Policy Address

XI. District Administration and Governance

District Administration

209.     Starting from the new term of DCs in January 2016, the Government proposes to increase the honorarium of DC members by 15% in real terms and offer every DC member a new provision of $10,000 per term to cover expenses for duty visits.

210.     Last year, the Government introduced a pilot scheme in Sham Shui Po and Yuen Long, providing the District Management Committees chaired by District Officers with power to decide on and co-ordinate work to address certain management and environmental hygiene problems of some public areas and with the DC's advice on the work priorities.  The scheme has proved highly successful.  It responds actively to public aspirations and has been well received by the local communities.  The Government will conduct a review upon completing the pilot scheme in August this year.  The Government will actively consider providing additional manpower and resources depending on circumstances to implement the scheme in all 18 districts starting from the next DC term to take forward the concept of "addressing district issues at the local level and capitalising on local opportunities".

211.     In the coming five financial years, the Government will provide an additional annual funding of $20.8 million for community involvement programmes to further strengthen the support for DCs in promoting arts and cultural activities in the districts.

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