HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
413
understanding of the health and urban service problems in housing estates. Some colleagues may worry that if we handle these problems seriously, will we be interfering with the management of housing estates? But in my opinion, since environmental health and urban services are the responsibilities of the Urban Council and we are just carrying out our responsibilities, there is no question of interference in the management and administration of housing estates.
Meanwhile, I would like to express my opinions on the Statement of Aims for the current year. There are some suggestions that I would like to put forward for the consideration of the colleagues of the Council. Firstly, I remember that when we discussed the topic of library service, we had a lot of suggestions especially on the possibility of extending the opening hours of libraries. In my opinion, it is very important that in the coming year, the Department or the Council should draw up a programme for the creation of a new grade of Library Assistant as soon as possible so as to remove some of the worries of the front-line library staff.
The second point is about the service of the museums. In the coming year, the Council and the Department should actively examine how to co-operate with local organizations and arrange for the exhibits of the museums to be displayed in local communities. This is mainly because apart from the exhibits presently displayed in the museums, many other works of art are still kept in storage without coming to light. In fact, the Council can display these works of art in community centres or community halls through the arrangement of local organizations so that museum service can be further reached out to the communities.
The third point concerns public health. The Council should step up its refuse collection service in the morning for some densely-populated private residential areas especially those packed with tenement buildings. Although the cleansing staff of the Council are working very hard, we can easily find large pieces of articles dumped beside some refuse bins. It is obvious that these junks cannot be cleared by the workers of the cleansing contractors alone. I therefore suggest that the Department should actively consider arranging refuse collection vehicles to assist in the clearance of these large pieces of junks in early mornings, say, at 6.00 a.m. or 7.00 a.m..
The fourth point is about the Cultural Services Division. I believe the Chairman of the Joint Municipal Councils Management Committee on Music Office will agree that it is highly undesirable for the management of the Music Office to report to both municipal councils and both municipal services departments under the present arrangement because such an arrangement will lead to poor efficiency and difficult co-ordination. I do not intend to give concrete examples here. I only hope that the Council can seriously consider this matter and work out an improvement plan in the coming year.
Finally, I think the Council should strengthen its liaison and communication channels with the public and its service users. I am aware that we have already set up the 'Friends of Hong Kong Cultural Centre' and other advisory panels
Page 369 of 498
Page 369 of 498
Page 369 of 498
Page 369 of 498*