1997 — Page 251

Page 251 of 654

Page 251 of 654

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HONG KONG PROVISIONAL URBAN COUNCIL

CHAIRMAN (in Cantonese):-Does anyone else want to speak? If not, I invite the mover of the motion to exercise his right of reply. Will Mr. CHEUNG speak, please?

MR. AMBROSE Cheung Wing-sum (in Cantonese):- Mr. Chairman, first of all I would like to thank Members for their support and expressing their concerns. Let me take this opportunity to give additional comments.

Members are concerned over whether the content of this motion should be applied to all projects. I feel the same way. As stated in the motion, I suggest to confine the scope of work of the consultancy panels to large scale and central municipal facilities. The definition of large and central will be formulated by the Whole Council during the review process. We shall have to decide whether to draw the line on cost or the area to benefit. This is in fact merely a direction. However, we are aware that the proposal cannot be flatly applied to each and every project.

My second point concerns the example of Victoria Park. I have cited this example as a case in point. I look at the Victoria Park as a central park. Our planning schedule is still in the initial stage. If we decide to introduce the element of open competition or contracting out the design to consultancy firms, the time delay will be 6 to 9 months. Although the longer time required may lead to additional construction costs, there is still the possibility of cost savings resulted from more effective use of time and better arrangements in design, planning and the use of material. There are certain delicacies in projects. A longer time does not necessarily mean increased cost. I had a discussion with the Architectural Services Department to see how the consultancy mechanism can benefit the Victoria Park project. I pointed out that we could ask for a proposal from the consultants on the general layout and facilities provided at the Park. The motion touches on two aspects. Open competition is just one of them. The other one is to invite consultant architects. For the last stage of the Central Library project, we enlisted input from 6 to 7 consultants and asked them to submit design proposals.

Thirdly, I want to point out that a great number of rules can be laid down for open competitions. I agree with Mr. LEE's view. In fact, I did talk to the Architectural Services Department to find out more. We can stipulate that the Council is not bound to adopt the winning design and formulate a formula for compensation beforehand. In other words, we can work out the rules of open competitions when we review the entire system. Your worries are well substantiated. This is a point we need to deal with cautiously in the review.

Last of all, Mr. Chairman, I want to register that I concur with Ms. Chow's view. She proposed a ten year plan before. In fact, part of my speech at the Annual Convention Debate in January 1996 stated reservations for the relationship among this Council, the Department and the Architectural Services Department on capital projects. This is indeed an issue to be reviewed.

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