HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
249
MR. TIM S. Manuel Chan (in Cantonese):-Mr. Chairman, I want to raise three points here. Like Mr. WONG Kwok-hing, I had not intended to speak. But then, after a report in a newspaper that I was of an explosive nature with an exaggerated image, I think I should try my best to express myself better so as not to make people angry or hurt them.
After listening to my colleagues, I find that I have to speak out. There are a few points of common sense. One speaker said for useful Members, certain things should be basic common sense. If we spend $35 out of $60 in a year on payroll, it is something very serious. If you have an annual income of $60 and $30 is used on your son, then it is just simple business.
The second point is that conducting a review does not have to generate negative effects or dismissals. After a review, everything may proceed more happily. A review should not be separated into different stages for discussions with various Select Committees. In all large organizations around the world, overall reviews are conducted to identify problem areas on the whole for improvements by stages. As Mr. LEUNG has pointed out, we can decide after the review to implement staff cut by phase. If reviews are carried out continuously day after day without squaring up to the actual problems, we are conniving at the mistakes committed. We have been in post as elected Members for one and a half years and we can see this serious problem. Finally, someone is moving a motion today. In the Annual Debate last year, I dubbed the Department ‘a gigantic bovine tortoise' with over 17,000 staff members. This motion is now moved more than a year afterwards.
We have seen so many problems through such a long time, and yet we are still unwilling to apply a dose. The dose suggested by Ms. Ada WONG is lighter than that suggested by Mr. CHAN Choi-hi. The way I feel, a cut through the problems is required. We can then implement things by phase. The review should not be one conducted by phase or along with Five-Year Plans or Statement of Aims. If we link things with Five-Year Plans I have considered Five-Year Plans too. I want to do something for sports development, but I don't think we have expertise. Actually, the entire Department is involved. Say, under the scope of the Recreation Select Committee, there are over 3,000 people at work. To find out how many staff members we have, what sort of wastage is involved and whether resources are used appropriately or whether there should be re-training will involve many matters.
To be honest, one must have common sense in taking up the role of an Urban Councillor. Even without the expert knowledge of a consultancy firm, common sense tells me that something is amiss with the operation. We have the discretion to appoint people to assist us in handling this matter. If we do everything ourselves, how much can we do? This has nothing to do with basic common sense or expert knowledge.
So, the three horses race and the third one falls midway. It is difficult to choose between the first and second one to bet on. Mr. LEUNG Kam-tao
Page 254 of 498
Page 254 of 498
Page 254 of 498
Page 254 of 498
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
249
MR. TIM S. Manuel Chan (in Cantonese):-Mr. Chairman, I want to raise three points here. Like Mr. WONG Kwok-hing, I had not intended to speak. But then, after a report in a newspaper that I was of an explosive nature with an exaggerated image, I think I should try my best to express myself better so as not to make people angry or hurt them.
After listening to my colleagues, I find that I have to speak out. There are a few points of common sense. One speaker said for useful Members, certain things should be basic common sense. If we spend $35 out of $60 in a year on payroll, it is something very serious. If you have an annual income of $60 and $30 is used on your son, then it is just simple business.
The second point is that conducting a review does not have to generate negative effects or dismissals. After a review, everything may proceed more happily. A review should not be separated into different stages for discussions with various Select Committees. In all large organizations around the world, overall reviews are conducted to identify problem areas on the whole for improvements by stages. As Mr. LEUNG has pointed out, we can decide after the review to implement staff cut by phase. If reviews are carried out continuously day after day without squaring up to the actual problems, we are conniving at the mistakes committed. We have been in post a elected Members for one and a half years and we can see this serious problem. Finally, someone is moving a motion today. In the Annual Debate last year, I dubbed the Department ‘a gigantic bovine tortoise' with over 17 000 staff members. This motion is now moved more than a year afterwards. We have seen so many problems through such a long time, and yet we are still unwilling to apply a dose. The dose suggested by Ms. Ada WONG is lighter than that suggested by Mr. CHAN Choi-hi. The way I feel, a cut through the problems is required. We can then implement things by phase. The review should not be one conducted by phase or along with Five-Year Plans or Statement of Aims. If we link things with Five-Year Plans I have considered Five-Year Plans too. I want to do something for sports development, but I don't think we have expertise. Actually, the entire Department is involved. Say, under the scope of the Recreation Select Committee, there are over 3 000 people at work. To find out how many staff members we have, what sort of wastage is involved and whether resources are used appropriately or whether there should be re- training will involve many matters.
To be honest, one must have common sense in taking up the role of an Urban Councillor. Even without the expert knowledge of a consultancy firm. common sense tells me that something is amiss with the operation. We have the discretion to appoint people to assist us in handling this matter. If we do everything ourselves, how much can we do? This has nothing to do with basic common sense or expert knowledge.
So, the three horses race and the third one falls midway. It is difficult to choose between the first and second one to bet on. Mr. LEUNG Kam-tao
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Page 254 of 498
Page 254 of 498
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