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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
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MOTIONS
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
1. The CHAIRMAN, URBAN COUNCIL moved the following motion:--
'RESOLVED that the audited Statement of Assets and Liabilities and Statement of Receipts and Payments of the Urban Council for the year ended 31 March 1987 be adopted.'
He said (in English):- -In accordance with section 36(4)(c) of the Urban Council Ordinance, I move the adoption of the audited Statement of Assets and Liabilities and Statement of Receipts and Payments of the Urban Council for the year ended 31 March 1987.
Members will note that the Director of Audit's Certificate on the Statements is not qualified by any observation on the manner in which the Council's accounts have been kept and rendered. The Department is to be congratulated for their keeping the Council's accounts in good order.
Also in accordance with section 40(4) of the Urban Council Ordinance, one copy of the certified statements will be forwarded to His Excellency the Governor. I so move.
MRS. ELSIE TU seconded the motion (in English): Mr. Chairman, in rising to second the motion in the absence of the Chairman of the Finance Select Committee, I would like to add my congratulations to the department for producing our accounts on time and to the satisfaction of the Council and our auditors.
I am very pleased to report that the financial accounts which showed a surplus of $109 million for the year ended 31 March 1987 have been certified as correct by the Director of Audit. I do not intend to comment on the details as they were provided to Members in early April this year.
With regard to the current financial year, based on the latest available financial data, a surplus of $68 million is expected thus increasing the Council's reserves to $478 million as at 31 March 1988, which is equivalent to approximately 10 weeks' expenditure.
However, despite these accumulated reserves Members should be aware that in the coming few years as more heavily staffed venues come on stream, such as the Hong Kong Cultural Centre, the new museums, and the many multi-purpose complexes now under construction, the Council's financial position must change for the worse unless some relief is forthcoming.
I am sure that Members agree with me when I say that our business is to provide the best available facilities and services for the people of Hong Kong.
Mr. Chairman, I have much pleasure in seconding the motion.
The question was put.
The motion was carried unanimously.
2. THE CHAIRMAN, URBAN COUNCIL moved the following motion:-
'RESOLVED that the Urban Council Annual Report 1987 be approved.'
He said (in English):-Members will notice that the Urban Council's 1987 Annual Report is titled 'Vibrant City'; this is indeed an appropriate title.
It has faithfully recorded some of the most exciting events that the Council and the four-and-a-half million citizens of this ‘Vibrant City' have experienced during the past 12 months.
Captured in the Report is the return visit to Hong Kong of Her Majesty the Queen; the Council's official cultural delegation to Beijing and Shanghai and our historical meeting with Mr. Ji Pengfei of the Hong Kong and Macau Office in the Great Hall of the People.
Also of significance is the unity displayed by the two Councils-the Urban and Regional Councils-last March when we unanimously called for the present status quo of both Councils to remain.
The Council's $22 billion building programme and the achievements made in the fields of public health, culture and recreation reflect the Council's contribution to the city.
A special column entitled 'Do you know' has been added to this year's Report. This new column depicts many interesting facts and figures on the work of the Council and the Urban Services Department. I believe this column will be invaluable to students and members of the public interested in the Council's diverse responsibilities and large workload.
Reasonably priced at $20 a copy, the Report records the Council's work from 1 April 1986 to 31 March 1987 and I move its adoption.
MR. STEPHEN M. L. LAU, CHAIRMAN OF THE ADMINISTRATION SELECT COMMITTEE seconded the motion (in Cantonese):-Mr. Chairman, the 1986-87 Urban Council Annual Report tabled today covers the various aspects of the Council's responsibilities.
This year's 98-page text of the Report, with an Introductory Chapter, is divided into four parts: 'Public health protection', 'Culture and the arts', 'Recreation and sport' and 'Administration and planning'.
The colour section has been expanded from 10 to 13, comprising more than 120 photographs spread over more than 80 pages.
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