Minutes of the 11th Meeting of
Finance Committee (2012-13)
Central and Western District Council
Date
Time
Venue
:
:
:
21 November 2013 (Thursday)
2:30 pm
Conference Room
14/F., Harbour Building
38 Pier Road, Central, Hong Kong
Present:
Chairman
Mr MAN Chi-wah, MH*
Vice-chairlady
Miss LO Yee-hang*
Members
Mr CHAN Chit-kwai, BBS, JP*
Mr CHAN Choi-hi*
Mr CHAN Ho-lim, Joseph*
Mr CHAN Hok-fung
Ms CHENG Lai-king*
Mr CHEUNG Yick-hung, Jackie*
Mr HUI Chi-fung*
Mr IP Kwok-him, GBS, JP*
Mr KAM Nai-wai, MH*
Dr Malcolm LAM*
Mr LEE Chi-hang, Sidney*
Miss SIU Ka-yi
Mr NG Siu-keung, Thomas, MH, JP*
Mr WONG Kin-shing*
Mr YIP Wing-shing, BBS, MH, JP*
Remarks:
*
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Members who attended the whole meeting
Time of attendance of Members
In Attendance:
Miss CHOW Ho-kiu, Cheryl, JP
Mr CHAN Yun-man, Winston
Ms WONG Ming-wai
Mr KWAN Yu-keung
Mr LEE Kwun-wai, Bryan
Ms TSE Tsz-ying
(beginning of the meeting – 3:05 pm)
District Officer (Central and Western)
Assistant District Officer (Central and Western)
Senior Executive Officer (District Council), Central
and Western District Office
Officer-in-charge (Western), Central And Western
District Office
Liaison Officer (Kennedy Town, Mount Davis & Kwun
Lung), Central And Western District Office
Social Worker, Caritas Mok Cheung Sui Kun
Community Centre
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Social Worker, Hong Kong Young Women’s Christian
Association Kwun Lung Lau Community Work
Office
Ms KWOK Ka-yan
Social Worker, St. James' Settlement Central and
Western District Elderly Community Centre
Mr CHEUNG Yiu-kwong, Stefan Liaison Officer (Belcher & Sai Wan), Central And
Western District Office
Mr TAM On-yip
Social Worker, Caritas Mok Cheung Sui Kun
Community Centre
Mr KWOK Cheung-sing
Elderly Service Development Consultant, Tung Sin Tan
Ms TANG Pui-wah
Project Officer, Tung Sin Tan
Ms CHAK Lai-fong
Team Leader, Hong Kong Young Women's Christian
Association (Central, Western & Islands District
Youth Outreaching Social Work Team)
Mr HAU Kwun-lam
Absent with Apologies:
Mr CHEUNG Kwok-kwan
Secretary:
Miss YUEN Yuk-chui, Fiona
Executive Officer (District Council) 1, Central and
Western District Office
Opening Remarks
The Chairman welcomed all to the meeting. He said that the Secretariat had
received the notification of absence from meeting from Mr CHEUNG Kwok-kwan. He had
authorised Mr CHAN Hok-fung to vote on his behalf on all motions.
Item 1: Adoption of the agenda
2.
The agenda was adopted.
Item 2: Confirmation of the minutes of the 10th Finance Committee meeting held on 26
September 2013
3.
The Chairman indicated that the Secretariat had not received any proposed
amendments to the minutes of the last meeting before the meeting and the minutes were
confirmed.
Item 3: Financial Report on DC funds (2013-14)
(C&W FC Paper No.249/2013(Revised))
4.
The Home Affairs Department (HAD) had allocated $14.9 million to the Central and
Western District Council (C&WDC) in the year 2013/14 for organising Community
Involvement (CI) Projects, an increase of $1 million when compared with last year. The
additional $1 million was required for strengthening the promotion of arts and cultural
activities in the Central and Western District (C&W District). As at 19 November 2013,
after deducting a total of $625,331.75 to be carried forward to the year 2014/15, the C&WDC
had approved $17,986,664.21 for CI Projects, which accounted for 120.72% of the funding of
$14.9 million allocated by the HAD. The actual expenditure amounted to $10,327,250.69,
representing 69.31% of the allocated funding.
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5.
The Chairman reported that since the last meeting, the Finance Committee (FC)
meeting had endorsed 10 fund applications by circulation of papers, namely:
CI Projects
i.
An allocation of $4,000 to the Working Group on Central & Western District
Council Affairs for “Provision of sport wear for the C&W DC Football Team
Members for participating in the friendly match with the Hong Kong Women
Football Team”;
ii.
