If the proposed fees are implemented, the overheads of the hawkers will be increased as follows
Types of hawker
Increases in overheads
(a) Cooked food stall
Mobile van
stall)
per day
$5.50
per month
$165
(b)
Fixed pitch
$0.40 - $1.80
$12
-
$54
(c)
Itinerant
As
the increases in overhead
compared with average profits.
$4 - $11
the proposed fee increases
should not cause hardship to individual hawkers.
$0.13 $0.38
are relatively
small when
D & E
Productivity
Following
detailed a
15
survey in 1983, the Urban Services Department has readjusted the cleansing manpower to enhance the productivity of the cleansing service
service in hawker areas and this has reduced the operational cost. Department is now considering restructuring the General Duties Teams with a view to improving efficiency and productivity.
Financial implications
16
The
The proposed fees will generate an additional revenue of $1.3 million per year and the revised total fee level will
full cost represent recovery of 30% of the full
estimated for 1984/85 in accordance with the formula set out in paragraph
out in 8(b) above.
a
Consultation
17
The New Territories Heung Yee Kuk and the New Territories General Chamber of Commerce have been consulted. Both organizations argue that the proposed 35% increase is too high and will cause economic hardship to hawkers in the New Territories. They have intimated that some hawkers will not be able to afford the extra charges and could be forced either to cease business or become unlicensed hawkers in order to make
living. The New Territories General Chamber of Commerce has therefore suggested that
the maximum annual increase should not be over 15% and that consideration of the fee increase be deferred until the Provisional Regional Council has been established in April. Copies of their letters are at Annexes D and E respectively.
a