ENG-1990 — Page 49

CONSTITUTION AND ADMINISTRATION

30

There are 19 district boards throughout the territory. Each board consists of appointed non-government members, elected members from the respective constituencies and, in the case of the New Territories, rural committee chairmen. The elected members are in the majority. For the present term of the district boards (1988–1991), there are altogether 264 elected and 141 appointed members.

During the year, the district board electoral boundaries were revised, based mainly on physical development and the growth, movement and geographical spread of the population. For the district board elections which will be held in March 1991, there will be an increase of 53 constituencies, making a total of 210 constituencies with 274 elected and 140 appointed members.

The functions of the district boards are basically to advise the government on a wide range of matters affecting the well-being of the people living and working in the districts. Through the advice they make important contributions to the management of district affairs. They also help monitor the work of government departments at the district level. In addition, they are often invited to give views on important territory-wide issues, such as the Metroplan proposal, the inception of the Hospital Authority, the Bill of Rights, trans- port policy and the reform on Social Welfare Services. Where funds are available, they undertake minor environmental improvement projects and help organise and sponsor activities to promote recreation and culture. In 1990–91, $56.9 million was provided for these purposes.

Each district board operates a 'meet-the-public' scheme under which district residents may, by appointment, meet the board members face-to-face to express their views on any district problems and suggest ways for improvement. The scheme has been well received by the general public and proved effective in providing a direct channel for collecting public views on local issues and reflecting them to the government.

In each district there is a district management committee, chaired by the district officer, comprising representatives of departments providing essential services in the district. It serves as a forum for inter-departmental consultation on district matters and co-ordinates the provision of public services and facilities. The committee works closely with the district board and, as far as possible, follows the advice given by the board.

The 71 Public Enquiry Centres in the 19 District Offices and their sub-offices handled over 17.6 million cases during the year. These centres provide a wide range of free services to members of the public, including answering general enquiries on government services, distributing government forms and information materials, administering oaths and declarations, referring cases under the Meet-the-Public Scheme, Free Legal Advice Scheme and Rent Officer Scheme.

Area Committees and mutual aid committees have become an important component of the district administration scheme. They were set up in the early 1970s throughout the territory in support of the Keep Hong Kong Clean Campaign and Fight Violent Crime Campaign. Each area committee serves a population of about 40 000 to 50 000, and members are appointed from a wide spectrum of the community. Mutual aid committees are building-based resident organisations established to improve the security, cleanliness and general management of largely multi-storey buildings. At present, there are 127 area committees and 4 324 mutual aid committees. They provide an extensive and effective network of communication between the government and the people at the local grass- root level.