Page 102 of 606
PROVISIONAL URBAN COUNCIL
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We all know that food safety involves professional knowledge including the fields of medicine, food science etc. The Democratic Party has taken reference from other councils to arrive at the conclusion that in addition to public opinion representatives, professionals should be invited to participate. In this way, we can include the input of professionals in the process of policy formulation.
The Democratic Party endorses the setting up of a food safety bureau under the structure of the combined municipal council. This new bureau will be put solely responsible for food safety policies and will be empowered to invite knowledgeable persons and scholars of the medical, nursing and food hygiene fields to participate. The people invited as mentioned above will then be formally appointed by the merged elected council.
Journalists may ask whether we are thinking of a structure similar to that of the Board of Governors of the Hong Kong Stadium or the Liquor Licensing Board of the Urban Council. I think so. I would like to see the Food Safety Bureau accountable to the Standing Committee of the merged municipal council, which means enhanced accountability.
When several other colleagues spoke just now, they neglected the aspect of future financial arrangement. How can we meet public requirements? The public feels there is room for improvement on aspects of food safety and environmental health. Besides that, does the public find the controversial issue of funds allocated to the two municipal councils to be of an appropriate level? I think we should respond to public concern over this by improving the use of public funds and increasing accountability over it.
At present, the funds of the two municipal councils come from rates. The councils have autonomy over annual expenditure, establishment of the municipal services departments, and work projects. Discussion is held once every three years with Central Government for submission through the Financial Secretary to the Legislative Council asking for a percentage of annual rates income as funding. The Democratic Party feels that the future district organisations should be subjected to stricter financial supervision to ensure effective use of public funds.
Our Party therefore proposes that the merged municipal council of the future submit to the Legislative Council for funding on a yearly basis. Upon approval by LegCo, the annual funding should be allocated as a lump sum for the new council to utilise. This would be pretty much the same as the operation of the Hospital Authority.
Finally, I would like to say that as a district council, district boards are greatly limited in their functions. On the district level, district boards can only carry out minor environmental improvement works with limited resources. These works are only of very little help in improving the district environment. Nevertheless, the district characteristics of district boards should not be wiped
Page 102 of 606
Page 102 of 606
Page 102 of 606
Page 102 of 606
PROVISIONAL URBAN COUNCIL
123
We all know that food safety involves professional knowledge including the fields of medicine, food science etc. The Democratic Party has taken reference from other councils to arrive at the conclusion that in addition to public opinion representatives, professionals should be invited to participate. In this way, we can include the input of professionals in the process of policy fformulation.
The Democratic Party endorses the setting up of a food safety bureau under tthe structure of the combined municipal council. This new bureau will be put solely responsible for food safety policies and will be empowered to invite Iknowledgeable persons and scholars of the medical, nursing and food hygiene fields to participate. The people invited as mentioned above will then be formally appointed by the merged elected council.
Journalists may ask whether we are thinking of a structure similar to that of the Board of Governors to the Hong Kong Stadium or the Liquor Licensing Board to the Urban Council. I think so. I would like to see the Food Safety Burcau accountable to the Standing Committee of the merged municipal council which means enhanced accountability.
When several other colleagues spoke just now, they neglected the aspect of future financial arrangement. How can we meet public requirement? The public feels there is room for improvement on aspects of food safety and environmental health. Besides that, does the public find the controversial issue of funds allocated to the two municipal councils to be of an appropriate level? I think we should respond to public concern over this by improving the use of public funds and increasing accountability over it.
At present, the funds of the two municipal councils come from rates. The councils have autonomy over annual expenditure, establishment of the municipal services departments and work projects. Discussion is held once every three years with Central Government for submission through the Financial Secretary to the Legislative Council asking for a percentage of annual rates income as funding. The Democratic Party feels that the future district organisations should be subjected to stricter financial supervision in order to ensure effective use of public funds.
Our Party therefore proposes that the merged municipal council of the future submit to the Legislative Council for funding on a yearly basis. Upon approval by LegCo, the annual funding should be allocated as a lump sum for the new council to utilise. This would be pretty much the same as the operation of the Hospital Authority.
Finally I would like to say that as a district council, district boards are greatly limited in their functions. On the district level, district boards can only carry out minor environmental improvement works with limited resources. These works are only of very little help in improving district environment. Nevertheless, the district characteristics of district boards should not be wiped
Page 102 of 606
Page 102 of 606
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