ENG-2001 — Page 47

CONSTITUTION AND ADMINISTRATION

environmental improvement or expanded the role of an existing one, to strengthen its role in monitoring the delivery of environmental hygiene services.

The Government completed a comprehensive review of the District Councils in mid-2001 and implemented another package of recommendations to further enhance the roles and functions of the District Councils later in the year. Funds for District Councils to implement community involvement and minor environmental improvement projects have been increased to $209.4 million, compared with $143 million in previous year. Starting from December 2001, the accountable allowance for District Council members has been increased to cover the basic and necessary expenses arising from the operation of the members' ward offices. In addition, a 'one-off' Information Technology and Other Support Grant of $10,000 has been provided for each District Council member to enhance the information technology and support for their ward offices during the term. The chairmanship of the two Central Steering Committees and the 18 District Working Groups under the Rural Public Works and the Urban Minor Works Programmes will be devolved to the council chairmen or members in due course. To enhance communication between the councils and the policy bureaux and departments, the Policy Secretaries and Heads of Departments who deal with matters affecting people's livelihood will meet the councils regularly and departments will assign officers to provide 'one-stop' services for the members, including the handling of complaints. The package of measures, taken together, will substantially enhance the role of the District Councils as the Government's key advisers on district affairs and their ability to influence the provision, delivery and management of district services and facilities. This will help ensure that the Government remains accountable and responsive to the changing needs of the community.

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

Area Committees were set up in 1972 to support the 'Keep Hong Kong Clean Campaign' and 'Fight Violent Crime Campaign'. Nowadays, the functions of Area Committees are to encourage public participation in district affairs, help organise community activities and government campaigns, and advise on issues of a local

nature.

Mutual Aid Committees are building-based resident organisations, established to improve the security, cleanliness and general management of multi-storey buildings. The 73 Area Committees and 3 336 Mutual Aid Committees provide an extensive network of communication between the Government and the people at the grassroots level.

Apart from Mutual Aid Committees, the Government also devotes much effort to helping owners of private multi-storey buildings to form Owners' Corporations to facilitate effective management of, and timely maintenance on, the buildings concerned. At the end of the year, 6 611 Owners' Corporations were registered with the Land Registry.

Attached to the District Offices are 20 Public Enquiry Service Centres, which provide a wide range of free services to members of the public, including answering

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