PROVISIONAL URBAN COUNCIL
265
the estimated rates revenue. He wants to know the forecast of the Rating and Valuation Department on the property market in the next two years 100. If the two figures differ, he wants to know the reason.
The answer is no. The Council has not conducted any independent forecast on the property market. The Urban Services Department does not have the expertise nor the resources to conduct comprehensive property market assessments.
The Secretary for the Treasury informed the Department in May 1998 that the latest assessment by the Commissioner of Rating and Valuation (CR&V) showed that there might be a reduction of about $0.4 billion in the estimated rates revenue for the Provisional Urban Council in the current triennium as a result of objections to rating assessment and fewer new properties coming on stream.
The second part of Mr. Wu Chi-wai's question is whether the level of estimated revenue is lower than the Council's revised budget. If yes, apart from the measures already implemented to raise revenue and cut down costs, are there any further plans of this sort? If yes, what are the concrete plans?
In the light of the tight financial position, the Urban Services Department has been adopting measures to cut down expenditure and identify savings. For instance, the Department has been conducting staffing reviews and streamlining procedures to achieve savings and this was discussed at some length at the Administration Select Committee meeting in September. Branches have also been advised that in opening new facilities, they would first look at the possibility for re-deployment of resources before creation of new posts.
The Chief Executive has announced in this year's Policy Address the launching of an Enhanced Productivity Programme (EPP) to press for higher civil service productivity. Under this, Finance Bureau and Civil Service Bureau will allow more flexibility for departments to achieve savings e.g. hiring contract staff in place of permanent and pensionable staff. EPP provides a good opportunity for the Urban Services Department to implement further cost-saving initiatives so as to enable the Council to eliminate its projected deficit and arrive at a balanced budget for 1999/2000. Details of the Provisional Urban Council's 1999/2000 budget will be presented for discussion by the Council in late November/early December.
Mr. Wu Chi-wai (in Cantonese):---I have several follow-up questions. First of all, how much less than the expected rates revenue did the Rating and Valuation Department get in the triennium ending 30 September?
Second follow-up question. There are professional surveyor posts in the Department. What about their establishment and what are these officers responsible for?
Page 271 of 606
Page 271 of 606
Page 271 of 606
PROVISIONAL URBAN COUNCIL
265
the estimated rates revenue. He wants to know the forecast of the Rating and Valuation Department on the property market in the next two years 100. If the two figures differ, he wants to know the reason.
The answer is no. The Council has not conducted any independent forecast on the property market. The Urban Services Department does not have the expertise nor the resources to conduct comprehensive property market
Jassessments.
The Secretary for the Treasury informed the Department in May 1998 that the latest assessment by the Commissioner of Rating and Valuation (CR&V) showed that there might be a reduction of about $0.4 billion in the estimated rates revenue for the Provisional Urban Council in the current triennium as a result of objections to rating assessment and fewer new properties coming on
stream.
The second part of Mr. Wu Chi-wai's question is whether the level of estimated revenue is lower than the Council's revised budget. If yes, apart from the measures already implemented to raise revenue and cut down costs, are there any further plans of this sort? If yes, what are the concrete plans?
In the light of the tight financial position, the Urban Services Department has been adopting measures to cut down expenditure and identify savings. For instance. the Department has been conducting staffing reviews and streamlining procedures to achieve savings and this was discussed at some length at the Administration Select Committee meeting in September. Branches have also been advised that in opening new facilities, they would first look at the possibility for re-deployment of resources before creation of new posts.
The Chief Executive has announced in this year's Policy Address the launching of an Enhanced Productivity Programme (EPP) to press for higher civil service productivity. Under this, Finance Bureau and Civil Service Bureau will allow more flexibility for departments to achieve savings e.g. hiring contract staff in place of permanent and pensionable staff. EPP provides a good opportunity for the Urban Services Department to implement further cost saving initiatives so as to enable the Council to climinate its projected deficit and arrive at a balanced budget for 1999/2000. Details of the Provisional Urban Council's 1999/2000 budget will be presented for discussion by the Council in late November/early December.
Mr. Wu Chi-wai (in Cantonese):---I have several follow-up questions. First of all, how much less than the expected rates revenue did the Rating and Valuation Deparment get in the triennium ending 30 September?
Second follow-up question. There are professional surveyor posts in the Department. What about their establishment and what are these officers responsible for?
Page 271 of 606
Page 271 of 606
Page 271 of 60
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.