ENG-2006 — Page 35

Constitution and Administration | 7

The Legislative Council Commission and Legislative Council Secretariat

The Legislative Council Commission is a statutory body independent of the Government. It is chaired by the President of the Legislative Council. In the 2005-06 session, the commission comprised 10 members, including the chairman. The commission's main function is to provide support and services for the Legislative Council through the Legislative Council Secretariat. It is empowered to employ staff of the Legislative Council Secretariat and oversee its work, determine the organisation and administration of support services and facilities, formulate and execute policies on their effective operation and expend funds in ways it sees fit to support these activities.

The Legislative Council Secretariat is headed by the Secretary General. Its mission. is to provide efficient administrative, secretariat and research support for the council and its committees, enhance the community's understanding of the activities of the council and ensure an effective avenue for redress.

District Administration

The District Administration Scheme started 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 a sense of belonging and mutual care among the people of Hong Kong. The scheme also helps to ensure that the Government is responsive to district needs and problems. Following the 1998 review of the structure and functions of district. organisations, District Boards were renamed District Councils (DC) in 2000 to underline their important role in reflecting public opinion and monitoring the delivery of public services at district level.

The second term of the District Councils started on 1 January 2004. In addition to the 400 elected members, there are 102 appointed members and 27 ex officio members (chairmen of rural committees in the New Territories), making a total of 529 District Council members. The term of office of these council members is four years starting from January 2004. The next District Council election will be held in November 2007 and the third term will begin on 1 January 2008.

The main function of District Councils 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 the District Councils on a wide range of issues.

Each district has a District Management Committee, chaired by the District Officer, and comprising the chairman, vice-chairman and committee chairmen of the District Council as well as representatives of Government departments providing essential services in the district. The District Management Committee serves as a forum for consultation, coordination and collaboration between different departments and the District Council to help resolve inter-departmental district issues and ensure that district needs are promptly met.