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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
12-year service in the Council, the first few years can be regarded as my learning period. Everything started from the beginning. I raised many questions and did quite a lot of work. I still remember paying visits to different urban facilities at every weekend so as to familiarise myself with the operation of the department, and going to the parks occasionally to study some trees. Then I assumed several leading roles, and became the Chairman of Capital Works, Recreation and Museums Select Committees in the subsequent years. Those days did give me a fairly strong sense of achievement. It's a pity that because I might have worked too enthusiastically, several councillors assumed that I intended to seize either the office of the Chairman or Vice-Chairman of the Council. Subsequently, I was 'beaten down' by a councillor, who lost the 1991 election, and ceased to be the Chairman of the Recreation Select Committee. I would like to reiterate here again that never have I thought of assuming the chairmanship to head the Council. I just want to make it clear to the Central Government that as I was not allowed to hold a Legco seat concurrently, I would find a way out on my own. I have never thought of taking up the office of the Chairman or Vice-Chairman of the Urban Council.
During my career as an Urban Councillor in the past 12 years, there were not many pieces of work which gave me a sense of achievement. What pleases me most is that we had put pressure on the Central Government to privatize abattoirs, which could help save 40 to 50 million dollars a year. This is most memorable. The fact that the Kowloon Park and the Hong Kong Park were successfully completed on time without over-spending can also be regarded as another minor achievement. To my regret, there were a number of work which I was eager to carry out but was unable to do so. First, we always hope that USD can be hived off from the government so that its staffing can be more flexible. This means that rewards and punishments can be duly meted out, and the staffing structure can become more flexible and cost-effective. Second, the management of markets should be contracted out to individuals or companies whereby operation cost can be reduced considerably. In this connection, the Housing Department is a very good example. Third, as mentioned by Mr. Pao Ping-wing earlier, the Council should, apart from recovering the costs, make a profit from its licensing operation and hawker control etc. to fund other necessary urban services. Fourth, the Council should make use of its land and properties to earn more income. For instance, the site of the Lido Restaurant in Repulse Bay has been left vacant for a long time. What is the amount of loss in terms of rental income? Fifth, the Central Market has long lost its function. Why hasn't it been demolished? These are the objectives I have not managed to achieve. I hope Councillors of the coming term will give thought to them.
I believe new faces will emerge after the election in March. I would like to take this opportunity to wish those of you who stand for the coming election every success! Thank you.
THE HONOURABLE Man SAI-CHEONG (in Cantonese):- Mr. Chairman, It is the tenth year I have been serving as an Urban Councillor. It is with mixed feelings that I participate in the Annual Debate this year because I won't be here delivering similar speeches in the future. Concerning the future direction of the Urban Council and the areas which require improvement, several Councillors of the Democratic Party will give speeches on some positive measures and initiatives. Messrs. Ma Lee-wo and CHAN Choi-hi will make specific suggestions on the reform of the Urban Council, while Mr. LI Wah-ming will discuss the financial and operational problems of the Hong Kong Stadium. As for matters within the Council's jurisdiction which I am always concerned with, for example, culture and art, open space and waste disposal etc., I would like to add a few points on the policy aspect.
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areas which require improvement, several Councillors of the Democratic Party will give speeches on some positive measures and initiatives. Messrs. Ma Lee-wo and CHAN Choi-hi will make specific suggestions on the reform of the Urban Council, while Mr. LI Wah-ming will discuss the financial and operational problems of the Hong Kong Stadium. As for matters within the Council's jurisdiction which I am always concerned with, for example, culture and art, open space and waste disposal etc., I would like to add a few points on the policy aspect.
First of all, apart from the Councillors who have made concerted efforts to discharge their duties, the staff of the Urban Services Department have also played an important role in the provision of efficient municipal services. Despite personnel changes of the Urban Council, staff of the Urban Services Department have all along implemented the Council's policies faithfully. In fact, the Department is the 'executive arm' of the Urban Council. With increasing public demands for municipal services, cultural, entertainment, recreational and sports activities, the professionalism required of the departmental officers is actually higher than before. Thus, I hope that the Urban Services Department, as the executive arm of the Urban Council, will expand its establishment to recruit more professional staff, and stabilise and extend the officers' tenure of office so as to minimize the adverse effects of frequent transfer. On the other hand, there is room for improvement in the communication between the Department and the Council. Apart from overseeing the work of the Department, the Council also plays a policy-making role and is given authority over resources allocation, while the Department is responsible for the provision of resources and the implementation of the Council's policies. The two in fact complement each other, and neither of them can be regarded as playing the leading role. The question remains whether the communication between the Council and the Department is adequate. I hope the decisions of the Urban Councillors would be supported wholeheartedly and executed faithfully by the Urban Services Department.
As regards the future direction of cultural development in Hong Kong, I think we should first have a look at our own standpoint. I personally hold that art will only take root in Hong Kong if we adopt a macroscopic, open-minded and diversified approach. Art originates from the people and is in direct contact with the public. It should be nurtured and developed among the people, gaining their support and be cherished by them. Any form of monopoly or government-orientated development, whether out of goodwill or ill intentions, would throw obstacles to the flourishment of art and the freedom of expression. I hope my colleagues would take warning from this.
The Soho district of New York City, U.S.A. is a rendezvous for various artists, while a district in Paris of France is famous for its arts fair. And today, Harajuku of Tokyo in Japan has gradually developed into a focal point for avant-garde art and popular culture. However, the cultural scene of Hong Kong is still dominated by art activities organized by the government, and there is still a long way to go before Hong Kong could play a major role in the international cultural scene. We hope that more favourable conditions could be provided so that the present characteristics of the local cultural scene, i.e. diversification, popularization and freedom of expression...
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