1983 — Page 38

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Page 38 of 194

Page 38 of 194

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

and the respective Chairmen is very good. Senior U.S.D. staff such as Urban Services Officers and Regional Cultural Services Officers serve on the various committees of the District Boards.

Already a great many District Board operations, particularly in the field of environmental improvement, have been successfully carried out. These operations are of considerable benefit to the Council's cleansing work and in the field of hawker control. Indeed, the unequivocal moral support given by District Boards to this work helps to confirm the confidence of the Council and the correctness of its policies, and also to encourage the staff in their execution. The Council has also been giving active support to district cultural and sports activities.

As for the planning of Urban Council capital projects, the Department refers schedules of accommodation to District Boards prior to submitting them to the Council for approval. This enables the Council to take into consideration the views of the people of the district in which, and mostly for whom, the facility is to be provided before a final decision is made on its development.

To let District Boards have a better idea of the work of the Council, we have started a programme of inviting urban District Boards to visit the Council Chambers and attend the Council's open meetings. The programme started in December last year. So far 7 District Boards have visited us including the Mong Kok and Yau Ma Tei District Boards which are with us to-day. By September, all urban District Boards will have attended Council's open meetings.

Both the District Boards and the Urban Council serve the people of Hong Kong and clearly it is in the interest of the public and its own for the Council to promote a close working relationship with District Boards. There is no doubt that this policy will be followed in future so that the combined efforts of both bodies will result in Hong Kong being a better place to live in.

In spite of the formation, two years ago, of the District Relations Select Committee which keeps good liaison with District Boards, as the current Chairman, I believe the Select Committee must exert more efforts and there is plenty of room for improvement. Whether its terms of reference need to be amended and expanded will have to be decided by all the Members of the Select Committee and approved by the Standing Committee of the Whole Council. In my opinion, the District Relations Select Committee should take the initiative to promote yet closer relationship with District Boards as well as the local communities in order to achieve the best possible effect. Mere discussion on the policy of 'district relations' at the monthly meeting will not serve the purpose and something more must be done.

MR. JOSEPH CHAN (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, I want to thank Mr. CHOW for his very detailed answer. In paragraph 7, it stated that schedules of accommo- dation will be referred to the District Boards for discussion, but actually if the District Boards have objection to the Urban Council's plans, then will the Urban

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

Council make the suitable amendment to suit the needs of the people or will the Urban Council insist on the original plan?

MR. CHOW (in Cantonese):-The answer to this question is that for the design of every project, we will have to look at the conditions of every project. Of course, the Urban Council is not so stubborn as to ignore the decision of District Boards. On the other hand, that is not to say that we must change the plans just because the District Board members object, because we have our policies and we have principles. As I have said, we have the same objective, i.e. to serve the public, so it is desirable for us to think of the best way to serve the public and if it is possible, we will try our best to meet the demands and the needs of the District Boards.

MR. BERNACCHI (in English):--Mr. Chairman, will the Chairman of the District Relations Select Committee please elaborate his last statement 'something more must be done', like what?

MR. CHOW (in Cantonese):—As to the District Boards, it is essential for us to take initiative to promote closer relationship with them. For example, besides sending two Urban Councillors to attend the meetings of the District Boards, we can perhaps consult the District Boards before deciding certain matters. We should discuss the matter with them first so that we can modify our policies.

MR. JOSEPH CHAN (in Cantonese):-Mr. Chairman, I want to continue my question. As I understand, the Kowloon City District Board objected to the plan proposed by the Urban Council for the Carpenter Road park. How did the Urban Council deal with this? How will it promote closer relationship with District Boards?

CHAIRMAN (in Cantonese):-Well, in fact, this question is not too relevant to the original question, but if Mr. CHOW wishes to answer, please feel free to do so.

MR. CHOW (in Cantonese):—Yes, I will answer this question. I would also like to make use of this opportunity to clarify the point to the public. On the Carpenter Road park, the Kowloon City District Board proposed amendments after the Urban Council had made a decision on it. At that time, the Recreation Select Committee and the Standing Committee discussed this matter and decided to maintain the original plan. This matter was not discussed at the District Relations Select Committee. In future, if we want to improve and promote closer relationships with District Boards, we can discuss the items before making a decision so that both parties can be satisfied.

7. MR. JOSEPH Y. S. CHAN asked the following question (in Cantonese):-To what extent will the Urban Council subsidize and participate in district activities, especially in district arts and sports festivals organized by the District Boards?