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# HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
capital projects of $2,705 million over the 5-year period. The capital works programme has now been re-scheduled over a period of 7 to 7 years so that planned expenditure levels will be compatible and commensurate with the financial and other resources available. The revised capital works programme and including 1987-88, and total capital expenditure over the next 5 years envisages capital expenditure of $300 million to $400 million each year up to
estimated to be $1,621 million.
I would like to emphasize at this point that the Council does not in any way intend to follow a 'stop-go' approach in its capital works programme. During the past few months, the Council and the Urban Services Department have been reviewing very carefully the capital works programme for the next five-year period 1983-84-1987-88. In the light of up-to-date figures, it is now anticipated that a realistic expenditure figure for capital works in the coming year is $333 million, which will be 57% more than what had been spent in 1982-83 which was itself the highest amount ever spent in any one year in the Council's history on capital works. Should additional financial resource become available, the Council will certainly seek to accelerate its capital work programme.
## District Complexes
For the 1984-85 budget, the Council through its various functional select committees have been called upon to exercise maximum economies whenever possible without impairing the Council's efficiency in carrying out its responsibilities to the community and without losing momentum on its capital works programme. As an example of its commitment to the community, the Council has a total of 29 district complexes being planned for the 10 D.B. districts, and of this total, funds have been approved already for 11 projects which will cost about $800 million upon completion.
I should add that the Council will shortly carry out a critical review of the facilities in all these district complexes to make sure that they will not only be cost effective but will also meet the practical needs of residents.
## Mini-Budgets
Members will find in Annex A a general comparison of the 1983-84 and 1984-85 mini-budgets of functional select committees having to do with important aspects of the Council's programmes.
I should make it clear, however, that although the budget amount for culture and entertainment in dollar terms proposed for 1984-85 will be less than this year, there will be no sharp cut-backs or de-emphasising of the Council's very active participation in promoting the arts and providing mass entertainment for the people of Hong Kong. Members will note that in keeping with the Council's long-term policy of expanding library services, next year's budget will be larger than that of the current year. It will be noted too that there is a modest increase in the budget under the control of the Recreation Select Committee and such reflects the Council's keen interest in providing more recreation and sports
# HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
services for the community. Also, the mini budget amounts for both the Environmental Hygiene Select Committee and the Food Hygiene Select Committee will be increased next year, which are indicative of the Council's commitment to ensure that our Hong Kong community can live in a cleaner and healthier environment.
## Looking Ahead
Looking beyond next year's budget, I can foresee that the district boards will continue to press the Urban Council to expand its capital works programmes in all ten Districts and to expand services to meet the needs of the nearly four million urban residents. I assure the District Boards that we are fully committed to do so within the limits of our manpower, financial and other resources.
The Urban Council maintains a regular dialogue with the Government through the Financial Secretary in regard to its annual budget and its five-year forecast of revenue and expenditure, which is a roll-forward forecast that is reviewed every year. Provided the Council continues to carry out its commitments in a responsible manner, I see no reason why the Council will not be able to call on the full support of the Government in planning for a reasonable growth of its capital works and of its services in the years ahead to meet public demand for a better living environment and better cultural and recreation services.
Although the Council's general reserve will be depleted by March 1985, it is not expected that the Council will need to have recourse to borrowing funds for its budgetary requirements either from Government or any other source. In any event, at this time next year before the Council finalises its budget for the 1985-86 financial year, we will be reviewing our financial position with the Government and will pinpoint where Government's additional financial support would be helpful in order to enable the Council to even more fully discharge its public commitments.
Finally, I would like to apologize to members for speaking so much longer in presenting the 1984–85 budget as compared with a much shorter address I gave when introducing last year the 1983–84 budget. But I think it is important for all to realize that the Urban Council, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, is totally committed to serving the people of Hong Kong in improving their living environment and in expanding cultural, leisure and recreation services, which are vital in the creation of sound and responsible citizenship in an international community such as Hong Kong. The fostering of such conditions are essential towards the building up of a sense of identity in Hong Kong and in encouraging our citizens to assume a greater responsibility in governing the affairs of Hong Kong.
I so move.
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