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Councillors should be primarily concerned with framing policies and drawing up programmes leaving implementation to the Department and only receiving progress reports. But, presumably because of the nature of the governmental machine, we often find we are engaged in much follow-up work for we must keep prodding to get action and to ensure that our programmes and projects are not lost in some Government file sent from pillar to post or perhaps blocked along the way by a faceless interdepartmental committee thought to be opposed to all that is not familiar. Now, Mr. Chairman, with the change in responsibility entailing more direct control over our affairs, though more restrictive in scope, we must evidently set about without delay to cope with the new situation. How to do so effectively? First and foremost, our select committee structure must be changed to enable members to come to grips with their responsibilities at close range, both functionally and territorially. Then, all members, able and willing to do so, must be given the opportunity to be properly engaged in Council work. I suggest, for members' consideration, that we set up our select committees on a two-tier structure. Thus, there would be the functional select committees, much as presently the case, but re-grouped to take into account our statutory responsibilities from 1st April, 1973. Additionally, there would be territorial select committees formed perhaps on a regional or district basis to start as an experiment in the very first year. I think, Mr. Chairman, there might well be nine in the first group with either three or five in the second, perhaps better called regional executive committees. In this way, members would be involved more directly with the Department in ensuring that all our responsibilities would be carried out on the ground, as it were. Doubting Thomases might point to overlapping of interests and responsibilities. This is intended, as it should be, for it serves the purpose of exercising control in depth. If we want to discharge our functions efficiently, our committees must be well integrated into the work of the Department, both vertically and on the horizontal plane, so to speak. And, my proposal is meant to do so. In practice, it will be easy to set up; terms of reference would define areas of work. And with goodwill and also effective leadership and participation, it will get off the ground quickly. Of course, it will also entail more work; on the other hand, it will mean a more intimate relationship with the Department and so strengthen the practical position and authority of the Council. It will make for better informed Councillors and certainly much stronger control over execution of policies and implementation of programmes for the good of the people than is now mostly the case. It is an exciting prospect. Dare we try it out?
Sir, once again I ask for an early decision on the Kowloon Civic Centre. The Council has long since done its work, after taking the initiative; all that now remains to be done is for the Government to make up its mind. The case for this centre has been amply made. Without it, the continued development of our cultural and educational programmes would come to a standstill. It is intended to provide a complex of buildings for the cultural services needed by the community as a whole. Moreover, the projected site on railway land in Tsim Sha Tsui, south of Salisbury Road, would beautify the harbour front out of all recognition and give Hong Kong an asset far beyond its cost.
But, when will this be done?
Mr. Chairman, the monthly report on the very great number of educational and entertainment programmes, both in the City Hall and in our open-air facilities, is impressive. I am convinced nevertheless that, with more staff and money, very much more could still be done by the Government to present popular programmes and organize worthwhile activities for the masses in our heavily populated areas. A start has been made by the entertainment section of the Recreation and Amenities Division just as the Cultural Services Division presents many programmes for other interested sections of the community. My call is for many more such activities all over the Colony. We must go to the people in their own neighbourhoods and not expect, in our difficult traffic conditions, for those who work a hard day and live in outlying areas to come to the city centre in their leisure time. This is one more way for the Government to make friends with the people and win their goodwill.
Sir, my call goes out today as it has for years on end for many more and far better play amenities for the common man. They must be built in every district, particularly in those places where there is high concentration of people. Good progress has been made in providing public open space and recreational facilities. But, there was so much to be done at the start some fifteen years ago; so, there is still much to be built for a long time to come. Our purpose must be to give to the people who live cheek by jowl the easy opportunity near at hand to get away from their terribly congested living conditions. Many more neighbourhood amenities must be made easily available, not only in the new districts but particularly in the old ones where the position is truly disgraceful. Some examples could be given but it is enough to point to the Western District on the Island and Mong Kok in Kowloon. Important as is the responsibility to have open spaces and active recreational areas in any community, it is far greater in our case because people here live so close together in such awfully high density that they must be given every opportunity to distract themselves in worthwhile activities. And, because so large a percentage of our population is young, the situation becomes even more critical and action to solve it desperately urgent.
