town" of Tsuen Wan in the New
Territories.
(ii) Franchise: it is recommended that the existing franchise should be continued for at least four years, until a much more soundly conceived and rational basis can be found.
(iii) Composition: it is recommended that the Municipal
Council should have a majority of elected members (22 elected: 20 nominated) and that officials should
cease to be members. For Tsuen Wan, where under the existing franchise only a small fraction of the residents (who are mainly of the artisan class) would qualify to register as voters, it is proposed that the District Officer should be constituted the local
authority assisted by an advisory council of officials and a majority of nominated unofficial members.
(iv) Functions: a wider range of functions is proposed for
the Municipal Council, some mandatory (e.g. existing public health functions) and some permissive (e.g. in field of education and medical services). The hope is expressed that this would be regarded as only an initial allocation of functions, additions being made as circumstances and standard of performance allow.
(v) Financial Responsibility: Councils should have their
own estimates, financial control being exercised by the central government through approval of estimates. Revenues from rates should be shared between central government and local authorities, collection remaining the responsibility of the former. Certain forms of
licensing revenue might be paid to local authorities. Grants in aid should be payable by the central
CONFIDENTIAL
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