1974 — Page 70

Urban Council Proceedings 市政局議事錄 All AI Reviewed

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Page 70 of 187

108

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

ADDRESS BY CHAIRMAN

CHAIRMAN (in English):-Ladies and gentlemen, I will call the meeting to order.

MINUTES

The minutes of the meeting held on 13th August, 1974 were confirmed.

(Messrs. B. A. BERNACCHI, Peter P. K. NG and Dr. Denny HUANG arrived at this point.)

STATEMENT BY CHAIRMAN

CHAIRMAN (in English):—The importance of being directly concerned with the actual discharge of our financial responsibility in all its aspects has been accepted by the Council since it assumed full legal control over its funds on 1st April, 1973. In consequence, at the monthly meetings of all select committees, financial statements covering their respective responsibilities are considered. The financial implications of all proposals are studied carefully by all concerned and strict control is exercised by the Department over disbursements. In addition to the Finance Select Committee, the Council has its own tender boards as well as a delegated member specially authorized to deal with departmental applications to write off Council property.

It is worrying in these times to know that personal emoluments absorb as much as about 80% of Council expenditure. Therefore, unless rise in rate revenue keeps pace with salary increases and also covers the cost of any expansion of our services whether on capital or current account, the Council may well find itself in straitened circumstances in short order. For this reason, the Council must look for other means of raising revenue within reason just as it should periodically review existing supplementary sources to determine whether adjustments are required. This is not an idle exercise simply for the sake of accumulating funds but solely for the purpose of coping with inevitably higher costs as well as to pay for improved and expanded services and also to give more and better amenities to the community.

Good headway is being made in our negotiation with the Government on our proposal to swop projects or for switch-financing where an exchange of identical or similar projects is not possible. Indeed, we are beginning to implement this arrangement with the Government which will enable the Council to give better service to the public sooner than would have been the case had we resigned ourselves to the acceptance of the Government's re-phased programme entailing the delayed completion of public works. Counterpart projects are being selected for swopping or identified for switch-financing, as the case may be. Of course, there is still the need to set a reasonable time-limit for the completion of such counterpart projects. Alternatively, we must come to a mutually satisfactory arrangement. But, I do not anticipate that it would be difficult to reach an agreement in this matter, given the goodwill found on both sides. After all, both the Government and the Council are working towards the same goal: to better the lot of the people and to make Hong Kong a community of quality.

It is also encouraging to learn that, after nearly two decades of research and consultation, considering in the process a number of draft proposals amended over and over again, there is now hope of finding an early solution for control to be exercised by the Council on public advertisements. This promises to be a breakthrough, along lines the Council has proposed in the main for some considerable time. It will define the position generally and also prescribe terms and conditions for the use of public airspace for private gain, in particular. It will bring in additional revenue to help broaden our financial base to some extent while it will at the same time increase our ability to render more service to the community.

PAPERS

The following papers were laid on the table:-

(1) Reports to the Urban Council by the Director of Urban Services and Secretary, Urban Council, for the month of August 1974.

(2) Urban Council Publication-Hong Kong Herbs and Vines.

CHAIRMAN (in English):-I lay upon the table the papers listed under 1 and 2, and, in particular, would like to invite Council's attention to this excellent and beautiful publication "Hong Kong Herbs and Vines". Congratulations have been offered on your behalf to the Government Printer and also to the Department and all concerned with its production.

