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months i.e. in March 1997. With this new library, the general public will be provided with adequate library facilities and services commensurating with the rapid development and progress of Hong Kong.
Library Automation
Members may be delighted to note the smooth progress of the library computerization project which has been officially launched in June 1993. This project will enable co-operation with the Regional Council. Library cards of libraries from either the Regional Council or Urban Council can be mutually accepted and both Councils can have access to each other's database of library materials. The whole project will take about 26 months to complete, i.e. will be completed in August 1995.
(c) Improvement of existing entertainment, public health and recreation venues On the recreation, public health and entertainment side, I am glad to report the significant progress made in improvement projects to upgrade Council's facilities and the planning of new projects and services. These include improvements to the Ko Shan Theatre, the installation of air-conditioning system in Indoor Games Halls, Phase I of the Coastal Defence Museum at Lei Yue Mun, and the Health Education and Resource Centre in Kowloon Park.
Health Education and Resource Centre
In September 1993, the Public Health Select Committee has endorsed the proposal for the development of an Urban Council Health Education Exhibition and Resource Centre at Kowloon Park. This Centre will consist of an Exhibition Area, a Resource Centre encompassing a resource information centre, a computer room and an audio visual room. As soon as the design and layout of this centre are finalized and agreed, this project will be transformed into a capital work programme. It is envisaged that the Centre can be completed in late 1994.
Coastal Defence Museum
Members may be delighted to note that the Government undertook to fund this museum projects including the extension to the Museum of Flagstaff House and the Lyemun Museum (Coastal Defence Museum) at a total cost of around $56 million. With regard to the latter, the Department has been working with the Architectural Services Department to solve the site problems and hopefully the Department would be able to report progress during the first quarter of 1994.
OTHERS
(a) Taking Over of the Music Office
The Urban Council has, in conjunction with the Regional Council, expressed its interest in taking over the Music Office as UC is the major promoter of arts and culture in Hong Kong. In the past few months, discussions have been held with the Regional Council with a view to working out a mutually acceptable arrangement in the joint management of this Office. Some progress has been achieved and more detailed arrangements with regard to further management and on cost recovery will be worked out in future joint meetings between the two Municipal Councils.
I am thankful to the Chairman and all Members of the Working Party on Music Office who have shouldered the painstaking task of devising and negotiating with RC counterpart to come with an acceptable compromise in the taking over. I do sincerely hope that the valuable services rendered by the Music Office in the past can be maintained and that the acquisition of the Music Office will add a new dimension to the work of the Urban Council in the fields of instrumental music training and music promotion for the younger members of our community.
(b) The Sports Development Board (Amendment) Bill 1993
Members may be delighted to note that in the context of the discussion of the Sports Development Board (Amendment) Bill 1993 by the Bills Committee of the Legislative Council in late 1993, the Urban Council has reiterated some very important points such as the Council's autonomy and areas of jurisdiction; the Council's responsibility in the promotion of sports at the grassroot level and in the management of facilities in their respective regions; and the Sports Development Board should be designed to complement the functions of the Municipal Councils in the fields of sports development and promotion. It is most encouraging to see that the LegCo discussion has taken into account of all the above points in making their recommendations.
(c) Itinerant Hawker Licence
With regard to hawker control policy, the Council was able to come to an agreement in 1993 to a total deletion of the category of Itinerant Hawker Licences by April 1996. Since the implementation of the policy, there was a steady increase in the number of IHLs being surrendered for cancellation. As at 1 December 1993, more than 580 IHLs (16%) have been recovered for cancellation. I am grateful to the Chairman and Members of the MST S/C and all Departmental staff whose efforts and hard work have made the implementation of this very difficult project possible.
(d) The New Hawker Control Officer Grade
In 1993, we also see the implementation of the New Hawker Control Officer Grade which is a dedicated force to replace the existing supervisory grade staff in the General Duties Team in the front-line management and control of hawkers. I earnestly hope that with the completion of the regarding exercise, the Council will be able to manage and control hawkers much more effectively.
Before concluding this speech, I wish to convey my heartfelt thanks to all my colleagues on the Council for their invaluable contributions, the Department for its dedication and hard work in implementing our policies, and the Council Secretariat for their unfailing support to us.
I propose adoption of the motion in my name.
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