District Governance

The policy objective of the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau in district governance is to build a harmonious community and enhance the well-being of the people. In order to enhance the efficacy of district governance, the Government announced proposals on improving governance at the district level in May 2023, so to strengthen the district governance structure and reform the District Councils (DCs).

Strengthened District Governance Structure

As part of the reform to improve district governance, the Government set up in July 2023 the Steering Committee on District Governance (SCDG) and the Task Force on District Governance (TFDG) to facilitate coordination at the central level and to improve district governance capabilities and efficacy. Chaired by the Chief Secretary for Administration, the SCDG formulates overall strategies, policies and measures of district governance. Chaired by the Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration, the TFDG coordinates and steers the district work of various policy bureaux and departments and monitors and coordinates inter-departmental or cross-district issues.

Reformed District Councils

With the full support of the Legislative Council (LegCo), the District Councils (Amendment) Bill 2023 was passed in July 2023 and the District Councils (Amendment) Ordinance 2023 was published in the Gazette and came into effect on 10 July 2023. The reformed DCs shall have their positioning reverted to being district advisory and service bodies which are not organs of political power under the Basic Law, and accord top priority to national security, fully implement the principle of “patriots administering Hong Kong” and fully manifest executive-led governance, assist the Government in enhancing the efficacy of district governance, so to enhance people’s sense of achievement and satisfaction.

The seventh-term DCs as chaired by the 18 District Officers commenced operations on 1 January 2024. The DCs are comprised of 470 seats, including 179 appointed seats, 176 District Committees constituencies seats, 88 District Council geographical constituencies seats and 27 ex officio seats assumed by chairmen of the rural committees in the New Territories.

The main function of DCs is 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. DC members also regularly meet with the public in order to collect opinions from various aspects, and provide services for people in the district, such as consultation and case referral services. Under the coordination of the Government, the DCs cooperate with other district consultative and service organisations to achieve the best results in serving the people in the district.

District Management Committee

A District Management Committee (DMC) chaired by the District Officer is also set up in each district, comprising representatives of departments providing essential services in the district. The DMC serves as a forum for inter-departmental discussions on district matters and co-ordinates the management of public services and facilities in the districts to meet the needs of the local community.

District Committees

Apart from DCs which serve as the major advisory bodies in districts, there are also other advisory committees, including one District Fight Crime Committee, one District Fire Safety Committee and one to several Area Committees in each district.

District Fight Crime Committees (DFCCs) were established in September 1976. DFCCs play an important role in the battle against crime by reviewing the situation at district level and reflecting community concerns about law and order issues. DFCCs help foster community awareness of crime prevention and encourage community participation in combating crime through publicity programmes carried out in the districts. Each district has one DFCC.

From March 1998, District Fire Safety Committees (DFSCs) have been set up in the districts by phases. DFSCs actively promote fire prevention and other building safety issues, promote public education and publicity in areas of fire prevention and building safety, as well as promote and assist in organising fire drills in cooperation with owners’ corporations. Each district has one DFSC.

Area Committees (ACs) have been set up in the districts by phases since 1972. ACs promote public participation in district affairs, advise and assist in the organisation of community involvement activities and the implementation of government-sponsored initiatives, and advise on issues that affect the respective districts. At present, there are 71 ACs in Hong Kong.

Home Affairs Enquiry Centres

Twenty Home Affairs Enquiry Centres, attached to the District Offices, provide a wide range of free services to the public. These services include answering general enquiries on government services; distributing government forms and information; administering declarations for private use; and referring cases under the DC members' meet-the-public scheme, the Free Legal Advice Scheme and the Rent Officer Scheme.