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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
These proposed changes have 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.
MR. STEPHEN M. L. LAU, VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE URBAN COUNCIL, seconded the motion (in English):-Mr. Chairman, I second the motion.
The question was put.
The motion was carried unanimously.
3. MR. PETER C. K. CHAN, CHAIRMAN OF THE RECREATION SELECT COMMITTEE, moved the following motion:-
'RESOLVED that the Pleasure Grounds (Urban Council) (Amendment) (No. 4) By-laws 1990 be made under section 109 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 Pleasure Grounds (Urban Council) (Amendment) (No. 4) By-laws 1990 be made under section 109 of the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance, Cap. 132.'
The purpose of the amendment is to set revised camp charges for the holiday village at Council's Lei Yue Mun Park. The new fees will take effect from 1 January 1991, except for schools which will pay the existing rates until 31 March. This is to give them time to secure additional budgetary provision.
In October this year, Members of the Recreation and Finance Select Committees noted that the costs of operating the holiday village had increased and were likely to continue to do so. If fees remained at their existing levels which have not changed since 1988—the already substantial operating deficit would increase in line with costs. To prevent that, Members approved the revised charges presented for ratification today. These should reduce the operating deficit from $10.9 million to $9.4 million and the level of subsidy from 77% to 66%.
Sir, I so move.
MR. JOHN K. P. FAN seconded the motion (in English):-Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to second the motion.
The question was put.
The motion was carried unanimously.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
4. MR. STEPHEN M. L. LAU, VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE URBAN COUNCIL, moved the following motion:-
"That this Council considers it necessary and takes effective measures to eliminate itinerant hawker licences within three years, that is by 1993.'
He said (in English):—Mr. Chairman, I rise to move the motion standing in my name.
"That this Council considers it necessary and takes effective measures to eliminate itinerant hawker licences within three years, that is by 1993.'
It is noted that although the issue of itinerant hawker licences (IHL) ceased in the early 70's, this Council is still having difficulties in tackling the problem of itinerant hawker licensees breaching their licence conditions, e.g., obstruction, static trading.
During the past two decades, the Council has made attempts to solve the problem and in particular the Urban Council Working Party on Hawker and Related Policies reviewed the situation and made recommendations for improvements in 1987. With Council's continuing efforts, the number of IHL has been reduced from 25,000 in 1972 to about 6,000 in 1989. We should not, however, be complacent with this notable reduction in numbers because at present the Council has to allocate a sizeable amount of resources for managing hawkers.
In the last Markets and Street Trader Select Committee licence fees review, many Members expressed their concerns and sympathy for those licence holders, they practically cannot trade in the basket on their shoulder.
As a further attempt to reduce the number of IHLS, Markets and Street Traders Select Committee endorsed a proposal in December 1989 to extend offers to the licensees, including
(a) the ex-gratia payment scheme;
(b) restricted ballot for vacant fixed pitches on-street and in hawker bazaars;
(c) offer of vacant stalls in UC markets,
with a view to enticing them to give up their licences.
With the implementation of these proposals for a few months, the initial assessment shows that the number of IHLS has been reduced to about 4,467. Any significant further reduction can be achieved is very much doubted, may be more incentive of persuasion. In the circumstances, I suggest the Council should consider seriously the option of eliminating the IHLs in three years, that is by 1993, as a long-term strategy in tackling the hawker problem.
Sir, I beg to move.
DR. THE HON. ELSIE TU, seconded the motion (in English):-Mr. Chairman, I rise to second the motion.
Page 77 of 95
Page 77 of 95
Page 77 of
147
146
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
These proposed changes have 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.
MR. STEPHEN M. L. LAU, VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE URBAN COUNCIL, seconded the motion (in English):-Mr. Chairman, I second the motion.
The question was put.
The motion was carried unanimously.
3. MR. PETER C. K. CHAN, CHAIRMAN OF THE RECREATION SELECT COMMITTEE, moved the following motion:-
'RESOLVED that the Pleasure Grounds (Urban Council) (Amendment) (No. 4) By-laws 1990 be made under section 109 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 Pleasure Grounds (Urban Council) (Amendment) (No. 4) By-laws 1990 be made under section 109 of the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance, Cap. 132.'
The purpose of the amendment is to set revised camp charges for the holiday village at Council's Lei Yue Mun Park. The new fees will take effect from 1 January 1991, except for schools which will pay the existing rates until 31 March. This is to given them time to secure additional budgetary provision.
In October this year, Members of the Recreation and Finance Select Committees noted that the costs of operating the holiday village had increased and were likely to continue to do so. If fees remained at their existing levels which have not changed since 1988—the already substantial operating deficit would increase in line with costs. To prevent that, Members approved the revised charges presented for ratification today. These should reduce the operating deficit from $10.9 million to $9.4 million and the level of subsidy from 77% to 66%.
Sir, I so move.
MR. JOHN K. P. FAN seconded the motion (in English):-Mr. Chairman, I am! pleased to second the motion.
The question was put.
The motion was carried unanimously.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
4. MR. STEPHEN M. L. LAU, VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE URBAN COUNCIL, moved the following motion:-
"That this Council considers it necessary and takes effective measures to eliminate itinerant hawker licences within three years, that is by 1993.'
He said (in English):—Mr. Chairman, I rise to move the motion standing in my
name.
"That this Council considers it necessary and takes effective measures to eliminate itinerant hawker licences within three years, that is by 1993.'
It is noted that although the issue of itinerant hawker licences (IHL) ceased in the early 70's, this Council is still having difficulties in tackling the problem of itinerant hawker licensees breaching their licence conditions, e.g., obstruction, static trading.
During the past two decades, the Council has made attempts to solve the problem and in particular the Urban Council Working Party on Hawker and Related Policies reviewed the situation and made recommendations for improvements in 1987. With Council's continuing efforts, the number of IHL has been reduced from 25 000 in 1972 to about 6 000 in 1989. We should not, however, be complacent with this notable reduction in numbers because at present the Council has to allocate a sizeable amount of resources for managing hawkers.
In the last Markets and Street Trader Select Committee licence fees review, many Members expressed their concerns and sympathy for those licence holders, they practically cannot trade in the basket on their shoulder.
As a further attempt to reduce the number of IHLS, Markets and Street Traders Select Committee endorsed a proposal in December 1989 to extend offers to the licensees, including
(a) the ex-gratia payment scheme;
(b) restricted ballot for vacant fixed pitches on-street and in hawker
bazaars;
(c) offer of vacant stalls in UC markets,
with a view to enticing them to give up their licences.
With the implementation of these proposals for a few months, the initial assessment shows that the number of IHLS has been reduced to about 4 467. Any significant further reduction can be achieved is very much doubted, may be more incentive of pursuasion. In the circumstances, I suggest the Council should consider seriously the option of eliminating the IHLs in three years, that is by 1993, as a long term strategy in tackling the hawker problem.
Sir, I beg to move.
DR. THE HON. ELSIE TU, seconded the motion (in English):-Mr. Chairman, I rise to second the motion.
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