An allocation of $49,200 to the Working Group on Tourism and Promotion of
Commerce and Trade for the revised fund application for organising the
“2013/14 Fall/Winter Sheung Wan Promenade (venue enhancement,
performances and publicity items)”;
iii.
An allocation of $24,360 to the Working Group on Greening and
Beautification Works in the Central &Western District for organising the
“Community Planting Programme 2013”;
iv.
An allocation of $20,000 to the Working Group on Concern over Building
Management in the Central & Western District for organising the “Advanced
Certificate Course on Building Management in the Central and Western
District”;
v.
An allocation of $5,316 to the Council of Central & Western District School
Heads for organising the “Subject Talk of the Council of Central & Western
District School Heads”;
vi.
An allocation of $7,510 to the Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui Western District
Elderly Community Centre for organising the “Rummikub Competition for
Elderly”;
District Minor Works Projects
vii.
An allocation of $400,000 to the District Facilities Management Committee
(DFMC) of the C&WDC for implementing the “Greening Works to Vacant
Government Land opposite to No.43 Barker Road”;
viii.
An allocation of $1,106,000 to the DFMC of the C&WDC for implementing
the “Provision of Shade Structures in the Sitting-out Areas in the Central and
Western District”;
ix.
An allocation of $391,000 to the DFMC of the C&WDC for implementing
the “Greening Works at Western Wholesale Food Market and the Pavement
outside Kennedy Town Swimming Pool”;
x.
An allocation of $600,000 to the DFMC of the C&WDC for implementing
the “List of Facilities Reparation and Improvement Items in the Central and
Western District (2013-14)”.
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Item 4: Fund Applications of the Special Function Organising Committees of the
Central and Western District
(C&W FC Paper Nos. 250/2013 to 251/2013)
6.
The Chairman stated that there were nine fund applications for CI Projects for
consideration at the meeting. The applications involved an allocation of $352,911.40, of
which $307,911.40 was funds for 2013/14 and $45,000 for 2014/15. If all the applications
were endorsed, the total amount of funds allocated by the FC in the current year would be
amounted to $18,294,575.61, representing 122.78% of the estimated allocation for the year.
7.
The Chairman asked Members to refer to the Paper No. 250/2013 for a fund
application of special function organising committees. The Chairman declared that all the
FC Members were members of the 11th Central & Western District Festival Organising
Committee.
(C&W FC Paper No. 251/2013)
8.
The Committee endorsed an allocation of $50,000 to the 11th Central & Western
District Festival Organising Committee for organising the “Closing Ceremony of the 11th
Central & Western District Festival”.
Item 5: Fund Applications of the NGOs in the Central and Western District
(C&W Paper Nos. 252/2013 to 255/2013)
9.
The Chairman asked Members to refer to the Paper No. 252/2013 (revised) for three
fund applications from local non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
(C&W FC Paper No. 253/2013)
10.
In regard to the fund application of the “New Milestone of Western District”, Ms
TSE Tsz-ying, Social Worker of Caritas Mok Cheung Sui Kun Community Centre, said that
the cityscape of the Western District would change significantly upon completion of the West
Island Line. Thus the centre hoped that local residents could know more about the history of
the Western District and express their vision on future development through the activity. Ms
TSE Tsz-ying said that guided tours would be provided for the “New Milestone of Western
District” and trained guides from the centre would show participants the history and recent
development of the harbourfront. She hoped to take this opportunity to thank the C&WDC
for funding the guide training expenses in the past.
11.
Mr CHAN Chit-kwai appreciated the effort of the Caritas Mok Cheung Sui Kun
Community Centre in studying local history and harbourfront development over the years.
However, he opined that the study of the C&WDC on the harbourfront had proceeded to the
substantial planning stage and the centre should therefore guide participants to learn about the
more specific instead of abstract aspects of harbourfront development. Moreover, he
reminded Ms TSE Tsz-ying that the postage charge for circular mails had been increased from
$1.3 to $1.7 and asked her to make amendments to the estimated expense.
12.
Mr CHAN Choi-hi thought that producing 1 000 photo albums was probably
excessive. He suggested the centre consider uploading the photos to the Internet for the
public’s view or distributing the photo albums in the form of CD-ROM to reduce wastage.
