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# HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
in April 1973. By virtue of this autonomy, there has been call for much greater attention and effort in all areas of policy, finance and administration. I am glad to say that the Administration Select Committee has played its part in formulating policy, improving organization, reviewing staff establishment and needs, and promoting a positive public relations programme. Now is a suitable time to take stock of what has been achieved in the past 3-year period.
Administration Select Committee conforms, more or less, to the General Purposes Committees of U.K. Councils. Like the Standing Committee of the Whole and Finance Committee, it is essentially "horizontal" in function, cutting across many Council action areas. Sometimes this demands a particularly fine balancing feat on our part in order to avoid the sensitive toes of other Select Committee Chairmen! Unfortunately, we cannot always avoid disagreement but, in the few instances where differences in interpretation of Council policy have arisen, we have found it possible to resolve these appropriately, and authoritatively, through the mediation of the Standing Committee of the Whole. It is regrettable that some members of the Council who preach democracy should fail to subscribe to this first principle—the acceptance of the opinion and policy of the majority.
It is no accident that in its first Council Handbook produced in 1973 the Committee adopted the slogan "In the Service of the Community". The basic function of Administration Select Committee is to improve the quality of service provided to the public and, thereby, to improve the "quality of life" of our society in areas of Council influence.
The Committee keeps close watch on the management of an establishment of 15,900 U.S.D. employees in 133 grades and ranks, organized into 10 Districts in the urban areas of Hong Kong and Kowloon. At the same time, through the Public Relations Section and with the assistance of our P.R. Consultants, we have attempted—I think with some success—to inform the public on our progress and activities, and to devise machinery to enable the public to bring their problems and complaints to Urban Services Department and the Council.
The Sub-committee structure of the Committee has adapted over this period to meet changing needs. The Public Relations Sub-committee remains a constant and active instrument of Council policy. The Accommodation Sub-committee established in 1973 under the distinguished Chairmanship of my friend and colleague, Mr. P. K. NG, completed last year its task of planning the new Urban Council Chamber now under construction. Mr. P. K. NG also Chaired the Advertisements Sub-committee which has just concluded the drafting of new legislation on advertising signs, while the Exhibition Sub-committee (adeptly handled by the Chairman, Urban Council) fulfilled its function with the successful staging of "Urbco '74".
Within the broad compass of organization, establishment, public relations, general administration, Council accommodation, training, advertising signs legislation, the approval of street names (a function assumed from Recreation and Amenities S.C. last year), the publication of information materials, etc. we can look back with satisfaction on positive and constructive work achievement. Much of this, and many of the innovations introduced, have derived from the original Study Paper presented and endorsed at the very first meeting of Administration Select Committee on 6th April, 1973.
Significantly, I think this careful pre-planning which has been undertaken by Administration and other Select Committees, allied with a stability in Select Committee organization and in the Chairmanship of key Select Committees, has encouraged greater in-depth study of vital areas of Council endeavour and helped us to achieve a compact and efficient organization. I am glad to record the close co-operation which exists between Administration Select Committee and the Council's Secretariat and, particularly, the effective work of the Secretary, Urban Council, Mr. Jack TINSON, since his return to us in June 1974. The current Secretariat maintains the same establishment as last year, i.e. 1 Secretary, 1 Deputy and 4 Assistant Secretaries supported by 6 Clerks, 6 Stenographers/Typists. The work-load remains intensive for this relatively small unit as is indicated by the following table:
1973-74 1974-75 1975-76 Select Committees 13 13 13 Sub-committees 16 34 17 Papers and minutes produced 269 377 300 Hours in Committee 305 1,268 2,108 2,340 Meetings held 360 estimate 441After our somewhat enthusiastic indulgence in Sub-committee activities in 1974-75, I am glad that we have come back to more sensible proportions in this regard. The current organization works well, particularly with fortnightly meetings of the Standing Committee of the Whole to co-ordinate policy and ensure prompt despatch of business, and I suggest there is little need for any major change in Select Committee or Sub-committee organization in the coming year.
