HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
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My second question is whether we have received referrals from COMAC about complaints against the Urban Council. The Urban Council has been newly included in the jurisdiction of COMAC. Do we have this sort of complaints and if so, what are their natures?
MR. SUEN KAI-CHEONG (in Cantonese):-In fact, I can make a brief report of these six cases.
The first case is related to improper handling by the USD and other departments when moving fixed hawker pitches of the complainants. The result of follow-up investigation by COMAC is that the part against USD cannot be substantiated. As for follow-up action, USD will follow up with relevant departments after land resumption so that the complainant can move back to his original site. The USD is asked to issue guidelines for handling of similar cases.
The second case concerns USD's refusal to accept the request of the complainant to give up his fixed pitch hawker licence. After investigation by COMAC, it was decided not to follow up on the case because the Department has already accepted the complainant's request. Our follow-up action is to return the remaining portion of the licence fee to the complainant.
The third case concerns a complaint against delay in supplying water and electricity to a refreshment kiosk. The case is at this stage under investigation and pending the finding of the COMAC.
The fourth case concerns inadequate street cleaning services and the inability of the Department to control illegal hawking activities. The conclusion of COMAC is that the case cannot be substantiated. The Department has no plans to take follow-up actions because no concrete proposals have been made by COMAC.
The fifth case concerns USD's mishandling of a complaint about food hygiene. The case is at present under investigation.
The sixth case is about the Department's refusal to refund two performance tickets. This is again under investigation and pending an outcome.
As to whether there are complaints directed against the Urban Council as referred from COMAC, I do not have such information in hand.
MR. JOSEPH LAI CHI-KEONG (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, I have a follow-up question. For complaint cases judged by COMAC to be reasonable ones for which the Department is to be criticized, is there a machinery for internal discipline or will the performance appraisal of the staff member concerned be affected? I would like to know the general circumstances,
MR. SUEN KAI-CHEONG (in Cantonese):—There is a machinery for performance appraisal of staff within the internal administration of USD. In
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