ENG-2002 — Page 35

CONSTITUTION AND ADMINISTRATION

(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 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 districts. The Government also consults these bodies on a wide range of issues.

Since the establishment of the District Councils in January 2000, their roles and functions have been enhanced progressively. The Government completed a comprehensive review of the District Councils in 2001 and implemented at the end of that year a package of recommendations to further enhance the roles and functions of District Councils. Funds for District Councils to implement community involvement and minor environmental improvement projects in the districts have been increased from $130 million in 1999-2000 to $209.4 million in 2002-03.

Measures have been introduced to strengthen the District Councils' ability in monitoring the provision and delivery of district-based municipal, cultural and leisure facilities. Each District Council has appointed committees to monitor the delivery of environmental hygiene services and to advise on the use and management of district- based leisure and cultural facilities.

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 these departments have assigned specific officers to provide 'one-stop' services for the members, including the handling of complaints from them. Policy bureaux and departments are required to consult the District Councils on policy initiatives and capital works. projects affecting the well-being of the community and to reflect the views of District Councils to the approving authorities. The District Councils were consulted on 529 territory-wide issues and 2 527 district issues in 2002.

To further enhance District Council members' participation in the planning and implementation of local public works, the Chairmen/Vice Chairmen and/or representatives of District Councils also sit on the Steering Committees and District Working Groups which were established under the Rural Public Works and the Urban Minor Works Programmes to advise on the use of funds allocated to these programmes for improving the environment in the districts. The chairmanship of the two Steering Committees and the 18 District Working Groups will also be devolved to the District Council chairmen or members in due course. The Government has also taken proactive measures to appoint more District Council members to advisory bodies, especially those looking after livelihood matters. The chairmanship of the District Fire Safety Committees has already been devolved to District Council members.

The package of measures, taken together, has substantially enhanced 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 helps to 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

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