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22
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
The allocation of an additional $175 million by the Council as fitting out costs for the Stadium before the completion of its redevelopment has always been a subject of major public concern. Such an enormous sum of additional expenditure was not expected when the Council agreed to the redevelopment project proposed by the Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club. Although Councillors were not happy with this arrangement when they discussed in the past, they finally approved the allocation with reluctance because Mr. BARMA, the then DUS, pointed out that the additional payment of $175 million was only the advance payment of a ‘loan', which would be repaid to the Council from the future revenues of the Stadium. We thought this arrangement was a mutual understanding reached by the Council.
However, at the November 1995 Meeting of the Board of Governors of the Hong Kong Stadium, Mr. Albert LAM Chi-chiu, DUS, came up with a different version saying that instead of being a 'loan, the $175 million was a recurrent expenditure from the Council's reserve. This is obviously contrary to the previous understanding.
The Democratic Party therefore urges the Department to clarify to the Council: whether there is a separate account for the income and expenditure of the Stadium. In other words, will any loss incurred by the Stadium affect the overall expenditure of the Urban Council. The Department should also clarify whether it has changed its stand in respect of the Hong Kong Stadium issue.
Mr. Chairman, the Democratic Party urges the Department to face the issue squarely and give the Council a reply.
Mr. Chairman, with these remarks, I support the motion.
MR. CHAN CHOI-HI (in Cantonese): Mr. Chairman, as Chairman of the Public Relations Sub-Committee, I consider the provision of quality service an important foundation of the Council's public relations work. Besides establishing a good image for the Council and cultivating good relations with the outside, public relations work should also cover internal communication, e.g. enhancing the communication between the Council and the Department and between different sections within the Department, so that the work of the Council and the Department can be carried out smoothly. I firmly believe that the success of public relations work is dependent on dedicated staff with a strong sense of mission and commitment.
From time to time we receive complaints and criticisms from the public about the service of our staff. Since the Council has organised earlier a symposium with the theme of 'Modern Toilet Culture', I wonder why it is not possible for the Council to promote and establish a ‘Service Culture'. We feel that it is necessary for the Council to build up a 'Municipal Services Culture'. I suggest launching a ‘Quality Service' Staff Election Scheme whereby members of the public can elect the staff who they think are providing good services, and the Council may then commend the staff thus elected. I hope that through such a scheme, the concept of 'Quality Service' can be introduced in serving the community. The Council may
Page 309 of 485
Page 309 of 485
8-09 01 485
22
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
The allocation of an additional $175 million by the Council as fitting out costs for the Stadium before the completion of its redevelopment has always been a subject of major public concern. Such an enormous sum of additional expenditure was not expected when the Council agreed to the redevelopment project proposed by the Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club. Although Councillors were not happy with this arrangement when they discussed in the past, they finally approved the allocation with reluctance because Mr. BARMA, the then DUS, pointed out that the additional payment of $175 million was only the advance payment of a ‘loan', which would be repaid to the Council from the future revenues of the Stadium. We thought this arrangement was a mutual understanding reached by the Council.
However, at the November 1995 Meeting of the Board of Governors of the Hong Kong Stadium, Mr. Albert LAM Chi-chiu, DUS, came up with a different version saying that instead of being a 'loan, the $175 million was a recurrent expenditure from the Council's reserve. This is obviously contrary to the previous understanding.
The Democratic Party therefore urges the Department to clarify to the Council: whether there is a separate account for the income and expenditure of the Stadium. In other words, will any loss incurred by the Stadium affect the overall expenditure of the Urban Council. The Department should also clarify whether it has changed its stand in respect of the Hong Kong Stadium issue.
Mr. Chairman, the Democratic Party urges the Department to face the issue squarely and give the Council a reply.
Mr. Chairman, with these remarks, I support the motion.
MR. CHAN CHOI-HI (in Cantonese):-Mr. Chairman, as Chairman of the Public Relations Sub-Committee, I consider the provision of quality service' an important foundation of the Council's public relations work. Besides establishing a good image for the Council and cultivating good relations with the outside, public relations work should also cover internal communication, e.g. enhancing the communication between the Council and the Department and between different sections within the Department, so that the work of the Council and the Department can be carried out smoothly. I firmly believe that the success of public relations work is dependent on dedicated staff with a strong sense of mission and commitment.
From time to time we receive complaints and criticisms from the public about the service of our staff. Since the Council has organised carlier a symposium with the theme of 'Modern Toilet Culture', I wonder why it is not possible for the Council to promote and establish a ‘Service Culture'. We feel that it is necessary for the Council to build up a 'Municipal Services Culture'. I suggest launching a ‘Quality Service' Staff Election Scheme whereby members of the public can elect the staff who they think are providing good services, and the Council may then commend the staff thus elected. I hope that through such a scheme, the concept of 'Quality Service' can be introduced in serving the community. The Council may
Page 309 of 485
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