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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
new U.C. facilities and is in three parts. The first part of the question is about how the requirements of the user branches of the Urban Services Department are taken into account and co-ordinated when new projects are planned.
U.C. projects are planned by reference to the standard of provision in the Hong Kong Planning Standards and guidelines, the local conditions and site constraints. They are developed on designated sites in the Hong Kong Outline Zoning Plans and the Outline Development Plans. When the Department receives confirmation from Lands Department on the timing of the availability of a project site, the Planning and Development Division of the Department will consult the relevant user branches and co-ordinate departmental views on the project scope and schedule of accommodation. All requests and bids will be considered and agreed within the Department. Once a decision has been made, the Architectural Services Department will then be requested to advise on the feasibility of the project before it is presented to Council for consideration and approval.
The second part of the question seeks clarification as to whether, in building new facilities, Council's objectives are to optimise land use according to plot ratio, to provide diversified and comprehensive facilities and to complete the project as scheduled. The simple answer is yes. The Council would aim to optimise land use on sites allocated, to provide diversified and comprehensive facilities as far as possible and within the parameters laid down by the town planning and land authorities, and to complete the projects on time. The question of optimisation of land use usually applies to sites zoned 'G/IC' which allow for a combination of Government, institution and community uses. The Council in recent years has moved towards building U.C. complexes incorporating diversified and comprehensive facilities. However, these sites are not developed with reference to 'plot ratios' which do not apply to ‘G/IC' sites. The Council also monitors closely the development of projects with a view to ensuring that they are completed on schedule, barring factors beyond its control such as weather and geotechnical conditions.
The third part of the question refers to increases in Approved Project Estimates (A.P.E.) of certain projects as reported to the Capital Works Select Committee meeting in September 1995 via Committee Paper (CAP/68/95, FIN/78/95). The purpose of this Committee Paper is to seek Members' approval to adjust the APEs for capital and minor projects, which are due to commence construction in the last six months of 1995/96, to reflect anticipated increases in the Tender Price Index (T.P.I.). This is necessary because APEs are prepared having regard to the price levels at the time of funding approval, and would need to be adjusted in accordance with any subsequent shift in tender prices for construction works. The increases are purely due to corresponding increases in TPI and are not due to delay in the commencement of works.
For the current year, the target completion date of 15 capital works projects has been adjusted. The slippages in the construction programme are due to a number of factors, mainly arising from inclement weather and geotechnical requirements.
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