1996 — Page 312

Urban Council Proceedings 市政局議事錄 All AI Reviewed

Page 312 of 498

Fage 312 of 498

354

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

more services and facilities so as to meet the needs of residents in different districts. In other words, elected members serving various select committees are fighting for a greater number of services and facilities. These include members of select committees of Culture, Recreation, Museums, Libraries etc. What we aim to achieve are laid down in our five-year plans such as the Libraries Select Committee's Five-Year Plan. As far as the culture and recreation services are concerned, we have consulted the views of the public. This was the first time the Council initiated such an extensive consultation, which resulted in the involvement of the masses in the drafting of our five-year plans. All these efforts inevitably generated a heavier workload for us while more resources have to be allocated for the implementation of those proposals. To achieve this end, we request for a 7% increase in our fund for the next triennium, instead of an annual growth of 2 to 3% in real terms. By tightening the Urban Council's expenditure, the Government has made it impossible for us to implement numerous proposals because of a lack of fund. The Government failed to acknowledge that we have a fully elected Urban Council. I have to bring up this factor here as it is going to have a great impact on our operation in the next couple of years. The way out is to strive for a negotiation with the Government. However, I can foresee that it is not going to be an easy path to tread on. Instead, some of our projects may have to be shelved, slowed down, or even scaling down our work force. There is no way that we can cut our expenditure in remuneration as we have to tie with the pay scale of the civil service. With an establishment of more than 17,000 staff members, the Urban Services Department comes only second to the Police Force which have a larger work force than us. Therefore, I cannot see how we should cut back the presently huge expenditure on personal emoluments. What we can curtail would only be the number of capital works projects, such as to scrap some of the market projects, to slow down the progress; or to reduce the number of staff. In this connection, Mr. Wu Chi-wai will elaborate on the financial implications tomorrow.

Secondly, I think the expenses of the Council should come under review because as the Secretary for the Treasury has pointed out clearly, the Council should evaluate whether the expenses had been effectively used. Few weeks ago, I requested Assistant Directors taking charge of respective committees to provide me with some information about expenses. However, my request was of no avail. I wonder whether I have asked them to send me sensitive information which was in fact about the amount of expenses incurred on the opening ceremonies by all committees in the past few years. I only asked a question: What was the total cost of organising these functions and opening ceremonies? But so far, I have not received any reply. These Assistant Directors only sent me some piece-meal information and some of them even did not reach me until last night. It gives me an excuse for not completing my draft speech today. If the Council intends to rid itself of its public image of 'big spender', a comprehensive review should be conducted.

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Page 312 of 498 Page 312 of 498 Fage 312 of 498 354 HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL more services and facilities so as to meet the needs of residents in different districts. In other words, elected members serving various select committees are fighting for a greater number of services and facilities. These include members of select committees of Culture, Recreation, Museums, Libraries etc. What we aim to achieve are laid down in our five-year plans such as the Libraries Select Committee's Five-Year Plan. As far as the culture and recreation services are concerned, we have consulted the views of the public. This was the first time the Council initiated such an extensive consultation, which resulted in the involvement of the masses in the drafting of our five-year plans. All these efforts inevitably generated a heavier workload for us while more resources have to be allocated for the implementation of those proposals. To achieve this end, we request for a 7% increase in our fund for the next triennium, instead of an annual growth of 2 to 3% in real terms. By tightening the Urban Council's expenditure, the Government has made it impossible for us to implement numerous proposals because of a lack of fund. The Government failed to acknowledge that we have a fully elected Urban Council. I have to bring up this factor here as it is going to have a great impact on our operation in the next couple of years. The way out is to strive for a negotiation with the Government. However, I can foresee that it is not going to be an easy path to tread on. Instead, some of our projects may have to be shelved, slowed down, or even scaling down our work force. There is no way that we can cut our expenditure in remuneration as we have to tie with the pay scale of the civil service. With an establishment of more than 17,000 staff members, the Urban Services Department comes only second to the Police Force which have a larger work force than us. Therefore, I cannot see how we should cut back the presently huge expenditure on personal emoluments. What we can curtail would only be the number of capital works projects, such as to scrap some of the market projects, to slow down the progress; or to reduce the number of staff. In this connection, Mr. Wu Chi-wai will elaborate on the financial implications tomorrow. Secondly, I think the expenses of the Council should come under review because as the Secretary for the Treasury has pointed out clearly, the Council should evaluate whether the expenses had been effectively used. Few weeks ago, I requested Assistant Directors taking charge of respective committees to provide me with some information about expenses. However, my request was of no avail. I wonder whether I have asked them to send me sensitive information which was in fact about the amount of expenses incurred on the opening ceremonies by all committees in the past few years. I only asked a question: What was the total cost of organising these functions and opening ceremonies? But so far, I have not received any reply. These Assistant Directors only sent me some piece-meal information and some of them even did not reach me until last night. It gives me an excuse for not completing my draft speech today. If the Council intends to rid itself of its public image of 'big spender', a comprehensive review should be conducted. Page 312 of 498 Page 312 of 498 Page 312 of 498

