TNAG-0269-FCO40-305-Reform-of-local-government-of-Hong-Kong-1970 — Page 52

Annex B

Report of Ad Hoc Committee of Unofficial Members Urban Council (published in 1966)

(i)

Structure of local administration. There should be

a two tier system consisting of a single Municipal Council (with jurisdiction extending over the entire Colony) and subordinate District Councils.

(ii) Franchise.

continue.

The existing franchise should

(iii) Composition. In the Municipal Council there should be 7 official members (including the Colonial Secretary); 20 elected members (10 elected on a territory-wide basis and 10 on a ward basis covering the urban areas); 10 members indirectly elected by District Councils from their unofficial members, and 10 members nominated by the Governor (5 in his discretion, 5 from among persons nominated by the Municipal Council).

In the District Councils there should be 8 official members; one elected member for every 100,000 population; and for every 3 elected members one member nominated by the Governor and one by the Municipal. Council.

(iv) Functions. The functions of the new Municipal Council should be extended to include (to the complete exclusion of central Government involvement) the entire fields of education, housing, medical services, information services, scientific and research services, social welfare, traffic and transport; and would take in public works in respect of roads, water works, and control of building construction. The subordinate District Councils should have much the same limited functions as are at present allocated to the Urban Council.

(v) Financial Responsibility.

The new Municipal Council should be the rating and licensing authority for the Colony, although rates and revenue would continue to be collected through the Government Treasury. In addition, there should be block grants from general revenue in aid of the services provided.