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6. MR. MOK YING-FAN asked the following question (in Cantonese):- Recently I received complaints that there was often a group of people engaged in illegal gambling in Lok Sin Road Park of Tung Tau Estate (near Ng Wah College). This has seriously affected the environmental hygiene and the rights of local residents in using the park.
May I know:
(i) How are parks and small-scale passive amenities managed by the Council to ensure that citizens can enjoy the proper use of these facilities?
(ii) What are the terms of reference and establishment of our staff who are responsible for the management of these parks and passive amenities? Are all of our parks effectively managed?
(iii) Has the Council received this kind of complaints before? If so, were the cases under complaint serious? How does the Council prevent its public facilities from being used for illegal activities?
(iv) Has any review been conducted by the Council on the management of parks to ensure that quality services are provided for the general public?
DR. SAMUEL P. W. WONG, CHAIRMAN OF THE RECREATION SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows (in Cantonese): Mr. Chairman, Mr. Mok's question touches on four issues, namely
(i) How parks and small scale passive amenities are managed by the Council to ensure that citizens can enjoy the proper use of these facilities?
(ii) What are the terms of reference and establishment of USD staff who are responsible for the management of these parks and passive amenities and whether all of our parks are effectively managed?
(iii) Whether the Council has received complaints of illegal gambling in parks and playgrounds before? And if so, what action has been taken to prevent Council's public facilities from being used for illegal activities?
(iv) Whether any review has been conducted by the Council on the management of parks to ensure that quality services are provided for the general public?
The staff complement in parks and small scale passive amenities is established in accordance with standard manning scales drawn up based on the size of venues and the range of facilities provided. For example, in the Tung Tau Estate/Lok Sin Road area, the team of staff comprises 2 Amenities Assistants and 2 Workmen, to look after all the small scale passive amenity, parks and playgrounds within that area. Their duties are to ensure that the Public Pleasure Grounds By-laws are effectively enforced, to prevent vandalism and misuse of playground facilities, to deter illegal activities and misbehaviour, to maintain the facilities installed, to attend to the flowers, trees and shrubs planted therein and generally to keep the grounds clean and tidy. Illegal gambling, if found, is instantly stopped and if necessary assistance is sought from the Police.
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With regard to the specific case raised by Mr. Mok, the Department is aware of a group of people engaged occasionally in illegal gambling at Choi Hung Road/Lok Sin Road Sitting-out Area. The department has increased the frequency of patrol and cleansing in order to maintain the venue in a clean and tidy condition for the public to enjoy. Whenever illegal activity is spotted, the field operative will advise the person(s) involved to stop. If a large number of persons are involved, the Police will be notified. On 21 February 1990, Police conducted a raid at this venue and 23 persons were apprehended for illegal gambling.
Complaints of illegal gambling by elderlies and workers in our parks and playgrounds are received from time to time; however, these are not serious cases and the persons involved usually stop the activity when approached by USD staff.
In 1989, a value-for-money study was undertaken into the operation and management of passive amenities facilities provided by the Council. One of the major recommendations of the study was the rationalization of parkkeeping services in parks and playgrounds. Under the new scheme, a number of minor staff will look after a group of small venues in close proximity to each other in terms of cleansing and gardening whilst patrolling duties would be undertaken by supervisory staff and Safety Officers to ensure that a better quality service and management is provided at these venues. The effect of the new scheme is still to be assessed and the Council will be advised in due course.
MOTIONS
1. 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. 2) Order 1990 be made under section 106 of the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance, Cap. 132.'
He said (in English):-Mr. Chairman, as Chairman of the Recreation Select Committee, I rise on the motion standing in my name:—
'RESOLVED that the Public Health and Municipal Services (Public Pleasure Grounds) (Amendment of Fourth Schedule) (No. 2) Order 1990 be made under section 106 of the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance, Cap. 132.
The purpose of the amendment is to include 5 new venues as public pleasure grounds in the Fourth Schedule (Public Pleasure Grounds) of the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance, Cap. 132.
Sir, I beg to move.
