Page 82 of 146
121
120
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Thirdly, on the cultural and recreational front, the Council provides Hong Kong people not only with recreational, sports and cultural venues but also a wide variety of programmes to suit the tastes of both young and old. For instance, just over three months ago we opened the $8 million Hockey Ground at King's Park which is our third sports pitch with an all-weather artificial turf. Next to be completed is the 12,500-seat Hung Hom Indoor Stadium which will be ready early 1983. It will provide Hong Kong with another up-to-date indoor air-conditioned sports venue of international standard.
To make our cultural and recreational services and programmes more readily available to the people in the districts, we are incorporating cultural and recreation facilities in our major market projects. In these projects we will provide libraries, concert halls and indoor games halls so that district residents will not have to travel long distances to benefit from these services. On library services, permanent premises will be built over the coming years to replace existing rented premises.
Fourthly, in addition to the annual major events such as the Asian Arts Festival and the International Film Festival, the Council will be holding a series of special programmes beginning in March to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the opening of the City Hall. Throughout the rest of the year, we will feature at least one prestigious overseas artist or group each month to mark the special occasion.
The Council has a long-term plan to expand its municipal projects and services to improve the quality of life for the people of Hong Kong. The Council and its executive arm, the Urban Services Department, will continue to exercise prudence in its expenditures although not to the detriment of the public well-being. We are increasingly involved in joint projects with other Government departments and non-Government organizations in making life better, happier and more satisfying for Hong Kong people.
The Council takes pride in doing its part to ensure that Hong Kong is run as a modern international city and free port, progressive, pragmatic and flexible in approach. Through close co-operation with the District Boards, the Council urges Hong Kong residents, young and old alike, to strengthen their commitment, dedication and sense of community responsibility by actual participation in their District Board and Area Committee affairs.
I so move.
MR. H. M. G. FORSGATE, VICE-CHAIRMAN, URBAN COUNCIL, seconded (in English): Mr. Chairman, in rising to second your motion 'That this Council endorse the Statement of Aims for 1982' it occurred to me that perhaps the rate-paying public we are elected or appointed to serve, are not aware of the scope and extent of these aims. In all, these comprise 17 closely typed pages detailing the aims, aspirations and responsibilities of the 11 functional Select Committees. Ironically, Finance Committee, of which I am the Chairman, does not publicize its aims. However, I interpret them as monitoring the Council's purse strings, but always in response to the functional Select Committees' requirements.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Committees. Ironically, Finance Committee, of which I am the Chairman, does not publicize its aims. However, I interpret them as monitoring the Council's purse strings, but always in response to the functional Select Committees' requirements.
I trust that as this Debate continues, members will seize the opportunity to let the public know more about the scope and extent of what has been achieved since we were granted financial autonomy in 1973; and perhaps more importantly our objectives for the years ahead.
I commend the 1981 Annual Report to anyone who seeks information on Urban Council activities. The financial summary and graphs on page 125 illustrate the rapid expansion of these in terms of cost. Unhappily, it also underlines the devastating effect of inflation on expenditure, particularly staff costs, which tripled in these 8 years. However, the expansion in actual numbers of staff was modest in comparison with the numerous new activities and the rapid expansion of standard services since 1973.
The Finance Committee examines requests for staff increases most carefully and is satisfied these demands are monitored effectively by the Administration Select Committee who keep the situation under constant review with the aid of U.S.D. Headquarters staff and the management audit team set up in 1980 for this purpose. With an establishment of some 17,000 this is a vital role.
Looking ahead to the end of this financial year which has only less than three months to run I estimate we will end up with a modest surplus of about $70 million and reserves on deposit of about $300 million. However, as I intimated in my speech seconding the adoption of the 1982/83 Budget in October, both surplus and reserves will melt away during next year unless there is an infusion of additional funds. We are aware, Mr. Chairman, of your efforts in negotiating with Government to rectify our financial situation, and trust that before the end of the financial year you will be able to announce a satisfactory conclusion.
This year will witness the onslaught of M.T.R. contractors onto many Urban Council facilities to enable construction of the Island Line. Large chunks of parks, playgrounds, public toilets, football pitches, markets etc. will be sterilized for three to four years during its construction and great strain will be placed on all available amenities. However, some real benefits will eventually accrue in the shape of new and improved amenities and services. For example, a new toilet and refuse collection point at Southorn Playground. A new market complex including cultural and games facilities will rise above the M.T.R. station to be built on the site of the ancient Sai Wan Ho market in Shau Kei Wan. A badly needed improvement for market and street traders in that area which I suspect would not have been built for many years were it not for the stimulus of M.T.R. requirements.
