HONG KONG PROVISIONAL URBAN COUNCIL
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These students, I believe, will become the mainstay of the sustainable development of PUC's cultural and art programmes.
As such, I propose that a 'Provisional Urban Council and Universities Liaison Committee on Culture and Art' be set up under the auspices of the Culture Select Committee with the aim of promoting more effective use of the PUC facilities and keener participation in its cultural and art programmes and activities by students of the 8 universities. The establishment of this Liaison Committee will also be conducive to the cultural and art courses designed by the universities for their general education programmes. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Benedict S. S. LEE (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, this year, I attend the Provisional Urban Council Annual Conventional Debate as a newly-appointed Councillor of the Provisional Urban Council. At this debate, I hope to express my opinions in three areas.
The first issue I wish to tackle is the question of whether the Urban Council should retain its appointed members. This is precisely the question raised by Mr. Joseph Lai Chi-keong. Should the Urban Council be composed wholly of elected members? I believe that there are still two parties with different views. In my opinion, a small number of appointed seats should be retained. That I think so is not because of my own appointed membership. After I joined Council, I have discovered that there is value for the existence of appointed seats. Just now, Mr. Lai mentioned that the Urban Council's work was primarily in decision-making and implementation not merely of a consultative nature. The motions passed at meetings have a significant bearing on the use of public funds and the lives of the public. Certainly I have no objection to a democratic political system. Elected councillors can reflect public opinion comprehensively, and the Council should keep a vast number of the elected seats. Despite that, it is imperative to retain a small number of appointed seats as well, for appointed councillors are usually in a position to put forward opinions within their professional fields so that the Urban Council would be more efficient in its operation. As the Urban Council had appointed members before all the seats became elected, and at present it still has appointed members, I hope this matter will be given further consideration in order to acquire better understanding. Which is more effective—a Council that has a certain number of appointed members or one whose membership is wholly elected? I hope to find an answer to that question.
Secondly, I, as a member of the recreation and sports sector, wish to express my opinions on the development of recreation and sports in urban services. I am aware that certain construction projects of the Urban Council, like the Central Library or museums, have representative or unique features. The public hope that the special features of these constructions will be highlighted by their appearance. They feel that there should be locally-held open design competitions for them so that more excellent designs could be obtained. I also
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HONG KONG PROVISIONAL URBAN COUNCIL
467
These students, I believe, will become the mainstay of the sustainable development of PUC's cultural and art programmes.
As such, I propose that a 'Provisional Urban Council and Universities Liaison Committee on Culture and Art' be set up under the auspices of the Culture Select Committee with the aim of promoting more effective use of the PUC facilities and keener participation in its cultural and art programmes and activities by students of the 8 universities. The establishment of this Liaison Committee will also be conducive to the cultural and art courses designed by the universities for their general education programmes. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Benedict S. S. LEE (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, this year, I attend the Provisional Urban Council Annual Conventional Debate as a newly- appointed Councillor of the Provisional Urban Council. At this debate, I hope to express my opinions in three areas.
The first issue I wish to tackle is the question of whether the Urban Council should retain its appointed members. This is precisely the question raised by Mr. Joseph Lat Chi-keong. Should the Urban Council be composed wholly of elected members? I believe that there are still two parties with different views. In my opinion, a small number of appointed seats should be retained. That I think so is not because of my own appointed membership. After I joined Council, I have discovered that there is value for the existence of appointed seats. Just now, Mr. Lai mentioned that the Urban Council's work was primarily in decision-making and implementation not merely of a consultative nature. The motions passed at meetings have a significant bearing on the use of public funds and the lives of the public. Certainly I have no objection to a democratic political system. Elected councillors can reflect public opinion comprehensively, and the Council should keep a vast number of the elected seats. Despite that, it is imperative to retain a small number of appointed seats as well, for appointed councillors are usually in a position to put forward opinions within their professional fields so that the Urban Council would be more efficient in its operation. As the Urban Council had appointed members before all the seats became elected, and at present it still has appointed members, I hope this matter will be given further consideration in order to acquire better understanding. Which is more effective-a Council that has a certain number of appointed members or one whose membership is wholly elected? I hope to find an answer to that question.
Secondly, I, as a member of the recreation and sports sector, wish to express my opinions on the development of recreation and sports in urban services. I am aware that certain construction projects of the Urban Council, like the Central Library or museums, have representative or unique features. The public hope that the special features of these constructions will be highlighted by their appearance. They feel that there should be locally-held open design competitions for them so that more excellent designs could be obtained. I also
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