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## HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Fourth, it would be ideal if children of 2, 3 and 4 years old can be accompanied by their parents in playing because no additional staff would be required, except more space for them to play. As for elder ones of 6 to 9, we can provide them with separate facilities and, as far as possible, near the toilet. At present, staff of the play room in Java Road are flexible and let children use the staff toilet. I would like to ask Mr. Wong whether it is possible to provide toilet facilities in play rooms to relieve staff from escorting children there.
MR. RONNIE WONG MAN-CHIU (in Cantonese):—I think we can ask the Department to consider the points raised by Ms. TING.
On staff increase, I believe it will be easier to recruit suitable part-time staff, as the summer vacation will arrive soon.
On the question of additional toilet facilities, we have to bear in mind that approval of works departments are required for a lot of building works. The provision of toilets in play rooms may pose certain difficulties and the Department has to negotiate with the works departments.
I think the first three points can be easily solved.
MR. CHRISTOPHER CHUNG SHU-KUN (in Cantonese):—Mr. WONG mentioned earlier that inappropriate distribution of facilities could be studied by District Boards. Mr. Chairman, there is no subordinate relationship between the Urban Council and the District Boards. Being Councillors of respective districts, we should raise the question on the adequacy of service in the district. I ask for a review of the ratio of children play room to children population by the nearest Select Committee with a view to working out a target. Can the Select Committee do this?
Secondly, I am concerned about safety. At present, only one staff is looking after the children play room. Have we taken out insurance to protect the users? Have supervisory staff been trained in first aid to ensure the safety of children?
MR. RONNIE WONG MAN-CHIU (in Cantonese):—On the first question, I do not mean we have any subordinate relationship with District Boards. In fact, District Boards know more precisely than we do about the population and age group distributions as well as usage pattern of facilities in their own districts. Hence I think it is not a bad idea to consult District Boards.
The second question of Mr. CHUNG points out that there is only one staff acting as keeper of each children activity room. Has insurance been taken out for the room? All our venues and facilities including parks, games halls, play rooms, children activity rooms etc. are covered by public liability insurance. Mr. CHUNG need not worry. Regarding first aid knowledge, activity room keepers have been trained, but I do not have any information on the level of training. The Department may furnish more information to Mr. CHUNG later.
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Page 105 of 654
or 654
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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Fourth, it would be ideal if children of 2, 3 and 4 years old can be accompanied by their parents in playing because no additional staff would be required, except more space for them to play. As for elder ones of 6 to 9, we can provide them with separate facilities and, as far as possible, near the toilet. At present, staff of the play room in Java Road are flexible and let children use the staff toilet. I would like 10 ask Mr. Wong whether it is possible to provide toilet facilities in play rooms to relieve staff from escorting children there.
MR. RONNIE WONG MAN-CHIU (in Cantonese):—I think we can ask the Department to consider the points raised by Ms. TING.
On staff increase, I believe it will be easier to recruit suitable part time staff, as the summer vacation will arrive soon.
On the question of additional toilet facilities, we have to bear in mind that approval of works departments are required for a lot of building works. The provision of toilets in play rooms may pose certain difficulties and the Department has to negotiate with the works departments.
I think the first three points can be easily solved.
MR. CHRISTOPHER Chung Shu-KUN (in Cantonese):—Mr. WONG mentioned earlier that inappropriate distribution of facilities could be studied by District Boards. Mr. Chairman, there is no subordinate relationship between the Urban Council and the District Boards. Being Councillors of respective districts, we should raise the question on the adequacy of service in the district. I ask for a review of the ratio of children play room to children population by the nearest Select Committee with a view to working out a target. Can the Select Committer do this?
Secondly, I am concerned about safety. At present, only one staff in looking after the children play room. Have we taken out insurance to protect the users? Have supervisory staff been trained in first aid to ensure the safety of children?
MR. RONNIE WONG MAN-CHIU (in Cantonese):-On the first question, 1 do not mean we have any subordinate relationship with District Boards. In fact. District Boards know more precisely than we do about the population and age group distributions as well as usage pattern of facilities in their own districts. Hence I think it is not a bad idea to consult District Boards.
The second question of Mr. CHUNG points out that there is only one staff acting as keeper of each children activity room. Has insurance been taken out for the room?. All our venues and facilities including parks, games halls, play rooms, children activity rooms etc. are covered by public liability insurance. Mr. CHUNG need not worry. Regarding first aid knowledge, have been trained on activity room keepers, but I do not have any information on the level of training. The Department may furnish more information to Mr. CHUNG later.
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