HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
aheady touched on and the hope for redeployment to minimize duplication and cut expenditure was expressed.
I can go on giving more points, but I won't do better than 41 of us together. Therefore, I think different tasks should be referred back to respective Select Committees. Our Select Committees should devise effective and feasible plans for opening up resources and cutting expenditure while maintaining respective service standards and works progress.
In this respect, I think the Finance Select Committee with the assistance of the Department should be duty bound. It should take the initiative to coordinate efforts and to suggest to this Council feasible plans that suit our revenue situation. At the same time, we should bear in mind the need to maintain our service pledges to the public. Such work is related to this Council's service to the public and it affects our public image. I therefore hope that fellow colleagues will join together in seeking a feasible plan to face our probable financial problems. I hope Members will give their opinions freely. I have so spoken to move the motion.
MR. CHIANG SAI-CHEONG (in Cantonese):-Mr. Chairman, I second the motion.
CHAIRMAN (in Cantonese):-Mr. Wu Chi-wai would like to amend the motion under Standing Order 21(12A). Will Mr. WU propose his amendment, please?
(2) (b) MR. WU CHI-WAI moved an amendment under Standing Order 21(12A) as follows:-
RESOLVED that since the rates revenue of the Council in the next three years is still under consideration, the Council should continue its usual prudent financial management to work out future budgets on the approach of increasing revenue and cutting expenditure, and also to seek the necessary funds from government based on the needs of the citizens and maintenance of the Council's level of service.
He said (in Cantonese):-The Democratic Party is very supportive of the first part of the motion on our budget just moved by Mr. CHAN Choi-hi. In other words, we believe this Council should maintain its usual prudent financial management in considering whether the budget is cost effective and whether the utilization of resources is reasonable and steadfastly implemented so as to carry out our duty in monitoring the work of the Urban Services Department.
I understand that cutting the budget has become a general tactic of government departments in recent years. This tactic is geared at cutting unnecessary expenditure, increasing cost efficiency and improving the utilization of resources. On this account, it does not differ from Mr. CHAN Choi-hi's motion. However, the role of the Urban Services Department is very
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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
aheady touched on and the hope for redeployment to minimi. duplication and cut expenditure was expressed.
I can go on giving more points, but I won't do better than 41 of us togethe Therefore, I think different tasks should be referred back to respective Selec Committees. Our Select Committees should devise effective and feasible plan for opening up resources and cutting expenditure while maintaining respectiv service standards and works progress.
In this respect, I think the Finance Select Committee with the assistanc of the Department should be duty bound. It should take the initiative 1 coordinate efforts and to suggest to this Council feasible plans that suit ou revenue situation. At the same time, we should bear in mind the need t maintain our service pledges to the public. Such work is related to thi: Council's service to the public and it affects our public image. I therefore hop that fellow colleagues will join together in seeking a feasible plan to face our probable financial problems. I hope Members will give their opinions freely. I have so spoken to move the motion.
MR. CHIANG SAI-CHEONG (in Cantonese):-Mr. Chairman, I second the motion.
CHAIRMAN (in Cantonese):-Mr. Wu Chi-wai would like to amend the motion under Standing Order 21(12A). Will Mr. WU propose his amendment, please?
(2) (b) MR. WU CHI-WAI moved an amendment under Standing Order 21(12A) as follows:-
*Since the rates revenue of the Council in the next three years is still under consideration, RESOLVED that the Council should continue its usual prudent financial management to work out future budgets on the approach of increasing revenue and cutting expenditure, and also to seek the necessary funds from government based on the needs of the citizens and maintenance of the Council's level of service."
He said (in Cantonese):-The Democratic Party is very supportive of the first part of the motion on our budget just moved by Mr. CHAN Choi-hi. In other words, we believe this Council should maintain its usual prudent financial management in considering whether the budget is cost effective and whether the utilization of resources is reasonable and steadfastly implemented so as to carry out our duty in monitoring the work of the Urban Services Department.
I understand that cutting the budget has become a general tactic of government departments in recent years. This tactic is geared at cutting unnecessary expenditure, increasing cost efficiency and improving the utilization of resources. On this account, it does not differ from Mr. CHAN Choi-hi's motion. However, the role of the Urban Services Department is very
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Page 441 of 498
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