1995 — Page 313

Urban Council Proceedings 市政局議事錄 All AI Reviewed

Page 313 of 485

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

takeover and the Urban Council had tried various ways and means to remedy the situation. The Council should have been commended for all its efforts, but it turned out that it was subjected to severe criticisms from the public. Of course, this had something to do with those who deliberately stepped out of line to get media attention. However, the Department was to blame for its low-key response.

When a Member suggested installing a seawater supply system for seafood stalls in new markets by making use of the seawater tanks at the rooftop, the Department's response was that it was technically feasible to install the system. The Member who put forward the suggestion thought he had done a good thing. So when other Members pointed out that flushing water could not be used to keep seafood, he could not accept the argument. Heated arguments among Members which could have been avoided ensued. The dispute would never have taken place if the official had pointed out the water quality problem straightaway.

On another occasion, a Member severely criticised the Department for failing to start the construction of a park three years after the scheduled commencement date. Departmental officers did not say a word and let the Member throw furious words at them for five minutes. They then informed the meeting gingerly that the delay was due to the objections raised by landlords and residents of nearby buildings. Mr. Chairman, there were about one hundred people present at the time and they were all forced to listen to the annoying attack. When the truth finally came out, they also had to face the embarrassment with that Member. If the officers had spelt out the cause for delay at the outset, all of us would have been spared the annoying attack.

It has been more than eight months since April 1995 and by now the Department should have some understanding of the new Council. Departmental officers should have a better grasp of the new situation. I would like to take this opportunity to put forward the following suggestions to the Department:

(1) Members should be adequately briefed on all Committee papers presented to avoid giving those who enjoy attacking people an opportunity. The era of talking big things in a soft voice is already gone.

(2) Knotty problems should be resolved. The Department should take the initiative to find a breakthrough. We should no longer subject ourselves to criticisms over such long-standing issues as hawker control, management of markets, refuse collection points and public amenities. To this end, the Department should properly assess the manpower and financial and legal support it requires. When the responsibilities and powers of other government departments are involved, Members should also be informed. As for the proposals put forward, they should be left to the Members to evaluate and decide.

(3) Every Member's comments or views, whether they are adopted or not, should be separately and properly recorded as the media is very interested in the attendance rate of every Member. The Department can highlight those interesting cases in the Council's publication 'City News'.

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Page 313 of 485 Page 313 of 485 26 HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL takeover and the Urban Council had tried various ways and means to remedy the situation. The Council should have been commended for all its efforts, but it turned out that it was subjected to severe criticisms from the public. Of course, this had something to do with those who deliberately stepped out of line to get media attention. However, the Department was to blame for its low-key response. When a Member suggested installing a seawater supply system for seafood stalls in new markets by making use of the seawater tanks at the rooftop, the Department's response was that it was technically feasible to install the system. The Member who put forward the suggestion thought he had done a good thing. So when other Members pointed out that flushing water could not be used to keep seafood, he could not accept the argument. Heated arguments among Members which could have been avoided ensued. The dispute would never have taken place if the official had pointed out the water quality problem straightaway. On another occasion, a Member severely criticised the Department for failing to start the construction of a park three years after the scheduled commencement date. Departmental officers did not say a word and let the Member throw furious words at them for five minutes. They then informed the meeting gingerly that the delay was due to the objections raised by landlords and residents of nearby buildings. Mr. Chairman, there were about one hundred people present at the time and they were all forced to listen to the annoying attack. When the truth finally came out, they also had to face the embarrassment with that Member. If the officers had spelt out the cause for delay at the outset, all of us would have been spared the annoying attack. It has been more than eight months since April 1995 and by now the Department should have some understanding of the new Council. Departmental officers should have a better grasp of the new situation. I would like to take this opportunity to put forward the following suggestions to the Department: (1) Members should be adequately briefed on all Committee papers presented to avoid giving those who enjoy attacking people an opportunity. The era of talking big things in a soft voice is already gone. (2) Knotty problems should be resolved. The Department should take the initiative to find a breakthrough. We should no longer subject ourselves to criticisms over such long-standing issues as hawker control, management of markets, refuse collection points and public amenities. To this end, the Department should properly assess the manpower and financial and legal support it requires. When the responsibilities and powers of other government departments are involved, Members should also be informed. As for the proposals put forward, they should be left to the Members to evaluate and decide. (3) Every Member's comments or views, whether they are adopted or not, should be separately and properly recorded as the media is very interested in the attendance rate of every Member. The Department can highlight those interesting cases in the Council's publication 'City News'. 485 85

