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Constitution and Administration | 9

Government also consults the DCs on a wide range of issues. Another key function of DCs is the carrying out of minor environmental improvement and community involvement projects with funds available.

To further enhance the role and functions of DCs, the Government conducted a review on the role, functions and composition of DCs in 2006, and completed a pilot scheme to involve the DCs in the management of some district facilities in 2007. Since the start of the new DC term in January 2008, the Government has implemented a series of measures to improve district work with all 18 DCs taking part in managing certain district facilities. Furthermore, the Government has increased the annual resources for DCs to carry out community involvement activities to $300 million. A dedicated block vote with an annual allocation of $300 million has also been set up under the Capital Works Reserve Fund for the DCs to implement district minor works projects starting from 2008-2009.

To foster regular dialogue between senior government officials and the DCs, 22 heads of departments, who have direct interface with the public, started attending DC meetings one at a time since January 2007. Heads of government departments also gave briefings to DC members on territory-wide planning and development issues.

To maintain a direct dialogue with local residents, each DC operates a meet- the-public scheme, under which residents can meet council members face-to-face to express their views on district problems. In addition, many DC members run ward offices to keep in touch with their constituents and to better cater to the needs of their respective communities.

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

There are 63 Area Committees set up in districts to help organise community involvement activities and to advise on local issues to promote public participation in district affairs.

Twenty Public Enquiry Service Centres, attached to the District Offices, provide a wide range of free services to the public. These services include answering general enquiries about government services, distributing government forms and disseminating information and administering declarations. The Public Enquiry Service Centres are also referral agencies of the Free Legal Advice Scheme administered by Duty Lawyer Services. Members of the public wishing to seek free legal advice under the scheme can go to any of them to make appointment to see voluntary lawyers. Rent Officers from the Rating and Valuation Department are also available at five designated Public Enquiry Service Centres on specified days of the week to advise on

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10 Constitution and Administration