TNAG-0316-FCO40-352-Reform-of-local-government-of-Hong-Kong-1971 — Page 159

Hong Kong Standart

5. Morg.

Exco takes

up Urbco

reforms

THE

By HAROLD YAU

Executive Council, Hongkong's top decision-making body, will this month discuss the controversial issue of constitutional reforms the first time since the question was raised about

30 years ago.

for

Urban Council Chairman,) chairman and possibly name him Mr D.R.W. Alexander, "Mayor." announced this at yester- day's Urbco meeting.

The minouncement came as a surpike to elected and appointed members alike and many looked stunned as the impact of the news hit them.

The new Council's functions would include, housing, licensing, education, social welfare, trans- port and medical services,

Phaso 11 suggests, among other things, that there would be no official members on the council, but heads of department would become advisers of co- opted members.

Mr Alexander delayed his "bombshell" till the very Jast minute after Mr Hilton Cheong-

During this phase, the Leen completed a long scathing] number of elected members attack 071 the Government's would be further expanded to 30 "deliberate_go-slow" on consti- and the scope of the council tutional reforms.

would be increased to include urban planning.

Mr Cheong-Leen's criticism was contained in his accom- panying address to a motion to consider which parts of the proposed phase one of the 1969 Urbico report on local govern- ment reform should be recommended to Government for immediate or phased imple- mimutation, i

The motion was subsequently wiiind cawIE pending djelifugation at the repent

the report, a arvised veindru of the THX submitted by 1966, hud bevat in "deep heeze" in the Caloutal Societariat since Marcli 1969

It maps out a three-phase plan for sweeping reforins in Hongkong's local governnient administration over a period of the years, starting from 1969 to 1978.

Phase 1 of the report says the Uban Council should be renamed The Hongkong City Conneil, as this would better reflect its position and functions. From the start it would be responsible directly

the Governor. or the Deputy Câivenor, in the event such an ollied Was dit lip

The present franchise would la maltatued, willi oloctions on basis, ahotel The

11

WI elected inomborx

would be doubled to 20 to cope with the Council's additional responsibilities,

There would be only 10 | appointed members and the Leoncil would eleri

OW#

+

Phase III calls for creation of District Councils responsible for certain social and urban services.

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