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between the Italian and Yugoslavian Olympic Waterpolo team. This took place at Victoria Park with over 1,500 spectators enjoying the events.
One major topic to surface during 1988, which created considerable interest among members of the Committee, was the sports consultancy report 'The Way Ahead' prepared by Mr. E. B. JONES for the Hong Kong Government. The report is a wide-ranging analysis of the organization and administration of sport in Hong Kong. This report and the effect of the recommendations it contains on UC and Council activities was discussed in the Committee, and in Standing Committee. Members' comments were subsequently passed to Government. Members clearly supported the call for a comprehensive long-term sport and recreation strategy for Hong Kong, but felt that this must recognize the role of the Urban Council in any developments in this field next few years. Changes are inevitable; but these must be undertaken on a rational and well-considered basis.
The Urban Council has over the years taken the lead in the promotion of sports in the urban area at the grass-root level. It is perhaps only now that Council's dynamic role in sports promotion and development projects generally is being recognized. Nevertheless, there is a constant need to review and improve the level of provision and standards of facilities and services provided for all sports. This can best be achieved through upgrading venue management in Council facilities and through improving the marketing of programmes. Proposals are now being processed by the Urban Services Department to reorganize the Leisure Services Division, to ensure the Department is in a position to respond effectively to the demands made of it in years to come; by Council, sports bodies, and the public at large.
Looking forward to next year, there are many exciting projects with which the Recreation Select Committee will be dealing. Of particular interest will be the comprehensive redevelopment of Repulse Bay. Plans are now at an advanced stage for improvements to the sand area of the beach through a replenishment scheme due to be completed in May 1989. This will effectively double the beach area before the next swimming season.
The beach will also benefit from work to divert nullahs and to install a more effective sewage system. As part of this work, the opportunity will be taken to extend the seaview promenade to run the whole length of the beach. Replenishment of the beach will also require construction of two breakwaters at the East and West end of the beach, to retain the sand. These structures will form the basis for ornamental features which will complement and improve the general environment of the beach.
For next year, 1989-1990, the estimated expenditure under the Recreation Select Committee will be $447 million. This represents roughly a 9% increase on the out-turn forecast for the current year. Of the $447 million estimated total expenditure, 66% is for personal emoluments, 29% for operational expenditure, and the remaining 5% for special expenditure. Estimated revenue for the year is approximately $99 million.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
With these words, Mr. Chairman, I beg to support your motion.
(Mr. Hilton CHEONG-LEEN arrived at 2:41 p.m.)
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MR. MARVIN K. T. CHEUNG (in English): Mr. Chairman, I spoke at the Council's Annual debate last year about the HK Philharmonic Society. At that time, I was asking councillors to give sympathetic consideration to the request for additional financial assistance to the Society so that it can continue to operate as a going concern. Thanks to the support of members of this Council, we reached agreement to grant additional funds to meet the anticipated deficit of the Society in respect of its financial year ended 31 March 1988, notwithstanding the fact that similar support was not forthcoming from Central Government. During the last 12 months, we further agreed to offer to take on the role of the sole major sponsor of the Society. This offer was subsequently accepted by Central Government, thus paving the way for enhanced co-operation between the Council and the Society in the promotion of cultural activities in general and the long-term planning for the Orchestra in particular.
Although the Council will be responsible for the major part of the financial requirements of the Orchestra, it does not mean that the Society's efforts in fund-raising from other sources will be curtailed. The Society will continue to reach out to various segments of the community to invite them to sponsor and support the Society. Let me hasten to assure Dr. Ronald LEUNG and Mr. Walter SULKE that the Society will take heed of the Council's stated policy on sponsorship in relation to the Tobacco industry.
As to the Orchestra's involvement with other public bodies, it is the intention that the Orchestra will seek to obtain performance fees at levels which reflect the actual costs of maintaining an orchestra of this standard. Whilst I am advised that most of the affected organizations, such as the Hong Kong Ballet and the Arts Festival Society, have responded positively to this change, I regret to advise members that our sister body, the Regional Council, is the notable exception. With 3 magnificent venues located in the Regional Council's territory which are of a comparable standard to the City Hall, one would have thought that the promotion of culture would be high on the list of the Regional Council's priorities. As western orchestral music is a cornerstone of any cultural promotion programme, one is left wondering why the Regional Council has up to now shown a lack of support for the efforts of the HK Philharmonic to cultivate and build up audiences in the New Territories.
Although the Regional Council is willing to co-sponsor the concerts in their venues by providing the venues at no cost, the amount of performance fee which the Regional Council has so far indicated that it is prepared to pay for each performance is at such a low level that it represents but a small fraction of the actual costs of maintaining the Orchestra relating to the period of performance in the Regional Council's venue. Therefore, in effect, the shortfall is being paid for by the Urban Council. I understand that many of the Councillors of the Regional Council are supportive of the Philharmonic, and I therefore urge
Page 149 of 182
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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
between the Italian and Yugoslavian Olympic Waterpolo team. This took place at Victoria Park with over 1 500 spectators enjoying the events.
