Page 93 of 166
Page 95 01 FO
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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
This is a pleasant task for any Chairman of a Select Committee, instead of issuing warnings and complaining, like matters about difficulties, to have been able to report success and I must thank my colleagues and my predecessors in this Council for all the support they have given to lead to the combination of this climate of one of the Urban Council's significant contributions to the city. And above all, I must give praise to our executive arm, the Urban Services Department, and I hope through their Director, appropriate credit will be conveyed to his staff, especially those of the Cultural Section. Thank you.
CHAIRMAN (in English):---May I add as a footnote to the last comment. I have today signed the letter to the staff of the Cultural Centre on that sort of views you have just expressed. I agree and I must say you and your Committee do the first-class job. Thank you.
MOTION
1. MR. TONG KAM-BIU, VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH SELECT COMMITTEE, moved the following motion:
'RESOLVED that the Cremation and Gardens of Remembrance (Urban Council) (Amendment) By-laws 1989 be made under section 124E of the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance, Cap. 132.'
He said (in Cantonese):-Mr. Chairman, as Vice-Chairman of the Public Health Select Committee, I rise to move the motion standing in my name.
The Cremation and Gardens of Remembrance (Urban Council) (Amendment) By-laws 1989 made under the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance now before the Council will, when adopted, increase the fees for cremation and columbarium niches in the Urban Council area.
The existing fees for such services were last revised in 1987. For 1988–89, the relevant costing review showed that the fees and charges in force still remained within the Council's approved subsidy levels (not exceeding 30% for burials and 50% for cremation). No increase was therefore made last year.
In the 1987 fee revision exercise, Members of the then Environmental Hygiene Select Committee endorsed that the subsidy levels for dead disposal services and facilities should remain unchanged and fees for cremation and related services in both the Urban and Regional Council areas should be set at the same level if possible.
The purpose of amending these by-laws now is to help keep the Council's target subsidy for cremation and columbarium niches below the 50% level and the fees uniform between the two municipal council areas while maintaining such services at a satisfactory level to the general public.
The increase has been carefully considered by the Public Health Select Committee, the Finance 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.
DR. THE HON. ELSIE TU, MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH SELECT COMMITTEE, seconded the motion (in English): Mr. Chairman, I second the motion.
The question was put.
The motion was carried unanimously.
ADJOURNMENT 4.10 p.m.
CHAIRMAN (in English):-That concludes the business of today's meeting. The Council stands adjourned until Tuesday, 12 December 1989 at 2.30 p.m.
PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY THE GOVERNMENT PRINTER, HONG KONG
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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Page 95 of 166
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Page 93 of 166
Page 95 01 FO
174
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
This is a pleasant task for any Chairman of a Select Committee, instead of issuing warnings and complaining, like matters about difficulties, to have been able to report success and I must thank my colleagues and my predecessors in this Council for all the support they have given to lead to the combination of this climate of one of the Urban Council's significant contributions to the city. And above all, I must give praise to our executive arm, the Urban Services Department, and I hope through their Director, appropriate credit will be conveyed to his staff, especially those of the Cultural Section. Thank you.
CHAIRMAN (in English):---May I add as a footnote to the last comment. I have today signed the letter to the staff of the Cultural Centre on that sort of views you have just expressed. I agree and I must say you and your Committee do the first class job. Thank you.
MOTION
1. MR. TONG KAM-BIU, VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH SELECT COMMITTEE, moved the following motion:
'RESOLVED that the Cremation and Gardens of Remembrance (Urban Council) (Amendment) By-laws 1989 be made under section 124E of the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance, Cap. 132.'
He said (in Cantonese):-Mr. Chairman, as Vice-Chairman of the Public Health Select Committee, I rise to move the motion standing in my name.
The Cremation and Gardens of Remembrance (Urban Council) (Amendment) By-laws 1989 made under the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance now before the Council will, when adopted, increase the fees for cremation and columbarium niches in the Urban Council area.
The existing fees for such services were last revised in 1987. For 1988–89, the relevant costing review showed that the fees and charges in forces still remained within the Council's approved subsidy levels (not exceeding 30% for burials and 50% for cremation). No increase was therefore made last year.
In the 1987 fee revision exercise, Members of the then Environmental Hygiene Select Committee endorsed that the subsidy levels for dead disposal services and facilities should remain unchanged and fees for cremation and related services in both the Urban and Regional Council areas should be set at the same level if possible.
The purpose of amending these by-laws now is to help keep the Council's target subsidy for cremation and columbarium niches below the 50% level and the fees uniform between the two municipal council areas while maintaining such services at a satisfactory level to the general public.
The increase has been carefully considered by the Public Health Select Committee, the Finance Select Committee and the Standing Committee of
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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.
DR. THE HON. ELSIE TU, MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH SELECT COMMITTEE, seconded the motion (in English): Mr. Chairman, I second the motion.
The question was put.
The motion was carried unanimously.
ADJOURNMENT 4.10 p.m.
CHAIRMAN (in English):-That concludes the business of today's meeting. The Council stands adjourned until Tuesday, 12 December 1989 at 2.30 p.m.
PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY THE GOVERNMENT PRINTER, HONG KONG
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