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HK Announces Measures to Enhance District Councils' Roles
The District Councils (DCs) of Hong Kong will play an important role in advising the government of the needs and concerns of the local community, monitoring the work of the departments in the districts and participating in the planning and implementation of local works projects.
W K Lam, secretary for home affairs of Hong Kong, made the remarks at a press conference here Monday to release a report of the Working Group on District Councils Review.
He said the recommendations made by the Working Group will substantially enhance the role of the DCs as the government's key advisers on district affairs and a watchdog to ensure the provision of responsive and accountable public services at the district level.
The review was undertaken by an inter-departmental Working Group chaired by the Home Affairs Bureau. The recommendations are drawn up having regard to the views and suggestions put forward by members of the Legislative Council and District Councils.
The Working Group has put forward a total of 28 main recommendations in five areas, namely, enhancing the DCs' roles in advising and monitoring the provision, delivery and management of district services and facilities; enhancing communication between DCs and the government; enhancing DC members' participation in the policy-making process; strengthening support for DCs and DC members; and enhancing DCs' accountability and efficiency.
"The overall objective is to strengthen the mechanism to ensure that government departments are proactive in soliciting DCs' views and are responsive to their advice and suggestions, in particular on matters affecting the well-being of the districts," Lam said.
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