Functions of District Councils
Composition of District Councils
Term of Office
Functions of District Councils
The functions of a District Council are-
(a) to advise the Government-
- on matters affecting the well-being of the people in the District; and
- on the provision and use of public facilities and services within the District; and
- on the adequacy and priorities of Government programmes for the District; and
- on the use of public funds allocated to the District for local public works and community activities; and
(b) where funds are made available for the purpose, to undertake-
- environmental improvements within the District;
- the promotion of recreational and cultural activities within the District; and
- community activities within the District.
Composition of District Councils under Schedule 3 to the District Councils Ordinance
No. of District Councils: 18
No. of District Council members : 541
- 412 elected members (Note1)
- 102 appointed members (Note2)
- 27 ex-officio members (Rural Committee Chairmen in the New Territories)
Number of Elected Members, Appointed Members and Ex-officio Members of the 18 District Councils under Schedule 3 to the District Councils Ordinance:
District Council |
Number of Elected
Members (Note1) |
Number of Appointed
Members (Note2) |
Number of
Ex-officio
Members |
Total |
Central & Western |
15 |
4 |
- |
19 |
Wan Chai |
11 |
3 |
- |
14 |
Eastern |
37 |
9 |
- |
46 |
Southern |
17 |
4 |
- |
21 |
Yau Tsim Mong |
17 |
4 |
- |
21 |
Sham Shui Po |
21 |
5 |
- |
26 |
Kowloon City |
22 |
5 |
- |
27 |
Wong Tai Sin |
25 |
6 |
- |
31 |
Kwun Tong |
35 |
8 |
- |
43 |
Tsuen Wan |
17 |
5 |
2 |
24 |
Tuen Mun |
29 |
7 |
1 |
37 |
Yuen Long |
31 |
7 |
6 |
44 |
North |
17 |
5 |
4 |
26 |
Tai Po |
19 |
5 |
2 |
26 |
Sai Kung |
24 |
5 |
2 |
31 |
Sha Tin |
36 |
9 |
1 |
46 |
Kwai Tsing |
29 |
7 |
1 |
37 |
Islands |
10 |
4 |
8 |
22 |
Total |
412 |
102 |
27 |
541 |
Note 1: The number of elected members will be increased
from 405 in the Third Term to 412 in the Fourth
Term.
Note 2: Under section 11 of the District Council Ordinance, the Chief Executive may appoint as members of a District Council a number of persons not exceeding the number specified in Schedule 3 to the Ordinance in relation to that District Council. The Government announced on 14 September 2011 that it considers that the District Council Appointment System" could be abolished in phases by going through a transitional period and that, as a start, the Government intends to reduce by one-third of the number of members to be appointed in the fourth term.
Term of Office
First Term
- 1 January 2000 to 31 December 2003 (4 years)
Second Term
- 1 January 2004 to 31 December 2007 (4 years)
Third Term
- 1 January 2008 to 31 December 2011 (4 years)
Fourth Term
- 1 January 2012 to 31 December 2015 (4 years)
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