Minutes of the 9th Meeting of the
Food, Environment, Hygiene & Works Committee (2014-2015)
Central and Western District Council
Date
Time
Venue
: 16 July 2015
: 2:30 pm
: Conference Room
14/F, Harbour Building
38 Pier Road, Central, Hong Kong
Present:
Chairman
Mr LEE Chi-hang, Sidney*
Members
Mr CHAN Chit-kwai, BBS, JP*
Mr CHAN Choi-hi, MH*
Mr CHAN Ho-lim, Joseph*
Mr CHAN Hok-fung, MH*
Ms CHENG Lai-king*
Mr CHEUNG Kwok-kwan, JP
Mr HUI Chi-fung*
Mr IP Kwok-him, GBS, JP
Mr KAM Nai-wai, MH*
Miss LO Yee-hang
Ms SIU Ka-yi*
Mr MAN Chi-wah, MH*
Mr WONG Kin-shing*
Mr YIP Wing-shing, BBS, MH, JP*
Co-opted Members
Mr LI Po-ming*
Mr LUI Hung-pan*
Ms NG Hoi-yan, Bonnie*
Mr YEUNG Hok-ming*
Mr YEUNG Ho-kei
Remarks:
(beginning of the meeting - 3:46 pm)
(3:39 pm - end of the meeting)
(2:43 pm - end of the meeting)
(3:42 pm - end of the meeting)
(2:40 pm - end of the meeting)
* Members who attended the whole meeting
( ) Time of attendance of Members
-1-
Guests
Item 4
Ms WONG Kam-ling, Candy
Mr HO Wai-keung
Buildings Department
Electrical and Mechanical
Services Department
Mr TONG Chung-wai
Fire Services Department
Mr CHAN To-cheung
Fire Services Department
Mr CHEUNG Ka-lok
Hong Kong Police Force
Mr KWOK Tsz-ping
Hong Kong Police Force
Mr LIU Chi-wai
Food and Environmental
Hygiene Department
Item 5
Mr LAW See-hon, Sean
Environmental Protection
Department
Mr LOK Chun-chung, Francis
Mr CHEUNG Ka-lok
Transport Department
Hong Kong Police Force
Mr KWOK Tsz-ping
Hong Kong Police Force
Mr LIU Chi-wai
Food and Environmental
Hygiene Department
Item 6
Mr LIU Chi-wai
Item 7
Mr LAW See-hon, Sean
Mr LIU Chi-wai
Building Surveyor/A3-SD
Acting Senior Electrical &
Mechanical Engineer/
Consumer Installations
Division Officer (Hong Kong
Central)
Station Commander of Sheung
Wan Fire Station
Neighbourhood Police
Coordinator, Police
Community Relations Office
(Western District)
Neighbourhood Police
Coordinator, Police
Community Relations Office
(Central District)
District Environmental
Hygiene Superintendent
(Central/Western)
Senior Environmental
Protection Officer (Regional
South) 1
Engineer/Central & Western 1
Neighbourhood Police
Coordinator, Police
Community Relations Office
(Western District)
Neighbourhood Police
Coordinator, Police
Community Relations Office
(Central District)
District Environmental
Hygiene Superintendent
(Central/Western)
Food and Environmental
Hygiene Department
District Environmental
Hygiene Superintendent
(Central/Western)
Environmental Protection
Department
Senior Environmental
Protection Officer (Regional
South) 1
District Environmental
Hygiene Superintendent
(Central/Western)
Food and Environmental
Hygiene Department
-2-
Item 8
Mr LIU Chi-wai
Item 9
Mr LIU Chi-wai
Mr LEE Ka-chun
Food and Environmental
Hygiene Department
District Environmental
Hygiene Superintendent
(Central/Western)
Food and Environmental
Hygiene Department
District Environmental
Hygiene Superintendent
(Central/Western)
Engineer/Transport,
Security & Central
Services 3/6
Electrical and Mechanical
Services Department
In Attendance
Miss CHOW Ho-kiu, Cheryl, JP Central and Western District
Office
Miss LAM Bing-bing, Erica
Central and Western District
Office
Mr CHAN Shing-fung
Central and Western District
Office
Miss YU Yan-yan, Rosanna
Central and Western District
Office
Ms WONG Kam-ling, Candy
Buildings Department
Mrs MAK LEUNG Suet-mui, Lands Department (District
Cherry
Lands Office, Hong Kong
West and South)
Mr KWOK Tsz-ping
Hong Kong Police Force
Mr CHEUNG Ka-lok
Hong Kong Police Force
Mr LIU Chi-wai
Food and Environmental
Hygiene Department
Mr CHOI Yiu-kwok, Kent
Leisure and Cultural Services
Department
Mr WONG Siu-wah, Pierre
Civil Engineering and
Development Department
Environmental Protection
Department
Mr LAW See-hon, Sean
Secretary
Miss TAM Lok-yin, Jovita
Central and Western District
Office
-3-
District Officer
Assistant District Officer
(Central and Western)
