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# HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
## ADDRESS BY CHAIRMAN
CHAIRMAN (in English):-I will now call the meeting to order. It is just 4.00 p.m. I know you will want me to do so and I therefore, with great pleasure, congratulate some of our colleagues on the honours bestowed upon them since we last met. First, our colleague, Mr. Gerry FORSGATE was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire. Secondly, our friend, Mr. Hector Ross, was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire. Likewise, Mr. Jack TINSON was honoured by appointment to the Imperial Service Order. Then, we have two of our friends appointed Justices of Peace—Mr. John MACKENZIE and Mr. Alex S. C. Wu. To all of them, I extend our congratulations and best wishes. (Applause) Now, it is sad to record the passing away of Mr. Brook BERNACCHI's mother, known to so many of us. I wrote to our colleague condoling with him upon the irreparable loss he has suffered.
(Mr. Peter P. K. NG arrived at this point.)
## MINUTES
The minutes of the meeting held on 11th December, 1973, were confirmed.
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At the same time, it is becoming clear that the headquarters of the Department must be strengthened. Indeed, the central directorate may have to be likewise re-structured. I have asked the Director of Urban Services to go into this requirement and make a proposal to the Council.
Also, it is my understanding that the districts are not up to strength and there is even a shortage of equipment. The situation must be looked into very thoroughly by the Department, assisted by the select committees. I hope that soon enough our select committees will undertake a searching examination, together with officials of the Department, in order that manpower and equipment requirements may be determined so as to make good whatever shortage there may be.
In due time we hope the Department will have the manpower, in quality and effectiveness, to put into practice the Council's policies and implement its programmes efficiently and expeditiously. The reorganization has revealed that there is a lack of manpower in quality and numbers needed for the performance of our functions. Of course, our staff are all working hard and doing the best they can in the circumstances.
Still, more can and must be done by the Council and the Department in the service of the community.
## STATEMENT BY CHAIRMAN
CHAIRMAN (in English):-Since the Urban Council assumed full responsibility for the conduct of its affairs in April 1973, the select committees have been working much more closely together and with the Urban Services Department they are also looking in greater detail into their respective functions under their own terms of reference. In the interval, the Department has also been re-organized. It now works on a district instead of mainly on a functional basis and is under the direction of the headquarters here and two regional offices, one on the island and the other in Kowloon.
It is now realized that, if the select committees are to be adequately supported by the Council section of the Department, more staff must be recruited quickly and the work re-shuffled on a new basis to accord with the select committee structure. Initial steps are being taken to ensure that this section in particular will be re-deployed to serve the Council satisfactorily.
## PAPER
The following paper was laid on the table:
Report on the work of the Urban Council and Urban Services Department for the month of December 1973.
## QUESTIONS
(1) MR. JOHN MACKENZIE asked the following question (in English):-
### Swimming Pools
May I enquire if the proposal that swimming pool complexes be provided for each urban district with a population of 250,000 persons, first endorsed in 1970, has now been adopted as Council policy, or if appropriate policy recommendations will be made by Recreation and Amenities Select Committee to the Council in due course?
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