TNAG-0316-FCO40-352-Reform-of-local-government-of-Hong-Kong-1971 — Page 126

CONFIDENTIAL

ANNEX 'B' TO XCC(71)20

Urban Council's Proposals on Local Government Reform (March 1969) Compared with Government Proposals

Urban Council proposals

Government's views and

Proposals

NAME

To be changed to "The Hong Kong City Council".

RELATION WITH CENTRAL GOVERNMENT

To be responsible directly to the Governor, or the Deputy Governor if the office is set

up.

To remain as Urban Council

To communicate with Government through the proper and appropriate channels, viz. from the Chairman or Secretary of the Council to the Colonial Secretariat

FRANCHISE

*

Phase I

The present franchise should be maintained and elections should be on a territorial basis during the first phase.

Phase II

A new franchise will be required to provide for

territorial and ward elections.

Phase III

Introduce a new franchise to provide for district elections.

COMPOSITION

Phase I

M

Official Members

Director of Urban Services Director of Public Works Director of Social Welfare Secretary for Home Affairs Director of Housing

(if the post is created) Commissioner for Transport Director of Education Director of Medical &

Health Services

Elected Members

> >

Retain the present franchise including the three-year residential requirement, but exclude all persons not living within the Council's area of authority.

Official Members

All Officials to be removed, but the Council would be permitted to co-opt the Director of Urban Services and other staff of the Urban Services Department on to Committees and officials of other departments with the permission of the Colonial Secretary.

Elected Members -

There should be 12 Elected Members.

10 to be elected under

present franchise.

This

number should be increased by 10 to make a total of 20 Elected Members in the first phase.

CONFIDENTIAL

Para. in Fxco Memo

8(e)

8(k)

8( o)

8(j)

8(i)