A pilot scheme will be launched in January next year to allow some district councils partake in the management of leisure and cultural facilities, Secretary for Home Affairs Dr Patrick Ho says.

It will be fully implemented in all districts in 2008. Click here to read facilities proposed to be managed by district councils.

He told reporters more than 100 written submissions have been received during the three-month consultation on the review of district councils' roles, functions and composition, which ended today.

The district councils in principle support the proposals listed in the consultation document and district representatives agree with the idea of boosting district councils' roles and functions.

Dr Ho said the public has expressed concerns regarding five areas:

* the operation and management of district facilities;

* allocation of funds;

* district councillors' remuneration and status;

* district officers' roles; and

* Hong Kong's constitutional development.

The bureau will collate and scrutinise the submissions in detail and see if the proposals must be revised to achieve the "people-based" policy objective, he added.

On constitutional development, Dr Ho said there will be appointed seats in the 2008 District Councils elections. However, views gauged on the appointment system during the consultation will be studied and referred to the Commission on Strategic Development for consideration, he added.