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indirectly lengthening the Standing Committee's agenda and at the same time, infringing upon the terms of reference of the Select Committees.
Another point is about the image of the Council. The Council was given wide press coverage in the past year but unfortunately, negative coverage was equally considerable, so much so that some Members consider that the image of the Council is deteriorating every day. The media often focus their attention on controversial issues, making it difficult for members of the public to have a full picture of the work and contribution of the Council. In some cases, members of the public are even made to feel that the Urban Council is only concerned for side issues and is a non-pragmatic Council. It is our duty to convey to the public a positive message about the Council. Generally speaking, both the Council and the Department have been operating as usual and have not made any mistake. There is the so-called deterioration of image probably because members of the public have the impression that the Urban Council is politicizing everything and being indulged in disputes and discussions.
On our relationship with Government departments. After the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) switched to the trading fund operation, the Urban Services Department took the initiative in reaching an agreement with the EMSD in February 1997. The EMSD has implemented a series of measures to improve its services for the Council. The Council will monitor closely the quality of the services provided by the EMSD after it has switched to the trading fund operation to ensure maintenance of a reasonable standard. The Council has, on a number of occasions, advised the Architectural Services Department on its services and requests for improvement. We are deeply concerned for the delay in the projects undertaken by the Architectural Services Department and the fee charged by the Government for various projects.
On constitutional reforms. A detailed discussion on the Government's proposed reforms of the 2-tier district organizations was held at the Council's monthly meeting on 11 November 1997, when the relevant motions were carried, recorded and submitted to the Government for information. I myself have repeated many times openly that any changes involving the district organizations must not be made hastily. As for the proposed merging of the two Municipal Councils, it could be considered in the long run because it is exactly in line with the Urban Council's stance made several years ago opposing to the establishment of the Regional Council. However, the proposed merging of the two Municipal Councils and the District Boards is highly irrational. Neither does it answer the needs of society. As the next election will be held in 1999, I consider that any constitutional reforms should be introduced only after the next term of the Council comes into being in 1999 and after thorough deliberation is made. My above views still stand.
As for the question of strengthening contacts with the Provisional Regional Council, the Council has discussed the establishment of a permanent
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indirectly lengthening the Standing Committee's agenda and at the same time, infringing upon the terms of reference of the Select Committees.
Another point is about the image of the Council. The Council was given wide press coverage in the past year but unfortunately, negative coverage was equally considerable, so much so that some Members consider that the image of the Council is deteriorating every day. The media often focus their attention on controversial issues, making it difficult for members of the public to have a full picture of the work and contribution of the Council. In some cases, members of the public are even made to feel that the Urban Council is only concerned for side issues and is a non-pragmatic Council. It is our duty to convey to the public a positive message about the Council. Generally speaking, both the Council and the Department have been operating as usual and have not made any mistake. There is the so-called deterioration of image probably because members of the public have the impression that the Urban Council is politicizing everything and being indulged in disputes and discussions.
On our relationship with Government departments. After the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) switched to the trading fund operation, the Urban Services Department took the initiative in reaching an agreement with the EMSD in February 1997. The EMSD has implemented a series of measures to improve its services for the Council. The Council will monitor closely the quality of the services provided by the EMSD after it has switched to the trading fund operation to ensure maintenance of a reasonable standard. The Council has, on a number of occasions, advised the Architectural Services Department on its services and
its services and requests for improvement. We are deeply concerned for the delay in the projects undertaken by the Architectural Services Department and the fee charged by the Government for various projects.
On constitutional reforms. A detailed discussion on the Government's proposed reforms of the 2-tier district organizations was held at the Council's monthly meeting on 11 November 1997, when the relevant motions were carried, recorded and submitted to the Government for information. I myself have repeated many times openly that any changes involving the district organizations must not be made hastily. As for the proposed merging of the two Municipal Councils, it could be considered in the long run because it is exactly in line with the Urban Council's stance made several years ago opposing to the establishment of the Regional Council. However, the proposed merging of the two Municipal Councils and the District Boards is highly irrational. Neither does it answer the needs of society. As the next election will be held in 1999, I consider that any constitutional reforms should be introduced only after the next term of the Council comes into being in 1999 and after thorough deliberation is made. My above views still stand.
As for the question of strengthening contacts with the Provisional Regional Council, the Council has discussed the establishment of a permanent
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