Page 82 of 146
Page 82 of 146
Page 82 of 146
121
120
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Thirdly, on the cultural and recreational front, the Council provides Hong Kong people not only with recreational, sports and cultural venues but also a wide variety of programmes to suit the tastes of both young and old. For instance, just over three months ago we opened the $8 million Hockey Ground at King's Park which is our third sports pitch with an all weather artificial turf. Next to be completed is the 12500-seat Hung Hom Indoor Stadium which will be ready early 1983. It will provide Hong Kong with another up-to-date indoor air-conditioned sports venue of international standard.
To make our cultural and recreational services and programmes more readily available to the people in the districts, we are incorporating cultural and recreation facilities in our major market projects. In these projects we will provide libraries, concert halls and indoor games halls so that district residents will not have to travel long distances to benefit from these services. On library services, permanent premises will be built over the coming years to replace existing rented premises.
Fourthly, in addition to the annual major events such as the Asian Arts Festival and the International Film Festival, the Council will be holding a series of special programmes beginning in March to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the opening of the City Hall. Throughout the rest of the year, we will feature at least one prestigious overseas artist or group each month to mark the special occasion.
The Council has a long-term plan to expand its municipal projects and services to improve the quality of life for the people of Hong Kong. The Council and its executive arm, the Urban Services Department, will continue to exercise prudence in its expenditures although not to the detriment of the public well-being. We are increasingly involved in joint projects with other Government departments and non-Government organizations in making life better, happier and more satisfying for Hong Kong people.
The Council takes pride in doing its part to ensure that Hong Kong is run as a modern international city and free port, progressive, pragmatic and flexible in approach. Through close co-operation with the District Boards, the Council urges Hong Kong residents, young and old alike, to strengthen their commitment, dedication and sense of community responsibility by actual participation in their District Board and Area Committee affairs.
I so move.
MR. H. M. G. FORSGATE, VICE-CHAIRMAN, URBAN COUNCIL, seconded (in English): Mr. Chairman, in rising to second your motion 'That this Council endorse the Statement of Aims for 1982' it occurred to me that perhaps the rate paying public we are elected or appointed to serve, are not aware of the scope and extent of these aims. In all, these comprise 17 closely typed pages detailing the aims, aspirations and responsibilities of the 11 functional Select
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Committees. Ironically, Finance Committee, of which I am the Chairman, does not publicize its aims. However, I interpret them as monitoring the Council's purse strings, but always in response to the functional Select Committees' requirements.
I trust that as this Debate continues, member will seize the opportunity to let the public know more about the scope and extent of what has been achieved since we were granted financial autonomy in 1973; and perhaps more importantly our objectives for the years ahead.
I commend the 1981 Annual Report to anyone who seeks information on Urban Council activities. The financial summary and graphs on page 125 illustrate the rapid expansion of these in terms of cost. Unhappily, it also underlines the devastating effect of inflation on expenditure, particularly staff costs, which tripled in these 8 years. However, the expansion in actual numbers of staff was modest in comparison with the numerous new activities and the rapid expansion of standard services since 1973.
The Finance Committee examines requests for staff increases most carefully and is satisfied these demands are monitored effectively by the Administration Select Committee who keep the situation under constant review with the aid of U.S.D. Headquarters staff and the management audit team set up in 1980 for this purpose. With an establishment of some 17000 this is a vital role.
Looking ahead to the end of this financial year which has only less than three months to run I estimate we will end up with a modest surplus of about $70 million and reserves on deposit of about $300 million. However, as I intimated in my speech seconding the adoption of the 1982/83 Budget in October, both surplus and reserves will melt away during next year unless there is an infusion of additional funds. We are aware, Mr. Chairman, of your efforts in negotiating with Government to rectify our financial situation, and trust that before the end of the financial year you will be able to announce a satisfactory conclusion.
This year will witness the onslaught of M.T.R. contractors onto many Urban Council facilities to enable construction of the Island Line. Large chunks of parks, playgrounds, public toilets, football pitches, markets etc. will be sterilized for three to four years during its construction and great strain will be placed on all available amenities. However, some real benefits will eventually accrue in the shape of new and improved amenities and services. For example, a new toilet and refuse collection point at Southorn Playground. A new market complex including cultural and games facilities will rise above the M.T.R. station to be built on the site of the ancient Sai Wan Ho market in Shau Kei Wan. A badly needed improvement for market and street traders in that area which I suspect would not have been built for many years were it not for the stimulus of M.T.R. requirements.
Page 82 of 14
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.