1984 — Page 144

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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

But surely the guiding criteria for this Council is that we discharge diligently and prudently our duty.

Dr. The Honourable KIM CHAM (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, I just want to mention something concerning manpower. In the past several years, the Urban Council has been very cautious in the control of increase of our staff, but you can see increase in our services and our projects and facilities and you can look at the figures here provided and our increase in PE is only 2.5% in the past and it is only 2.6% in the coming financial year, how did we manage to provide so many services with so limited resources? Well, one of the ways of doing it is the deployment of our manpower and of new ways of increasing our efficiency; the Urban Council and USD have really done a lot here. In the past, if we did not have a far-sighted estimate, the situation now will be even worse. As for whether we can make use of the Management Services & Audit Unit to improve the situation, of course, our Unit will try its very best and it has been proved that new ways such as using our garbage trucks have been able to save us more money while providing the same level of services. We would certainly work towards the same goal in the same direction, but the most important thing to remember is that manpower is closely related to efficiency. We cannot increase services without an increase in the number of staff, although we have been most cautious in controlling that number. I think the most important thing is to go back to the one point mentioned by members and that we must not spend more than we have. I think all the select committee members and our staff must work towards its goal and I think this is a very important thing to do, that is to save money and have efficiency.

MR. PAO (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, several members have mentioned about the improvement of our management efficiency about providing better services with limited resources; I agree with this and I support the UC's work. I know we have this new management unit and it has been most efficient, but we must consider the wide range of facilities and services provided; we cannot depend solely on the Unit, or else we will have to wait a long time before we have efficiency in every field. Other than decreasing expenditure, I think one more point needs to be considered, and that is a study on the efficiency provided by all the units and operational bodies. I think we should have a body doing a money for value study; I think this comprehensive study will be of help. Secondly, from this estimate, we know that the capital expenditure will be more than $230 million and I think the Urban Council must be very careful in spending money on capital works projects. I know in the past one year, we have had a lot of grand projects, for example, the indoor stadium etc. But I think we must consider whether we should continue to provide these grand projects or should we focus on facilities which will be welcomed by the residents, which will have more to do with the daily needs of our residents. I think we should not just pay attention to these grand projects which would not profit a lot of our residents; for example, the UC complexes, we have been spending a lot of money on UC complexes, so we must review this; should we have the same design for our UC complexes in future; should we have these high buildings for the UC complexes; should we have these sophisticated buildings? We must consider these points and I think if we review the whole situation, we will be able to provide better and more practical facilities to residents. We would not be spending too much money on individual projects. As I am a member of the Capital Works Select Committee, I know we have a lot of temporary development plans; for example, Government has a land which should not be used for five years and they will ask us to develop it and we have to look for money to provide for several benches, several trees. I call upon the members of the select committee to re-consider this; should we continue to provide these facilities; shouldn't we tell the Government that the Government should take these development plans up, especially the short-term development plans? I remember that in the past, we have had to spend over $5 million to stabilize its slopes; well, I do not think this should be taken up by the Urban Council; should we really continue to provide these services? Third point, when we decide upon providing certain community facilities, we should not provide the same type of facilities which they already have; although I agree that we should have more facilities, but since our resources are limited, we must think of the distribution of facilities. For example, in a certain district, originally we already have a swimming pool and the Government is thinking of building another swimming pool but unfortunately, we have decided on a third swimming pool, but I do not think we are using our money very wisely in that particular case, and I think these decisions will affect our income and our expenditure, so I hope that the Urban Council will consider these points from various angles. Although this budget with a deficit is not very satisfactory, I would still support it.

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The question was put.

The motion was carried with 22 votes for and one abstention.

ADJOURNMENT—4.42 p.m.

CHAIRMAN (in English): That concludes the business of today's meeting. The Council stands adjourned until Tuesday, 11 December 1984 at 2.30 p.m.

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