1971 — Page 56

Page 56 of 242

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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

ADDRESS BY CHAIRMAN.

CHAIRMAN:-Ladies and gentlemen, the meeting is called to order.

Before we proceed with the Agenda, I would like to welcome Mr. LUDDINGTON who is sitting with us this afternoon. It is the first occasion that he has been with this Council but I am sure he is too well-known to need any introduction from me. We welcome him and we wish him a long and pleasant association with us.

MINUTES.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 4th May, 1971, were confirmed.

PAPERS.

THE CHAIRMAN laid upon the table the following paper:-

(1) Report of the work of the Urban Council and Urban Services Department for the month of May, 1971.

MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Mr. Chairman, I would like to make a state- ment as Chairman of the Local Administration Select Committee.

(At this point Mr. Brook BERNACCHI and Mr. James M. H. WU arrived).

Members will note that the motion, "that this Council consider what parts of Phase I of the March 1969 Urban Council Report on the Reform of Local Government should be recommended to the Central Government for immediate and if necessary phased implementation", which was adjourned from the last meeting to this meeting, is not included on the agenda.

I am informed that the whole question is now being actively considered by the Executive Council and I have agreed to postpone further debate on the motion for another month.

As chairman of the Joint Resettlement Policy and Management Committee Meeting held on 26th May I wish to report as follows:

In order to curb further overcrowding and avoid undue under- occupation in existing resettlement estates, we have decided to adapt our policy to broadly conform with the practice as applied to Govern- ment Low-Cost Housing Estates. The situation will be reviewed after six months for the purpose of assessing the effectiveness of the amended policy.

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The Joint Resettlement Policy and Management Committee is anxious to see a strengthening of the liaison and co-ordination among the various departments and boards connected with the planning and provision of the different kinds of public housing, and with public housing policy in general. With this in mind, the Joint Committee will be carrying out a review of overall resettlement policy and manage- ment procedures during the coming months.

I hope that this review will contribute to a progressive improve- ment in the living and social environment of resettlement estates residents, and also give additional purpose and direction to our public housing policy.

CHAIRMAN:-At the Council's February Meeting, the following motion by Mr. CHEONG-LEEN was carried:-

"Resolved that the Urban Council through its appropriate Select Committee explore the desirability and feasibility of acquiring space in multi-storey buildings in order to provide recreational facilities for youth living in the more heavily populated urban districts".

This motion was discussed at its May meeting by the Recreation and Amenities Select Committee, who decided that while it was out of the question to pursue this matter in connection with private premises, perhaps attention might be given to it in resettlement estates. The Committee further decided that it was, however, very important to press on with the programme of providing games' halls (on the lines of the one proposed for Kai Tak East) in each amenity planning zone.

The Committee in reaching their decision took note of the Social Welfare Department's programme for building community centres, and of the facilities for recreation offered by the various voluntary organiza- tions.

QUESTIONS.

(1) MR. PETER P. F. CHAN asked the following question:-

May the Council be informed of the policy of additions to the families living in Class II licensed areas? I understand that where unauthorized persons are found living with such families, the licence of the householder may be revoked. Does this policy apply to resettlement estates?

THE COMMISSIoner for RESETTLEMENT replied as follows:-

Class II Licensed Areas were established to cater for home- less people. The addition rules are therefore much more relaxed when compared with the addition rules for resettlement estates.