District Councils Brief

Functions of District Councils

The functions of a District Council of a District are:

1. to be consulted by the Government on the district affairs affecting the livelihood and living environment in the District and well-being of the people in the District;
2. to collect the views of the people in the District in respect of an issue specified by the Chairman of the District Council, and to submit to the Government a summary of the views collected and the suggested corresponding measures;
3. to establish a regular communication mechanism with the people in the District, to meet with them and listen to their views regularly;
4. to support, and assist in, the promotion of laws and Government policies in the District, and assist the Government in carrying out various consultation, publicity and liaison activities, such as district forum;
5. to assist in the smooth delivery of cultural, recreational, environmental sanitary and other services relating to the interests of the people in the District under the coordination of the Government;
6. to apply for funding for projects and activities relating to the functions of District Councils such as -
   1. projects and activities for the purpose of promotion of sports, arts and culture;
   2. local events and celebration events; and
   3. greening and volunteer work;
7. to provide services for people in the District, such as consultation and case referral services;
8. to cooperate with other consultation and service organizations in the District under the coordination of the Government to achieve the best results in serving the people in the District; and
9. to undertake any other matters as commissioned by the Government from time to time.

Composition of District Councils

(with effect from the commencement of the seventh-term District Councils on 1 January 2024)

The composition of District Councils is defined in Schedule 3 to the District Councils Ordinance (Cap. 547).

Number of District Councils: 18

Number of District Council members: 470

• 179 appointed members
• 176 members to be returned for District Committees constituencies (“DCCs”)
• 88 members to be returned for District Council geographical constituencies (“DCGCs”)
• 27 ex-officio members (Rural Committee Chairmen in the New Territories)

Term of office of District Councils

The term of office of a District Council is 4 years. Each term of office of a District Council is to begin on 1 January next following an ordinary election.