ENG-1998 — Page 46

CONSTITUTION AND ADMINISTRATION

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The council has 50 members, who elect the chairman and vice-chairman from among themselves. Council decisions are implemented by its executive arm, the Regional Services Department, which is headed by the Director of Regional Services and has a staff of about 11 200. The council is financially autonomous. Its main source of revenue is a share of the rates collected in the area it serves. In 1997-98, this provided about 85 per cent of total revenue. The rest comes from fees and charges, and rental income from market stalls. In 1997-98, total revenue was $4.87 billion, while total expenditure stood at $5.09 billion. The deficit of $220 million was met by the council's reserves.

The council discharges its responsibilities through five functional select committees and a Liquor Licensing Board. The five select committees are responsible for capital works, culture and arts, environmental hygiene, finance and administration, and recreation and sports. The Liquor Licensing Board meets quarterly to consider contested applications.

The council has established nine geographically-based committees to monitor the provision of municipal services and facilities. Each district committee comprises Provisional Regional Council members and other members co-opted from provisional district boards and the local community.

All proceedings of the council and its committees are open to the public except when confidential issues such as commercial arrangements concerning financial details are discussed.

The Provisional Urban and Provisional Regional Councils are represented on several organisations, including the Hong Kong Sports Development Board and the Hong Kong Arts Development Council, the work of which is closely related to the councils' responsibilities.

To strengthen communication between the Provisional Regional Council and the public, three councillors meet the public, by appointment, once a week on a duty roster to hear views and deal with complaints.

District Administration

The District Administration Scheme commenced in 1982 with the establishment of a District Board and a District Management Committee in each district. Through the scheme, the government promotes public participation in district affairs and fosters. among the people of Hong Kong a sense of belonging and mutual care. The scheme also helps to ensure that the government is responsive to district needs and problems. From July 1, 1997, 18 Provisional District Boards, with 469 members appointed by the Chief Executive, replaced the former District Boards. The main functions of the Provisional District Boards are to advise the government on matters affecting the well-being of the people living and working in the districts as well as on the provision and use of public facilities and services within the district. The government also consults these bodies on a wide range of issues.

The Provisional District Boards are provided with funds to implement minor environmental improvement and community involvement projects in the districts. In 1998-99, these funds totalled $123 million.

Each Provisional District Board operates a 'meet-the-public' scheme, under which residents may meet board members face-to-face to express their views on any district