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 (With effect from the commencement of the fifth-term District Councils on 1 January 2016)
The composition is defined under Schedule 3 to the District Councils Ordinance (Cap. 547).
No. of District Councils: 18
No. of District Council members: 458
- 431 elected members(Note1)
- 27 ex-officio members (Rural Committee Chairmen in the New Territories)
- All District Council appointed seats will be abolished(Note2)
Number of Elected Members and Ex-officio Members of the 18 District Councils:
| District Council |
Number of Elected
Members (Note1) |
Number of
Ex-officio
Members |
Total |
| Central & Western |
15 |
- |
15 |
| Wan Chai |
13 |
- |
13 |
| Eastern |
35 |
- |
35 |
| Southern |
17 |
- |
17 |
| Yau Tsim Mong |
19 |
- |
19 |
| Sham Shui Po |
23 |
- |
23 |
| Kowloon City |
24 |
- |
24 |
| Wong Tai Sin |
25 |
- |
25 |
| Kwun Tong |
37 |
- |
37 |
| Tsuen Wan |
18 |
2 |
20 |
| Tuen Mun |
29 |
1 |
30 |
| Yuen Long |
35 |
6 |
41 |
| North |
18 |
4 |
22 |
| Tai Po |
19 |
2 |
21 |
| Sai Kung |
27 |
2 |
29 |
| Sha Tin |
38 |
1 |
39 |
| Kwai Tsing |
29 |
1 |
30 |
| Islands |
10 |
8 |
18 |
| Total |
431 |
27 |
458 |
Note 1: The number of elected members will be increased from 412 in the Fourth Term to 431 in the Fifth Term.
Note 2: After the passage of the District Council (Amendment) Bill 2013 by the Legislative Council on 22 May 2013, with effect from the commencement of the fifth-term District Councils on 1 January 2016, the system of appointing members to the District Councils will be abolished.
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)
Fifth Term
- 1 January 2016 to 31 December 2019 (4 years)
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