Acting Senior Executive
Officer (District Council)
Senior Executive Officer
(District Management)
Building Surveyor/A3-SD
Senior Estate Surveyor/
West (District Lands
Office, Hong Kong West
and South)
Neighbourhood Police
Co-ordinator, Police
Community Relations
Office (Central District)
Neighbourhood Police
Co-ordinator, Police
Community Relations
Office (Western District)
District Environmental
Hygiene Superintendent
(Central/Western)
Deputy District Leisure
Manager (Central and
Western) 2
Senior Engineer 11 (Hong
Kong Island Division 1)
Senior Environmental
Protection Officer
(Regional South) 1
Executive Officer (District
Council) 3
Absent with Apologies
Dr Malcolm LAM
Mr CHEUNG Yick-hung, Jackie
Mr NG Siu-keung, Thomas, MH, JP
Miss LAU Wai-yan, Vienna
Opening Remarks
The Chairman welcomed Members and representatives from government
departments to the 9th meeting of the Food, Environment, Hygiene & Works Committee
(FEHWC) (2014-15).
The Chairman extended welcome to Mr CHEUNG Ka-lok,
Neighbourhood Police Co-ordinator of the Police Community Relations Office (Western
District) of the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF), who stood in for Mr CHING Chi-yan, Billy
and Mr FAN Ka-yin, and to Mr KWOK Tsz-ping, Neighbourhood Police Co-ordinator of the
Police Community Relations Office (Central District) of the HKPF, who stood in for Mr
CHUNG Kin-yeung, Winky and Mr LAI Fai-keong.
2.
The Chairman said that before the meeting, a notification of absence had been
received from Mr Thomas NG whereas Mr Jackie CHEUNG, who had reported absence from
the meeting due to sickness, had not submitted a notification of absence as required by Article
49(1) of the Standing Orders.
Item 1:
Adoption of the Agenda
(2:34 pm - 2:35 pm)
3.
As there were no comments from Members, the agenda was adopted.
Item 2:
Confirmation of the Minutes of the 8th FEHWC Meeting on 28 May 2015
(2:35 pm - 2:36 pm)
4.
The Chairman indicated that before the meeting, proposed amendments to the
minutes had been received from Members and forwarded to FEHWC Members along with the
fourth batch of papers.
5.
Members had no comments on the minutes of the 8th FEHWC meeting and the
proposed amendments thereto. The Chairman declared the minutes and the amendments
thereto confirmed.
Item 3:
Reports of the Chairman and Working Groups
(2:36 pm - 2:38 pm)
6.
The Chairman said that the Secretariat had earlier passed the following information
papers to Members for perusal by circulation:
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No.
38/2015
40/2015
41/2015
42/2015
43/2015
49/2015
50/2015
Document Title
Progress Report on Minor Works of Food and
Environmental Hygiene Department in Central & Western
District (as at the end of May 2015)
Application by Central & Western District Environmental
Protection and Improvement Working Group 2015/16 for
Environmental Protection Department Funding (2
applications in total)
District Council Fund Application by Central and Western
District Environmental Protection and Improvement
Working Group (2 applications in total)
Fund Application by Central and Western District
Environmental Protection and Improvement Working
Group: Green Life for the Elderly
Food and Environmental Hygiene Department - Second
Phase of Anti Rodent Campaign in Central & Western
District in 2015
“Large-scale Removal Operation on Unauthorised
Signboards 2015” of Buildings Department
Refurbishment Works for Glenealy Public Toilet by Food
and Environmental Hygiene Department
Circulation Date
3 June 2015
12 June 2015
17 June 2015
17 June 2015
23 June 2015
10 July 2015
2 July 2015
7.
The reports of working groups had been forwarded to Members for perusal on 30
June along with the first batch of papers.
Item 4:
Potential Fire Hazards in Foot Steam Massage Shops Subject to No Statutory
Control
(C&W FEHWC Paper No. 28/2015)
(2:38 pm - 2:59 pm)
8.
