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PROVISIONAL URBAN COUNCIL
these officers are not answerable to the Urban Council and USD, but the D of H. It is the reason for lack of coordination and accountability.
I therefore support restructuring of duties. Our counter proposal (fifth option) pinpoints this mainly. Instead of setting up a new department, why don't we expand the existing structure and build on the experience of the USD in food hygiene by incorporating the establishment of the Hygiene Division into the Health Services Division of the USD? Two streams should be introduced under this Division, one for environmental health being within the existing scope of the USD and the other for food safety to be headed by an officer of the Deputy Director grade seconded from the D of H. If necessary, officers from other relevant departments can be seconded to be in charge of food hygiene too.
The Health Services Division is directly answerable to the USD and monitored by a united council. This arrangement improves division of power and lack of coordination among the USD, D of H, Economic Services Bureau and AFD.
Although combining the two municipal councils will cut down on the present establishment of 30,000 strong, I ask that the focus of the review not be placed on figures. The unemployment situation is deteriorating. Government should not take the lead to cut staff. While these officers can be transferred to other government departments, there may still be undesirable cases. In view of our serious unemployment situation, I urge that the review should start with improving the policies and attaining coordination. I believe the counter proposal (fifth option) recommended by us is the one that can best stabilise social development and free members of the public of worries.
With the above remarks, I support the motion moved by the Chairman.
MS. CHRISTINA TING YUK-CHEE (in Cantonese): Mr. Chairman, is it the power of chickens that over the bird flu incident, the over 100 year old body called the Urban Council will have to undergo reform when the current term ends? In 1953, the Urban Council replaced the Sanitary Board established in 1883. In 1973, the Council underwent reorganisation to include some elected Members. In 1986, the Regional Council was set up through the obstinate view of Government. Since then, there has been duplication of municipal services, facilities, planning and management.
If we trace the development of representative government in Hong Kong, there were no elected representatives to the Legislative Council before the mid-eighties. The Urban Council has all along taken up the important role in witnessing the growth and development of Hong Kong and in closely tying itself to the daily living of the community. We have been providing cultural, entertainment, recreation, sports, public services, health services and other municipal facilities.
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