HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
MINUTES.
The Minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on 3rd December, 1957 were confirmed.
PAPER.
THE CHAIRMAN laid upon the table the following paper:
Report on the work of the Urban Council and Urban Services Department for the month of December, 1957.
QUESTIONS.
MR. H. CHEONG-LEEN asked the following question:
"Does the Council have a ten-year programme for the provision of parks and playgrounds? What liaison exists between the Urban Council and the Town Planning Board in the long-term provision of parks and playgrounds?"
THE CHAIRMAN tabled the following written reply:
"No, Sir. We started to draw up a five-year programme in the summer of 1956 but in the end decided not to tie the programme to any particular period. Instead we have a programme for the construction of new parks and playgrounds, and this programme is being carried out as quickly as land and money become available.
In the current estimates a provision of $900,000 is included for this parks and playgrounds development programme. We hope that we shall be able to spend all this money during this financial year and that work on 12 new pleasure grounds and 18 roadside plots will be started or completed during the year. Planning for work to be done in succeeding years is well advanced.
The Director of Public Works is the Chairman of the Town Planning Board and I, as Chairman of this Council, am an ex officio member of the Board. We are both members of the Parks, Playgrounds and Urban Amenities Select Committee of this Council and as a result I think it is correct to say that close and effective liaison is maintained."
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:- May I ask a supplementary question? It is stated that it was decided not to tie the programme to any particular period. But I notice in the second paragraph that it is stated that planning for work to be done in succeeding years is well advanced. Could I ask, sir, approximately over what period of time does that cover?
CHAIRMAN:- I should think probably the plans which are at an advanced stage would cover perhaps two years' work, but there is the element of flexibility to which reference has been made, in that should buildings and land become available in a shorter period than that, the work could be speeded up. The object is to keep the plan ahead of what is feasible.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:- May I also ask a supplementary question? In view of the fact that there is a tendency now for more long-term development, more than two years, would it be possible for the Select Committee concerned to reconsider the advisability of a longer-term plan? I consider that a five-year period would be more appropriate.
CHAIRMAN:- Yes, sir, there is no objection to the Committee considering it. I should, however, add that where longer-term plans are being considered, for example by the Town Planning Board, the question of provision of open space always comes up at once in the first instance, and parts of the area to be planned are set aside for the purpose of parks, etc. In spite of that, I shall be glad to ask the Committee to consider the remarks you have made.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:- Thank you, sir.
MR. H. CHEONG-LEEN asked the following question:
"In view of the need for further swimming facilities in the Kowloon urban area, will the Chairman please advise what steps are being taken to have a swimming pool built in Kowloon to be completed before the end of the 1958 swimming season?"
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