Town Planning Board
7.49 The Town Planning Board met on 18 occasions and considered 19 papers and draft outline zoning plans for 9 planning areas in the Urban Area and 2 planning areas in the New Territories.
Land Development Planning Committee
7.50 The Branch presented 22 papers to the Land Development Planning Committee—the Committee responsible for advising Government on development proposals. Items considered included outline zoning and layout plans, planning guides for rural areas and provision of open spaces.
Advice on Development Schemes
7.51 Planning advice given on public and private development projects increased during the year. This was particularly noticeable in the New Territories.
Liaison
7.52 The Branch was represented on numerous committees such as the Housing Board, New Town Works and Management Committees, Roads Committee, Recreational Development and Nature Conservation. A circular listing all planning schemes, plans of most of which can be purchased on application to the Cartographer, was issued quarterly to departments, public utilities companies and certain non-Government organizations.
STAFF, TRAINING AND WELFARE
Staff
7.53 The total authorized establishment amounted to 1,056 persons, an increase of 181 over the previous year. The office continued to recruit professional staff for the New Territories Administration and the Civil Engineering and Highways Offices.
7.54 Ten Estate Surveyors and one Land Surveyor were appointed on contract during the year. One locally qualified Assistant Estate Surveyor was promoted to Estate Surveyor, one Surveying Assistant (Land) was promoted to Assistant Land Surveyor and one Assistant
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