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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
I would urge that the Urban Council expand its activities for the elderly in all the ten urban districts, in cooperation with district-based organizations, and to keep on supporting the annual Festival for the Elderly sponsored by the Hong Kong Council of Social Service.
In this period of full employment, the Government should provide employment counselling and re-training facilities wherever feasible for retired people over 60.
This service is all the more necessary since Hong Kong does not have a comprehensive social security system, and many elderly persons still wish to find jobs after retirement in order to maintain their usual living standard and to enjoy and enrich their lives.
Culture
I look forward to the early completion of the Sculpture, Ceramic and Print Centre in the new Hong Kong Park.
This Centre, which I have advocated for years, should provide studio space and more opportunity for local artists living in cramped conditions to develop their artistic capabilities.
Not only that, the Centre should provide exhibition space where the works of contemporary local artists could be displayed and sold.
I would urge that the Municipal Services Branch Report of the Visual Arts Policy Working Group, which was completed in November last year, and which contains a number of significant recommendations, be released for public information and comment as soon as possible.
I also welcome the Urban Council becoming more involved in promoting culture in the literary field. Joining together with established cultural organizations such as the Hong Kong Institute for Promotion of Chinese Culture in promoting contemporary literature and drama deserves every support and should be further expanded.
Such joint presentations taking place in Hong Kong can enhance cultural exchange between Mainland China and Taiwan cultural groups, together with other related cultural groups in North America, Europe, and elsewhere.
Together with many other Urban Councillors, I would urge that the Council retain the old Western Market (North Block) as part of the history of Hong Kong and at the same time put the building to good practical use for the community.
I look forward to closer cooperation between the Urban Council and other interested bodies in the long-term development of Chinese traditional art forms such as Cantonese opera, Chiu Chow opera, puppet shows, Chinese folk songs, and dance, etc.
Hawkers
On hawkers, I would urge the Government to give its full cooperation to the Urban Council in eliminating illegal hawking in the urban areas, especially at a time of full employment in Hong Kong.
Illegal hawking is becoming a greater environmental nuisance to urban dwellers, who are living in extremely overcrowded conditions, and Government must give its fullest support to the Urban Council in eliminating the illegal hawker problem once and for all.
Currently, control of illegal hawking is costing the Urban Council approximately $155 million a year.
Recreation
The new Horticulture Education Section under the Leisure Services Division is a new activity about which I have been keen for the past 5 years. The aim of this new Education Section will be to promote greater interest in local flora and fauna through guided visits to the botanical, zoological, and ornithological collections in Council parks and gardens, plus seminars, lectures, etc. I look forward to close cooperation with the Education Department in organizing many school groups to participate in this new exciting educational programme.
The Urban Council now has 14 pool complexes in operation, including the large new Kowloon Park Pool Complex.
When the Hammer Hill Leisure Pool now under development is completed, it is estimated that the demand for swimming pools in the urban area will have been largely met.
The Council should put greater promotional effort into encouraging the general public to patronize our lesser-used swimming pools, especially since several of our popular bathing beaches are now so badly polluted, and it will be a toss-up in the coming years as to whether they will be safe enough for swimming from a public health point of view.
That does not mean to say that Government should let up on its plans to save our beaches, especially the more popular beaches such as Repulse Bay, from the ravages of pollution. The Government must, through more continuous positive action and not just simply offer words and promises, convince the public that it is committed to fighting environmental pollution on our beaches and elsewhere with all the resources at its disposal.
The planning or construction of another 32 Indoor Games Halls—which is in addition to the 24 Indoor Games Halls already in operation—is an indication of the Council's commitment to providing in the urban districts a balanced provision of facilities for recreation activities, sports training, and competition in sports.
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