The Chairman invited Members to raise their views and questions, which were
summarised as follows:
(a)
Ms SIU Ka-yi pointed out that government departments neither imposed
statutory control on foot steam massage shops nor inspected them regularly.
Many residents in the area of Queen’s Road West indicated that a number of
foot steam massage shops were situated in tenement residential buildings and
they used high temperature equipment in their business operation. She was
concerned about safety issues in terms of electricity capacity, fire hazards and
so forth. She understood that while the HKPF would inspect shops holding a
massage establishment licence in a bid to prevent crimes and vice activities, it
could hardly address the potential safety risks in foot massage shops. She
would like to know how various departments would address this problem.
(b)
Mr CHAN Chit-kwai hoped the Police would clarify whether any pornographic
element was involved in two disputes and two theft cases at foot massage
shops in the Western District as well as the arrests concerning “unlicensed
massage establishments” in the Central District.
-5-
(c)
Ms CHENG Lai-king enquired which departments would be responsible for
tackling contravention if these shops in tenement buildings, though specified as
residential units in occupation permits, were used for business purposes.
(d)
Mr CHAN Hok-fung said that the foot massage shops were mostly situated in
tenement or old buildings, and enquired which departments would be
responsible for regulation of electricity load in these buildings if there were no
owners’ corporations in place to regulate it. Besides, he was concerned that
serious problems would arise if no department was responsible for tackling
contravention of occupation permits or deeds of mutual covenant. He
suggested the Government introduce a licensing system.
(e)
Mr YEUNG Hok-ming indicated that some foot massage shops in the district
divided a unit into a number of “cubicle apartments” and used high temperature
equipment for operation, giving rise to potential fire hazards. At present, the
FSD neither required these shops to be provided with specific fire service
installations nor inspected them regularly. He suggested the FSD require foot
massage shops with “cubicle apartments” to be provided with fire service
installations of higher standards, such as automatic water sprinkler systems.
9.
Ms Candy WONG, Building Surveyor/A3-SD of the Buildings Department (BD),
indicated that according to the Buildings Ordinance, prior application had to be made to the
department for any intended change in the use of a unit, and according to Section 25 of the
Buildings Ordinance, the BD might make an order against any inappropriate change in use.
Yet, priority enforcement actions would be considered only in cases where fire escapes or
building structures were exposed to risks.
10.
The Chairman hoped the BD would clarify whether it was within the purview of the
BD to take enforcement actions against a unit used for purposes inconsistent with its
occupation permit.
11.
Ms Candy WONG indicated that while the BD might make an order according to
Section 25 of the Buildings Ordinance, it would consider whether fire access or building
structures were affected in a case. For any intended change in the use of a unit, application
should normally be made to the department according to the Buildings Ordinance.
12.
Mr TONG Chung-wai, Division Officer (Hong Kong Central) of the Fire Services
Department (FSD), indicated that all buildings had to be provided with fire service
installations pursuant to the requirements in the Code of Practice for Minimum Fire Service
Installations and Equipment issued by the FSD, and it was the department’s responsibility to
regularly inspect the fire service installations and equipment of all buildings. Likewise,
tenement buildings had to be provided with fire service installations and equipment, and were
also subject to the department’s regular inspection. Cases involving unauthorised business
activities found during inspections would be referred for follow-up. In response to
Members’ questions, he said that foot steam massage shops in general should operate in
commercial premises, and the FSD imposed much higher requirements on fire service
installations in commercial premises and required annual inspection of the buildings.
-6-
13.
Mr HO Wai-keung, Acting Senior Electrical & Mechanical Engineer/ Consumer
Installations of the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD), indicated that
when a building applied for electricity supply, the electricity company would grant electricity
capacity in accordance with the circumstances of the users then. Besides, the building and
its units and floors would be installed with protection devices, which would automatically cut
off the electricity supply of units or floors if the electricity consumption of the units or floors
exceeded their pre-set electricity capacity.
14.
Mr CHEUNG Ka-lok, Neighbourhood Police Coordinator of the Police Community
Relations Office (Western District) of the HKPF, responded to Mr CHAN Chit-kwai’s
question, clarifying that neither sex service nor pornographic element was involved in the
cases concerning foot massage shops in the district.
15.
The Chairman invited Members to raise their views and questions, which were
summarised as follows:
(a)
Mr CHAN Hok-fung enquired how the FSD inspected foot massage shops,
given that no licence was required for their operation at present.