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Page 114 of 154
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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
in April 1973. By virtue of this autonomy, there has been call for much greater attention and effort in all areas of policy, finance and administration. I am glad to say that the Administration Select Com- mittee has played its part in formulating policy, improving organiza- tion, reviewing staff establishment and needs, and promoting a positive public relations programme. Now is a suitable time to take stock of what has been achieved in the past 3-year period.
Administration Select Committee conforms, more or less, to the General Purposes Committees of U.K. Councils. Like the Standing Committee of the Whole and Finance Committee, it is essentially "horizontal" in function, cutting across many Council action areas. Sometimes this demands a particularly fine balancing feat on our part in order to avoid the sensitive toes of other Select Committee Chair- men! Unfortunately, we cannot always avoid disagreement but, in the few instances where differences in interpretation of Council policy have arisen, we have found it possible to resolve these appropriately, and authoritatively, through the mediation of the Standing Committee of the Whole. It is regretable that some members of the Council who preach demoncracy should fail to Subscribe to this first principle-the acceptance of the opinion and policy of the majority.
It is no accident that in its first Council Handbook produced in 1973 the Committee adopted the slogan "In the Service of the Com- munity". The basic function of Administration Select Committee is to improve the quality of service provided to the public and, thereby, to improve the "quality of life" of our society in areas of Council influence.
The Committee keeps close watch on the management of an establishment of 15,900 U.S.D. employees in 133 grades and ranks, organized into 10 Districts in the urban areas of Hong Kong and Kow- loon. At the same time, through the Public Relations Section and with the assistance of our P.R. Consultants, we have attempted-I think with some success-to inform the public on our progress and activities, and to devise machinery to enable the public to bring their problems and complaints to Urban Services Department and the Council.
The Sub-committee structure of the Committee has adapted over this period to meet changing needs. The Public Relations Sub- committee remains a constant and active instrument of Council policy. The Accommodation Sub-committee established in 1973 under the distinguished Chairmanship of my friend and colleague, Mr. P. K. NG, completed last year its task of planning the new Urban Council
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Chamber now under construction. Mr. P. K. NG also Chaired the Advertisements Sub-committee which has just concluded the drafting of new
legislation on advertising signs, while the Exhibition Sub-com- mittee (adeptly handled by the Chairman, Urban Council) fulfilled its function with the successful staging of "Urbco "74".
Within the broad compass of organization, establishment, public relations, general administration, Council accommodation, training, advertising signs legislation, the approval of street names (a function assumed from Recreation and Amenities S.C. last year), the publica- tion of information materials, etc. we can look back with satisfaction on positive and constructive work achievement. Much of this, and many of the innovations introduced, have derived from the original Study Paper presented and endorsed at the very first meeting of Administration Select Committee on 6th April, 1973.
Significantly, I think this careful pre-planning which has been undertaken by Administration and other Select Committees, allied with a stability in Select Committee organization and in the Chairman- ship of key Select Committees, has encouraged greater in-depth study of vital areas of Council endeavour and helped us to achieve a com- pact and efficient organization. I am glad to record the close co- operation which exists between Administration Select Committee and the Council's Secretariat and, particularly, the effective work of the Secretary, Urban Council, Mr. Jack TINSON, since his return to us in June 1974. The current Secretariat maintains the same establishment as last year, i.e. 1 Secretary, 1 Deputy and 4 Assistant Secretaries supported by 6 Clerks, 6 Stenographers/Typists. The work-load remains intensive for this relatively small unit as is indicated by the following table:
Select Committees Sub-committees
1973-74 1974-75 1975-76
13
13
13
16
34
17
269
377
300
Papers and minutes produced Hours in Committee
305
1,268 2,108 2,340
360
estimate
441
Meetings held
After our somewhat enthusiastic indulgence in Sub-committee activities in 1974-75, I am glad that we have come back to more sensible proportions in this regard. The current organization works well, particularly with fortnightly meetings of the Standing Committee of the Whole to co-ordinate policy and ensure prompt despatch of business, and I suggest there is little need for any major change in Select Committee or Sub-committee organization in the coming year.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.