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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

Geoffrey SOMERS, will produce more than 500 publicity releases on Council activities in the current year. We are indebted also to Mr. Michael STEVENSON, our Public Relations Consultant, for his continuing assistance and good advice. Members of the Council will have noted, from recent minutes of P.R. Sub-committee, that we have already commissioned six T.V. films in the "Under Lion Rock" series, and that we are currently looking at the possibility of a magazine-type, weekly T.V. programme to promote Council and community interests.

Future activities

As to the future, what? Administration S.C. is now firmly a part of the new Council organization and must continue—whether under this name, or as a General Purposes Committee, or under some other title. By the nature of its responsibilities, it tends to trespass somewhat into civil service realms, and it is a compliment to the good sense of all concerned that the evolving process of Council/U.S.D./Government relationship has progressed so smoothly with so little pain or suffering.

These evolving processes in Council/U.S.D. relationship must continue along sensible and practical lines. Administration S.C. has a particular role to play in influencing future purpose and direction.

It is frequently pointed out that expenditure on staff emoluments at $223 million this year (1975-76 estimate) constitutes 88% of our total rates revenue. It is inevitable that Establishment must be of continuing and growing concern to future Administration Select Committees in the matter of cost and, also, in the processes of selection, training and, particularly, productivity of U.S.D. staff. This may well call for the appointment of a special Sub-committee—reluctant as I am to extend the present limited resources of our Secretariat. We must also look more carefully at the procurement, utilisation, and stock-holding of stores and equipment within the Department. Research into the efficiency and costings of various specialized Vehicles should receive Administration S.C. attention within the framework of an improved Research capacity.

The opportunities provided by our new Council Chamber, plus the current pressures on our small P.R. Section, should encourage the formation of a larger Public Information Service. Within this, I would envisage an expanded P.R. Section, a properly-staffed and well-publicized Enquiry Service to deal with queries and complaints, and a Public Counter for the sale of reports, publications and other Council items.

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

In the coming year, there may be some reappraisal of the Ward System in relation to the availability of centrally-located counselling offices in our new City Hall Chamber. It is doubtful if we need 14 Ward Offices, and an equal number of Ward Clerks, in such a geographically compact area as the H.K./Kowloon urban district. Three or four or, possibly, five strategically placed offices within the U.S.D. District organization, plus a professionally-staffed Information/Advice Bureau at the City Chambers attended by Councillors on a regular basis, could provide centrally-located, more efficient and prompter service. This, too, might be an area for planning and review by the incoming Administration S.C.

The Urban Council visit to London last April despite the heat it engendered—brought up a number of important issues and suggestions, which aroused the interest of Council, have received some consideration by Government, but have not been actively pursued. Apart from the question of Urban Council relationship with the Fire Service—this is a local authorities' function in U.K.—other matters have been adequately considered notably:

—the recommendation that membership of the Housing Authority be extended to include all Urban Councillors, ex-officio; with opportunity for at least one public housing debate per annum;

—the creation of the Urban Council as the Licensing Authority for cinema and T.V. films, implying a tighter control of censorship in compliance with public demand;

—the development of the Fight Violent Crime Committee into a Police Advisory or Liaison Council, with Urbco representation;

—the introduction of free travel facilities on selected routes for elderly persons at off-peak periods in local trams and buses

—and, of course, negotiation for the resumption of Victoria Barracks and other military lands for use, in part, for recreational purposes. Events are already pushing this proposal with the conclusion of the recent defence agreement.

—There was also a question of opening Standing Committees and Select Committee meetings to the public and the press, in whole or in part. This is another matter for consideration in relation to the new Council Chamber.

It seems to me that there is little point in formulating these proposals if they are not to receive adequate consideration, and I suggest that Administration S.C. should be asked to review and progress such suggestions as the Council might still wish to pursue.

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