To what
£30000
16.
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The intention is to develop local representative
bodies, such as the Tsuen Wan Recreation & Amenities Committee, in each new town with a different and more specific jurisdiction than the Urban Council.
17.
The
Urban services in the New Territories have tended to be less fully provided in common with other facilities. Urban Council requires much of the Department's attention. However a Deputy Director has recently been appointed and measures are in hand to redress any imbalance in services.
Current Problems & Policies to meet them
Position of Heung Yee Kuk
18.
The Kuk has been a little uneasy about its representative status but appears satisfied with recent assurances that we will continue to pay especial attention to the views of rural leaders who, because of their knowledge, are able to make a real contribution to local affairs. The Kuk, too, has been paying greater attention to matters other than land and discussions with them on these wider issues have already been fruitful. This has reassured them.
Land Resumptions and Clearances and Village Removals
19.
Urban development has required resumption of large areas of land over the last seventeen years. Agricultural landowners in towns whose land is resumed are offered a land exchange of a smaller area, at a ratio of 5 square feet of agricultural land for 2 square feet of building land. For various reasons there has been insufficient land available to keep up with the commitment to provide land for exchange; waiting times are long and are causing dissatisfaction. considerable effort is now being made to catch up some of this backlog and this should be achieved in about eighteen months.
A
20.
The Crown Land Resumption Ordinance Chapter 124 is also a source of dissatisfaction because it limits legal compensation for land resumed to the value of the land for its pcrmitted use in accordance with the terms of the Crown Lease. Agricultural land in development areas is thus restricted to its agricultural value while in fact it often has a speculative value far in excess of this. As an alternative to land exchange (paragraph 19) owners have been offered an additional ex-gratia amount making a total offer in the order of £54,000
This figure is to be increased from 1st April, and it remains to be seen whether the new and higher level will prove more acceptable. Basic dissatisfaction with the statutory restrictions on compensation is likely to be prominent in any petition the Kuk may make.
an acre.
Village Houses
21.
reasas
Owners of small and generally single storey traditional village houses are offered larger three storey houses on clearance. This is generally acceptable. However
where in tourship
G.F. 323
CONFIDENTIAL
it is
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