XN000022-1995-12-05 — Page 11

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Pilot community development projects will undergo review

The Executive Council decided today (Tuesday) that a review should be carried out in early 1997 by an independent team on the two pilot Neighbourhood Level Community Development Projects (NLCDPs) being conducted in Mong Kok and Sham Shui Po to determine whether there is a need for this type of service in old urban

areas.

A government spokesman said: "the review will address the concern that gaps might exist in the provision of welfare services in old urban areas. In the light of this concern we have advanced the review by one year."

He said the review team for the two pilot projects would be headed by a non- official and would include representatives from the Administration and the welfare sector, as well as independent members of the community.

"Details of the review would be worked out nearer the time, but it is expected to focus on the effectiveness of the two pilot projects and the applicability of this type of service within the context of the overall provision of welfare services in old urban areas."

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The Executive Council decided that there was no need to extend NLCDP service to rural areas, new towns and public housing estates (PHEs) not yet affected by redevelopment as proposed by the welfare sector. It also decided that there was no need to conduct an overall review of the service.

Pending the results of the review on the two pilot projects. NLCDP teams whose service areas are to be cleared shortly would be given a choice to continue to provide NLCDP service in PHEs undergoing redevelopment or temporary housing areas (THAs) which qualify for the service under the existing policy, or to serve in other welfare projects.

The spokesman said the decision was taken after considering all views expressed by the welfare sector, the Legislative Council, District Boards and residents' groups on the NLCDP service.

He explained that the decision not to extend NLCDP service to new towns, rural areas and PHES not undergoing redevelopment was taken against a background of substantial expansion in welfare services over the past 20 years and as communities generally became more stable and established.