(b)
Mr WONG Kin-shing said that the FSD imposed more stringent fire safety
requirements on commercial buildings as opposed to foot massage shops,
which were usually situated in tenement buildings. Besides, he believed that
most foot massage shops had not applied for three-phase electricity supply
from the electricity company, so the electricity supply of the whole building
would be cut off in case of electricity overloading. He enquired whether the
relevant departments could provide data showing which shops had applied for
special electricity capacity.
16.
Mr TONG Chung-wai responded to Mr CHAN Hok-fung’s question, stressing that
fire service installations were provided in all buildings and the FSD inspected fire service
installations in all buildings regularly. The focus of inspection was to ensure the effective
operation of the whole fire-fighting systems. Besides, any case involving illegal or
unauthorised act on fire safety or other fronts, if found, would be subject to immediate
prosecution or referral. While the FSD might not necessarily be able to enter units for
inspection on every occasion, it could keep a check on the fire safety of a building by
inspecting the fire service installations of the building as a whole.
17.
Mr HO Wai-keung responded to Mr WONG Kin-shing’s question, saying that the
EMSD had no data on foot steam massage shops’ applications for three-phase electricity
supply. Regarding the scenario of electricity interruption caused by electricity overloading
of these shops, he pointed out that as the electricity system should provide protection at the
three levels, namely unit, floor and the building as a whole, any sudden electricity interruption
of the entire building indicated defects in the coordination of the electricity system. The
department always required buildings to have their electricity systems inspected once every
five years to ensure their normal coordination.
18.
The Chairman opined that the EMSD should impose regulation proactively rather
than relying on the self-protection devices of electricity systems in buildings. He suggested
that for the sake of residents’ safety, the EMSD should proactively examine whether there was
electricity overloading in buildings.
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“Mobile Time Bombs in Urban Areas”?
Refuse Collection Vehicles
(C&W FEHWC Paper No. 39/2015)
(2:59 pm - 3:12 pm)
Item 5:
Road Safety Concern on Heavy
19.
The Chairman invited Members to raise their views and questions, which were
summarised as follows:
(a)
Mr CHAN Hok-fung indicated that a number of heavy refuse collection
vehicles (RCVs) ran at high speeds on narrow roads every day, posing safety
risks to pedestrians. He would like to know whether the Government
imposed regulation by such means as limiting speeds or ensuring good driving
attitudes. He would also like to know how the relevant departments tackled
wastewater dripping from RCVs, which affected environmental hygiene. He
hoped the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) and the
Environmental Protection Department (EPD) would cooperate to step up street
cleansing.
(b)
Mr CHAN Chit-kwai said there had been cases of pedestrians being injured by
RCVs, and suggested the EMSD and the TD set more stringent requirements
on RCV motoring and inspection. Besides, he enquired of the Police in the
Western District about the number of RCV-involved cases in its interception
operations against overloaded and speeding vehicles.
(c)
Mr YEUNG Hok-ming indicated that besides RCVs, street washing vehicles
could also cause serious accidents if they slid downhill. He would like to
know how the Government imposed regulation in this regard. Besides, he
said that street washing vehicles were often found parking at the bus stop
outside Li Sing Primary School for prolonged periods of time, sometimes even
up to 45 minutes, forcing buses to stop at the middle of the road. He hoped
the Police or the FEHD would follow up on this matter.
(d)
Mr YIP Wing-shing indicated that RCVs often ran on the road at high speeds,
and suggested the Police or the TD explore response measures and set relevant
requirements to prevent accidents.
20.
Mr LIU Chi-wai, District Environmental Hygiene Superintendent (Central/Western)
of the FEHD, said that there were three types of RCVs at present, which included RCVs
directly operated by the Government, RCVs of contractors and privately-operated RCVs.
The drivers, whether engaged by the Government or contractors, had to observe the Road
Traffic Ordinance and were not allowed to do such acts as overloading and speeding. He
also said that the department would cooperate with the EPD to step up street cleansing. In
response to Mr YEUNG Hok-ming’s remarks on the case of street washing vehicles parking
and waiting at the bus stop, he said that the department would enquire into the case and follow
it up with contractors.
21.
Mr Francis LOK, Engineer/Central & Western 1 of the Transport Department (TD),
indicated that Members’ views on RCV licence renewal and inspection would be relayed to
the department, and the matter on enhancing RCV road safety would also be studied.
-8-
22.
