ENG-1984 — Page 76

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CONSTITUTION AND ADMINISTRATION

be debated and publicly questioned in the Legislative Council. There are also UMELCO Groups appointed by the Governor, such as the UMELCO Police Group consisting of seven UMELCO Members and the Attorney General as a co-opted member, which monitors the handling of complaints against the police; and the UMELCO ICAC (Independent Commission Against Corruption) Complaints Committee, comprising seven Unofficial Members and a law officer, which monitors the handling of complaints against the commission.

Through regular visits to government departments and to urban and New Territories districts, Unofficial Members keep themselves up to date on developments throughout the territory.

The UMELCO Office provides Unofficial Members with research and administrative assistance. Although the office is funded by the government, it is not a government department. The UMELCO Office is also an established channel for the redress of grievances. It handles all public complaints, appeals and representations addressed to Unofficial Members alleging official maladministration. Unlike the statutory grievance systems operating in some countries, the UMELCO system is neither defined nor confined by law. Under the system, Unofficial Members have the right of access to government records and to senior officials. They also have the right to challenge the established practices and policies of government departments. They bring important issues to the attention of either of the two councils. A full record of the work of UMELCO is contained in its annual report.

Urban Council and District Administration

Urban Council

The Urban Council is a statutory body whose jurisdiction covers services to almost four million people living in the urban areas. The authority of the council is derived from the Urban Council Ordinance which charges it with a number of mandatory functions such as street cleansing, refuse collection, food hygiene including the health requirements for restaurants, food shops, markets, and abattoirs, and all other environmental hygiene and food hygiene functions. Closely connected with hygiene considerations is the control of street traders.

The Urban Council also functions as the Liquor Licensing Board for the urban areas. Other functions involve recreational and cultural activities, including the building and control of all sports facilities such as swimming pools, parks and playgrounds, tennis courts, indoor and outdoor stadia.

The Director of Urban Services is the council's chief executive and the Urban Services Department which he heads is charged with carrying out the council's policies and im- plementing its decisions. Since 1973, the council has been financially autonomous, receiving approximately 75 per cent of its revenue from rates and the balance from its various fees and licences. In 1984-5, its revenue is expected to be in the region of $1,556 million.

The council is composed of 30 members, 15 elected from district constituencies and 15 appointed by the Governor. The council meets in public once a month when it passes by- laws and deals with its finances. However, most of the day-to-day routine business is dealt with by 13 select committees and 14 sub-committees. The business at all meetings is con- ducted in either English or Cantonese with simultaneous interpretation where this is required. Almost all councillors are allocated to individual or collective ward offices where they deal with and answer complaints from the public on a great variety of matters. The vast

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