The government is preparing a consultation early next year on giving the councils more powers, such as running public facilities.

There have also been suggestions that imminent political reforms will give the councils more representation in the Legislative Council.

But the group said it wanted government departments responsible for handling local affairs to be held accountable at the district level.

'Hong Kong is a city with 7 million people; it is big enough to have district administration,' Wan Chai District Council chairman Ada Wong Ying-kay said. 'It is wrong for the government to impose a set of fixed policies on every district, which all have distinct characteristics.'

Wan Chai councillor Mary Ann King Pui-wai said the councils had toothless advisory roles. 'As a result, the pork-barrel culture prevails in district councils and many members are glad to be the government's cheering team, to be repaid by appointment to various committees,' she said.

Home Affairs Secretary Patrick Ho Chi-ping said areas listed by Chief Executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen for giving district councils wider roles were examples only and their powers could be expanded.

Ms Wong said districts with big ethnic minorities should stock libraries with books in their native language. Libraries in places with many young people such as Tin Shui Wai should open longer.

'For administrative convenience the Leisure and Cultural Services Department standardises operating hours and libraries only buy Chinese- and English-language books,' she said.

The alliance also hopes Legco can strengthen ties with a special panel on district council affairs.