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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
6. MR. MOK YING-FAN asked the following question (in Cantonese):- Recently I received complaints that there was often a group of people engaged in illegal gambling in Lok Sin Road Park of Tung Tau Estate (near Ng Wah College). This has seriously affected the environmental hygiene and the rights of local residents in using the park.
May I know:
(i) How are parks and small-scale passive amenities managed by the Council to
ensure that citizens can enjoy the proper use of these facilities?
(ii) What are the terms of reference and establishment of our staff who are responsible for the management of these parks and passive amenities? Are all of our parks effectively managed?
(iii) Has the Council received this kind of complaints before? If so, were the cases under complaint serious? How does the Council prevent its public facilities from being used for illegal activities?
(iv) Has any review been conducted by the Council on the management of parks
to ensure that quality services are provided for the general public?
DR. SAMUEL P. W. WONG, CHAIRMAN OF THE RECREATION SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows (in Cantonese): Mr. Chairman, Mr. Mok's question touches on four issues, namely
(i) How parks and small scale passive amenities are managed by the Council to ensure that citizens can enjoy the proper use of these facilities?
(ii) What are the terms of reference and establishment of USD staff who are responsible for the management of these parks and passive amenities and whether all of our parks are effectively managed?
(iii) Whether the Council has received complaints of illegal gambling in parks and playgrounds before? And if so, what action has been taken to prevent Council's public facilities from being used for illegal activities? (iv) Whether any review has been conducted by the Council on the management of parks to ensure that quality services are provided for the general public?
The staff complement in parks and small scale passive amenities is established in accordance with standard manning scales drawn up based on the size of venues and the range of facilities provided. For example, in the Tung Tau Estate/Lok Sin Road area, the team of staff comprises 2 Amenities Assistants and 2 Workmen, to look after all the small scale passive amenity, parks and playgrounds within that area. Their duties are to ensure that the Public Pleasure Grounds By-laws are effectively enforced, to prevent vandalism and misuse of playground facilities, to deter illegal activities and misbehaviour, to maintain the facilities installed, to attend to the flowers, trees and shrubs planted therein and generally to keep the grounds clean and tidy. Illegal gambling, if found, is instantly stopped and if necessary assistance is sought from the Police.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
307
With regard to the specific case raised by Mr. Mok, the Department is aware of a group of people engaged occasionally in illegal gambling at Choi Hung Road/Lok Sin Road Sitting-out Area. The department has increased the frequency of patrol and cleansing in order to maintain the venue in a clean and tidy condition for the public to enjoy. Whenever illegal activity is spotted, the field operative will advise the person(s) involved to stop. If a large number of persons are involved, the Police will be notified. On 21 February 1990, Police conducted a raid at this venue and 23 persons were apprehended for illegal
gambling.
Complaints of illegal gambling by elderlies and workers in our parks and playgrounds are received from time to time; however, these are not serious cases and the persons involved usually stop the activity when approached by USD staff.
In 1989, a value-for-money study was undertaken into the operation and management of passive amenities facilities provided by the Council. One of the major recommendations of the study was the rationalization of parkkeeping services in parks and playgrounds. Under the new scheme, a number of minor staff will look after a group of small venues in close proximity to each other in terms of cleansing and gardening whilst patrolling duties would be undertaken by supervisory staff and Safety Officers to ensure that a better quality service and management is provided at these venues. The effect of the new scheme is still to be assessed and the Council will be advised in due course.
MOTIONS
1. DR. SAMUEL P. W. WONG, CHAIRMAN OF THE RECREATION SELECT COMMITTEE, moved the following motion:—
'RESOLVED tha the Public Health and Municipal Services (Public Pleasure Grounds) (Amendment of Fourth Schedule) (No. 2) Order 1990 be made under section 106 of the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance, Cap. 132.'
He said (in English):-Mr. Chairman, as Chairman of the Recreation Select Committee, I rise on the motion standing in my name:—
'RESOLVED that the Public Health and Municipal Services (Public Pleasure Grounds) (Amendment of Fourth Schedule) (No. 2) Order 1990 be made under section 106 of the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance, Cap. 132.
The purpose of the amendment is to include 5 new venues as public pleasure grounds in the Fourth Schedule (Public Pleasure Grounds) of the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance, Cap. 132.
Sir, I beg to move.
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