Mr Sean LAW, Senior Environmental Protection Officer (Regional South) 1 of the
Environmental Protection Department (EPD), added that in response to the public’s opinion,
the morning cleansing operation on Victoria Road had been rescheduled from 10:00 am to
8:30 am. Moreover, the EPD would cooperate with the FEHD to strengthen street cleansing.
23.
Mr CHEUNG Ka-lok, Neighbourhood Police Coordinator of the Police Community
Relations Office (Western District) of the HKPF, responded to Mr CHAN Chit-kwai’s
question, saying that a written reply would be given on the figures of RCV overloading and
speeding after the meeting. Besides, he responded to Mr YEUNG Hok-ming’s remarks on
the case of street washing vehicles parking and waiting at the bus stop outside Li Sing
Primary School, saying that the Police had noted the case and would give a written reply on
investigation results after the meeting.
24.
The Chairman invited Members to raise their views and questions, which were
summarised as follows:
(a)
25.
Mr CHAN Choi-hi, said that the paper showed there were 7 985 cases of
prosecution against speeding in Hong Kong Island from January to May 2015.
He hoped the Police would provide the figure for the Central & Western
District (C&W District).
The HKPF said that a reply on the figure would be provided for the Committee later.
Item 6:
Concern over the Problem of Water Dripping from Air-conditioners in the
District
(C&W FEHWC Paper No. 44/2015)
(3:12 pm - 3:28 pm)
26.
The Chairman invited Members to raise their views and questions, which were
summarised as follows:
(a)
Mr CHAN Chit-kwai enquired the FEHD whether provided one-stop service
from receipt of complaints to notification of investigation results to
complainants.
(b)
Mr YEUNG Hok-ming hoped the FEHD could duly follow up on two
blackspots of water dripping from air-conditioners, namely the junction of
Water Street and Second Street, and Nos. 406 to 408 Des Voeux Road West.
(c)
Mr LUI Hung-pan enquired whether government departments would take the
initiative to undertake inspection and prosecution at locations where water
often dripped from air-conditioners, especially bus stops.
(d)
Mr CHEUNG Kwok-kwan would like to know why the FEHD had only issued
57 nuisance notices, though it had received a total of 688 complaints on water
dripping from air-conditioners in the district.
-9-
(e)
Ms SIU Ka-yi enquired whether it was because all the 57 residents or business
operators had abated the water dripping problems immediately upon the receipt
of the nuisance notices that there had been no prosecution case within the
specified period. Besides, the FEHD mentioned in its reply that ad-hoc
inspections were arranged. She would like to know the information about the
ad-hoc inspections, such as how they were conducted, how many ad-hoc
inspections were conducted in the C&W District in a year, and the statistics on
duty performed during daytime and night time.
(f)
Mr CHAN Choi-hi expressed his hope that the FEHD would also pay attention
to and follow up the serious problem of water dripping from air-conditioners in
the road sections of Yip Cheong Building in Hill Road and the opposite side of
the hotel in Queen’s Road West.
(g)
Mr CHAN Hok-fung concurred with the views of Ms SIU Ka-yi while saying
that the department had also to conduct night inspection in order to solve the
problem completely.
(h)
Ms CHENG Lai-king suggested stepping up publicity and education in order to
sort out the problem before the installation of air-conditioners.
(i)
The Chairman hoped that the department could proactively initiate
investigations and identify the sources rather than launching investigations
only after the public’s complaint. Besides, he suggested that on the policy
front, the department should actively consider deploying some staff to perform
night duty, as many food and environmental hygiene issues required follow-ups
at night.
27.
Mr LIU Chi-wai, District Environmental Hygiene Superintendent (Central/Western)
of the FEHD, indicated that a person wishing to complain about water dripping from
air-conditioners might call 1823 for one-stop service. Apart from investigating complaint
cases, the department also arranged some ad-hoc night inspections at locations where water
dripping was serious and took follow up actions. Meanwhile, the department also undertook
publicity and education work such as distributing promotion leaflets to building management
offices and displaying notices. If the department could not enter a unit or contact its owner
or occupant during an inspection, it would send an advisory letter to the unit concerned by
post or depositing it into the letter box of the unit. A nuisance notice would be issued if the
resident did not sort out the problem upon admonition. The department would conduct a
follow up inspection at the unit concerned after a specified period to ascertain whether the
owner or occupant concerned had abated the air-conditioner dripping nuisance as required by
the nuisance notice. If the owner or occupant had failed to comply with the nuisance notice,
the department would institute prosecution. As most owners or occupants had sorted out the
problems of water dripping from air-conditioners within the specified periods after receiving
the nuisance notices, there had been no prosecution case.
