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ving right above these fixed pitch stalls always lodge complaints against them. This is because they have caused pest nuisance and the gathering of customers have affected traffic flows and led to traffic accidents involving pedestrians since these stalls are set up on the roadsides. The illegal electricity tapping activities of some fixed pitch stalls also pose fire hazards. Under such circumstances, the residents living above these stall always express their dissatisfaction with them. The situation in Ap Liu Street clearly shows the problems. Although Ap Liu Street is a famous shopping spot, residents in the neighbourhood are very dissatisfied with the situation. I think that the Council should draw up a long-term policy to clear all the on-street fixed pitch stalls so as to prevent their endless operation on the streets. It is only by such a policy will the environment and hygiene conditions of urban streets be improved radically,
Lastly, I would like to point out one thing. Although I have joined the Council for less than a year, I have a few words to say, 'While the Council is high in profile but weak in monitoring authority, the Urban Services Department is acting in a perfunctory and slapdash manner.' Why should I make such a statement? Over the past year, many issues cropped up in the Urban Council and the Council always acted in a 'high-profile' manner, drawing the attention of the media with coverage on all newspapers, magazines, the radio and television. As for its function of monitoring the Urban Services Department, it seems that the Council is strong in will but weak in power. Of course, the blame should not be put on the Council alone. After all, the Urban Services Department is a government department and we cannot impose any severe punishment on or take any dismissal action against negligent or perfunctory officers. As a result, many resolutions and motions passed by the Council have not been implemented. The Urban Services Department are just procrastinating their duties and acting perfunctorily as always, making everything fail to achieve a desirable result. In the light of this, I hope that a review on the structure of the Urban Services Department can be practically carried out in future or in the coming year so as to streamline the Department and delete all the redundant and unnecessary set-ups. As for the colleagues of the Council, we should also try our best to monitor the work of the Urban Services Department so as to do a better job in the coming year.
With these remarks, I support the motion.
Mr. Steven Hung Chung-Fun (in Cantonese):--Mr. Chairman. I suppose you all know that the number of people in this Council chamber, including the Chairman and myself, is usually anywhere between 13 and 19, three of whom are members of the press and one or two are Information Officers from the Urban Services Department's Public Information Unit. Under these circumstances, I cannot help wondering what exactly is the significance of this Annual Conventional Debate where people speak a lot of nonsense. But now I think it is my turn to talk some nonsense.
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ving right above these fixed pitch stalls always lodge complaints against them. This is because they have caused pest nuisance and the gathering of customers have affected traffic flows and led to traffic accidents involving pedestrians since these stalls are set up on the roadsides. The illegal electricity tapping activities of some fixed pitch stalls also pose fire hazards. Under such circumstances, the residents living above these stall always express their dissatisfaction with them. The situation in Ap Liu Street clearly shows the problems. Although Ap Liu Street is a famous shopping spot, residents in the neighbourhood are very dissatified with the situation. I think that the Council should draw up a long-term policy to clear all the on-street fixed pitch stalls so ais to prevent their endless operation on the streets. It is only by such a policy will the environment and hygiene conditions of urban streets be improved radically,
Lastly, I would like to point out one thing. Although I have joined the Council for less than a year, I have a few words to say, 'While the Council is high in profile but weak in monitoring authority, the Urban Services IDepartment is acting in a perfunctory and slapdash manner.' Why should I make such a statement? Over the past year, many issues cropped up in the Urban Council and the Council always acted in a 'high-profile' manner, drawing the attention of the media with coverage on all newspapers, magazines, the radio and television. As for its function of monitoring the Urban Services Department, it seems that the Council is strong in will but weak in power. Of course, the blame should not be put on the Council alone. After all, the Urban Services Department is a government department and we cannot impose any severe punishment on or take any dismissal action against negligent or perfunctory officers. As a result, many resolutions and motions passed by the Council have not been implemented. The Urban Services Department are just procrastinating their duties and acting perfunctorily as always, making everything fail to achieve a desirable result. In the light of this, I hope that a review on the structure of the Urban Services Department can be practically carried out in future or in the coming year so as to streamline the Department and delete all the redundant and unnecessary set-ups. As for the colleagues of the Council, we should also try our best to monitor the work of the Urban Services Department so as to do a better job in the coming year.
With these remarks, I support the motion.
Mr. Steven Hung Chung-Fun (in Cantonese):--Mr. Chairman. I suppose you all know that the number of people in this Council chamber, including the Chairman and myself, is usually anywhere between 13 and 19, three of whom are members of the press and one or two are Information Officers from the Urban Services Department's Public Information Unit. Under these circumstances, I cannot help wondering what exactly is the significance of this Annual Conventional Debate where people speak a lot of nonsense. But now I think it is my turn to talk some nonsense.
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