Page 600 of 606
Page 600 of 606
PROVISIONAL URBAN COUNCIL
583
hours for selling liquor at the premises in that street, what policies or mechanisms does the LLB have to handle such requests? Currently, the LLB is to deal with each liquor licence or liquor selling premises on a case-by-case basis instead of imposing a blanket restriction on an entire street. Under the current policy, is there any mechanism through which the residents can request the LLB to impose such a restriction on a particular street?
MR. SAN STEPHEN WONG HON-CHING (in Cantonese): Mr. Chairman, thank you for Ms. WONG's question. I take Staunton Street as an example because residents in the neighbourhood, DB Members and Urban Councillors in the district have jointly submitted their opinions to the LLB. The LLB had inspected the area and liaised with local residents, and found that there was such a need as well. Staunton Street used to be a very peaceful and quiet area. Not many visitors or other people would frequent the area in the evening. Such being the case, the LLB found that the views reflected by DB Members and complaints of local residents were reasonable. It then decided that for every application for a liquor licence from premises in the street, additional conditions requiring that no liquor be sold between 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. would be imposed. Ms. WONG represents the Wanchai District. If she finds that there is any particular street in Wanchai where the situation resembles that of Staunton Street and unnecessary nuisance is caused to residents in that particular street recently, she can let us know or reflect her concern to the local DB Members, or approach us together with the local residents. The LLB will make proper arrangements such as conducting a site visit to the area concerned before giving appropriate advice or imposing additional licensing conditions on the liquor selling premises in the street.
(3) Mr. Wu Citt-wat asked (in Cantonese): 'I have the following questions regarding the submission of the Council's funding application to the Special Administrative Region (SAR) Government and the construction of future capital works:
(i) Are the Council discussing with the Government on the rates grant for the financial year 2000/01–2002/03 now? If so, what is the estimated amount of grant being applied for? If not, what are the reasons?
(ii) In case the Council have not yet submitted the funding application to the Government, what measures would be adopted by the Council to complete the capital works according to schedule?'
MR. CHIANG SAI-CHEONG, CHAIRMAN OF THE FIN S/C, replied (in Cantonese): Mr. Wu rates have all along been the main source of revenue of the PUC. Every three years, the Government will discuss with the Council on the rates grant according to the Council's financial needs. The last discussion on the financial arrangements for this triennium (1997/98, 1998/99 and 1999/2000) was held in the period between October and December 1996.
Page 600 of 606
Page 600 of 606
Page 600 Page 601
Page 601 of 606
Page 601 of 606