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414
HONG KONG PROVISIONAL URBAN COUNCIL
become a Special Administrative Region of China. Thereafter the Council also opens a new chapter in its history. Beginning on 1 July 1997, all the 41 Members serving the Urban Council before the date of reunification and 9 new Members have been appointed as Members of the Provisional Urban Council. As our Members come from different professions and sectors of the community, they can draw on their wealth of expertise and experience and make valuable contribution to the Council.
During the past 12 months under review, the Council has achieved a number of developments and improved many services to enhance the quality of life in Hong Kong. According to our records, there were 25 debate motions moved and carried by the Council, and 53 questions raised by Members and answered by the Chairmen of relevant Select Committees, as compared with 26 debate motions and 37 questions in 1996. All these motions and questions were related to matters of considerable public concern and covered a wide range of issues with far-reaching implications. This is clear indication that Members heed and care for the needs of the urban population and are concerned with ways to further improve their health and living environment.
Capital Works Project and Financial Constraints
For the triennium 1997/98 to 1999/2000, the Council has a rates allocation of 2.6% (i.e. $18.7 billion), which is 16.9%, or $3.8 billion, less than the $22.5 billion we sought. Therefore, the Council will continue to employ the most prudent measures in managing its finance and has to work out a budget which can enable it to live within its means. We need to redeploy or cut down human resources as far as practicable, implement cost-saving initiatives, re-arrange and re-prioritize capital works projects, and go ahead with the District Minor Works Projects according to schedule, so as to achieve a balance of revenue and expenditure without affecting the standard of our services to the public. Despite the financial constraints, the Council had remarkable achievements in the past year.
Five-Year Plans
Satisfactory progress has been made in the formulation of Five-Year Plans (FYP) to review the Council's policies and services. Four Select Committees have endorsed their finalized FYPs, and the FYPs for recreation and entertainment are being implemented progressively. As for culture and library services, the Department is in the process of drawing up detailed financial arrangements for Members' consideration. Meanwhile, the FYP for market services is also being drafted. The Museum Select Committee and the Joint Municipal Councils Management Committee on Music Office have just completed public consultation on their respective FYP. When all the views collected have been collated, the Department will forward them to the committees concerned for consideration.
Page 418 of 654
Page 418 of 654
Page 418 of 654
Page 418 of 654
414
HONG KONG PROVISIONAL URBAN COUNCIL
become a Special Administrative Region of China. Thereafter the Council also opens a new chapter in its history. Beginning on 1 July 1997, all the 41 Members serving the Urban Council before the date of reunification and 9 new Members have been appointed as Members of the Provisional Urban Council. As our Members come from different professions and sectors of the community, they can draw on their wealth of expertise and experience and make valuable contribution to the Council.
During the past 12 months under review, the Council has achieved a number of developments and improved many services to enhance the quality of life in Hong Kong. According to our records, there were 25 debate motions moved and carried by the Council, and 53 questions raised by Members and answered by the Chairmen of relevant Select Committees, as compared with 26 debate motions and 37 questions in 1996. All these motions and questions were related to matters of considerable public concern and covered a wide-range of issues with far-reaching implications. This is clear indication that Members heed and care for the needs of the urban population and are concerned with ways to further improve their health and living environment.
Capital Works Project and Financial Constraints
For the triennium 1997/98 to 1999/2000, the Council has a rates allocation of 2.6% (i.e. $18.7 billion), which is 16.9%, or $3.8 billion, less than the $22.5 billion we sought. Therefore, the Council will continue to employ the most prudent measures in managing its finance and has to work out a budget which can enable it to live within its means. We need to redeploy or cut down human resources as far as practicable, implement cost saving initiatives, re-arrange and re-prioritize capital works projects, and go ahead with the District Minor Works Projects according to schedule, so as to achieve a balance of revenue and expenditure without affecting the standard of our services to the public. Despite the financial constraints, the council had remarkable achievements in the past year.
Five-Year Plans
Satisfactory progress has been made in the formulation of Five-Year Plans (FYP) to review the Council's policies and services. Four Select Committees have endorsed their finalized FYPs, and the FYPS for recreation and entertainment are being implemented progressively. As for culture and library services, the Department is in the process of drawing up detailed financial arrangements for Members' consideration. Meanwhile, the FYP for market services is also being drafted. The Museum Select Committee and the Joint Municipal Councils Management Committee on Music Office have just completed public consultation on their respective FYP. When all the views collected have been collated, the Department will forward them to the committees concerned for consideration.
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