HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
MINUTES.
The Minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 8th January, 1963, were confirmed.
PAPERS.
THE CHAIRMAN laid upon the table the following papers: --
(1) Report on the work of the Urban Council and Urban Services Department for the month of January 1963.
(2) Urban Council and Urban Services Department Statistical Report for the period 1st October, 1962, to 31st December, 1962.
(3) Report by the Commissioner for Resettlement on the progress of clearance and resettlement operations during the period 1st October, 1962, to 31st December, 1962.
(4) Analyses of Urban Services Department and Resettlement Department Staff Increases proposed in the draft Estimates 1963/64.
He said: Included in the papers laid on the table today are schedules relating to staff increases for the Urban Services Department and the Resettlement Department for 1963/64.
In accordance with procedure in previous years, any Member who wishes to do so may speak on this matter.
The revised staff increases for both departments were approved by the Estimates Select Committee of this Council at a meeting on 11th January. With regard to the Resettlement Department, practically all the increases requested were granted by Government. The reductions made in respect of the Urban Services Department are largely restricted to minor staff. Despite these reductions, I am confident that the department can, with careful supervision and the exercise of economy, meet its commitments during 1963/64. Should we have the misfortune to experience severe weather conditions or any other untoward circumstance, which could temporarily disrupt our normal services to the public, especially in regard to the care and upkeep of beaches, additional casual labour would be employed to help in restoring conditions. I would like to assure Members that the staff position will be watched closely during the coming financial year. If it becomes necessary to obtain additional staff, appropriate action will be taken.
Members are now welcome to address the Council on the subject of the staff estimates.
MR. B. A. BERNACCHI: ---May I simply say, Sir, that I am happy to hear from your lips that you yourself are satisfied that our commitments will not be hindered by the minor alterations that have been made by Government and I am confident, with your assurance, that we will go on from strength to strength in the coming year.
MR. A. de O. SALES: -Mr. Chairman, there is a convention that Members may also speak on staff policy when these draft Estimates are put before the Council. I am therefore saying my piece. I would like to urge you, Mr. Chairman, to project your calculations of certain staff requirements as far ahead as may be feasible and to review them on a progressive basis. With the rapid growth of population the calls on the important services rendered by the Council must grow apace. In the circumstances, the Council has a right to expect that Government will provide your department with a complement of trained personnel to discharge its mounting functions without detriment to the Council's various programmes. Shortage of staff with the requisite specialist training will impair your department's ability to execute this Council's policies: hence, to serve the public. May I ask you, Mr. Chairman, in supporting the draft Estimates, to represent to Government my view which, doubtless, is shared by my friends here.
MR. H. CHEONG-LEEN:-Mr. Chairman, I would like to add a few words which perhaps may be considered as supplementary to what Mr. SALES has said. You will recall, Mr. Chairman, that a year ago I asked you for a copy of the 5-year estimate of expenditure of this department, and after a certain amount of effort it was possible to get a copy of this 5-year projection from the authorities concerned. I presume that this 5-year projection of staff estimates is brought up to date from time to time.
I would like to take this opportunity of making particular reference to our needs for markets over the next 5 years, because particularly in the case of markets we have to think in terms not only of our expenditure for next year but for at least the next 5 years. I had made a rough calculation a few months ago and I had expressed the view in committee that at the rate our market expansion programme was proceeding at that time, it would take us another 20 years to finish it, but in the last two days I have been given to understand that the department is satisfied with the stepped-up pace which the Public Works Department has given to the needs of the market programme. I hope that it will be possible at the very least, Sir, to have two market projects per annum and that it should continue to be so for the next 5 years.
CHAIRMAN:-Sir, I am grateful for your words regarding the market programme. Mr. SALES, I can assure you that your views will be represented to the proper quarters.
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228
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
MINUTES.
The Minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 8th January, 1963, were confirmed.
PAPERS.
THE CHAIRMAN laid upon the table the following papers: --
(1) Report on the work of the Urban Council and Urban Services Department for the month of January 1963. (2) Urban Council and Urban Services Department Statistical Report for the period 1st October, 1962, to 31st December,
1962.
(3) Report by the Commissioner for Resettlement on the progress of clearance and resettlement operations during the period 1st October, 1962, to 31st December, 1962. (4) Analyses of Urban Services Department and Resettlement Department Staff Increases proposed in the draft Estimates 1963/64.
He said: Included in the papers laid on the table today are schedules relating to staff increases for the Urban Services Department and the Resettlement Department for 1963/64.
In accordance with procedure in previous years, any Member who wishes to do so may speak on this matter.
The revised staff increases for both departments were approved by the Estimates Select Committee of this Council at a meeting on 11th January. With regard to the Resettlement Department, practically all the increases requested were granted by Government. The reductions made in respect of the Urban Services Department are largely restricted to minor staff. Despite these reductions, I am confident that the depart- ment can, with careful supervision and the exercise of economy, meet its commitments during 1963/64. Should we have the misfortune to experience severe weather conditions or any other untoward circum- stance, which could temporarily disrupt our normal services to the public, especially in regard to the care and upkeep of beaches, additional casual labour would be employed to help in restoring conditions. I would like to assure Members that the staff position will be watched closely during the coming financial year. If it becomes necessary to obtain additional staff, appropriate action will be taken.
Members are now welcome to address the Council on the subject of the staff estimates.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
229
MR. B. A. BERNACCHI: ---May I simply say, Sir, that I am happy to hear from your lips that you yourself are satisfied that our com- mitments will not be hindered by the minor alterations that have been made by Government and I am confident, with your assurance, that we will go on from strength to strength in the coming year.
MR. A. de O. SALES: -Mr. Chairman, there is a convention that Members may also speak on staff policy when these draft Estimates are put before the Council. I am therefore saying my piece. I would like to urge you, Mr. Chairman, to project your calculations of certain staff requirements as far ahead as may be feasible and to review them on a progressive basis. With the rapid growth of population the calls on the important services rendered by the Council must grow apace. In the circumstances, the Council has a right to expect that Government will provide your department with a complement of trained personnel to discharge its mounting functions without detriment to the Council's various programmes. Shortage of staff with the requisite specialist training will impair your department's ability to execute this Council's policies: hence, to serve the public. May I ask you, Mr. Chairman, in supporting the draft Estimates, to represent to Government my view which, doubtless, is shared by my friends here.
MR. H. CHEONG-LEEN:-Mr. Chairman, I would like to add a few words which perhaps may be considered as supplementary to what Mr. SALES has said. You will recall, Mr. Chairman, that a year ago I asked you for a copy of the 5-year estimate of expenditure of this department, and after a certain amount of effort it was possible to get a copy of this 5-year projection from the authorities concerned. I presume that this 5-year projection of staff estimates is brought up to date from time to time.
I would like to take this opportunity of making particular reference to our needs for markets over the next 5 years, because particularly in the case of markets we have to think in terms not only of our expenditure for next year but for at least the next 5 years. I had made a rough calculation a few months ago and I had expressed the view in committee that at the rate our market expansion programme was proceeding at that time, it would take us another 20 years to finish it, but in the last two days I have been given to understand that the department is satisfied with the stepped-up pace which the Public Works Department has given to the needs of the market programme. I hope that it will be possible at the very least, Sir, to have two market projects per annum and that it should continue to be so for the next 5 years.
CHAIRMAN:-Sir, I am grateful for your words regarding the market programme. Mr. SALES, I can assure you that your views will be represented to the proper quarters.
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