XN000022-1992-12-04 — Page 8

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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4, 1992

"WE HAVE REACHED THE STAGE WHERE GREATER INVOLVEMENT BY THE LOCAL COMMUNITY IN THE MANAGEMENT OF THESE FACILITIES WILL ENSURE THAT THEY ARE OPERATED IN A MANNER BEST SUITED TO THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUN [TY.

"ONLY BY ENCOURAGING LOCAL INTEREST IN THESE FACILITIES WILL THEY CONTINUE ΤΟ PROVIDE A USEFUL AND VALUED SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY,' HE SAID.

A TRIAL SCHEME WAS INITIATED LAST YEAR TO ALLOW NON-GOVERNMENT ORGANISATIONS TO TAKE OVER COMMUNITY HALLS UNDER A THREE-YEAR TENANCY AGREEMENT.

SAID.

INITIAL PROGRESS WITH THE TRIAL SCHEME HAD BEEN POSITIVE, HE

"COMMUNITY HALLS INCLUDED IN THIS SCHEME ARE BECOMING POPULAR FOR A WIDE RANGE OF ACTIVITIES, AND HAVE USAGE RATES WHICH COMPARE VERY FAVOURABLY WITH CNTA-RUN CENTRES."

HE SAID NON-GOVERNMENT ORGANISATIONS HAD ALSO BEEN ENCOURAGED TO HELP IN THE DAY-TO-DAY OPERATION OF OLDER COMMUNITY FACILITIES.

"PARTICULAR EMPHASIS HAS BEEN PLACED ON ENCOURAGING GROUPS TO BECOME INVOLVED IN THIS SCHEME.

LOCAL

FOR

AS TO THE RECENT PROPOSAL THAT MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES COMMUNITY HALLS BE TRANSFERRED TO DISTRICT BOARDS, MR SUEN SAJD A DECISION WOULD BE TAKEN AFTER CONSULTATION WITH THE BOARDS.

TURNING TO THE FAMILY PLANNING ASSOCIATION, MR SUEN SAID IT HAD A SIGNIFICANT ROLE TO PLAY IN COMMUNITY BUILDING AND EXPRESSED CONFIDENCE THAT IT WOULD CONTINUE TO BE IN THE FOREFRONT OF THESE EFFORTS.

TIME TO REVIEW OPERATION OF CHILDREN AND YOUTH CENTRES

某

IT IS NOW AN OPPORTUNE TINE TO REVIEW THE OPERATION OF CHILDREN AND YOUTH CENTRES IN THE LIGHT OF THE CHANGING NEEDS AND EXPECTATIONS OF YOUNG PEOPLE, AS WELL AS SOCIAL AND DEMOGRAPHIC CHANGES, MRS PATTEN SAID.

SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE BOYS' AND GIRLS CLUBS ASSOCIATION'S PO ON ROAD CHILDREN AND YOUTH CENTRE TODAY (FRIDAY), SHE SAID A WORKING PARTY WAS FORMED IN MARCH THIS YEAR ΤΟ REVIEW THE POLICY ON CHILDREN AND YOUTH CENTRES IN ORDER TO THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF YOUNG PEOPLE.

MAXIMISE

IT HAS BEEN TWO DECADES SINCE THE GOVERNMENT'S INITIAL ON CHILDREN AND YOUTH CENTRES WAS SET.

POLICY

/SHE SAID