1973 — Page 155

Urban Council Proceedings 市政局議事錄 All AI Reviewed

Page 155 of 212

220

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

machine and installation of automatic barriers are approved. All these expenses were interpreted by Government to have been included already in computing the Urban Council's share of the rates.

As I have already said, these are Government car parks and therefore revenue (estimated for this year at $13.7 million) goes entirely to the Government, which tends to tell the Urban Council rather than consult it, about any proposed changes in the parking fees.

A local council must intimately associate itself with community problems, and in my opinion car parks control should be an integral part of the Council's duty to the public. The present arrangement is far from satisfactory from all points of view. It is therefore the Council's intention to approach the Government regarding the question of "other charges" and Special Expenditure for car parks, with a view to obtaining better, more appropriate and fairer management arrangements than at present.

MR. JOHN MACKENZIE (in English):—Mr. Chairman, Mr. Peter P. K. NG's reply seems to indicate serious problems of both management and finance from the Council's viewpoint. Might I ask if he could elucidate a little further on the other charges listed as $0.36 million, and on the $100,000 accounting which all seem to be direct cost to the Council?

MR. PETER P. K. NG (in English): Mr. Chairman, the $0.36 million are direct costs on electricity, uniforms, laundry, and so forth in all our car parks. As to this $100,000, it involves accounting staff costs up to something like $50,000 per annum, labourer costs, which are not being repaid, up to something like $30,000 per annum, and then miscellaneous charges.

MR. JOHN MACKENZIE (in English):—Again, in view of Mr. NG's own remark that the problem is serious, might I ask when the matter would be brought up for discussion with the Government, and when it is hoped that the position might be resolved?

MR. PETER P. K. NG (in English):—Mr. Chairman, at the last meeting of the Select Committee, we have already requested the Director of Urban Services to take this matter up with the Central Government.

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

221

MR. CHARLES C. C. SIN (in English):—Mr. Chairman, in paragraph 2 of Mr. NG's answer, he tells us that thought is being given, amongst other things on the prevention of loss of revenue. Can we be told whether, under our present arrangement, there is a loss of revenue and, if so, how does it arise?

MR. PETER P. K. NG (in English):—Well, Mr. Chairman, this arises mostly out of the collecting systems and the degree of supervision. I cannot pinpoint what exactly is the loss of revenue or if there is any, but there is definitely a possible loss of revenue.

CHAIRMAN (in English):—If there are no other questions, and if all members are awake (Laughter), may I, this being our last meeting of the year, wish you all a very happy Christmas and a most prosperous New Year.

ADJOURNMENT

4.28 p.m.

CHAIRMAN (in English):—The Council stands adjourned until 15th January, 1974, at 4.00 p.m.

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Page 155 of 212 220 HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL machine and installation of automatic barriers are approved. All these expenses were interpreted by Government to have been included already in computing the Urban Council's share of the rates. As I have already said, these are Government car parks and therefore revenue (estimated for this year at $13.7 million) goes entirely to the Government, which tends to tell the Urban Council rather than consult it, about any proposed changes in the parking fees. A local council must intimately associate itself with community problems, and in my opinion car parks control should be an integral part of the Council's duty to the public. The present arrangement is far from satisfactory from all points of view. It is therefore the Council's intention to approach the Government regarding the question of "other charges" and Special Expenditure for car parks, with a view to obtaining better, more appropriate and fairer management arrangements than at present. MR. JOHN MACKENZIE (in English):—Mr. Chairman, Mr. Peter P. K. NG's reply seems to indicate serious problems of both management and finance from the Council's viewpoint. Might I ask if he could elucidate a little further on the other charges listed as $0.36 million, and on the $100,000 accounting which all seem to be direct cost to the Council? MR. PETER P. K. NG (in English): Mr. Chairman, the $0.36 million are direct costs on electricity, uniforms, laundry, and so forth in all our car parks. As to this $100,000, it involves accounting staff costs up to something like $50,000 per annum, labourer costs, which are not being repaid, up to something like $30,000 per annum, and then miscellaneous charges. MR. JOHN MACKENZIE (in English):—Again, in view of Mr. NG's own remark that the problem is serious, might I ask when the matter would be brought up for discussion with the Government, and when it is hoped that the position might be resolved? MR. PETER P. K. NG (in English):—Mr. Chairman, at the last meeting of the Select Committee, we have already requested the Director of Urban Services to take this matter up with the Central Government. HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL 221 MR. CHARLES C. C. SIN (in English):—Mr. Chairman, in paragraph 2 of Mr. NG's answer, he tells us that thought is being given, amongst other things on the prevention of loss of revenue. Can we be told whether, under our present arrangement, there is a loss of revenue and, if so, how does it arise? MR. PETER P. K. NG (in English):—Well, Mr. Chairman, this arises mostly out of the collecting systems and the degree of supervision. I cannot pinpoint what exactly is the loss of revenue or if there is any, but there is definitely a possible loss of revenue. CHAIRMAN (in English):—If there are no other questions, and if all members are awake (Laughter), may I, this being our last meeting of the year, wish you all a very happy Christmas and a most prosperous New Year. ADJOURNMENT 4.28 p.m. CHAIRMAN (in English):—The Council stands adjourned until 15th January, 1974, at 4.00 p.m. PRINTED BY THE GOVERNMENT PRINTER, HONG KONG Page 155 Page 156

