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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
A proposal on the restructuring and special allowance for the GDTs of the two Municipal Councils is now being actively considered by the Chief Secretary, following which it will be submitted to the Standing Commission on Civil Service Salaries and Conditions of Service for consideration and approval. I urge the Government to handle this long-outstanding matter as expeditiously as possible.
MOTION
1. MR. PETER C. K. CHAN, CHAIRMAN OF THE RECREATION SELECT COMMITTEE, moved the following motion:-
'RESOLVED that the Pleasure Grounds (Urban Council) (Amendment) By-laws 1990 be made under section 109 of the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance, Cap. 132.'
He said (in English):—Mr. Chairman, as Chairman of the Recreation Select Committee, I rise to move the motion standing in my name.
The purpose of the amendment is to reflect the revised hire charges for use of Urban Council bowling greens and obstacle golf courses which will take effect from 1 May 1990.
Hire charges for bowling greens and obstacle golf courses were last revised in October 1986. The Department has recently completed a costing review on these two types of facilities. Among the significant points that have emerged, the total costs including staff, maintenance, equipment, fuel, light and power, and other non-cash costs are expected to continue to increase.
For bowling greens, the overall deficit rose from $181,000 for 1987-88 to $247,000 for 1988-89. The deficit was $281,000 at the end of the 1989-90 financial year. The subsidy level was 65% in 1987-88 and was increased to 82% in 1989-90. Under the new scale of fee, the hire charges for use of bowling greens will be increased by 33% from $30 per hour to $40 per hour. The subsidy level will be reduced from 82% to 76%.
For obstacle golf course, the overall deficit rose from $335,000 for 1987–88 to $390,000 for 1988-89. It rose to $422,000 at the end of the 1989-90 financial year. The subsidy level was 87% in 1987-88, and it rose to 93% in 1989–90. Under the new scale of fee, the hire charge for use of obstacle golf courses will be increased from $3 to $10 per game. Although the increase is about 233%, it is considered that the new rate is affordable and acceptable to the public. The subsidy level will be reduced from 92% to 73%.
The proposed fee revisions are necessary to reduce Council's subsidies to a more reasonable level.
Sir, I so move.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
MR. RONNIE M. C. WONG, VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE RECREATION SELECT COMMITTEE, seconded the motion (in English):-Mr. Chairman, I second the motion.
(Mr. LAM Chak-piu left the meeting at 3.19 p.m.)
The question was put.
The motion was carried unanimously.
ADJOURNMENT—3.22 p.m.
CHAIRMAN (in English):-That concludes the business of today's meeting. Council stands adjourned until Tuesday, 8 May 1990 at 2.30 p.m.
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