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Finally, in the area of future planning, it should be within the Council's initiative to give thought and direction to the further deve- lopment of our own Council, as a Municipal or City Council, and to consider the creation of a District Council organization on the model, perhaps, of the Greater London Council. The 1966 Report of the Working Party on Local Administration and the 1969 Report on the Reform of Local Government have had their influence, in part, on the 1971 White Paper on the Urban Council. The question arises whether the Urban Council is satisfied with the present structure of our "local government", or with the extent of public participation in local affairs; and whether the Administration S.C., or another Ad Hoc Com- mittee, should be invited to consider further Council expansion and development in the years ahead. These are weighty matters in which our influence could be constructive and decisive. It is another question whether this Urban Council can exercise the maturity and wisdom necessary to influence such events in the interest of a better society.

Mr. Chairman, as I have already mentioned several outstanding personal contributions to Administration S.C. progress over the past three years, I cannot conclude without further expression of thanks to the two Vice Chairmen in this period, Mr. Peter P. K. NG and Mr. Peter P. F. CHAN, and to all of the Committee members, for their sup- port. In particular, I am indebted to those members who have served the Committee since its inception-Mr. TSIN Sai-nin, Mr. Edmund CHOW and Mr. Peter C. K. CHAN-whose advice and counsel has been both sensible and encouraging.

With these remarks, Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to support the Motion.

ADJOURNMENT

4.58 p.m.

CHAIRMAN (in English):-Ladies and Gentlemen, council will now stand adjourned until Thursday, 22nd January, 1976 at 2.30 p.m.

1. Administration

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APPENDIX I

URBAN COUNCIL

STATEMENT OF AIMS FOR 1976-77

(a) To examine all aspects of administration and staff establishment. (b) To recommend any necessary research into, and suggest improvements

for, equipment, services and facilities.

(c) To provide the fullest possible information to the public on Council

policies and activities, through authorized channels.

(d) To maintain a friendly and informative relationship with the press, radio and television, and with all Government Departments, and to co-ordinate publicity on behalf of the Council.

(e) To co-ordinate Council policy on publications on Council activities, as well as to ensure an acceptable format and presentation of Council publications.

(f) To promote public exhibitions and to foster interest in all areas of

Council activity.

(g) To promote overseas visits likely to be of benefit to Members of the

Urban Council and departmental staff.

(h) To finalize new advertisement legislation; thereafter to recruit staff and to make the necessary arrangements to ensure that all advertising signs covered by the legislation meet the new legal requirements and are licensed and controlled.

(i) To decide the most appropriate name for every new thoroughfare within the Urban Areas after considering suggestions from local bodies and all government departments concerned. Decisions will be made by delegated Members authorized by the Select Committee to act on its behalf, but when there is any disagreement with, or disapproval of, the name proposed, the matter will be brought back to the Select Committee for discussion and early decision.

2. Cemeteries, Crematoria and Funeral Parlours

(a) Cemeteries

(i) To ensure optimum usage of existing cemetery land by exhuming

deserted graves.

(ii) To improve the amenities and facilities in public cemeteries.

(iii) To exercise control over the management of private cemeteries. (iv) To keep under review legislation for the control of public and

private cemeteries.

(b) Crematoria

(i) To encourage and promote cremation.

(i) To provide additional cremation facilities and columbaria at the

Cape Collinson Crematorium.

(iii) To press for the early reprovisioning of the Diamond Hill Crema-

torium.