Page 363 of 498
Page 363 of 498
•2.
.3.
.4.
5.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
407
The Administration Select Committee should seriously consider the question of having an Urban Council Secretariat which is independent of USD. Before that is done, the Department should not regard the Secretariat as being under its control and subject it to interventions, and unnecessary pressure and demands.
A comprehensive review should be conducted on the function and establishment of the Hawker Control Team to avoid overgrown bureaucracy and any misuse of public funds while the problems still exist. The Board of Governors (BOG) of the Hong Kong Stadium should monitor more closely the Stadium Manager and seriously discuss the feasibility of terminating the Management Agreement earlier and taking over the management. The BOG should be made more accountable to the Standing Committee of the Whole Council.
I hope that the various political parties will not put their LegCo work ahead of their UC duties. They should handle the Council's work seriously. A story goes that a certain political party has controlled the District Board seats such that those DB Councillors can have private dealings to ‘exchange seats among their party members'. I hope this is not the case as such behaviours will undermine the Council's image.
Not to take a retrograde step'
Lastly, I take this opportunity to raise my objection to the introduction of appointed seats in the Urban Council. My reasons are as simple as follows: 1. Basically, the Urban Services Department already has a wide spectrum of professional staff. If certain expertise is required, the Council can, as in the cases of the Culture Select Committee and the Working Party on Urban Council Allowances, invite civic-minded professionals to serve as consultants. It is absolutely unnecessary to appoint professionals as Councillors.
2.
There is no need for Councillors to be professionals. Those who lost no time to suggest appointing professionals as Councillors are only those yes-men who lack common sense. Having common sense is the most important quality required of a Councillor. With common sense, one can understand the feelings and the needs of the general public. They can also, from the viewpoint of an ordinary 'user', evaluate how good or bad the municipal facilities and services are. Outspoken Councillors who have common sense and who are accountable to the public can, in consultation with the Department's professional staff, effectively monitor, handle and formulate the work and policies of the Urban Council.
Furthermore, the introduction of appointed seats will curtail democracy in the Urban Council. It will reduce the participation of the public. It is also a major retrogression in our move towards democracy. Before 1992, Alan TAM was my idol. In recent years, I have two more idols. One is my political opponent's daughter, Miss LAI Hoi-shan; the other is Governor Chris PATTEN. I don't mind if you want to bring my idol down and dismantle the through
Page 363 of 498
Page 363 of 498
Page 363 of 498
Page 363 of 498
•2.
.3.
.4.
5.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
407
The Administration Select Committee should seriously consider the question of having an Urban Council Secretariat which is independent of USD. Before that is done, the Department should not regard the Secretariat as being under its control and subject it to interventions, and unnecessary pressure and demands.
A comprehensive review should be conducted on the function and establishment of the Hawker Control Team to avoid overgrown bureaucracy and any misuse of public funds while the problems still exist. The Board of Governors (BOG) of the Hong Kong Stadium should monitor more closely the Stadium Manager and seriously discuss the feasibility of terminating the Management Agreement earlier and taking over the management. The BOG should be made more accountable to the Standing Committee of the Whole Council.
I hope that the various political parties will not put their LegCo work ahead of their UC duties. They should handle the Council's work seriously. A story goes that a certain political party has controlled the District Board seats such that those DB Councillors can have private dealings to ‘exchange seats among their party members'. I hope this is not the case as such behaviours will undermine the Council's image.
Not to take a retrograde step'
Lastly, I take this opportunity to raise my objection to the introduction of appointed seats in the Urban Council. My reasons are as simple as follows: 1. Basically, the Urban Services Department already has a wide spectrum of professional staff. If certain expertise is required, the Council can, as in the cases of the Culture Select Committee and the Working Party on Urban Council Allowances, invite civic-minded professionals to serve as consultants. It is absolutely unnecessary to appoint professionals as Councillors.
2.
There is no need for Councillors to be professionals. Those who lost no time to suggest appointing professionals as Councillors are only those yes- men who lack common sense. Having common sense is the most important quality required of a Councillor. With common sense, one can understand the feelings and the needs of the gencral public. They can also. from the view point of an ordinary 'user', evaluate how good or bad the municipal facilities and services arc. Outspoken Councillors who have common sense and who are accountable to the public can, in consultation with the Department's professional staff, effectively monitor, handle and formulate the work and policies of the Urban Council.
Furthermore, the introduction of appointed seats will curtail democracy in the Urban Council. It will reduce the participation of the public. It is also a major retrogression in our move towards democracy. Before 1992, Alan TAM was my idol. In recent years. I have two more idols. One is my political opponent's daughter, Miss LAI Hoi-shan; the other is Governor Chris PATTEN. I don't mind if you want to bring my idol down and dismantle the through
Page 363 of 498
Page 363 of 498
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