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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
The period under review was another active year for both the Council and the Urban Services Department. We are fortunate to have a dedicated team of staff and officers, very ably led by Mr. Haidar Barma, the Director, in the Urban Services Department. I would like to take this opportunity to thank them for a job well done.
I would also like to commend the Public Information Unit for producing such a high standard report for the Council.
With these remarks, Mr. Chairman, I second the motion.
The question was put.
The motion was carried unanimously.
2.
MR. PAO PING-WING, CHAIRMAN OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH SELECT COMMITTEE, moved the following motion (in Cantonese): Mr. Chairman, as Chairman of the Public Health Select Committee, I rise to move the motion in my name:-
'RESOLVED that the Cremation and Gardens of Remembrance (Urban Council) (Amendment) By-law 1992, the Public Cemeteries (Urban Council) (Amendment) By-law 1992 and the Exhumation (Fees) (Urban Council) (Amendment) By-law 1992 be made under sections 124E, 116 and 118(5) respectively of the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance, Cap. 132.'
(Urban Council)
The Cremation and Gardens of Remembrance (Amendment) By-law 1992, the Public Cemeteries (Urban Council) (Amendment) By-law 1992, and the Exhumation (Fees) (Urban Council) By-law 1992 made under the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance now before the Council will, when adopted, increase the fees for cremation, the temporary storage of ashes, the permanent placing of ashes in a columbarium, the placing of memorials and planting of any plant, shrub or tree in Government crematoria and gardens of remembrance, interment in public cemeteries and grant of permission to exhume human remains in the Urban Council area.
The existing fees for such services were last revised in 1991. The purposes of this fee revision are to (a) maintaining as far as possible parity of fees charged in both Council area (except for burials) and (b) reducing Council's subsidy.
The increases have been carefully considered by the Public Health Select Committee, the Finance Select Committee and the Standing Committee of the whole Council, and I am satisfied that due weight has been given to all implications of the proposal.
Mr. Chairman, I beg to move.
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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
DR. LEUNG PING-CHUNG, CHAIRMAN OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH SELECT COMMITTEE (in English): Mr. Chairman, may I second the motion.
The question was put.
The motion was carried unanimously.
3. MR. RONNIE WONG MAN-CHIU, CHAIRMAN OF THE RECREATION SELECT COMMITTEE, moved the following motion (in English):-As Chairman of the Recreation Select Committee, I rise on the motion standing in my name.
'RESOLVED that:-
(a) the Bathing Beach (Urban Council) (Amendment) By-law 1992 and Pleasure Grounds (Urban Council) (Amendment) (No. 3) By-law 1992 be made under section 109; that the Public Swimming Pools (Urban Council) (Amendment) (No. 2) By-law 1992 be made under section 42 and that the Stadia (Urban Council) (Amendment) By-law 1992 be made under section 105D of the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance, Cap. 132; and
(b) the Pleasure Grounds (Urban Council) (Amendment) (No. 4) By-law 1992 be made under section 109 of the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance, Cap. 132.'
The first set of amendment will standardize the maximum penalties to provide for a $1,500 fine and 14 days imprisonment under the four By-laws governing the Council's leisure venues. The second amendment will enable new charges for athletic grounds and turf pitches to take effect from 1 October.
In July, members of the Recreation Select Committee agreed that, for the sake of consistency and to maintain their deterrent effect, maximum penalty levels should be standardized.
The Recreation and Finance Select Committees were informed that the operating costs for athletic grounds and turf pitches had increased. However, in keeping with the Council's policy of setting fees at affordable levels, Members decided that these hire charges should only be increased by about 16%. Moreover, concessionary rates were also approved for schools and subvented non-government organizations. They will be able to use our athletic grounds and turf pitches at half the normal rates during specified hours.
It is estimated that this fee revision should reduce the overall operating deficit to about $39 million.
Against this background, Sir, I so move.
THE HON. MARVIN CHEUNG KIN-TUNG, VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE RECREATION SELECT COMMITTEE (in English):-I have much pleasure in seconding the motion.
The question was put.
The motion was carried unanimously.
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