Page 247 of 485
Page 247 of 485
Page 247 of 485
222
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
and put into use in large scale in any places. Therefore I do not want the Council to become a testing ground. However, I still support this motion.
This question was put.
The motion was unanimously carried.
7.
MR. STANLEY NG WING-FAI moved the following motion:—
RESOLVED that the Liquor Licensing Board of the Urban Council reviews the liquor licensing procedures and formulates a clear and open licensing policy to prevent the issue of liquor licences to applicants not complying with the stipulations of the land leases, occupation certificates and land use plans of the properties in question; the Board should also consider the usage of common passageway and other situations in the properties to avoid causing any nuisances to the residents.
He said (in Cantonese):—This is the last motion of the day. I hope the debate can be finished smoothly. At present, according to the liquor licensing legislations, the Liquor Licensing Board has to adhere to a set of criteria when issuing licenses. Firstly, we need to consider if the applicant is a suitable and proper person to hold the licence; secondly, whether the premises are suitable for selling liquor; and thirdly, whether the premises will cause nuisance or inconvenience to residents of the building. Due to the existing legislations, certain situations have occurred in the past. For instance, sometimes when the owners' corporations or residents of certain commercial/residential or residential buildings object to the issue of a liquor licence, some of these people were threatened. In one case, an O.C. Chairman was attacked with kerosene, whereas some people were beaten up in other instances. Moreover, under the existing licensing system, there were cases in which the issue of liquor licence was overturned by the Municipal Services Appeals Boards at the end. These situations reflect that there are problems in the policy of the licensing system, including unclear guidelines, insufficient instructions in regard to premises for liquor-selling, occasional threats imposed on objectors, delay in issue of license to certain premises intended for proper business, work of the liquor license issuing authority, non-display of licences in some premises, etc.
Here I have a motion: 'RESOLVED that the Liquor Licensing Board of the Urban Council reviews the liquor licensing procedures.' This part was illustrated just now, and I think it is understood by and is acceptable to Members.
Moreover, we have to formulate clear and open licensing guidelines. A clear and open licensing policy can give the property owners and residents certain degree of protection. It can also make people who want to operate this kind of business turn to commercial buildings or areas to do their business. Then these people will no longer need to invest in residential buildings and resort to violence or even illegal means to maintain their business in the face of objection.
Page 247 of 485
Page 247 of 485
Page 247 of 485
222
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
and put into use in large scale in any places. Therefore I do not want the Council to become a testing ground. However, I still support this motion.
This question was put.
The motion was unanimously carried.
7.
MR. STANLEY NG WING-FAI moved the following motion:—
*RESOLVED that the Liquor Licensing Board of the Urban Council reviews the liquor licensing procedures and formulates a clear and open licensing policy to prevent the issue of liquor licences to applicants not complying with the stipulations of the land leases, occupation certificates and land use plans of the properties in question; the Board should also consider the usage of common passageway and other situations in the properties to avoid causing any nuisances to the residents.*
He said (in Cantonese):—This is the last motion of the day. I hope the debate can be finished smoothly. At present, according to the liquor licensing legislations, the Liquor Licensing Board has to adhere to a set of criteria when issuing licenses. Firstly, we need to consider if the applicant is a suitable and proper person to hold the licence; secondly, whether the premises are suitable for selling liquor; and thirdly, whether the premises will cause nuisance or inconvenience to residents of the building. Due to the existing legislations, certain situations have occurred in the past. For instance, sometimes when the owners' corporations or residents of certain commercial/residential or residential buildings object to the issue of a liquor licence, some of these people were threatened. In one case, an O.C. Chairman was attacked with kerosene, whereas some people were beaten up in other instances. Moreover, under the existing licensing system, there were cases in which the issue of liquor licence was overturned by the Municipal Services Appeals Boards at the end. These situations reflect that there are problems in the policy of the licensing system, including unclear guidelines, insufficient instructions in regard to premises for liquor-selling, occasional threats imposed on objectors, delay in issue of license to certain premises intended for proper business, work of the liquor license issuing authority, non-display of licences in some premises, etc.
Here I have a motion: 'RESOLVED that the Liquor Licensing Board of the Urban Council reviews the liquor licensing procedures.' This part was illustrated just now, and I think it is understood by and is acceptable to Members.
Moreover, we have to formulate clear and open licensing guidelines. A clear and open licensing policy can give the property owners and residents certain degree of protection. It can also make people who want to operate this kind of business turn to commercial buildings or areas to do their business. Then these people wilt no longer need to invest in residential buildings and resort to violence or even illegal means to maintain their business in the face of objection.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.