While we must press on with the construction of district sports installations and provide them with adequate lighting so that they
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Page 123 of 206
224
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Councillors should be primarily concerned with framing policies and drawing up programmes leaving implementation to the Department and only receiving progress reports. But, presumably because of the nature of the governmental machine, we often find we are engaged in much follow-up work for we must keep prodding to get action and to ensure that our programmes and projects are not lost in some Government file sent from pillar to post or perhaps blocked along the way by a faceless interdepartmental committee thought to be opposed to all that is not familiar. Now, Mr. Chairman, with the change in responsibility entailing more direct control over our affairs, though more restrictive in scope, we must evidently set about without delay to cope with the new situation. How to do so effectively? First and foremost, our select committee structure must be changed to enable members to come to grips with their responsibilities at close range, both functionally and territorially. Then, all members, able and willing to do so, must be given the opportunity to be properly engaged in Council work. I suggest, for members' consideration, that we set up our select committees on a two-tier structure. Thus, there would be the functional select committees, much as presently the case, but re-grouped to take into account our statutory responsibilities from 1st April, 1973. Additionally, there would be territorial select com- mittees formed perhaps on a regional or district basis to start as an experiment in the very first year. I think Mr. Chairman there might well be nine in the first group with either three or five in the second, perhaps better called regional executive committees. In this way, members would be involved more directly with the Depart- ment in ensuring that all our responsibilities would be carried out on the ground, as it were. Doubting Thomases might point to over- lapping of interests and responsibilities. This is intended, as it should be, for it serves the purpose of exercising control in depth. If we want to discharge our functions efficiently, our committees must be well integrated into the work of the Department, both vertically and on the horizontal plane, so to speak. And, my proposal is meant to do so. In practice, it will be easy to set up; terms of reference would define areas of work. And with goodwill and also effective leadership and participation, it will get off the ground quickly. Of course, it will also entail more work; on the other hand, it will mean a more intimate relationship with the Department and so strengthen the practical position and authority of the Council. It will make for better informed Councillors and certainly much stronger control over execution of policies and implementation of programmes for the good of the people than is now mostly the case. It is an exciting prospect. Dare we try it out?
Sir, once again I ask for an early decision on the Kowloon Civic Centre. The Council has long since done its work, after taking the initiative; all that now remains to be done is for the Government to
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
225
make up its mind. The case for this centre has been amply made. Without it, the continued development of our cultural and educational programmes would come to a standstill. It is intended to provide a complex of buildings for the cultural services needed by the community as a whole. Moreover, the projected site on railway land in Tsim Sha Tsui, south of Salisbury Road, would beautify the harbour front out of all recognition and give Hong Kong an asset far beyond its
But, when will this be done?
cost.
Mr. Chairman, the monthly report on the very great number of educational and entertainment programmes, both in the City Hall and in our open-air facilities, is impressive. I am convinced nevertheless that, with more staff and money, very much more could still be done by the Government to present popular programmes and organize worthwhile activities for the masses in our heavily populated areas. A start has been made by the entertainment section of the Recreation and Amenities Division just as the Cultural Services Division presents many programmes for other interested sections of the community. My call is for many more such activities all over the Colony. We must go to the people in their own neighbourhoods and not expect, in our difficult traffic conditions, for those who work a hard day and live in outlying areas to come to the city centre in their leisure time. This is one more way for the Government to make friends with the people and win their goodwill.
Sir, my call goes out today as it has for years on end for many more and far better play amenities for the common man. They must be built in every district, particularly in those places where there is high concentration of people. Good progress has been made in pro- viding public open space and recreational facilities. But, there was so much to be done at the start some fifteen years ago; so, there is still much to be built for a long time to come. Our purpose must be to give to the people who live cheek by jowl the easy opportunity near at hand to get away from their terribly congested living con- ditions. Many more neighbourhood amenities must be made easily available, not only in the new districts but particularly in the old ones where the position is truly disgraceful. Some examples could be given but it is enough to point to the Western District on the Island and Mong Kok in Kowloon. Important as is the responsibility to have open spaces and active recreational areas in any community, it is far greater in our case because people here live so close together in such awfully high density that they must be given every opportunity to distract themselves in worthwhile activities. And, because so large a percentage of our population is young, the situation becomes even more critical and action to solve it desperately urgent.
While we must press on with the construction of district sports installations and provide them with adequate lighting so that they
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