1974 — Page 88

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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

ADDRESS BY CHAIRMAN

CHAIRMAN (in English):-Ladies and gentlemen, I will now call the meeting to order. Before we proceed with the business of today's meet- ing, I welcome back Mr. Hilton CHEONG-LEEN and Mr. Henry Hu.

MINUTES

The minutes of the meeting held on 24th September, 1974, confirmed.

(Mr. Hilton CHEONG-LEEN arrived at this point.)

STATEMENT

were

CHAIRMAN (in English):-The Council has kept under review management and other administrative matters since its re-constitution on 1st April, 1973. Not only has the relationship between the Council and the Urban Services Department changed, but the department has also been re-organized to operate largely on a regional and district basis instead of the previous functional structure.

Indeed, any change in the form, structure and responsibility of an organization involves making adjustments virtually all along the line to suit new circumstances. It is essential that disruption of activities and impairment of services be avoided in the process.

As must be expected in these circumstances, many aspects required close study right from the start, perhaps to anticipate problems the new system of working would create in the period of transition or to cope with them as they arose with the change-over. Side by side with this exercise, there is always the need to determine how services may be improved under the new departmental structure, all done in close co- operation with the department and often on their initiative.

Even before the Council assumed full responsibility for the manage- ment of its own affairs I had said that the establishment fixed for this purpose had been drawn up unilaterally by the Government. Indeed, the Council was not consulted whether the manpower on which its first budget was calculated was adequate to perform its functions, in the Council's own opinion. It means in effect there was little allowance made for increase of the establishment to meet an anticipated expansion

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of our services. Evidently, with personal emoluments now amounting to nearly 80% of our expenditure, it is a very serious matter. Hence, all proposals, be they for expansion or development or for a new undertaking, call for meticulous examination before decisions are taken. All must be related carefully to our continuing capability.

For this reason, in the same way as the select committees consider at each monthly meeting their respective parts of our accounts, I hope they will now also look specifically at their staff requirements, not only when a particular scheme develops requiring the recruitment of new staff, but more so in respect to the overall position. It is essential that the select committees know precisely what the manpower requirements are for the discharge of their respective assignments. We are concerned with growing numbers, so it must be expected that we would relate staff requirements to output of work and assess the ability of existing staff to carry out their new and increasing responsibilities.

Hence, our strong interest in staff study courses and training programmes. True, there are the standard in-service training given in the department and the specialist courses normally afforded to our health inspectors and others to equip them for the proper performance of their functions. These schemes are being progressively re-examined to find out whether they come up to our expectations and suit present circumstances. In addition, there will be new training opportunities, here by preference and abroad if necessary, not only for our specialist officers but for those with management or supervisory assignments so that in time all may be given the right preparation for the work they may be called upon to do. For, money spent on training staff for the proper discharge of their duties is money well spent in the public interest.

The Administration Select Committee reviews and co-ordinates our manpower requirements and kindred matters, explores new avenues to better our service to the community and fosters a better understand- ing on the part of the community for what the Council is trying to do for the general good. Still, the primary responsibility belongs to the select committees to hold discussions with the department on staff recruitment, grading, training and related requirements of service. It is the Council's intention that this very important part of our work will be given serious consideration in conjunction with the Urban Services Department.