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CONSTITUTION AND ADMINISTRATION

unofficial members of the council. Its task is to consider reports of the Director of Audit on the government's annual accounts, on other accounts required to be laid before the Legislative Council, and on any matter incidental to the performance of the director's duties. The main aim of the committee is to establish the circumstances surrounding the matters reported on by the Director of Audit and to consider if any remedial action is necessary.

UMELCO

The Unofficial Members of the Executive and Legislative Councils (UMELCO) play a significant role in the administration of Hong Kong. They help to shape government policies, enact legislation, and bring about improvements in public administration. The unofficial members are leading representatives of the community and are knowledgeable on many aspects of public affairs. In addition to membership of the two councils, they serve on the extensive network of government and community committees and boards which are so important in Hong Kong. Because of their wide experience, their views carry considerable weight. In recent years, they have been selected from a wide spectrum of society.

The unofficial members are supported by the UMELCO Office which provides them with administrative services and, under their direction, handles complaints and representa- tions from the public on the whole range of government activities. Hundreds of individual grievances or appeals against government decisions are dealt with and, where necessary, rectified each year. In carrying out this function, unofficial members have access to govern- ment papers and senior officials and, when appropriate, they can challenge established procedures and policies or refer issues to either of the two councils.

A special UMELCO Police Group, together with the Attorney General, monitors the handling of complaints by the Complaints Against the Police Office in the police force. An ICAC Complaints Committee similarly monitors complaints against the Independent Commission Against Corruption.

Besides making regular and formal contributions to the Executive and Legislative Councils, unofficial members spend a great deal of time examining proposals for new policies and draft legislation in informal groups set up for this purpose. These groups often have thorough discussions with official representatives and representatives of public bodies. Public views are taken into account during these deliberations, which not infre- quently result in amendments to proposed policies and legislation.

There is substantial informal day-to-day contact between unofficial members and govern- ment officials, during which views are exchanged on matters of public concern and on matters which are brought to their attention by members of the public.

Urban Council

The Urban Council consists of 24 members, 12 being appointed by the Governor and 12 being elected. The term of office for both appointed and elected members is four years, but a member may be re-appointed or re-elected for a further term. The chairman is elected by the council and can be an appointed member, an elected member, or any person who is not a member but has agreed to accept election to such office.

The Urban Council is a body corporate and derives its authority from the Urban Council Ordinance. It is responsible for managing its own finances and is the only body taking part in the business of government in Hong Kong to consist solely of members of the public. The council meets in public once a month, but most of its business is decided by the standing committee of the whole council, 13 select committees and 26 sub-committees, boards and panels.