Page 171 of 194
324
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
ADDRESS BY CHAIRMAN.
Before we start the business of the meeting, I am sure that Members will wish me to extend a warm welcome to Dr. FRANKLIN, who joins the Council for the first time today, and to express the hope that his association with us will be a happy one. (Applause).
MINUTES.
The Minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 7th January, 1964, were confirmed.
PAPERS.
THE CHAIRMAN laid upon the table the following papers:-
Appendix I. Appendix II.
(1) Report on the work of the Urban Council and Urban Services Department for the month of January 1964.
(2) Urban Council and Urban Services Department Statistical Report for the period 1st October, 1963 to 31st December, 1963.
(3) Report by the Commissioner for Resettlement on the progress of clearance and resettlement operations during the period 1st October, 1963 to 31st December, 1963.
(4) Analyses of Urban Services Department and Resettlement Department Staff Increases proposed in the Draft Estimates for 1964/65.
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 1964/65.
In accordance with procedure in previous years, any Member wishing to do so may speak on this matter.
The staff increases for both departments were endorsed by the Estimates Select Committee of this Council at a meeting on 25th January. With regard to the Resettlement Department most of the increases requested were approved by Government, but it will be necessary to apply for additional posts if the Report of the Working Party on Resettlement and Low Cost Housing is accepted. In regard to the Urban Services Department, the overall percentage of approved new posts is 84% of those asked for, and on this basis the department should be able to meet its commitments effectively during 1964/65. Members may be assured that in preparing these staff estimates an endeavour is made to forecast requirements with the need for economy in mind, but without losing sight of the obligation to maintain a good standard of service to the public. As I have said on previous occasions, should circumstances arise which make it necessary for additional staff to be employed, appropriate action will be taken.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
325
MR. B. A. BERNACCHI :- Mr. Chairman, I have complete confidence in the Estimates Select Committee, and subject to the provisos that you have already mentioned, particularly the proviso as to the Working Party's Report if accepted by His Excellency the Governor, I have nothing to add to the paper laid on the table.
DR. R. H. S. LEE:- Estimates, Mr. Chairman, are usually a dull subject. In the past we have had heated debates on the question and I have participated in the Select Committee's discussions which lasted till 8 o'clock at night. I think the Department's estimates are more reasonable now. We find that of all the numbers demanded, Government has only rejected 20 of the posts and I think this is very reasonable. With the help of the Members of the Estimates Select Committee we hope that the post of Assistant Curator and the post of Chief Health Inspector required to operate the vehicle depot will be included. Members will note from the minutes that we have fought for them very strenuously in the Select Committee.
With these provisos, Mr. Chairman, I congratulate the Department. I hope that it will supply clear data to the Estimates Select Committee, so that it can support the Department more faithfully and energetically. I feel that adequate staff for the Council is of vital importance, because without these instruments our policies simply cannot be carried out. I am sure, Mr. Chairman, that you will agree with me that the City Hall is a shining example of how cultural activities can be run in this part of the world, and if our recommendations are accepted I am sure that other fields, like the museum, could be further expanded. I do not wish to take up Members' time, so these are the only points I would like to make.
MR. A. de O. SALES: - Mr. Chairman, I have no comment to make on the estimates that have been tabled, but I certainly have very strong views on staff policy in your Department. Therefore, I am taking advantage of this convention to speak on staff matters today.
In the past I had occasion to state in this Council that, unless Government gave the Urban Council the staff of top calibre in the administrative and technical grades that were required, the ambitious plans which this Council had were not likely to be put into full practice. I have no reason to think that any progress has been made to enable this Council to serve the public better through its many programmes. The Urban Amenities Select Committee has recently put forward a definite proposal to Government regarding the complement of administrative and technical staff of top calibre that the Select Committee feels
Page 172 of 194
Page 171 of 194
324
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
ADDRESS BY CHAIRMAN.
Before we start the business of the meeting, I am sure that Members will wish me to extend a warm welcome to Dr. FRANKLIN, who joins the Council for the first time today, and to express the hope that his association with us will be a happy one. (Applause).
MINUTES.
The Minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 7th January, 1964, were confirmed.
PAPERS.
THE CHAIRMAN laid upon the table the following papers:-
Appendix I. Appendix II.
(1) Report on the work of the Urban Council and Urban
Services Department for the month of January 1964. (2) Urban Council and Urban Services Department Statis- tical Report for the period 1st October, 1963 to 31st December, 1963.
(3) Report by the Commissioner for Resettlement on the progress of clearance and resettlement operations during the period 1st October, 1963 to 31st December, 1963.
(4) Analyses of Urban Services Department and Resettle- ment Department Staff Increases proposed in the Draft Estimates for 1964/65.
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 1964/65.
In accordance with procedure in previous years, any Member wishing to do so may speak on this matter.
The staff increases for both departments were endorsed by the Estimates Select Committee of this Council at a meeting on 25th January. With regard to the Resettlement Department most of the increases requested were approved by Government, but it will be neces- sary to apply for additional posts if the Report of the Working Party on Resettlement and Low Cost Housing is accepted. In regard to the Urban Services Department, the overall percentage of approved new posts is 84% of those asked for, and on this basis the department should be able to meet its commitments effectively during 1964/65. Members may be assured that in preparing these staff estimates an en- deavour is made to forecast requirements with the need for economy in mind, but without losing sight of the obligation to maintain a good
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
325
standard of service to the public. As I have said on previous occasions, should circumstances arise which make it necessary for additional staff to be employed, appropriate action will be taken.
MR. B. A. BERNACCHI :-Mr. Chairman, I have complete confidence in the Estimates Select Committee, and subject to the provisos that you have already mentioned, particularly the proviso as to the Working Party's Report if accepted by His Excellency the Governor, I have nothing to add to the paper laid on the table.
DR. R. H. S. LEE:-Estimates, Mr. Chairman, are usually a dull subject. In the past we have had heated debates on the question and I have participated in the Select Committee's discussions which lasted till 8 o'clock at night. I think the Department's estimates are more reasonable now. We find that of all the numbers demanded, Govern- ment has only rejected 20 of the posts and I think this is very reason- able. With the help of the Members of the Estimates Select Committee we hope that the post of Assistant Curator and the post of Chief Health Inspector required to operate the vehicle depot will be included. Members will note from the minutes that we have fought for them very strenuously in the Select Committee.
With these provisos, Mr. Chairman, I congratulate the Department. I hope that it will supply clear data to the Estimates Select Committee, so that it can support the Department more faithfully and energetically. I feel that adequate staff for the Council is of vital importance, because without these instruments our policies simply cannot be carried out. I am sure, Mr. Chairman, that you will agree with me that the City Hall is a shining example of how cultural activities can be run in this part of the world, and if our recommendations are accepted I am sure that other fields, like the museum, could be further expanded. I do not wish to take up Members' time, so these are the only points I would like to make.
MR. A. de O. SALES: -Mr. Chairman, I have no comment to make on the estimates that have been tabled, but I certainly have very strong views on staff policy in your Department. Therefore, I am taking ad- vantage of this convention to speak on staff matters today.
In the past I had occasion to state in this Council that, unless Government gave the Urban Council the staff of top calibre in the ad- ministrative and technical grades that were required, the ambitious plans which this Council had were not likely to be put into full practice. I have no reason to think that any progress has been made to enable this Council to serve the public better through its many programmes. The Urban Amenities Select Committee has recently put forward a definite proposal to Government regarding the complement of adminis- trative and technical staff of top calibre that the Select Committee feels
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