1978 — Page 18

Page 18 of 135

Page 18 of 135

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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

THE SECRETARY, URBAN COUNCIL

MR J. A. M. TINSON, ISO

ADDRESS BY CHAIRMAN

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

danger looms from other directions as well: over the engagement, training and retention of specialist staff, as another example. Is the Council truly concerned with such vital matters? Sufficiently so, to take the necessary steps to safeguard the orderly development of its services?

The essential exercise of preparing well for the future could be done most effectively by starting off with a close scrutiny of current policies and

CHAIRMAN (in English):-Ladies and Gentlemen, Council will come to order programmes in all sectors to assess their usefulness and determine their Members must be pleased with the news of the re-appointment of Mr Ger continuing validity. In practice, by exploring alternative possibilities to achieve

FORSGATE, Mr Kenneth Lo and Mr C. S. SHUM for another term of 4 each. I know Members will want me to congratulate our colleagues on the

year

their aims and relating each potential course of action to disposable resources for the purpose in view, the select committees would be exploiting all op- re-appointment. Likewise, I am sure Members will want me to congratule portunities for the common good. Thus, the Council would also stand to make

our two new Members, Mr Stephen LAU and Mr Howard YOUNG, on the appointment to the Council and to wish them abundant success and satisfac tion in all their work. (Applause).

MR H. M. G. FORSGATE (in English):-Mr Chairman, may I have you permission to rise and thank you on behalf of my appointed colleagues your kind words and, likewise, congratulate you on behalf of the appointed Members on your re-appointment for a further 4 years. (Applause).

MINUTES

The minutes of the meeting held on 14.3.1978 were confirmed.

STATEMENT BY CHAIRMAN

CHAIRMAN (in English):-The start of a new year is perhaps the best time to examine frankly whether the Council is doing all its public duties properly. In effect, it could well be asked if the Council was doing all it should de as well as it might in the circumstances.

It would be prudent for the Council in its deliberations to agree at one: to plan all requirements far more methodically and well ahead of time too. Otherwise, it would not be applying its relatively modest resources to best advantage. It should first decide whether existing activities should be retained. Yes, if they fill a continuous need or do good to community life. No, if they have already served their purpose. All the while, the search should go on for new ways of bettering the lot of the people.

Without adequate preparation, the Council might well be left in the lurch For example, if heavy existing commitments were to make their monetary claim on the Council at about the same time, it would probably upset the delicate balance of its position. Working surpluses to date are deceptive and tend to lull the Council into a false sense of financial security. But, the

sustained advance without strain. Of course, this is an innovative approach for Hong Kong.

But the success of this procedure is predicated upon concerned and imagina- tive leadership. Its presence should be felt not only at committee meetings but through close monitoring of results so as to be able to intervene im- mediately if required to prevent a setback. Certainly, all this work would take much time; so, clock-watching would be out. Anyway, unless the committees took a positive line, the initiative would rest with the Department. In the event, Members would be no more than nominal decision-makers with the staff being in the saddle, actually setting the pace. Moreover, the legal reconstitution of the Council would have no meaning in reality without an actual transformation of its thinking as reflected in its new working life.

If the Council is to move into the difficult years ahead with the hope of maintaining its initial success, let alone of gathering momentum for greater achievements, it must start at once to plan in earnest for the long term. Indeed, this Council must be committed to long-range planning in totality. It should not settle for a piecemeal and spasmodic projection of its position done only in time of need. It might then be reacting to stress somewhat late in the day. How else would the Council apply intelligently the resources at its command without total long-range planning? There are many other pointed questions, besides. Not the least in importance by far must be the Council's inevitable concern with the shift of population away from the urban areas into the new towns. Is the Council anticipating its eventual effect? Do the committees realize how grave the impact is even now? Frank answers must be found if the Council is to forestall a crisis coming about when least expected. But, in the end, whatever the exercise, success is still a matter of judgment, be it personal or collective; and, in truth, it will much depend on the quality of performance by the select committees.

In the process, this Council should take it for granted that it must break down the inclusive costs of all operations and probe into the aim and purpose of each venture. In fact, the accounts have been re-vamped in a way to suit the new order and their presentation drawn up to ensure that Members know precisely what is going on if they are so inclined. There has also been a

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