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it is now essential to establish priorities, particularly with regard to our capital works programme, also (I regret) to increase secondary sources of revenue to keep pace, at least, with inflation.
Finally, I would like to thank all Chairmen and Members of our various committees who have carefully considered their respective budgets, the Director of Urban Services, the Assistant Directors, particularly in this connection the A.D.U.S. (Finance), and all other members of the USD who have contributed towards this budget that now lies before members. We are all very pleased that we have in the last year managed to become much more accurate in our forecasting which in itself a sign that better control is now being exercised.
Mr. Chairman, I second the motion.
MR. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN (in English):- Mr. Chairman, in supporting the Budget for the year 1990–91 may I say a few words on the subject of markets and street trading. I hope it wouldn't be too much more confusing for my friend, Mr. YOUNG.
The Urban Council manages 12 market complexes, 34 regular markets, 13 cooked food markets and one flower market, with a total of 9,021 stalls.
The Council also has issued about 17,000 fixed pitch and Itinerant Hawker licences.
The outturn expenditure forecast for the financial year 1989-90 is expected to be $304 million approximately, while the 1990-91 Budget will be just over $331 million, an increase of 9%.
In the 1990-91 financial year, the Urban Council plans to open Chung Sing Complex (which will be renamed Shek Tong Tsui Complex) Market, Wan Chai Road Temporary Market, Kimberley Street Market, Kwun Chung Complex Market and Ngau Tau Kok Complex Market. The Urban Services Department will set up three GDT Squads for protection of the new markets. There will also be restructuring of four GDT Squads on Hong Kong Island and ten GDT Squads in Kowloon for increased efficiency.
New proposals to restructure the entire GDTs organization and strengthen its capability and flexibility will soon be considered by the Urban Council, and if such proposals are accepted, additional funds will have to be allocated provided that they are approved by the Finance Select Committee and the Council.
Meantime, the 1990-91 Budget shows a revenue estimate from market rentals, hawker licence fees and permits, of $186 million, which would indicate an Urban Council subsidy or deficit of about $145 million for the coming year.
Within the scope of its Budget, the Markets and Street Traders Select Committee will continue to upgrade the facilities and quality of service in public markets, and maintain proper control of the hawker situation in the urban areas.
Mr. Chairman, I support the motion.
189
MR. JOSEPH CHAN YUEK-SUT (in Cantonese):- Mr. Chairman, your speech points out that we have a deficit of about HK$83 million. I do agree with what you have said that on the one hand we need to effect saving but on the other hand we must maintain our standard of service. In trying to generate more revenue and cut down expenditure, we need to make careful consideration and have a thorough look at our services. Regarding expenditure, are we spending our money cost-effectively? Since we have a lot of staff whose salaries form a major share of our total expenditure, do we have to find out whether there are any sinecures in the Department? As regards capital works projects which are required by a modern city, should we examine thoroughly that the basic district services are provided before we embark any major projects that only bring us glamour and glory? Concerning fees and charges, there are joint functions and training programmes for our staff with the Regional Council. The Urban Council pays two-third and the Regional Council only pays one-third of the total expenditure and I don't think this is a fair arrangement. This unfair arrangement needs to be reviewed and amended. As far as I know, the Regional Council has surplus every year. There is no reason why we should subsidize them despite the fact that we have deficit. Regarding rates, I do agree we need to generate more revenue but I don't think we should increase the rates so as to avoid adding burdens to our citizens. The Regional Council gets the total share from rates. Why does the Central Government not give the same to the Urban Council? Even if we can't get the total share, at least the percentage should be raised. There are a lot of enthusiastic citizens who are willing to make donations. They make generous donations to many major charitable organisations such as the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals and the Community Chest, etc. They are able to raise a lot of funds every year. Previously, we had seen one fund-raising concert in which ten to twenty million dollars could be raised. In this regard, we can perhaps encourage large financial organizations and major hongs to donate money for the construction of our major projects. The amount of money payable to Urban Council may perhaps be exempted from taxation.
Mr. Chairman, within these remarks, I support the motion.
CHAIRMAN (in English):— I won't exercise my right of reply except to take on board all the relevant points made by Mr. Joseph CHAN and may even organize an Urban Council Flag Day to raise funds.
The question was put.
The motion was carried unanimously.
2. DR. SAMUEL P. W. WONG, CHAIRMAN OF THE RECREATION SELECT COMMITTEE, moved the following motion:——
'RESOLVED that the Public Health and Municipal Services (Public Pleasure Grounds) (Amendment of Fourth Schedule) (No. 7) Order 1989 be made under section 106 of the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance, Cap. 132.'
