1975 — Page 17

Urban Council Proceedings 市政局議事錄 All AI Reviewed

Page 17 of 154

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

ADDRESS BY CHAIRMAN

CHAIRMAN (in English):-Ladies and gentlemen, this is the first formal meeting that our new Member, Mr. Henry H. O. LUK, is attending. It gives me great pleasure to welcome him on your behalf and to express the hope that his association with this Council will be a very long and rewarding one. Welcome to our meeting! (Applause).

MINUTES

The minutes of the meeting held on 11th March, 1975 were confirmed.

STATEMENT

CHAIRMAN (in English):-A new Council year has begun. It is time to take stock once more. Now, the pattern of work has been set; responsibilities, defined; activities, organized; programmes, drawn up; and projects planned for the years ahead. Still, the reconstituted Council is only beginning to find the direction that it wants to take on its own and it is carefully putting up signposts along the way. In sum, a sound foundation is being laid for the future.

Certainly, the select committees, working well within their respective areas of responsibility, have built up a good measure of teamwork with the department. They have examined their assignments and, just as important, through their various sub-committees, they have begun to probe in depth the opportunities of positive action. Some practical measures have been introduced and more will follow in order to strengthen our base of operations. But, while we may have ambitious plans, we must nevertheless relate what we want to do with what we are capable of achieving with our staff and financial resources. Otherwise, soon enough, we would be running into foul weather.

In fact, the Council started by studying very closely its financial position. Rightly so. For, if we are to do anything worthwhile and meaningful at all, we must know how we stand and what we can hope to achieve in our circumstances. There are still important monetary arrangements the Council has not examined in detail which should be done in order to exercise far greater control over expenditure than is presently the case. There can be no excuse for any continuing neglect or omission. Indeed, in every part of our operations, we should try to get value for money in a practical and reasonable way by actually taking the necessary measures to do so because we owe it to the community to spend public money wisely.

It is also our intention to study very closely our staff position as we have already agreed to do. This is a matter of grave public responsibility for us because personal emoluments account for such a big proportion of our expenditure. There exists the need for progressive re-organization without disrupting the service or hindering the progress of our plans. If we carry out this exercise with tolerance and humanity, I am sure our staff will respond by working harder and better for the common good. They have the capacity and the ability to do so if we work hand in hand with the department for this purpose.

But, first things, first. The cornerstone of our activities is our committee structure. This system will work well only if Councillors are willing to provide the necessary leadership with drive and initiative on a sustained basis, and if there is capable support by knowledgeable and effective departmental action. To be successful, committee work entails much thought and research in advance of meetings and, once decisions have been taken, there is the need to ensure follow-up action and to assess the results in every case. Thus, the strength of any programme or chance of success of any activity may be said to be directly related to the way and the extent members explore the scope set out in the terms of reference of a select committee and its sub-committees. Their potential should be thought out carefully and exploited with vigour and imagination. Indeed, without applying one's mind to committee work and concentrating one's effort on practical follow-up action, there can be little expectation of success in a positive way. In some activities, I fear, we may not be assessing results in the objective manner we intend, but are perhaps lulled by the deceptive appearance of superficial success and misled by the ephemeral publicity they attract.

It is my hope that in the current year members will re-examine the whole position in their respective committees. A thorough assessment of the value of each project to the community and the contribution of each programme to our way of life should be made in earnest. Then, knowing what the actual position is, the Council would be able to chart a course for the year with good hope that we will make port in due time.