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Page 312 of 498 Page 312 of 498 Fage 312 of 498 354 HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL more services and facilities so as to meet the needs of residents in different districts. In other words, elected members serving various select committees are fighting for a greater number of services and facilities. These include members of select committees of Culture, Recreation, Museums, Libraries etc. What we aim to achieve are laid down in our five-year plans such as the Libraries Select Committee's Five-Year Plan. As far as the culture and recreation services are concerned, we have consulted the views of the public. This was the first time the Council initiated such an extensive consultation, which resulted in the involvement of the masses in the drafting of our five-year plans. All these efforts inevitably generated a heavier workload for us while more resources have to be allocated for the implementation of those proposals. To achieve this end, we request for a 7% increase in our fund for the next triennium, instead of an annual growth of 2 to 3% in real terms. By tightening the Urban Council's expenditure, the Government has made it impossible for us to implement numerous proposals because of a lack of fund. The Government failed to acknowledge that we have a fully elected Urban Council. I have to bring up this factor here as it is going to have a great impact on our operation in the next couple of years. The way out is to strive for a negotiation with the Government. However, I can foresee that it is not going to be an easy path to tread on. Instead, some of our projects may have to be shelved, slowed down, or even scaling down our work force. There is no way that we can cut our expenditure in remuneration as we have to tie with the pay scale of the civil service. With an establishment of more than 17 000 staff members, the Urban Services Department comes only second to the Police Force which have a larger work force than us. Therefore I cannot see how we should cut back the presently huge expenditure on personal emoluments. What we can curtail would only be the number of capital works projects, such as to scrap some of the market projects, to slow down the progress; or to reduce the number of staff. In this connection, Mr. Wu Chi-wai will elaborate on the financial implications tomorrow. Secondly, I think the expenses of the Council should come under review because as the Secretary for the Treasury has pointed out clearly, the Council should evaluate whether the expenses had been effectively used. Few weeks ago, I requested Assistant Directors taking charge of respective committees to provide me with some information about expenses. However, my request was of no avail. I wonder whether I have asked them to send me sensitive information which was in fact about the amount of expenses incurred on the opening ceremonies by all committees in the past few years. I only asked a question: What was the total cost of organising these functions and opening ceremonies? But so far I have not received any reply. These Assistant Directors only sent me some piece-meal information and some of them even did not reach me until last night. It gives me an excuse for not completing my drast speech today. If the Council intends to rid itself of its public image of 'big spender', a comprehensive review should be conducted.

2026-05-16 02:00:43 · Baseline

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Page 312 of 498

Fage 312 of 498

354

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

more services and facilities so as to meet the needs of residents in different districts. In other words, elected members serving various select committees are fighting for a greater number of services and facilities. These include members of select committees of Culture, Recreation, Museums, Libraries etc. What we aim to achieve are laid down in our five-year plans such as the Libraries Select Committee's Five-Year Plan. As far as the culture and recreation services are concerned, we have consulted the views of the public. This was the first time the Council initiated such an extensive consultation, which resulted in the involvement of the masses in the drafting of our five-year plans. All these efforts inevitably generated a heavier workload for us while more resources have to be allocated for the implementation of those proposals. To achieve this end, we request for a 7% increase in our fund for the next triennium, instead of an annual growth of 2 to 3% in real terms. By tightening the Urban Council's expenditure, the Government has made it impossible for us to implement numerous proposals because of a lack of fund. The Government failed to acknowledge that we have a fully elected Urban Council. I have to bring up this factor here as it is going to have a great impact on our operation in the next couple of years. The way out is to strive for a negotiation with the Government. However, I can foresee that it is not going to be an easy path to tread on. Instead, some of our projects may have to be shelved, slowed down, or even scaling down our work force. There is no way that we can cut our expenditure in remuneration as we have to tie with the pay scale of the civil service. With an establishment of more than 17 000 staff members, the Urban Services Department comes only second to the Police Force which have a larger work force than us. Therefore I cannot see how we should cut back the presently huge expenditure on personal emoluments. What we can curtail would only be the number of capital works projects, such as to scrap some of the market projects, to slow down the progress; or to reduce the number of staff. In this connection, Mr. Wu Chi-wai will elaborate on the financial implications tomorrow.

Secondly, I think the expenses of the Council should come under review because as the Secretary for the Treasury has pointed out clearly, the Council should evaluate whether the expenses had been effectively used. Few weeks ago, I requested Assistant Directors taking charge of respective committees to provide me with some information about expenses. However, my request was of no avail. I wonder whether I have asked them to send me sensitive information which was in fact about the amount of expenses incurred on the opening ceremonies by all committees in the past few years. I only asked a question: What was the total cost of organising these functions and opening ceremonies? But so far I have not received any reply. These Assistant Directors only sent me some piece-meal information and some of them even did not reach me until last night. It gives me an excuse for not completing my drast speech today. If the Council intends to rid itself of its public image of 'big spender', a comprehensive review should be conducted.

1996 — Page 312

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