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Page 155 of 212 220 HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL machine and installation of automatic barriers are ap- proved. All these expenses were interpreted by Govern- ment to have been included already in computing the Urban Council's share of the rates. As I have already said, these are Government car parks and therefore revenue (estimated for this year at $13.7 million) goes entirely to the Government, which tends to tell the Urban Council rather than consult it, about any proposed changes in the parking fees. A local council must intimately associate itself with com- munity problems, and in my opinion car parks control should be an integral part of the Council's duty to the public. The present arrangement is far from satisfactory from all points of view. It is therefore the Council's intention to approach the Government regarding the ques- tion of "other charges" and Special Expenditure for car parks, with a view to obtaining better, more appropriate and fairer management arrangements than at present. MR. JOHN MACKENZIE (in English):-Mr. Chairman, Mr. Peter P. K. NG's reply seems to indicate serious problems of both manage- ment and finance from the Council's viewpoint. Might I ask if he could elucidate a little further on the other charges listed as $.36 million, and on the $100,000 accounting which all seem to be direct cost to the Council? MR. PETER P. K. NG (in English): Mr. Chairman, the $.36 million are direct costs on electricity, uniforms, laundry, and so forth in all our car parks. As to this $100,000, it involves accounting staff costs up to something like $50,000 per annum, labourer costs, which are not being repaid, up to something like $300,000 per annum, and then miscellaneous charges. MR. JOHN MACKENZIE (in English):—Again, in view of Mr. NG's own remark that the problem is serious, might I ask when the matter would be brought up for discussion with the Government, and when it is hoped that the position might be resolved? MR. PETER P. K. NG (in English):-Mr. Chairman, at the last meeting of the Select Committee, we have already requested the Director of Urban Services to take this matter up with the Central Government. HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL 221 MR. CHARLES C. C. SIN (in English):—Mr. Chairman, in paragraph 2 of Mr. NG's answer, he tells us that thought is being given, amongst other things on the prevention of loss of revenue. Can we be told whether, under our present arrangement, there is a loss of revenue and, if so, how does it arise? MR. PETER P. K. NG (in English):-Well, Mr. Chairman, this arises mostly out of the collecting systems and the degree of supervision. I cannot pinpoint what exactly is the loss of revenue or if there is any, but there is definitely a possible loss of revenue. CHAIRMAN (in English):—If there are no other questions, and if all members are awake (Laughter), may I, this being our last meeting of the year, wish you all a very happy Christmas and a most prosperous New Year. ADJOURNMENT 4.28 p.m. CHAIRMAN (in English):-The Council stands adjourned until 15th January, 1974, at 4.00 p.m. PRINTED BY THE GOVERNMENT PRINTER, HONG KONG Page 155Page 156

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Page 155 of 212

220

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

machine and installation of automatic barriers are ap- proved. All these expenses were interpreted by Govern- ment to have been included already in computing the Urban Council's share of the rates.

A local council must intimately associate itself with com- munity problems, and in my opinion car parks control should be an integral part of the Council's duty to the public. The present arrangement is far from satisfactory from all points of view. It is therefore the Council's intention to approach the Government regarding the ques- tion of "other charges" and Special Expenditure for car parks, with a view to obtaining better, more appropriate and fairer management arrangements than at present.

MR. JOHN MACKENZIE (in English):-Mr. Chairman, Mr. Peter P. K. NG's reply seems to indicate serious problems of both manage- ment and finance from the Council's viewpoint. Might I ask if he could elucidate a little further on the other charges listed as $.36 million, and on the $100,000 accounting which all seem to be direct cost to the Council?

MR. PETER P. K. NG (in English): Mr. Chairman, the $.36 million are direct costs on electricity, uniforms, laundry, and so forth in all our car parks. As to this $100,000, it involves accounting staff costs up to something like $50,000 per annum, labourer costs, which are not being repaid, up to something like $300,000 per annum, and then miscellaneous charges.

MR. PETER P. K. NG (in English):-Mr. Chairman, at the last meeting of the Select Committee, we have already requested the Director of Urban Services to take this matter up with the Central Government.

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

221

MR. PETER P. K. NG (in English):-Well, Mr. Chairman, this arises mostly out of the collecting systems and the degree of supervision. I cannot pinpoint what exactly is the loss of revenue or if there is any, but there is definitely a possible loss of revenue.

ADJOURNMENT

4.28 p.m.

CHAIRMAN (in English):-The Council stands adjourned until 15th January, 1974, at 4.00 p.m.

1973 — Page 155

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