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Page 17 of 154 HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL ADDRESS BY CHAIRMAN CHAIRMAN (in English):-Ladies and gentlemen, this is the first formal meeting that our new Member, Mr. Henry H. O. LUK, is attending. It gives me great pleasure to welcome him on your behalf and to express the hope that his association with this Council will be a very long and rewarding one. Welcome to our meeting! (Applause). MINUTES The minutes of the meeting held on 11th March, 1975 were confirmed. STATEMENT CHAIRMAN (in English):-A new Council year has begun. It is time to take stock once more. Now, the pattern of work has been set; responsibilities, defined; activities, organized; programmes, drawn up; and projects planned for the years ahead. Still, the reconstituted Council is only beginning to find the direction that it wants to take on its own and it is carefully putting up signposts along the way. In sum, a sound foundation is being laid for the future. Certainly, the select committees, working well within their respective areas of responsibility, have built up a good measure of teamwork with the department. They have examined their assignments and, just as important, through their various sub-committees, they have begun to probe in depth the opportunities of positive action. Some practical measures have been introduced and more will follow in order to strengthen our base of operations. But, while we may have ambitious plans, we must nevertheless relate what we want to do with what we are capable of achieving with our staff and financial resources. Otherwise, soon enough, we would be running into foul weather. In fact, the Council started by studying very closely its financial position. Rightly so. For, if we are to do anything worthwhile and meaningful at all, we must know how we stand and what we can hope to achieve in our circumstances. There are still important monetary arrangements the Council has not examined in detail which should be done in order to exercise far greater control over expenditure than is presently the case. There can be no excuse for any continuing neglect or omission. Indeed, in every part of our operations, we should try to get value for money in a practical and reasonable way by actually taking the necessary measures to do so because we owe it to the community to spend public money wisely. It is also our intention to study very closely our staff position as we have already agreed to do. This is a matter of grave public responsibility for us because personal emoluments account for such a big proportion of our expenditure. There exists the need for progressive re-organization without disrupting the service or hindering the progress of our plans. If we carry out this exercise with tolerance and humanity, I am sure our staff will respond by working harder and better for the common good. They have the capacity and the ability to do so if we work hand in hand with the department for this purpose. But, first things, first. The cornerstone of our activities is our committee structure. This system will work well only if Councillors are willing to provide the necessary leadership with drive and initiative on a sustained basis, and if there is capable support by knowledgeable and effective departmental action. To be successful, committee work entails much thought and research in advance of meetings and, once decisions have been taken, there is the need to ensure follow-up action and to assess the results in every case. Thus, the strength of any programme or chance of success of any activity may be said to be directly related to the way and the extent members explore the scope set out in the terms of reference of a select committee and its sub-committees. Their potential should be thought out carefully and exploited with vigour and imagination. Indeed, without applying one's mind to committee work and concentrating one's effort on practical follow-up action, there can be little expectation of success in a positive way. In some activities, I fear, we may not be assessing results in the objective manner we intend, but are perhaps lulled by the deceptive appearance of superficial success and misled by the ephemeral publicity they attract. It is my hope that in the current year members will re-examine the whole position in their respective committees. A thorough assessment of the value of each project to the community and the contribution of each programme to our way of life should be made in earnest. Then, knowing what the actual position is, the Council would be able to chart a course for the year with good hope that we will make port in due time. Page 17 of 154 Page 17 of 15432

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1 Page 17 of 154 3 2 HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL ADDRESS BY CHAIRMAN CHAIRMAN (in English):-Ladies and gentlemen, this is the first formal meeting that our new Member, Mr. Henry H. O. LUK, is attend- ing. It gives me great pleasure to welcome him on your behalf and to express the hope that his association with this Council will be a very long and rewarding one. Welcome to our meeting! (Applause). MINUTES The minutes of the meeting held on 11th March, 1975 were confirmed. STATEMENT CHAIRMAN (in English):-A new Council year has begun. It is time to take stock once more. Now, the pattern of work has been set; responsibilities, defined; activities, organized; programmes, drawn up; and projects planned for the years ahead. Still, the reconstituted Council is only beginning to find the direction that it wants to take on its own and it is carefully putting up signposts along the way. In sum, a sound foundation is being laid for the future. Certainly, the select committees, working well within their respec- tive areas of responsibility, have built up a good measure of teamwork with the department. They have examined their assignments and, just as important, through their various sub-committees, they have begun to probe in depth the opportunities of positive action. Some practical measures have been introduced and more will follow in order to streng- then our base of operations. But, while we may have ambitious plans, we must nevertheless relate what we want to do with what we are Otherwise, capable of achieving with our staff and financial resources. soon enough, we would be running into foul weather. In fact, the Council started by studying very closely its financial position. Rightly so. For, if we are to do anything worthwhile and meaningful at all, we must know how we stand and what we can hope to achieve in our circumstances. There are still important monetary arrangements the Council has not examined in detail which should be done in order to exercise far greater control over expenditure than is presently the case. There can be no excuse for any continuing neglect or omission. Indeed, in every part of our operations, we should try to get value for money in a practical and reasonable way by actually HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL taking the necessary measures to do so because we owe it to the com- munity to spend public money wisely. It is also our intention to study very closely our staff position as we have already agreed to do. This is a matter of grave public responsi- bility for us because personal emoluments account for such a big proportion of our expenditure. There exists the need for progressive re-organization without disrupting the service or hindering the progress of our plans. If we carry out this exercise with tolerance and humanity, I am sure our staff will respond by working harder and better for the common good. They have the capacity and the ability to do so if we work hand in hand with the department for this purpose. But, first things, first. The cornerstone of our activities is our committee structure. This system will work well only if Councillors are willing to provide the necessary leadership with drive and initiative on a sustained basis, and if there is capable support by knowledgeable and effective departmental action. To be successful, committee work entails much thought and research in advance of meetings and, once decisions have been taken, there is the need to ensure follow-up action and to assess the results in every case. Thus, the strength of any pro- gramme or chance of success of any activity may be said to be directly related to the way and the extent members explore the scope set out in the terms of reference of a select committee and its sub-committees. Their potential should be thought out carefully and exploited with vigour and imagination. Indeed, without applying one's mind to com- mittee work and concentrating one's effort on practical follow-up action, there can be little expectation of success in a positive way. In some activities, I fear, we may not be assessing results in the objective manner we intend, but are perhaps lulled by the deceptive appearance of super- ficial success and misled by the ephemeral publicity they attract. It is my hope that in the current year members will re-examine the whole position in their respective committees. A thorough assess- ment of the value of each project to the community and the contribution of each programme to our way of life should be made in earnest. Then, knowing what the actual position is, the Council would be able to chart a course for the year with good hope that we will make port in due time.

