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# HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
## ADDRESS BY CHAIRMAN
CHAIRMAN (in English):--Good afternoon, Ladies and Gentlemen, Council is called to order.
## MINUTES
The minutes of the meeting held on 9 December 1980 were confirmed.
## PAPER
The following paper was laid on the table:-
(1) Report to the Urban Council by the Director of Urban Services and Secretary, Urban Council, for the month of December 1980.
CHAIRMAN (in English):-Members will note the new presentation which is a welcomed improvement on the form in which these reports have been presented to us for a great number of years.
(Mr. B. A. BERNACCHI and Dr. Denny M. H. HUANG arrived at this point.)
## MOTIONS
1. MR. SHUM CHOI-SANG, CHAIRMAN OF THE MARKETS AND STREET TRADERS SELECT COMMITTEE, moved the following motion:
'RESOLVED that the Abattoirs (Amendment) By-laws 1981 be made under Section 77 of the Public Health and Urban Services Ordinance, Cap. 132.'
He said (in English):-Mr. Chairman, as Chairman of the Markets and Street Traders Select Committee, I rise to move the motion standing in my name.
The cost of operating the abattoirs at Kennedy Town and Cheung Sha Wan has increased considerably over the past year. Following a recent comprehensive costing study which showed substantial deficits not only for the current financial year but even larger for next year, an increase in fees is necessary to bring revenue up to expenditure.
The Markets and Street Traders Select Committee has very carefully considered the new fees as shown in the proposed by-laws. These proposed new fees have also been endorsed by the Standing Committee of the Whole Council.
Sir, I beg to move.
111
MR. AMBROSE K. C. CHOI (in English):-Mr. Chairman, as I am the Vice-Chairman of this committee, I beg to second the motion.
The question was put.
The motion was carried with 21 votes for and 1 abstention. (The Chairman did not vote.)
2. The Chairman moved the following motion:-
"THAT this Council endorse the Statement of Aims for 1981."
He said (in English):-Another year has passed since the Council debated its aims. This is also a conventional exercise for, within the bounds of propriety, it enables a free and frank expression of views on matters believed to be of consequence to Hong Kong beyond the immediate ambit of the motion.
On this occasion there is a new dimension. The progressive development of the public administration here is in train. The Government's intentions for the urban areas and the New Territories have just been announced after a period of public consideration of its tentative proposals.
The new local administration structure covers 18 different districts and is designed on paper to reach the people in their own neighbourhoods. The Council will be affected fundamentally. There can be no doubt on this score. It is obvious that the scheme needs effective membership on a wide front and practical co-operation to make it work on the ground throughout the territory. It must be supported by experienced public servants totally committed to its implementation and not quietly pulling it apart behind the scenes. Its overt object is to devolve subsidiary responsibility to the people and give them a chance to join in making living conditions in their own districts better for all. It should be applauded for this intention. Still, for it to benefit the people directly and not be only an expensive commitment in money and manpower, much will depend manifestly on the ability, credibility, tolerance and effectiveness of the members who will compose all these boards. In sum, it stands or falls on the quality of the people involved. But, above all, its usefulness is predicated upon the good faith of the Government. Is it then only a paper exercise or a genuine transfer of power and responsibility? The new thrust is in the general direction of finding a form best suited to local conditions at the level of the public good it is designed to serve. Only time will tell whether community response will be sustained in earnest. The initial years will be the most significant period when the whole system will be put to the test. Of course, the human factor will be decisive. Success will depend on the appointment of community leaders of proven ability and integrity and on the choice of Government representatives to work with them on the district boards. Indeed, given the peculiar conditions of Hong Kong,
Page 72 of 120
Page 72 of 120
110
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
ADDRESS BY CHAIRMAN
CHAIRMAN (in English):--Good afternoon, Ladies and Gentlemen, Council is called to order.
MINUTES
The minutes of the meeting held on 9 December 1980 were confirmed.
PAPER
The following paper was laid on the table:-
(1) Report to the Urban Council by the Director of Urban Services and
Secretary, Urban Council, for the month of December 1980.
CHAIRMAN (in English):-Members will note the new presentation which is a welcomed improvement on the form in which these reports have been presented to us for a great number of years.
(Mr. B. A. BERNACCHI and Dr. Denny M. H. HUANG arrived at this point.)
MOTIONS
1. MR. SHUM CHOI-SANG, CHAIRMAN OF THE MARKETS AND STREET TRADERS SELECT COMMITTEE, moved the following motion:·
'RESOLVED that the Abattoirs (Amendment) By-laws 1981 be made under Section 77 of the Public Health and Urban Services Ordinance, Cap. 132.
He said (in English):-Mr. Chairman, as Chairman of the Markets and Street Traders Select Committee, I rise to move the motion standing in my
name.
The cost of operating the abattoirs at Kennedy Town and Cheung Sha Wan has increased considerably over the past year. Following a recent comprehensive costing study which showed substantial deficits not only for the current financial year but even larger for next year, an increase in fees is necessary to bring revenue up to expenditure.
The Markets and Street Traders Select Committee has very carefully considered the new fees as shown in the proposed by-laws. These proposed new fees have also been endorsed by the Standing Committee of the Whole Council.
Sir, I beg to move.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
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111
MR. AMBROSE K. C. CHOI (in English):-Mr. Chairman, as I am the Vice- Chairman of this committee, I beg to second the motion.
The question was put.
The motion was carried with 21 votes for and 1 abstention. (The Chairman did not vote.)
2. The Chairman moved the following motion:-
"THAT this Council endorse the Statement of Aims for 1981.'
He said (in English):-Another year has passed since the Council debated its aims. This is also a conventional exercise for, within the bounds of propriety, it enables a free and frank expression of views on matters believed to be of consequence to Hong Kong beyond the immediate ambit of the motion.
On this occasion there is a new dimension. The progressive development of the public administration here is in train. The Government's intentions for the urban areas and the New Territories have just been announced after a period of public consideration of its tentative proposals.
The new local administration structure covers 18 different districts and is designed on paper to reach the people in their own neighbourhoods. The Council will be affected fundamentally. There can be no doubt on this score. It is obvious that the scheme needs effective membership on a wide front and practical co-operation to make it work on the ground throughout the territory. It must be supported by experienced public servants totally com- mitted to its implementation and not quietly pulling it apart behind the scenes. Its overt object is to devolve subsidiary responsibility to the people and give them a chance to join in making living conditions in their own districts better for all. It should be applauded for this intention. Still, for it to benefit the people directly and not be only an expensive commitment in money and manpower, much will depend manifestly on the ability, credibility, tolerance and effectiveness of the members who will compose all these boards. In sum, it stands or falls on the quality of the people involved. But, above all, its usefulness is predicated upon the good faith of the Government. Is it then only a paper exercise or a genuine transfer of power and responsibility? The new thrust is in the general direction of finding a form best suited to local conditions at the level of the public good it is designed to serve. Only time will tell whether community response will be sustained in earnest. The initial years will be the most significant period when the whole system will be put to the test. Of course, the human factor will be decisive. Success will depend on the appointment of community leaders of proven ability and integrity and on the choice of Government representatives to work with them on the district boards. Indeed, given the peculiar conditions of Hong Kong,
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