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The Home Affairs Department (HAD) organised two briefing sessions to familiarise the new term District Council (DC) members with their roles and responsibilities.
Speaking at the briefing session today (January 8), the Director of Home Affairs, Mrs Pamela Tan, said: "District Councils are key partners of the Government in the implementation of district administration. We attach great importance to communication and cooperation with the DCs so that the government can more effectively implement its policies at district level, understand the community and better respond to the districts' needs."
Starting from the new DC term, the Government will enhance district work through increasing the involvement of DCs in managing district facilities. The Government will allocate $300 million each for carrying out district minor works and community involvement projects on an annual basis.
To tie in with the new initiatives on enhancing district work, the HAD has published a new "Manual on the use of DC Funds" and "Guidelines for implementing District Minor Works Projects".
Further, participants were briefed on the functions of Home Affairs Bureau and HAD as well as the remuneration package for DC members.
A representative from the Independent Commission Against Corruption was invited to introduce to the DC members provisions under the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance. He also briefed members on the integrity of public officers including declaration of interest, vetting of applications for DC funds as well as salient issues of concern to avoid conflict of interest.
"I look forward to building a close partnership with the new DCs and hope that they would join hands with the Government to build a harmonious community over the next four years," she said.
Ends/Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Issued at HKT 20:56
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