1981 — Page 53

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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

MR. HU (in English):-In every swimming pool we do have a fixed number of life guards. In the case of Morrison Hill Swimming Pool, there are 3 life guards on duty all the time and on the day of 14 July 1981, 3 life guards were on duty and it happened at 10:10 a.m. and it was immediately dealt with by the life guards and action was taken very quickly, so in a few minutes time, actually, that boy was sent to the hospital.

MOTIONS

1. THE CHAIRMAN, URBAN COUNCIL, moved the following motion:--

'RESOLVED that the audited Statement of Assets and Liabilities and Statement of Receipts & Payments of the Urban Council for the year ended 31 March 1981, be adopted.'

He said (in English): In accordance with Section 36(4)(c) of the Urban Council Ordinance, I move the adoption of the audited Statement of Assets and Liabilities and Statement of Receipts and Payments of the Urban Council for the year ended 31 March 1981.

Members will be pleased to note that the Director of Audit's Certificate on the Statements is not qualified by any observation on the manner in which the Council's accounts have been kept and rendered, nor has he raised any points in his covering letter.

As at March 31, 1980, the Council's total reserves stood at approximately $280 million. However, one year later, as at March 31, 1981, the reserves were reduced to $215 million, and for the first time since the Council acquired financial autonomy it suffered a deficit of $65 million during the year 1980-81.

It is too early to tell to what extent there will be a deficit in the Council's accounts by the end of the current fiscal year which expires on March 31, 1982. But it will be prudent fiscal policy to ensure that the Council's general reserves are kept at a reasonable level of, say, at least three months' expenditure for any given year. This will be a matter which will be taken up further with Government in the next two months.

As all ten urban District Boards will have been established by the end of the current fiscal year, the Urban Council will have to plan for a steady expansion of its services to meet the growing requirements of each District while adhering to sound administrative practices in managing its finances.

I so move.

MR. PETER P. F. CHAN, VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE FINANCE SELECT Committee, seconded (in English):-Mr. Chairman, in the absence of the Chairman of the

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

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Finance Select Committee, I am happy to second your motion. As the accounts with the report of the Director of Audit have already been presented and approved by the Standing Committee. There is no need for me to elaborate in further details. As a professional accountant, of course I'd like to see that the report of the Director of Audit is a report without qualifications. In the course of working with the Director, the Council is always obliged for his observations as a watch dog on matters relating to the Council. In the past year, whenever observations were made known, enquiries and appropriate incasures were taken immediately. We always consider that accountability to members of the public is our responsibilities. You, sir, have expressed that it's too early to tell to what extent there will be a deficient in the current fiscal year to 31 March 1982. I agree to this because during the coming months there will be some supplemetary provisions and of course the level of capital expenditure may vary. Happily, the Council this year has the benefit of a Government grant of $280 million and hopefully, this will probably change the financial result to a surplus and the level of reserve mentioned by you, sir, will probably be maintained. May I second the motion.

The question was put.

The motion was carried unanimously.

2. THE CHAIRMAN, URBAN COUNCIL, moved the following motion:-

'RESOLVED that the Urban Council Annual Report for the year 1980-81 be approved.'

He said (in English):-The 1981 Annual Report tabled today is an attractive pictorial volume of the Council's efforts to improve the quality of life for our four million residents in urban Hong Kong.

Health education, the 'Clean Hong Kong Campaign', food health, hawkers and markets, and noise pollution are part of the Council's chores toward a better living environment.

In culture, recreation and sport, the Council has an unparalleled record of achievement, not just in quantity but equally in quality as well. With the coming formation of ten urban District Boards, the solid foundation laid by the Council in past years will stand it in good stead in supporting the District Boards to organize similar activities on their own.

The Urban Services Department, the Council's executive arm, performs its multifarious role effectively with an establishment of about 17000. I am confident that the close relationship which exists between the Council through its various Committees and the Department will lead to continuously improved performance for the public benefit.

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