1986 — Page 53

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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

In the light of the fluctations in the building cost index and tender price index that we have witnessed between the years 1981 and 1986, the average discrepancy between allocated resources and actual financial out-turn of 20% is on the whole acceptable. With the monitoring system gaining more experience and effectiveness, I hope the discrepancy would be further reduced in future

years.

During the financial year of 1985-86, 15 projects were completed, and 9 others begun. A total of 24 projects are now under construction, and work is expected to start during the current financial year on a further 9. Expenditure on capital works in 1985-86 hits a record of $274 million, $62 million higher than any previous year. As the new Chairman of Capital Works Select Committee, I congratulate the planners and architects who have contributed to this achievement. I look forward to better results, and also a continued effort to keep expenditure within budget.

Lastly, Mr. Chairman, I estimate that the cost for this year's Capital Works projects would reach $300 million and I am confident that the discrepancies will be further reduced.

APPENDIX

Year

Allocation ($M)

Actual Expenditure ($M)

Percentage of Underspending

81-82

MPBV 24

Capital 110

}

23.528

134

123.094

8.14%

99.566

82 -83

MPBV 31.63

31.326

Capital 210

241.63

211.362

12.53%

178.596

83-84

MPBV 31.5

Capital 242.5

274

31.326 178.596

209.922

23.39%

84-85

MPBV 35

28.756

38.24%

Capital 296.874

331.874

204.982

176.226

85-86

MPBV 44.02

Capital 285.699 329.719

43.136

17.03%

273.576

230.440

MOTIONS

1.

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

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'RESOLVED that the Food Business (Urban Council) (Amendment) By- laws 1986 be made under section 56 of the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance, Cap. 132.

The Food Business (Urban Council) (Amendment) By-laws 1986 made under the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance now before the Council will, when adopted, increase the licence fees for restaurants.

The existing fees for restaurant licences have not been increased since 1983, because so far the revenue has covered the related expenditure. However, because of rising administrative costs, this will not be the case for this fiscal year. If the licence fees remain at their present level, there will be an estimated deficit

of $2.1 million.

The purpose of amending these By-laws is to help meet the annual cost of administering the licensing and control system of this business in order to maintain standards of food hygiene and to safeguard public health.

The increase has been carefully considered by the Food Hygiene Select Committee and the Standing Committee of the Whole Council, and I am satisfied that due weight has been given to all implications of the proposal.

Mr. Chairman, I beg to move.

MR. L. H. KWAN, VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE FOOD HYGIENE SELECT COMMITTEE, seconded the motion (in English): Mr. Chairman, I rise to second this motion.

The question was put.

The motion was carried unanimously.

ADJOURNMENT—3.27 p.m.

CHAIRMAN (in English):-That concludes the business of today's meeting. The Council stands adjourned until Tuesday, 8 July 1986 at 2.30 p.m.

MISS CECILIA L. Y. YEUNG, CHAIRMAN OF THE FOOD HYGIENE SELECT COMMITTEE, moved the following motion:—

'RESOLVED that the Food Business (Urban Council) (Amendment) By- laws 1986 be made under section 56 of the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance, Cap. 132.'

She said (in Cantonese): Mr. Chairman, as Chairman of the Food Hygiene Select Committee, I rise to move the motion standing in my name:—

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