Moreover, he opined that the centre should seriously consider the means and targets of
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distribution. Mr CHAN Hok-fung agreed that based on the principles of environmental
protection and optimisation of use of public money, printed materials should not be produced
excessively. He was afraid that the photo albums might not be distributed and would end up
piling up in the centre leading to wastage. The Vice-chairlady opined that to retain the item
of photo albums and to be environmentally friendly at the same time, the volume of
production should be adjusted and the centre should also consider reducing the number of
pages and size of the albums. Ms TSE Tsz-ying responded that as many elderly people in
the district were not able to make use of internet resources and the experience of viewing
physical and digital photos was very different, she opined that it was necessary to produce
hard copies of photo albums. Moreover, the quantity of 1 000 was estimated according to
experience of past activities. A4 size was adopted because photos could be put in a larger
size so that the elderly with poor vision could see the photos clearly. Mr CHAN Choi-hi
suggested lowering the expense of photo albums by half, i.e. $5,000. The Chairman agreed
with this arrangement and suggested Ms TSE Tsz-ying proactively consider producing an
electronic version of the photo album.
13.
Dr Malcolm LAM enquired Ms TSE Tsz-ying about the venues of various activities.
Ms TSE Tsz-ying responded that the fun day and the exhibition would be held on the same
day and the tentative location was the space underneath the Hill Road Flyover. The centre
had organised a story-telling activity there and the activity was well-received by the public.
The venues of the guided tour and the site visit had yet to be confirmed. They would first
consult residents and would consider cooperating with the Conservancy Association Centre
for Heritage.
14.
The Committee endorsed an allocation of $50,950 to the Caritas Mok Cheung Sui
Kun Community Centre for organising the “New Milestone of Western District”.
(C&W FC Paper No. 254/2013)
15.
In regard to the fund application of the “Spring Charity Campaign in Kwun Lung”,
Mr HAU Kwun-lam, Social Worker of Hong Kong Young Women’s Christian Association
Kwun Lung Lau Community Work Office said that the application included two activities, i.e.
“Spring Cleaning Campaign in Kwun Lung” and “Celebrate Lantern Festival with
Neighbourhood”. Under the “Spring Cleaning Campaign in Kwun Lung”, approximately 70
volunteers would be recruited to visit the elderly in Kwun Lung Lau and would provide
cleaning services for them, e.g. painting and refurbishing doors. Approximately 70 elderly
people could benefit from the activity. Under the “Celebrate Lantern Festival with
Neighbourhood”, a gala evening would be organised during the Lantern Festival to promote
the importance of neighbourhood network through game booths. Moreover, as more and
more new households moved into Kwun Lung Lau in recent years, the Work Office hoped to
introduce to them the social resources in the district during the activity to enhance their sense
of belonging to the district. The number of target service recipients would be approximately
100.
16.
Mr CHAN Choi-hi enquired about the details of painting supplies. Mr HAU
Kwun-lam responded that painting supplies included brushes and paper trays etc. They
would first enquire the Hong Kong Housing Society about the colours of paints used in Kwun
Lung Lau and would purchase three of the colours from hardware stores for refurbishing
wooden doors, metal gates and bathroom doors. They would also make sure that the paints
met the safety standard. Mr CHAN Choi-hi suggested the organisation provide to the
Secretariat information such as the quantity and price of the painting supplies after the
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meeting. Mr HAU Kwun-lam said that they would give a breakout of the details concerned
in the final report upon completion of the activity.
17.
Mr CHAN Hok-fung asked the Association for the reason of providing both lunch
and refreshment to volunteers. Moreover, indicating that the C&WDC had all along
followed the principle of frugality, he opined that the cost of each prize for games at $80 and
each souvenir for performers at $75 were too high and should be lowered. Mr HAU
Kwun-lam responded that the campaign would recruit a total of 70 volunteers, of which 40 of
them would provide whole-day service and lunch would therefore be provided to them. The
remaining 30 volunteers would provide half-day service and would be served with
refreshments. As regards the prizes, the unit cost of the 10 prizes would be $80. The Work
Office set the cost of prizes at a slightly higher level because prizes would be shared by all
participants. In addition, the Work Office planned to prepare more decent souvenirs for
performers as they would perform in groups.
18.
The Committee endorsed an allocation of $7,875 to the Hong Kong Young Women’s
Christian Association Kwun Lung Lau Community Work Office for organising the “Spring
Charity Campaign in Kwun Lung”.
(C&W FC Paper No. 255/2013)
19.
In regard to the fund application of the “Year-end Cleaning Campaign”, Ms KWOK
Ka-yan, Social Worker of St. James’ Settlement Central and Western District Elderly
Community Centre said that the campaign aimed to provide home cleaning service for elderly
singletons, the elderly with financial difficulties and mobility-handicapped elderly around
Lunar New Year. The Centre had got hold of a list of 1 000 elders who were in need of the
service. As the waiting time for the Integrated Home Care Services was generally very long,
the Centre hoped that the campaign could provide timely assistance to the elderly, allowing
them to have a happy New Year.
