1998 — Page 59

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Page 59 of 606

PROVISIONAL URBAN COUNCIL

81

faced with insufficient funding, Members did strongly demand the Department that there should be no reduction in certain projects, that is, phase-III and phase-IV projects, so as not to affect the public. We did strongly indicate that the livelihood of the people and municipal projects must not be affected. Thereafter, the Department implemented a series of measures, such as conducting further studies on some projects aimed at delaying their submission to the meeting for consideration. The existing situation is that even if the projects have been submitted to the meeting, they will be implemented only according to the order of priority, depending on the future financial situation. It seems that our original wish that no phase-III and phase-IV projects should be affected is not realized.

The prevailing financial situation of the Council has affected the projects, but this is not the end of it. Many of the disputes among Members, especially those over the establishment, are the result of the shortage of funds. There are always vacancies in the Council's establishment and because of the procedures, it often takes a long time before a certain vacancy is filled. It could well be one of the normal practices of the Department to handle its finances in face of the current shortage of funds. Not only the manpower, but the policy on reduction of market rentals is also affected. Why have we been arguing so heatedly? It is all because the Council is in a very stringent financial situation that it cannot afford to reduce some of the market rentals. If we had been financially sound, we could have helped out the traders generously with a broad-brush cut on the rentals. However, the Council lacks the resources to do so.

There is furthermore a need for the various committees to reduce their expenditure by a certain sum, because based on the existing expenditure, there will certainly be a deficit. There is therefore a further need to cut down on the expenditure of the committees in order to balance the books.

On the one hand, we are experiencing financial difficulties but on the other, we hope that our projects can start as soon as possible so as to create job opportunities. I remember that when we discussed our financial situation, the Chairman and the Vice-Chairman unofficially relayed the remark of the finance officials of the Central Government that ‘the Government is not going to change its decision on the funding to the Council'. I consider that instead of just sitting here, thinking how to solve our financial problems and to get our five-year plans started, our foremost task should be to work out some strategies and measures to re-open discussion with the Central Government on our financial resources. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

MR. AMBROSE Cheung Wing-SUM (in Cantonese): -Mr. Chairman. I support the spirit of the motion moved by Ms. Grace Au today. I support the idea of considering ways to increase job opportunities within the ambit of the Urban Council, but I wish to point that when viewed from another angle, the direction recommended in the motion may be not so prudent.