28.
Mr LIU Chi-wai said that the department would also follow up on the locations
where water dripping from air-conditioners was serious as mentioned by Members, and would
handle the complaints concerned.
- 10 -
The Elderly’s Comments on Food, Environmental Hygiene and Works
(C&W FEHWC Paper No. 45/2015)
(3:28 pm - 3:36 pm)
Item 7:
29.
The Chairman invited Members to raise their views and questions, which were
summarised as follows:
(a)
Ms SIU Ka-yi said that when the Working Group on Elderly Service visited the
elderly in the district, some elderly people indicated that the problem raised last
year concerning odour emitted from the gully next to 38 Des Voeux Road West
(Queen Street Cooked Food Market) was still outstanding. She hoped that the
relevant departments could actively follow up on the problem and give an
account of inspection results.
(b)
Mr LUI Hung-pan indicated that he had received complaints from members of
the district about the problem of water accumulating between Queen Street
Cooked Food Market and its neighbouring building. Meanwhile, a refuse bin
and a three-colour recycling bin were kept at the same location, causing
obstruction to the pedestrian walkway. He hoped that the department would
review the locations of the refuse bin and the three-colour recycling bin.
(c)
Mr KAM Nai-wai said the EPD’s written reply indicated that the odour
concerned was caused by the waste oil removal operation at the car park of
Queen Street Cooked Food Market. He hoped that the relevant departments
would clarify on the source of the odour. Besides, an elderly centre hoped
that the FEHD could seal the relevant manhole openings when carrying out the
waste oil removal operation, so as to prevent the odour from spreading. He
would like the department to give feedback on whether this was a feasible
method.
30.
Mr LIU Chi-wai, District Environmental Hygiene Superintendent (Central/Western)
of the FEHD, said investigation found that the odour was caused by the gully emptying and
cleansing work carried out at the car park of Queen Street Cooked Food Market, which
necessitated the opening of manholes. The work was carried out once every one and a half
months, taking about half an hour each time. The department had liaised with the
neighbouring elderly centre, and the person-in-charge of the centre agreed that the contractors
for gully emptying services arranged the gully emptying work to be carried out after the
elderly centre closed or when its impact on the elderly centre was relatively mild, so as to
minimise the nuisance.
31.
Mr LIU Chi-wai said that the department would follow up the matter raised by Mr
LUI Hung-pan concerning the water accumulating and the recycling bins placed in Queen
Street.
Item 8:
Request for Improvement in the Outsourcing of Cleansing Work and the
Monitoring of Contractors for the Environmental Hygiene of Streets in the
District
(C&W FEHWC Paper No. 46/2015)
(3:36 pm - 4:08 pm)
- 11 -
32.
The Chairman invited Members to raise their views and questions, which were
summarised as follows:
(a)
Mr CHAN Hok-fung criticised the FEHD for being ineffective in monitoring
cleansing contractors. He considered the issuance of warning letters and
default notices not very effective as contractors with poor service quality could
not be replaced until the end of contracts. He suggested the department
consider put a new mechanism in place to enable immediate termination of
contracts and replacement of contractors, so as to improve their service quality.
(b)
Mr KAM Nai-wai enquired about the FEHD’s system for monitoring cleansing
contractors, such as how many officers were responsible for inspecting and
supervising the work performance of contractors.
(c)
Mr CHAN Choi-hi indicated that the Government recently planned to launch a
territory-wide cleaning campaign. He hoped that the campaign could resolve
the problems mentioned in the paper as well. Besides, he opined that quality
would be sacrificed for a lower price under a system of the lowest bidder
winning a tender and such a flaw in the system made it difficult to solve the
problem completely. He hoped that besides having discussion at meetings,
District Council (DC) Members could have other roles and channels for their
participation in resolving environmental hygiene and cleanliness problems in
streets, while the department could introduce a system for public involvement.
(d)
Miss LO Yee-hang remarked that the hygiene condition of the district and even
the Central business area was very poor, and that streets in second-tier cities in
the Mainland were cleaner than Hong Kong. She suggested the Government
learn from the monitoring systems of the Mainland.
(e)
Mr WONG Kin-shing complained that for eight years, there had been refuse
blocking his promotion banner and the zebra crossing in front of it every
morning, causing great inconvenience to pedestrians.