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Page 17 of 154

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

ADDRESS BY CHAIRMAN

CHAIRMAN (in English):-Ladies and gentlemen, this is the first formal meeting that our new Member, Mr. Henry H. O. LUK, is attend- ing. It gives me great pleasure to welcome him on your behalf and to express the hope that his association with this Council will be a very long and rewarding one. Welcome to our meeting! (Applause).

MINUTES

The minutes of the meeting held on 11th March, 1975 were confirmed.

STATEMENT

Certainly, the select committees, working well within their respec- tive areas of responsibility, have built up a good measure of teamwork with the department. They have examined their assignments and, just as important, through their various sub-committees, they have begun to probe in depth the opportunities of positive action. Some practical measures have been introduced and more will follow in order to streng- then our base of operations. But, while we may have ambitious plans, we must nevertheless relate what we want to do with what we are Otherwise, capable of achieving with our staff and financial resources. soon enough, we would be running into foul weather.

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

taking the necessary measures to do so because we owe it to the com- munity to spend public money wisely.

It is also our intention to study very closely our staff position as we have already agreed to do. This is a matter of grave public responsi- bility for us because personal emoluments account for such a big proportion of our expenditure. There exists the need for progressive re-organization without disrupting the service or hindering the progress of our plans. If we carry out this exercise with tolerance and humanity, I am sure our staff will respond by working harder and better for the common good. They have the capacity and the ability to do so if we work hand in hand with the department for this purpose.

But, first things, first. The cornerstone of our activities is our committee structure. This system will work well only if Councillors are willing to provide the necessary leadership with drive and initiative on a sustained basis, and if there is capable support by knowledgeable and effective departmental action. To be successful, committee work entails much thought and research in advance of meetings and, once decisions have been taken, there is the need to ensure follow-up action and to assess the results in every case. Thus, the strength of any pro- gramme or chance of success of any activity may be said to be directly related to the way and the extent members explore the scope set out in the terms of reference of a select committee and its sub-committees. Their potential should be thought out carefully and exploited with vigour and imagination. Indeed, without applying one's mind to com- mittee work and concentrating one's effort on practical follow-up action, there can be little expectation of success in a positive way. In some activities, I fear, we may not be assessing results in the objective manner we intend, but are perhaps lulled by the deceptive appearance of super- ficial success and misled by the ephemeral publicity they attract.

It is my hope that in the current year members will re-examine the whole position in their respective committees. A thorough assess- ment of the value of each project to the community and the contribution of each programme to our way of life should be made in earnest. Then, knowing what the actual position is, the Council would be able to chart a course for the year with good hope that we will make port in due time.

1975 — Page 17

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