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There are 50,000 - 60,000 hawkers in the urban areas, about 30,000 of whom are licensed. In view of the more stringent immigration policies, the Council hopes that the number of hawkers will be stabilized, so that the programme to resite hawkers in newly completed markets and in issuing licences to hawkers after re-ordering exercises can gain momentum.
Within the coming 5 years, in urban Kowloon and Hong Kong Island the Council expects to build or reprovision 14 market complexes in different districts at a current cost of $350 million. I would add though that about 40% of this cost will go towards the provision of sports and cultural facilities in these multi-purpose market complex buildings. Although there will be an increase in hawker licence fees taking effect from April this year, the Council will still be subsidizing its hawker management services to the tune of about 65%. While it is recognized that hawkers have to make a living and that they also perform to some degree a service to the public in the various urban districts, it will be necessary to annually review the level of the subsidy so that it could be reduced from 65% to 50% as soon as possible.
The Council will continue to seek maximum co-operation from hawkers to reduce obstruction and rubbish so as to improve the living environment of nearby residents.
Sports and Recreation
In the provision of sports facilities and recreation activities, the Council plays a leading role in the urban areas.
Hong Kong is fortunate to have over 30 national sports bodies which are promoting a wide range of sporting activities. The Urban Council will continue to give these recognized bodies strong moral and material support in their local, regional and international programmes whenever it is appropriate to do so.
Sports and recreation are highly conducive to improving the quality of life, and the general health and wellbeing of our residents. The Council's role is clear: to provide as much resources as it can allocate to this vital aspect of community life. Both the recently completed Queen Elizabeth Indoor Stadium and the larger Hunghom Indoor Stadium to be completed in 1982, are indications of the Council's firm commitment in this direction. The Council is concerned to provide more sports facilities and activities for the young, and in so doing to play a constructive role in encouraging them to be responsible Hong Kong citizens, healthy in both body and mind. In particular, I hope that more attention can be given to the needs of young people living in the older public housing estates.
Culture and Entertainment
The rising expectations of Hong Kong urban residents have highlighted the demand and scope for cultural and recreational services of all kinds
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which can be provided chiefly by the Urban Council at prices lower income and middle income families can afford.
Close co-operation with Government is needed to achieve the early completion of the Tsim Sha Tsui Cultural Complex on the Complex site. The Space Museum was opened in 1980, and we have to press on ahead to build the two Auditoria and Cultural Services Administration Blocks, and a permanent Museum of Art. In all the urban districts, the Urban Council will work closely with other Government Departments in providing adequate community hall facilities. In the building of new markets or the reprovisioning of old markets, the Council will ensure maximum utilization of each site, so that the building will also have on the upper floors facilities for community gatherings, for libraries and extension activities, cultural performances, and sports activities.
Finances
At the beginning of the 1980/81 financial year, the Council had a reserve of $280 million. However, due to inflation and other factors, the Council will have probably used up about $130 million of this reserve by 31 March 1981, leaving the reserve at only $150 million.
It will be recalled that the Council is budgeting for a deficit of $319 million for the 1981/82 financial year. As it was Government's decision to delay the revision of rateable values, it is only reasonable and logical that Government should compensate Council for both the $319 million deficit in 1981/82 and the $130 million deficit to be drawn down against the Council's general reserves for the 1980/81 year. Government can well afford to do so since it will quite likely end its current financial year with a budget surplus of about $8,000 million, instead of the $3,000 million as previously forecast. The Council's Capital Works Five Year Programme at today's prices already exceeds $1,000 million, and enough stress cannot be laid on better co-ordination of effort, improved productivity in manpower and other resources, and careful long-term planning, even at the district level.
During 1981, the Council will hold two important international festivals; the 5th Hong Kong International Film Festival to be held in April, and the 6th Asian Arts Festival to be held in the second half of October. The high standards of selection and performance insisted upon by the Council enhances the reputation of these two Festivals both at home and overseas.
Also evolving are more positive signs of cultural exchange between the Urban Council and a number of cultural groups in China, which is to be welcome.
Meantime, the Council is expanding at a measured pace its flow of cultural and entertainment services in the different urban districts. The Council will do its best to support and foster local initiative in cultural and entertainment
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