One major topic to surface during 1988, which created considerable interest among members of the Committee, was the sports consultancy report 'The Way Ahead' prepared by Mr. E. B. JONES for the Hong Kong Government. The re- port is a wide ranging analysis of the organization and administration of sport in Hong Kong. This report and the effect of the recommendations it contains on UC and Council activities was discussed in the Committee, and in Standing Committee. Member's comments were subsequently passed to Government. Members clearly supported the call for a comprehensive long-term sport and re- creation strategy for Hong Kong, but felt that this must recognize the role of the Urban Council in any developments in this field next few years. Changes are inevitable; but these must be undertaken on a rational and well considered basis.
The Urban Council has over the years taken the lead in the promotion of sports in the urban area at the grass-root level. It is perhaps only now that Council's dynamic role in sports promotion and development projects generally is being recognized. Nevertheless, there is a constant need to review and im- prove the level of provision and standards of facilities and services provided for all sports. This can best be achieved through upgrading venue management in Council facilities and through improving the marketing of programmes. Proposals are now being processed by the Urban Services Department to reorganize the Leisure Services Division, to ensure the Department is in a position to respond effectively to the demands made of it in years to come; by Council, sports bodies and the public at large.
Looking forward to next year there are many exciting projects with which the Recreation Select Committee will be dealing. Of particular interest will be the comprehensive redevelopment of Repulse Bay. Plans are now at an advanced stage for improvements to the sand area of the beach through a replenishment scheme due to be completed in May 1988. This will effectively double the beach area before the next swimming season.
The beach will also benefit from work to divert nullahs and to install a more effective sewage system. As part of this work, the opportunity will be taken to extend the seaview promenade to run the whole length of the beach. Replen- ishment of the beach will also require construction of two breakwaters at the East and West end of the beach, to retain the sand. These structures will form the basis for ornamental features which will complement and improve the general environment of the beach.
For next year, 1989 1990, the estimated expenditure under the Recreation Select Committee will be $447 million. This represents roughly a 9% increase on the out-turn forecast for the current year. Of the $447 million estimated total expenditure, 66% is for personal emoluments, 29% for operational expenditure and the remaining 5% for special expenditure. Estimated revenue for the year is approximately $99 million.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
With these words, Mr. Chairman, I beg to support your motion.
(Mr. Hilton CHEONG-LEEN arrived at 2.41 p.m.)
Page 149 of 182
289
MR. MARVIN K. T. CHEUNG (in English): Mr. Chairman, I spoke at the Council's Annual debate last year about the HK Philharmonic Society. At that time, I was asking councillors to give sympathetic consideration to the request for additional financial assistance to the Society so that it can continue to op- erate as a going concern. Thanks to the support of members of this Council, we reached agreement to grant additional funds to meet the anticipated deficit of the Society in respect of its financial year ended 31 March 1988 notwithstanding the fact that similar support was not forthcoming from Central Government. During the last 12 months, we further agreed to offer to take on the role of the sole major sponsor of the Society. This offer was subsequently accepted by Central Government, thus paving the way for enhanced co-operation between the Council and the Society in the promotion of cultural activities in general and the long term planning for the Orchestra in particular.
Although the Council will be responsible for the major part of the financial requirements of the Orchestra, it does not mean that the Society's efforts in fund raising from other sources will be curtailed. The Society will continue to reach out to various segments of the community to invite them to sponsor and support the Society. Let me hasten to assure Dr. Ronald LEUNG and Mr. Walter SULKE that the Society will take heed of the Council's stated policy on sponsorship in relation to the Tobacco industry.
As to the Orchestra's involvement with other public bodies, it is the intention that the Orchestra will seek to obtain performance fees at levels which reflects the actual costs of maintaining an orchestra of this standard. Whilst I am ad- vised that most of the affected organizations such as the Hong Kong Ballet and the Arts Festival Society have responded positively to this change, I regret to advise members that our sister body, the Regional Council, is the notable ex- ception. With 3 magnificent venues located in the Regional Council's territory which are of a comparable standard to the City Hall, one would have thought that the promotion of culture would be high on the list of the Regional Council's priorities. As western orchestral music is a corner-stone of any cul- tural promotion programme, one is left wondering why the Regional Council has up to now shown a lack of support of the efforts of the HK Philharmonic to cultivate and build up audiences in the New Territories.
Although the Regional Council is willing to co-sponsor the concerts in their venues by providing the venues at no cost, the amount of performance fee which the Regional Council has so far indicated that it is prepared to pay for each performance is at such a low level that it represents but a small fraction of the actual costs of maintaining the Orchestra relating to the period of perform- ance in the Regional Council's venue. Therefore in effect, the shortfall is being paid for by the Urban Council. I understand that many of the Councillors of the Regional Council are supportive of the Philharmonic and I therefore urge
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