He hoped the
department could provide a refuse collection point somewhere else.
(f)
Mr YEUNG Hok-ming hoped the department would remind contractors and
shops nearby that all refuse should be disposed of at refuse collection points
instead of on roads. He also pointed out that even if a contractor was
replaced, the same group of cleansing workers would be employed by other
contractors. He hoped that the department could monitor cleansing workers
more effectively.
(g)
Ms Bonnie NG enquired of the department about the numbers of site visits and
surprise inspections per day, as well as how many default notices and warning
letters were issued on account of poor service performance. Besides, she
pointed out that in the “standard marking scheme” currently used in tender
invitations for cleansing service contracts, the technical and price scores
accounted for 30% and 70% of the total score respectively. As the system
was price-oriented, contractors might easily overlook service quality. She
suggested the “standard marking scheme” be reviewed with a higher proportion
allocated to the technical score.
- 12 -
(h)
Ms CHENG Lai-king was concerned about the street washing work in the
district, hoping that the department could wash the streets in a more thorough
manner and prevent the problem of water accumulation.
(i)
Mr YIP Wing-shing opined that the FEHD should step up its monitoring of
contractors on one hand and strengthen prosecution on the other, in a bid to
enhance the public’s conscientiousness in maintaining a clean and hygienic
environment together.
(j)
Mr IP Kwok-him remarked that a clean and hygienic environment was a
symbol of a civilised society and needed the public’s participation. He
suggested cleanliness and hygiene issues be addressed through both education
and enforcement to avoid a vicious cycle.
(k)
Ms SIU Ka-yi hoped the FEHD could invite DC Members of the constituencies
concerned to join its surprise inspections on contractors for monitoring
purposes.
33.
Mr LIU Chi-wai of the FEHD said that the number of default notices shown in the
paper was a record for the past five years and more than 40 default notices had been issued
this year. Default notices were mainly issued for problems such as poor services of
contractors, workers’ unauthorised absence from duty and non-compliance with contractual
requirements on uniforms. He said that in the C&W District, there were about more than 20
staff members responsible for overseeing contracts for street cleansing services, who
conducted site visits and surprise inspections every day. For any default of duty found on
the part of contractors, the department would take follow up actions which included giving
verbal warnings, warning letters or default notices and making deduction from the monthly
service fees. With regard to street cleansing, he said that cleansing workers of contractors
would brush off any dirt found on a street and prevent water accumulation. Mr LIU Chi-wai
also said that officers would be instructed to step up monitoring while contractors would be
requested to strengthen efforts in street cleansing.
34.
The Chairman invited Members to raise their views and questions, which were
summarised as follows:
(a)
Ms SIU Ka-yi expressed again her hope that the FEHD could regularly invite
Members to join its surprise inspections on contractors.
(b)
Mr Joseph CHAN hoped the FEHD would proactively initiate investigations
on a random basis rather than merely responding to the complaints of the
public and Members. Besides, he had found that the workers of contractors
sometimes swept litter to places not managed by the FEHD and left it
unattended. He hoped the department would impose strict control and even
penalties against this act. In addition, the workers of contractors should report
to the relevant departments if they noticed refuse accumulating in non-FEHD
managed areas nearby.
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(c)
Mr CHAN Choi-hi hoped the department could introduce a system for
strengthening district participation, so that DC Members could report the
situations of their constituencies to the department directly whilst the
department could respond effectively.
(d)
Mr CHAN Chit-kwai expressed his hope that the department could properly
handle the hygiene matters and refuse left in private streets, which also
deserved attention.
(e)
Mr YEUNG Hok-ming hoped the department would improve its contact
method to enable DC or FEHWC Members to directly contact the 20
supervising officers of the department. He also hoped the department would
remind contractors to clear refuse in a more thorough manner and set higher
requirements on them.
(f)
Mr CHAN Hok-fung agreed with Mr YEUNG Hok-ming’s view, opining that
while Members could play a monitoring role, the communication mode needed
improvement. He hoped that the responsible sub-district officers could be
reached directly.
35.
The Chairman also agreed with Mr CHAN Hok-fung’s view, opining that an
improved contact method could be very helpful for expeditious follow-ups on problems. He
hoped the department would actively consider it.
36.
Mr LIU Chi-wai said that other staff members of department besides him had
accepted Members’ invitation for site visits in the district and inspections on contractors’
performance, with a view to strengthening communication.
