Page 291 of 498
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
333
As shown in the Estimates discussed at the Standing Committee on 7 January 1997, the Council's annual expenditure has continued to grow at a rate commensurate with our expanding facilities, activities and services we provide to the public in the urban areas.
The Council's expenditure has increased from $6 billion in 1995/96, to an estimated $7 billion in the financial year ending on 31 March 1997, and an estimated $8 billion for the next financial year 1997/98.
The increases in spending illustrate both the growth in the Council's workload to improve services, and the cumulative effects of various factors, such as rising costs and inflation.
According to our current calculations, there will be a deficit of about $53 million for the current financial year 1996/97, and a projected deficit of $1 billion in the 1997/98 financial year.
The deficit will reduce the Council's reserves to an estimated $1.9 billion at the end of 1997/98. This represents about 12 weeks' expenditure, and will form a necessary cushion against any unforeseen expenditure and price fluctuations for the future.
Meanwhile, let me assure Members that this Council will continue to employ the most prudent measures to ensure, as always, that in everything we undertake, our prime considerations will be service to the public, value-for-money, and cost effectiveness.
With these remarks, Mr. Chairman, I second the motion.
The question was put.
The motion was carried unanimously.
(2) THE CHAIRMAN, Urban COUNCIL moved the following motion:—
That this Council endorse the Statement of Aims for 1997/98.*
He said (in Cantonese):—I rise to move the motion standing in my name: 'That this Council endorse the Statement of Aims for 1997/98.'
This is the important time of the year when the Council reviews its work of the past 12 months, and looks forward to the implementation of its future policies and programmes. The year 1996 has been a particularly busy one for the Council. There were 26 debate motions moved and carried by the Council, and 37 questions raised by Members and answered by the relevant Select Committee Chairmen. Nine Working Groups were set up to deal with new issues affecting the Council. In addition, seven Select Committees embarked on a Five-Year Plan (FYP) exercise to obtain the views of the public at large on the Council's various services and facilities. Two public consultation
Page 291 of 498
Page 291 of 498
Page 291 of 498
Page 291 of 498
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
333
As shown in the Estimates discussed at the Standing Committec on 7 January 1997, the Council's annual expenditure has continued to grow at a rale commensurate with our expanding facilities, activities and services we provide to the public in the urban areas.
The Council's expenditure has increased from $6 billion in 1995/96, to an estimated $7 billion in the financial year ending on 31 March 1997, and an estimated $8 billion for the next financial year 1997/98.
The increases in spending illustrate both the growth in the Council's workload to improve services, and the cumulative effects of various factors, such as rising costs and inflation.
According to our current calculations, there will be a deficit of about $53 million for the current financial year 1996/97, and a projected deficit of $1 billion in the 1997/98 financial year.
The deficit will reduce the Council's reserves to an estimated $1.9 billion at the end of 1997/98. This represents about 12 weeks' expenditure, and will form a necessary cushion against any unforeseen expenditure and price fluctuations for the future.
Meanwhile, let me assure Members that this Council will continue to employ the most prudent measures to ensure, as always, that in everything we undertake, our prime considerations will be service to the public, value-for- money, and cost effectiveness.
With these remarks, Mr. Chairman, I second the motion.
The question was put.
The motion was carried unanimously.
(2) THE CHAIrman, Urban COUNCIL moved the following motion:—
That this Council endorse the Statement of Aims for 1997/98.*
He said (in Cantonese):—1 rise to move the motion standing in my name: 'That this Council endorse the Statement of Aims for 1997/98.'
This is the important time of the year when the Council reviews its work of the past 12 months, and looks forward to the implementation of its future policies and programmes. The year 1996 has been a particularly busy one for the Council. There were 26 debate motions moved and carried by the Council, and 37 questions raised by Members and answered by the relevant Select Committee Chairmen. Nine Working Groups were set up to deal with new issues affecting the Council. In addition, seven Select Committees embarked on a Five-Year Plan (FYP) exercise to obtain the views of the public at large on the Council's various services and facilities. Two public consultation
Page 291 of 498
Page 291 of 498
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