Page 101 of 166
Page 100 of 166
188
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
it is now essential to establish priorities, particularly with regard to our capital works programme, also (I regret) to increase secondary sources of revenue to keep pace, at least, with inflation.
Finally, I would like to thank all Chairmen and Members of our various committees who have carefully considered their respective budgets, the Director of Urban Services, the Assistant Directors, particularly in this connection the A.D.U.S. (Finance), and all other members of the USD who have contributed towards this budget that now lies before members. We are all very pleased that we have in the last year managed to become much more accurate in our forecasting which in itself a sign that better control is now being exercised.
Mr. Chairman, I second the motion.
MR. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN (in English):-Mr. Chairman, in supporting the Budget for the year 1990–91 may I say a few words on the subject of markets and street trading. I hope it wouldn't be too much more confusing for my friend, Mr. YoUNG.
The Urban Council manages 12 market complexes, 34 regular markets, 13 cooked food markets and one flower market, with a total of 9 021 stalls.
The Council also has issued about 17 000 fixed pitch and Itinerant Hawker licences.
The outturn expenditure forecast for the financial year 1989-90 is expected to be $304 million approximately, while the 1990-91 Budget will be just over $331 million, an increase of 9%.
In the 1990-91 financial year, the Urban Council plans to open Chung Sing Complex (which will be renamed Shek Tong Tsui Complex) Market, Wan Chai Road Temporary Market, Kimberley Street Market, Kwun Chung Complex Market and Ngau Tau Kok Complex Market. The Urban Services Department will set up three GDT Squads for protection of the new markets. There will also be restructuring of four GDT Squads on Hong Kong Island and ten GDT Squads in Kowloon for increased efficiency.
New proposals to restructure the entire GDTs organization and strengthen its capability and flexibility will soon be considered by the Urban Council, and if such proposals are accepted, additional funds will have to be allocated provided that they are approved by the Finance Select Committee and the Council.
Meantime, the 1990-91 Budget shows a revenue estimate from market rentals, hawker licence fees and permits, of $186 million, which would indicate an Urban Council subsidy or deficit of about $145 million for the coming year.
Within the scope of its Budget, the Markets and Street Traders Select Committee will continue to upgrade the facilities and quality of service in public markets, and maintain proper control of the hawker situation in the urban areas.
Mr. Chairman, I support the motion.
|
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Page 100 of 166
189
MR. JOSEPH CHAN YUEK-SUT (in Cantonese):-Mr. Chairman, your speech points out that we have a deficit of about HK$83 million. I do agree with what you have said that on the one hand we need to effect saving but on the other hand we must maintain our standard of service. In trying to generate more revenue and cut down expenditure, we need to make careful consideration and have a thorough look at our services. Regarding expenditure, are we spending our money cost-effectively? Since we have a lot of staff whose salaries form a major share of our total expenditure, do we have to find out whether there are any sinecures in the Department? As regards capital works projects which are required by a modern city, should we examine thoroughly that the basic district services are provided before we embark any major projects that only bring us glamour and glory? Concerning fees and charges, there are joint functions and training programmes for our staff with the Regional Council. The Urban Council pays two-third and the Regional Council only pays one-third of the total expenditure and I don't think this is a fair arrangement. This unfair arrangement needs to be reviewed and amended. As far as I know, the Regional Council has surplus every year. There is no reason why we should subsidize them despite the fact that we have deficit. Regarding rates, I do agree we need to generate more revenue but I don't think we should increase the rates so as to avoid adding burdens to our citizens. The Regional Council gets the total share from rates. Why does the Central Government not give the same to the Urban Council? Even if we can't get the total share, at least the percentage should be raised. There are a lot of enthusiastic citizens who are willing to make donations. They make generous donations to many major charitable organisations such as the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals and the Community Chest, etc. They are able to raise a lot of funds every year. Previously, we had seen one fund-raising concert in which ten to twenty million dollars could be raised. In this regard, we can perhaps encourage large financial organizations and major hongs to donate money for the construction of our major projects. The amount of money payable to Urban Council may perhaps be exempted from taxation.
Mr. Chairman, within these remarks, I support the motion.
CHAIRMAN (in English):—I won't exercise my right of reply except to take on board all the relevant points made by Mr. Joseph CHAN and may even organize an Urban Council Flag Day to raise funds.
The question was put.
The motion was carried unanimously.
2. DR. SAMUEL P. W. WONG, CHAIRMAN OF THE RECREATION SELECT COMMITTEE, moved the following motion:——
'RESOLVED that the Public Health and Municipal Services (Public Pleasure Grounds) (Amendment of Fourth Schedule) (No. 7) Order 1989 be made under section 106 of the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance, Cap. 132.'
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