Item 8:
Requests for Attention to the Environmental Hygiene Problems on and
around the Central to Mid-Levels Escalators and for More Frequent
Cleansing
(C&W FEHWC Paper No. 47/2015)
(4:08 pm - 4:24 pm)
37.
The Chairman invited Members to raise their views and questions, which were
summarised as follows:
(a)
Ms CHENG Lai-king remarked that as the escalators were a well-known
tourist spot in Hong Kong, its poor hygiene condition would have a negative
impact on tourists’ perception of Hong Kong. Along the escalators were a
number of hygiene blackspots including the refuse bin and the three-colour
recycling bin in Elgin Street, piles of refuse outside restaurants in Staunton
Street, oil and dirt on the ground at many locations, the long staircase section
between Peel Street and Robinson Road and so forth. He hoped the
department would undertake thorough cleansing at the places regularly.
(b)
Mr Joseph CHAN indicated that three-colour recycling bins were often full in
many places in the C&W District. He hoped the department would not only
check the condition of the refuse and three-colour recycling bins, but
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proactively increase or adjust the frequency of cleansing work. Besides, he
hoped the department would pay more attention to such problems as dog
fouling.
(c)
Mr HUI Chi-fung said that hygiene and cleanliness problems in the district had
never been solved completely. He hoped the department could tackle the
problems by novel means, such as reviewing the quantities and locations of the
refuse and three-colour recycling bins near the escalators to prevent them from
being abused by the bars and restaurants nearby. Besides, it was proposed in
the discussion paper that suitable locations be identified in Conduit Road and
Prince’s Terrace for provision of pet latrines. He believed this would have an
impact on residents within short distances and thus opposed the proposal.
(d)
Mr MAN Chi-wah remarked that the environmental condition near the
recycling bins in Elgin Street was very poor, and hoped the department could
give admonition to the cleaners or persons concerned and even prosecute them.
Besides, he said that a refuse bin was placed under a tourist signage in
Hollywood Road, causing inconvenience to tourists wishing to watch the
signage. He hoped the department would review the location of the refuse bin
and consider providing more recycling bins.
(e)
Mr LUI Hung-pan said that contractors sometimes overlooked the hygiene
condition on steep roads.
(f)
Mr YIP Wing-shing indicated that while the bars or restaurants nearby might
cause nuisance, the Central to Mid-Levels Escalators brought a number of
business opportunities to the district. He opined that while the department
was undeniably responsible for the cleanliness and hygiene of the escalators, a
well-known tourist spot in Hong Kong, it should also step up enforcement and
publicity in order for business operators or residents to fulfil their
responsibility in self-disciplined manner.
38.
Mr LIU Chi-wai of the FEHD indicated that the department would review the
locations and cleanliness condition of the refuse bins and three-colour recycling bins, and it
would also undertake cleansing at different places and increase the cleansing frequency as
necessary. Besides publicity and education, the department would also conduct more
inspections and step up enforcement and prosecution.
39.
Mr LEE Ka-chun, Engineer/Transport, Security & Central Services 3/6 of the
EMSD, said that the department was responsible for the cleansing work in the covered areas
of the escalators. There were two cleaners responsible for the daytime routine cleansing in
the escalator system. During the night-time period between the closure of the system and its
operation on the next day, there were five cleaners responsible for cleansing every section of
the escalators, staircases and other covered areas of the system on a weekly basis. Members
of the public who found cleanliness and hygiene problems in the covered areas of the
escalators might call the 24-hour hotline of the control room, which was displayed at many
locations along the escalators.
Item 10:
Action Checklist of Matters Arising from the 8th FEHWC Meeting
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(C&W FEHWC Paper No. 48/2015)
(4:24 pm)
40.
The Chairman referred Members to the paper.
Item 11:
Any Other Business
(4:24 pm - 4:26 pm)
41.
There was no other business.
42.
The Chairman said that Mr Jackie CHEUNG had reported absence from this meeting
due to sickness. According to Article 49(1) of the Standing Orders, absent Members had to
give the Secretary a written notification in the specified form before a meeting, but Mr Jackie
CHEUNG had failed to do so. Therefore, the Committee could not accept Mr Jackie
CHEUNG’s application for leave.
43.
The Chairman thanked all Members, departmental representatives and guests for
attending this meeting and declared the meeting adjourned at 4:26 pm.
The minutes were
Chairman:
Secretary:
Central and Western District Council Secretariat
September 2015
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confirmed on 14 September 2015
Mr Sidney LEE
Miss Jovita TAM