HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
129
the Council is not a political body; it does not deal with political issues, but deals with day-to-day issues affecting city life. Although consisting of Members with different political background and aspirations, the Council should remain a coherent and united entity working for the benefits of the community. To this end, in discharging their functions, Members should take a macro view with the best interests of the Council at heart, viewing matters from a broader context rather than with a narrow approach focusing on the needs of their own party or district. I am glad that so far I have not detected any sign that populist appeal or party politics have prevailed over Council's interest. Nevertheless, it is just as well that I should take this opportunity to hammer home the message once again that we are here to serve the community, through working in harmony within the Council and maintaining amicable working relations with the Department, and in the process continue to build on the Council's positive and caring corporate image.
The Future Ahead
The past year has seen steady progress in the work of the Council and we should all be proud of the results achieved. Looking ahead, we expect further big strides forward in our commitment to improving the quality of life of the community. We also look forward to a smooth transition of the Council in 1997 so that our work will not be disrupted. On this score, there was apparently some misunderstanding about my comments to the press which I should take this opportunity to clarify. The re-introduction of appointed seats in the Council is certainly not my proposal. There are reportedly three options (the first one is dismantling the Council and appointing new Members; the second one is setting up a provisional Council and holding direct elections a year later; and the third one, which was reported in the newspaper, is retaining existing Members with the addition of new appointed Members to balance the views. Of the three options, the addition of appointed Members should be the least disruptive and painful one. Let me assure Members that I have not wavered from my express stance that a fully elected Council should more effectively reflect the needs of the public and thus better serve the community.
Statement of Aims
A few Members have indicated dissatisfaction that the Statement of Aims 1996/97 was lacking in direction, priority setting and differentiation between long and medium term strategy. Nevertheless, it is gratifying that the overwhelming majority have indicated support of the Statement. I do not dispute that the Statement can be further refined, but let us not deny the efforts of our fellow Councillors who have worked closely with the Department through the relevant Select Committees to formulate this working document. I am of the view that, together with the 5-year plans that are currently being prepared, the Statement should have set out our vision sufficiently clear for the years ahead to enable the formulation of Council's explicit objectives and work targets.
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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
129
the Council is not a political body; it does not deal with political issues, but deals with day-to-day issues affecting city life. Although consisting of Members with different political background and aspirations, the Council should remain a coherent and united entity working for the benefits of the community. To this end, in discharging their functions, Members should take a macro view with the best interests of the Council at heart, viewing matters from a broader context rather than with a narrow approach focusing on the needs of their own party or district. I am glad that so far I have not detected any sign that populist appeal or party politics have prevailed over Council's interest. Nevertheless, it is just as well that I should take this opportunity to hammer home the message once again that we are here to serve the community, through working in harmony within the Council and maintaining amicable working relations with the Department, and in the process continue to build on the Council's positive and caring corporate image.
The Future Ahead
The past year has seen steady progress in the work of the Council and we should all be proud of the results achieved. Looking ahead, we expect further big strides forward in our commitment to improving the quality of life of the community. We also look forward to a smooth transition of the Council in 1997 so that our work will not be disrupted. On this score, there was apparently some misunderstanding about my comments to the press which I should take this opportunity to clarify. The re-introduction of appointed seats in the Council is certainly not my proposal. There are reportedly three options ( the first one is dismantling the Council and appointing new Members; the second one is setting up a provisional Council and holding direct elections a year later; and the third one, which was reported in the newspaper, is retaining existing Members with the addition of new appointed Members to balance the views. Of the three options, the addition of appointed Members should be the least disruptive and painful one. Let me assure Members that I have not wavered from my express stance that a fully elected Council should more effectively reflect the needs of the public and thus better serve the community.
Statement of Aims
A few Members have indicated dissatisfaction that the Statement of Aims 1996/97 was lacking in direction, priority setting and differentiation between long and medium term strategy. Nevertheless, it is gratifying that the overwhelming majority have indicated support of the Statement. I do not dispute that the Statement can be further refined, but let us not deny the efforts of our fellow Councillors who have worked closely with the Department through the relevant Select Committees to formulate this working document. I am of the view that, together with the 5-year plans that are currently being prepared, the Statement should have set out our vision sufficiently clear for the years ahead to enable the formulation of Council's explicit objectives and work targets.
Page 416 of 191
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Page 416 of 485
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