109

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

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Page 70 of 187 108 HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL ADDRESS BY CHAIRMAN CHAIRMAN (in English):-Ladies and gentlemen, I will call the meeting to order. MINUTES The minutes of the meeting held on 13th August, 1974 were confirmed. (Messrs. B. A. BERNACCHI, Peter P. K. NG and Dr. Denny HUANG arrived at this point.) STATEMENT BY CHAIRMAN CHAIRMAN (in English):—The importance of being directly concerned with the actual discharge of our financial responsibility in all its aspects has been accepted by the Council since it assumed full legal control over its funds on 1st April, 1973. In consequence, at the monthly meetings of all select committees, financial statements covering their respective responsibilities are considered. The financial implications of all proposals are studied carefully by all concerned and strict control is exercised by the Department over disbursements. In addition to the Finance Select Committee, the Council has its own tender boards as well as a delegated member specially authorized to deal with departmental applications to write off Council property. It is worrying in these times to know that personal emoluments absorb as much as about 80% of Council expenditure. Therefore, unless rise in rate revenue keeps pace with salary increases and also covers the cost of any expansion of our services whether on capital or current account, the Council may well find itself in straitened circumstances in short order. For this reason, the Council must look for other means of raising revenue within reason just as it should periodically review existing supplementary sources to determine whether adjustments are required. This is not an idle exercise simply for the sake of accumulating funds but solely for the purpose of coping with inevitably higher costs as well as to pay for improved and expanded services and also to give more and better amenities to the community. Good headway is being made in our negotiation with the Government on our proposal to swop projects or for switch-financing where an exchange of identical or similar projects is not possible. Indeed, we are beginning to implement this arrangement with the Government which will enable the Council to give better service to the public sooner than would have been the case had we resigned ourselves to the acceptance of the Government's re-phased programme entailing the delayed completion of public works. Counterpart projects are being selected for swopping or identified for switch-financing, as the case may be. Of course, there is still the need to set a reasonable time-limit for the completion of such counterpart projects. Alternatively, we must come to a mutually satisfactory arrangement. But, I do not anticipate that it would be difficult to reach an agreement in this matter, given the goodwill found on both sides. After all, both the Government and the Council are working towards the same goal: to better the lot of the people and to make Hong Kong a community of quality. It is also encouraging to learn that, after nearly two decades of research and consultation, considering in the process a number of draft proposals amended over and over again, there is now hope of finding an early solution for control to be exercised by the Council on public advertisements. This promises to be a breakthrough, along lines the Council has proposed in the main for some considerable time. It will define the position generally and also prescribe terms and conditions for the use of public airspace for private gain, in particular. It will bring in additional revenue to help broaden our financial base to some extent while it will at the same time increase our ability to render more service to the community. PAPERS The following papers were laid on the table:- (1) Reports to the Urban Council by the Director of Urban Services and Secretary, Urban Council, for the month of August 1974. (2) Urban Council Publication-Hong Kong Herbs and Vines. CHAIRMAN (in English):-I lay upon the table the papers listed under 1 and 2, and, in particular, would like to invite Council's attention to this excellent and beautiful publication "Hong Kong Herbs and Vines". Congratulations have been offered on your behalf to the Government Printer and also to the Department and all concerned with its production. 109 HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL Page 70 Page 71 Page 71

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Page 70 of 187 108 HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL ADDRESS BY CHAIRMAN CHAIRMAN (in English):-Ladies and gentlemen, I will call the meeting to order. MINUTES The minutes of the meeting held on 13th August, 1974 were confirmed. (Messrs. B. A. BERNACCHI, Peter P. K. NG and Dr. Denny HUANG arrived at this point.) STATEMENT BY CHAIRMAN CHAIRMAN (in English):—The importance of being directly con- cerned with the actual discharge of our financial responsibility in all its aspects has been accepted by the Council since it assumed full legal control over its funds on 1st April, 1973. In consequence, at the monthly meetings of all select committees, financial statements covering their respective responsibilities are considered. The financial implica- tions of all proposals are studied carefully by all concerned and strict control is exercised by the Department over disbursements. In addition to the Finance Select Committee, the Council has its own tender boards as well as a delegated member specially authorized to deal with depart- mental applications to write off Council property. It is worrying in these times to know that personal emoluments absorb as much as about 80% of Council expenditure. Therefore, unless rise in rate revenue keeps pace with salary increases and also covers the cost of any expansion of our services whether on capital or current account, the Council may well find itself in straitened circum- stances in short order. For this reason, the Council must look for other means of raising revenue within reason just as it should periodi- cally review existing supplementary sources to determine whether adjustments are required. This is not an idle exercise simply for the sake of accumulating funds but solely for the purpose of coping with inevitably higher costs as well as to pay for improved and expanded services and also to give more and better amenities to the community. Good headway is being made in our negotiation with the Govern- ment on our proposal to swop projects or for switch-financing where an exchange of identical or similar projects is not possible. Indeed, we HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL 109 are beginning to implement this arrangement with the Government which will enable the Council to give better service to the public sooner than would have been the case had we resigned ourselves to the accept- ance of the Government's re-phased programme entailing the delayed completion of public works. Counterpart projects are being selected for swopping or identified for switch-financing, as the case may be. Of course, there is still the need to set a reasonable time-limit for the completion of such counterpart projects. Alternatively, we must come to a mutually satisfactory arrangement. But, I do not anticipate that it would be difficult to reach an agreement in this matter, given the goodwill found on both sides. After all, both the Government and the Council are working towards the same goal: to better the lot of the people and to make Hong Kong a community of quality. It is also encouraging to learn that, after nearly two decades of research and consultation, considering in the process a number of draft proposals amended over and over again, there is now hope of finding an early solution for control to be exercised by the Council on public advertisements. This promises to be a breakthrough, along lines the Council has proposed in the main for some considerable time. It will define the position generally and also prescribe terms and conditions for the use of public airspace for private gain, in particular. It will bring in additional revenue to help broaden our financial base to some extent while it will at the same time increase our ability to render more service to the community. PAPERS The following papers were laid on the table:- (1) Reports to the Urban Council by the Director of Urban Services and Secretary, Urban Council, for the month of August 1974. (2) Urban Council Publication-Hong Kong Herbs and Vines. CHAIRMAN (in English):-I lay upon the table the papers listed under 1 and 2, and, in particular, would like to invite Council's atten- tion to this excellent and beautiful publication "Hong Kong Herbs and Vines". Congratulations have been offered on your behalf to the Government Printer and also to the Department and all concerned with its production. Page 70Page 71