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Page 313 of 485 Page 313 of 485 26 HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL takeover and the Urban Council had tried various ways and means to remedy the situation. The Council should have been commended for all its efforts, but it turned out that it was subjected to severe criticisms from the public. Of course, this had something to do with those who deliberately stepped out of line to get media attention. However, the Department was to blame for its low-key response. When a Member suggested to install a seawater supply system for seafood stalls in new markets by making use of the seawater tanks at the rooftop, the Department's response was that it was technically feasible to install the system. The Member who put forward the suggestion thought he had done a good thing. So when other Members pointed out that flushing water could not be used to keep seafood, he could not accept the argument. Heated arguments among Members which could have been avoided ensued. The dispute would never have taken place if the official had pointed out the water quality problem straightaway. On another occasion, a Member severely criticised the Department for failing to start the construction of a park three years after the scheduled commencement date. Departmental officers did not say a word and let the Member throw furious words at them for five minutes. They then informed the meeting gingerly that the delay was due to the objections raised by landlords and residents of nearby buildings. Mr. Chairman, there were about one hundred people present at the time and they were all forced to listen to the annoying attack. When the truth finally came out. they also had to face the embarrassment with that Member. If the officers had spelt out the cause for delay at the outset, all of us would have been spared the annoying attack. It has been more than eight months since April 1995 and by now the Department should have some understanding of the new Council. Departmental officers should have a better grasp of the new situation. I would like to take this opportunity to put forward the following suggestions to the Department: (1) Members should be adequately briefed on all Committee papers presented to avoid giving those who enjoy attacking people an opportunity. The era of talking big things in a soft voice is already gone. (2) Knotty problems should be resolved. The Department should take the initiative to find a breakthrough. We should no longer subject ourselves to criticisms over such long-standing issues as hawker control, management of markets, refuse collection points and public amenities. To this end, the Department should properly assess the manpower and financial and legal support it requires. When the responsibilities and powers of other government departments are involved, Members should also be informed. As for the proposals put forward, they should be left to the Members to evaluate and decide. (3) Every Member's comments or views, whether they are adopted or not. should be separately and properly recorded as the media is very interested in the attendance rate of every Member. The Department can highlight those interesting cases in the Council's publication 'City News'. 485 85

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Page 313 of 485

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

When a Member suggested to install a seawater supply system for seafood stalls in new markets by making use of the seawater tanks at the rooftop, the Department's response was that it was technically feasible to install the system. The Member who put forward the suggestion thought he had done a good thing. So when other Members pointed out that flushing water could not be used to keep seafood, he could not accept the argument. Heated arguments among Members which could have been avoided ensued. The dispute would never have taken place if the official had pointed out the water quality problem straightaway.

On another occasion, a Member severely criticised the Department for failing to start the construction of a park three years after the scheduled commencement date. Departmental officers did not say a word and let the Member throw furious words at them for five minutes. They then informed the meeting gingerly that the delay was due to the objections raised by landlords and residents of nearby buildings. Mr. Chairman, there were about one hundred people present at the time and they were all forced to listen to the annoying attack. When the truth finally came out. they also had to face the embarrassment with that Member. If the officers had spelt out the cause for delay at the outset, all of us would have been spared the annoying attack.

(3) Every Member's comments or views, whether they are adopted or not. should be separately and properly recorded as the media is very interested in the attendance rate of every Member. The Department can highlight those interesting cases in the Council's publication 'City News'.

1995 — Page 313

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