ENG-2000 — Page 41

CONSTITUTION AND ADMINISTRATION

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 members appointed by the Chief Executive, replaced the former District Boards. Following the 1998 review of the structure and functions of district organisations, Provisional District Boards have been renamed, in English, 'District Councils' to underline their important role in district administration.

The first election for the District Councils was held on November 28, 1999, returning 390 elected members. On January 1, 2000, 18 District Councils were established. In addition to the 390 elected members, there are 27 ex officio members (i.e. Rural Committee chairmen in the New Territories) and 102 appointed members, making a total of 519 District Council members. The term of office of these council members is four years starting from January 1, 2000.

The District Councils' main function is 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.

Each district has a District Management Committee, chaired by the District Officer, comprising representatives of departments providing essential services in the district. The District Management Committee serves as a forum for inter- departmental consultation on district matters and co-ordinates the provision of public services and facilities to ensure that district needs are met promptly.

Since the establishment of the District Councils, their role and functions have been progressively enhanced. Additional funds have been provided to the councils to implement minor environmental improvement and community involvement projects. In 2000-01, these funds totalled $143 million compared with $130 million in the previous year. The accountable allowance for District Council members has been increased since January to cover their actual expenses for hiring assistants and maintaining local offices to discharge their duties. A vice-chairman post has been created in each District Council to assist the chairman in handling council business. Both the chairmen and vice-chairmen are now full members of the respective District Management Committees. The chairmen or vice-chairmen also sit on the Central Steering Committees and District Working Groups, which were established under the Rural Public Works Programme and the new Urban Minor Works Programme (introduced in 2000 with initial funding of $35 million), to advise on the use of funds allocated to these programmes which aim to improve the environment in the districts. Each District Council has either set up a committee on environmental improvement, or expanded the role of an existing one, to strengthen its role in monitoring the delivery of environmental hygiene services. To that end, the committees regularly receive reports from the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department.

Each District Council operates a meet-the-public scheme, under which residents may meet council members to express their views on any district problems. The scheme has been well received by the public. It also provides a direct channel for collecting public views on local matters and Hong Kong-wide issues for the District Councils, which then reflect them to the Government.

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