CS lists five proposals from district governance panel
The Steering Committee on District Governance on Wednesday announced five proposals after it held its first meeting, with its chair, Chief Secretary Eric Chan, denying that its role overlaps with those of other government bodies. Some of the proposals had been announced previously, including an after-school care service pilot programme approved by the Commission on Poverty. The official said 50 schools in Kowloon City, Yau Tsim Mong, Sham Shui Po, Kwun Tong and Kwai Tsing will provide venues for NGOs to run the year-long scheme for about 3,000 underprivileged pupils when the new school year starts. Responding to a reporter’s question after the meeting, Chan said the new committee’s role in formulating policies does not double up with the poverty commission’s work, adding that it has a mission to improve administration in a comprehensive manner. Authorities earlier said the committee was set up so that the government’s senior leadership can take a leading role in the planning of overall strategies, policies and measures for district governance. The Chief Secretary said another proposal from the committee was having enforcement agencies ramp up efforts to fight crime. "Of course police have their measures and strategies to combat crime, we will not interfere with their profession. But for example, if there are a lot of burglaries in a district or people think there are not enough police patrols, we'll pass on these views to police and they can act on the measures formulated by the committee," he said. "Of course the Secretary for Security also sits on the committee." Chan said they also proposed to provide more fitness facilities for the elderly and prepare trekking poles for them at large parks, to help them stay active.  He added devices will be installed to project red light on the ground to enhance road safety, and steps will also be taken to make wet markets more hygienic. The official said his deputy, Warner Cheuk, is in charge of a task force to iron out the details of various measures to ensure they are implemented as soon as possible.