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Page 70 of 187

108

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

ADDRESS BY CHAIRMAN

CHAIRMAN (in English):-Ladies and gentlemen, I will call the meeting to order.

MINUTES

The minutes of the meeting held on 13th August, 1974 were confirmed.

(Messrs. B. A. BERNACCHI, Peter P. K. NG and Dr. Denny HUANG arrived at this point.)

STATEMENT BY CHAIRMAN

CHAIRMAN (in English):—The importance of being directly con- cerned with the actual discharge of our financial responsibility in all its aspects has been accepted by the Council since it assumed full legal control over its funds on 1st April, 1973. In consequence, at the monthly meetings of all select committees, financial statements covering their respective responsibilities are considered. The financial implica- tions of all proposals are studied carefully by all concerned and strict control is exercised by the Department over disbursements. In addition to the Finance Select Committee, the Council has its own tender boards as well as a delegated member specially authorized to deal with depart- mental applications to write off Council property.

It is worrying in these times to know that personal emoluments absorb as much as about 80% of Council expenditure. Therefore, unless rise in rate revenue keeps pace with salary increases and also covers the cost of any expansion of our services whether on capital or current account, the Council may well find itself in straitened circum- stances in short order. For this reason, the Council must look for other means of raising revenue within reason just as it should periodi- cally review existing supplementary sources to determine whether adjustments are required. This is not an idle exercise simply for the sake of accumulating funds but solely for the purpose of coping with inevitably higher costs as well as to pay for improved and expanded services and also to give more and better amenities to the community.

Good headway is being made in our negotiation with the Govern- ment on our proposal to swop projects or for switch-financing where an exchange of identical or similar projects is not possible. Indeed, we

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

109

are beginning to implement this arrangement with the Government which will enable the Council to give better service to the public sooner than would have been the case had we resigned ourselves to the accept- ance of the Government's re-phased programme entailing the delayed completion of public works. Counterpart projects are being selected for swopping or identified for switch-financing, as the case may be. Of course, there is still the need to set a reasonable time-limit for the completion of such counterpart projects. Alternatively, we must come to a mutually satisfactory arrangement. But, I do not anticipate that it would be difficult to reach an agreement in this matter, given the goodwill found on both sides. After all, both the Government and the Council are working towards the same goal: to better the lot of the people and to make Hong Kong a community of quality.

PAPERS

The following papers were laid on the table:-

(1) Reports to the Urban Council by the Director of Urban Services and Secretary, Urban Council, for the month of August 1974.

(2) Urban Council Publication-Hong Kong Herbs and Vines.

CHAIRMAN (in English):-I lay upon the table the papers listed under 1 and 2, and, in particular, would like to invite Council's atten- tion to this excellent and beautiful publication "Hong Kong Herbs and Vines". Congratulations have been offered on your behalf to the Government Printer and also to the Department and all concerned with its production.

1974 — Page 70

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