Reform of District Organisations

Noting the views collected during a public consultation exercise on the review of municipal councils and district boards in June and July 1998, the government decided in October that, subject to the Legislative Council's approval, the structure for delivery of municipal services should be overhauled after the terms of office of the members of the provisional municipal councils expire by the end of 1999. To address the problem of fragmentation of responsibilities among various agencies in the area of food safety and environmental hygiene, a new policy bureau for the environment and food and a new department of food and environmental hygiene will be set up to oversee and undertake all food safety and environment hygiene services, including those currently provided by the provisional municipal councils.

    The government is also devising a new structure to provide policy direction and services concerning arts and culture and sports and recreation. It is intended that the new structure will strengthen professional and community input and ensure effective use of resources. Against this background, there is no need for the provisional municipal councils to be retained after 1999.

    The majority of people favour retaining the District Boards. They will be kept and renamed 'District Councils' when their members' terms of office expire on December 31, 1999. They will be given extra resources and responsibilities. In particular, their role in advising on food and environmental hygiene services and organising and subsidising cultural and recreational activities at the district level will be enhanced. Elections to the District Councils are scheduled for late 1999.