HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
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Council should insist on bidding for an allocation comparable to the needs of the public and our socio-economic situation. Faced with possible deficits in the next three years, the Council should of course study into ways to cut cost and open up revenue sources. We should devise a realistic budget so as not to affect our service qualities for financial reasons.
In opening up revenue sources, we are in favour of making use of Council facilities. For example, vacant parking spaces can be let for extra income. On cutting cost, we suggest to review the existing Memorandum of Administration as soon as possible so that the cost of procurement of services from other government departments may be reduced. For example, we now have to pay 16% as service charge for capital works projects undertaken by the Architectural Services Department. It adds to cost. In view of the large number of projects to be undertaken, the sum involved is very large. Our calculations reveal that of the $3.779 billion on capital works projects for the next three financial years, service charge accounts for $0.52 billion. If we can reduce unnecessary cost or contract out projects to private contractors, we will have a lighter financial burden.
Finally, let me take this opportunity once again to suggest that the Council should commission independent consultancies to conduct the review of the establishment and organization structure of the Urban Services Department. Only then can we hope to improve the Department's administrative efficiency, strengthen the Council's monitoring role and make effective use of resources.
Mr. Chairman, fellow Members, I hope you will support my amended motion. As for the original motion by Mr. CHAN Choi-hi, the Democratic Party shares its spirit. However, in terms of wording, we think it does not fully reflect the principle of formulating the budget. That is why we are proposing this amended motion. If we fail to gain your support for this amended motion, we will vote in abstention. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Kam NAI-WAI (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, I second the amendment.
MS. ADA WONG YING-KAY (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, I am in support of the original motion by Mr. CHAN Choi-hi.
I feel that the next three years will be a big challenge for the Urban Council. In respect of central government's cut of our rates revenue. I believe the decision has been made and we should not go on deceiving ourselves. It would be better if we sit down and study carefully into ways to keep expenditure within the limit of revenue, explore new revenue sources as well as make savings.
In fact, this funding cut should give us a message of non-confidence. It is non-confidence for the Council's monitoring role and it is non-confidence for the Urban Services Department. Our budget forecast for the past three years resulted in the Council having surplus and our surplus has been growing for
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