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Page 59 of 606

Page 59 of 606

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Page 59 of 606 PROVISIONAL URBAN COUNCIL 81 faced with insufficient funding, Members did strongly demand the Department that there should be no reduction in certain projects, that is, phase-III and phase-IV projects, so as not to affect the public. We did strongly indicate that the livelihood of the people and municipal projects must not be affected. Thereafter, the Department implemented a series of measures, such as conducting further studies on some projects aimed at delaying their submission to the meeting for consideration. The existing situation is that even if the projects have been submitted to the meeting, they will be implemented only according to the order of priority, depending on the future financial situation. It seems that our original wish that no phase-III and phase-IV projects should be affected is not realized. The prevailing financial situation of the Council has affected the projects, but this is not the end of it. Many of the disputes among Members, especially those over the establishment, are the result of the shortage of funds. There are always vacancies in the Council's establishment and because of the procedures, it often takes a long time before a certain vacancy is filled. It could well be one of the normal practices of the Department to handle its finances in face of the current shortage of funds. Not only the manpower, but the policy on reduction of market rentals is also affected. Why have we been arguing so heatedly? It is all because the Council is in a very stringent financial situation that it cannot afford to reduce some of the market rentals. If we had been financially sound, we could have helped out the traders generously with a broad-brush cut on the rentals. However, the Council lacks the resources to do so. There is furthermore a need for the various committees to reduce their expenditure by a certain sum, because based on the existing expenditure, there will certainly be a deficit. There is therefore a further need to cut down on the expenditure of the committees in order to balance the books. On the one hand, we are experiencing financial difficulties but on the other, we hope that our projects can start as soon as possible so as to create job opportunities. I remember that when we discussed our financial situation, the Chairman and the Vice-Chairman unofficially relayed the remark of the finance officials of the Central Government that ‘the Government is not going to change its decision on the funding to the Council'. I consider that instead of just sitting here, thinking how to solve our financial problems and to get our five-year plans started, our foremost task should be to work out some strategies and measures to re-open discussion with the Central Government on our financial resources. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. MR. AMBROSE Cheung Wing-SUM (in Cantonese): -Mr. Chairman. I support the spirit of the motion moved by Ms. Grace Au today. I support the idea of considering ways to increase job opportunities within the ambit of the Urban Council, but I wish to point that when viewed from another angle, the direction recommended in the motion may be not so prudent. Page 59 of 606 Page 59 of 606 Page 59 of 606
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Page 59 of 606 PROVISIONAL URBAN COUNCIL 81 faced with insufficient funding, Members did strongly demand the Department that there should be no reduction in certain projects, that is, phase-III and phase-IV projects, so as not to affect the public. We did strongly indicate that the livelihood of the people and municipal projects must not be affected. Thereafter, the Department implemented a series of measures, such as conducting further studies on some projects aimed at delaying their submission to the meeting for consideration. The existing situation is that even if the projects have been submitted to the meeting, they will be implemented only according to the order of priority, depending on the future financial situation. It seems that our original wish that no phase-III and phase-IV projects should be affected is not realized. The prevailing financial situation of the Council has affected the projects, but this is not the end of it. Many of the disputes among Members, especially those over the establishment, are the result of the shortage of funds. There are always vacancies in the Council's establishment and because of the procedures, it often takes a long time before a certain vacancy is filled. It could well be one of the normal practices of the Department to handle its finances in face of the current shortage of funds. Not only the manpower, but the policy on reduction of market rentals is also affected. Why have we been arguing so heatedly? It is all because the Council is in a very stringent financial situation that it cannot afford to reduce some of the market rentals. If we had been financially sound, we could have helped out the traders generously with a broad-brush cut on the rentals. However, the Council lacks the resources to do so. There is furthermore a need for the various committees to reduce their expenditure by a certain sum, because based on the existing expenditure, there will certainly be a deficit. There is therefore a further need to cut down on the expenditure of the committees in order to balance the books. On the one hand, we are experiencing financial difficulties but on the other. we hope that our projects can start as soon as possible so as to create job opportunities. I remember that when we discussed our financial situation, the Chairman and the Vice-Chairman unofficially relayed the remark of the finance officials of the Central Government that ‘the Government is not going to change its decision on the funding to the Council'. I consider that instead of just sitting here, thinking how to solve our financial problems and to get our five-year plans started, our foremost task should be to work out some strategies and measures to re-open discussion with the Central Government on our financial resources. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. MR. AMBROSE Cheung Wing-SUM (in Cantonese): -Mr. Chairman. I support the spirit of the motion moved by Ms. Grace Au today. I support the idea of considering ways to increasc job opportunities within the ambit of the Urban Council, but I wish to point that when viewed from another angle, the direction recommended in the motion may be not so prudent. Page 59 of 606 Page 59 of 606 Page 59 o
2026-05-16 05:59:31 · Baseline
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Page 59 of 606

PROVISIONAL URBAN COUNCIL

81

faced with insufficient funding, Members did strongly demand the Department that there should be no reduction in certain projects, that is, phase-III and phase-IV projects, so as not to affect the public. We did strongly indicate that the livelihood of the people and municipal projects must not be affected. Thereafter, the Department implemented a series of measures, such as conducting further studies on some projects aimed at delaying their submission to the meeting for consideration. The existing situation is that even if the projects have been submitted to the meeting, they will be implemented only according to the order of priority, depending on the future financial situation. It seems that our original wish that no phase-III and phase-IV projects should be affected is not realized.

The prevailing financial situation of the Council has affected the projects, but this is not the end of it. Many of the disputes among Members, especially those over the establishment, are the result of the shortage of funds. There are always vacancies in the Council's establishment and because of the procedures, it often takes a long time before a certain vacancy is filled. It could well be one of the normal practices of the Department to handle its finances in face of the current shortage of funds. Not only the manpower, but the policy on reduction of market rentals is also affected. Why have we been arguing so heatedly? It is all because the Council is in a very stringent financial situation that it cannot afford to reduce some of the market rentals. If we had been financially sound, we could have helped out the traders generously with a broad-brush cut on the rentals. However, the Council lacks the resources to do so.

There is furthermore a need for the various committees to reduce their expenditure by a certain sum, because based on the existing expenditure, there will certainly be a deficit. There is therefore a further need to cut down on the expenditure of the committees in order to balance the books.

On the one hand, we are experiencing financial difficulties but on the other. we hope that our projects can start as soon as possible so as to create job opportunities. I remember that when we discussed our financial situation, the Chairman and the Vice-Chairman unofficially relayed the remark of the finance officials of the Central Government that ‘the Government is not going to change its decision on the funding to the Council'. I consider that instead of just sitting here, thinking how to solve our financial problems and to get our five-year plans started, our foremost task should be to work out some strategies and measures to re-open discussion with the Central Government on our financial resources. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

MR. AMBROSE Cheung Wing-SUM (in Cantonese): -Mr. Chairman. I support the spirit of the motion moved by Ms. Grace Au today. I support the idea of considering ways to increasc job opportunities within the ambit of the Urban Council, but I wish to point that when viewed from another angle, the direction recommended in the motion may be not so prudent.

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Page 59 of 606

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