20.
The Committee endorsed an allocation of $14,450 to St. James’ Settlement Central
and Western District Elderly Community Centre for organising the “Year-end Cleaning
Campaign”.
Item 6: Fund Applications of the Local Organisations of the Central and Western
District
(C&W FC Paper Nos. 256/2013 to 260/2013)
21.
The Chairman asked Members to refer to the Paper No. 256/2013 (revised) for four
fund applications of local organisations in the district. Mr CHAN Chit-kwai declared that he
was the President of the University of Hong Kong Staff Association. The Chairman, Mr
CHAN Choi-hi and Dr Malcolm LAM declared that they were members of the Kennedy
Town and Shek Tong Tsui Area Committee. Mr Thomas NG declared that he was a
member of the Central and Western District Committee on Promotion of IT. Mr YIP
Wing-shing declared that he was the Honorary Chief Executive Officer of Tung Sin Tan.
Mr Thomas NG declared that he was a Council Member of Standing Committee of Tung Sin
Tan. Mr CHAN Chit-kwai and Mr IP Kwok-him declared that they were Council Advisers
of Tung Sin Tan. Miss LO Yee-hang, Mr Sidney LEE and Mr Jackie CHEUNG declared
that they were Honorary Legal Advisers of Tung Sin Tan.
(C&W FC Paper No. 257/2013)
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22.
In regard to the fund application of the “Spring Fun Walk at the Victoria Peak 2014”,
Mr Bryan LEE, Liaison Officer (Kennedy Town, Mount Davis & Kwun Lung) of the Central
and Western District Office (C&WDO) said that the Area Committee used to hold the event
in Lunar New Year in past years and the event was held at Mount Davis for six years. Since
last year, the route was changed where hiking start at the University of Hong Kong and
finished at the Victoria Peak. The event of 2014 would run in a similar way as the previous
year. With the assistance of the University of Hong Kong Staff Association, the kick-off
ceremony would be held at Sun Yat-sen Place of the University of Hong Kong. Mr CHAN
Chit-kwai asked about the details of the master of ceremonies and souvenirs. Mr Bryan LEE
responded that a master of ceremonies whom the Area Committees knew well would be
engaged. Furthermore, they planned to purchase towels from the department store as prizes
for the quiz. Fifteen local organisations were invited to sponsor souvenirs for participants
and the details were yet to be finalised. As the sponsored items were not funded by the
allocation of the C&WDO or C&WDC, such information was not specified in the application
form. Mr CHAN Chit-kwai proposed that in future, the details of the sponsorship should be
included in the estimated expense of the application form so that Members could have a more
detailed understanding of the event.
23.
The Committee endorsed an allocation of $36,996.40 to the Kennedy Town and Shek
Tong Tsui Area Committee for organising the “Spring Fun Walk at the Victoria Peak 2014”.
(C&W FC Paper No. 258/2013)
24.
In regard to the fund application of the “Central and Western District Robot Design
Competition cum Information Technology Exhibition 2013”, Mr Stefan CHEUNG, Liaison
Officer (Belcher & Sai Wan) of the C&WDO said that the Central and Western District Robot
Design Competition was inviting participation from all primary and secondary schools in the
district and the response was overwhelming. As part of the Sheung Wan Promenade, the
Information Technology Exhibition would feature attractive stage performances and game
booths so as to promote IT knowledge to local residents and visitors.
25.
The Committee endorsed an allocation of $100,000 to the Central and Western
District Committee on Promotion of IT for organising the “Central and Western District
Robot Design Competition cum Information Technology Exhibition 2013”.
(C&W FC Paper No. 259/2013)
26.
In regard to the fund application of the “‘You are the Best’ Awards Ceremony for
Students of Ethnic Minorities and New Arrivals”, Mr TAM On-yip, Social Worker of the
Caritas Mok Cheung Sui Kun Community Centre said that having been held for six years, the
award ceremony recognised the efforts of many ethnic minority students and thereby
enhancing their self-confidence. He thus hoped that Members could continue to support this
fund application.
27.
The Committee endorsed an allocation of $17,000 to the Caritas Mok Cheung Sui
Kun Community Centre for organising the “‘You are the Best’ Awards Ceremony for
Students of Ethnic Minorities and New Arrivals”.
(C&W FC Paper No. 260/2013)
28.
In regard to the fund application of the “Cantonese Opera Show for the Elderly by
Tung Sin Tan 2014”, Miss LO Yee-hang added that Tung Sin Tan used to seek funding from
the C&WDC every year to cover part of the expenditure of the regular programme. Due to
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the maintenance works of the Concert Hall of Hong Kong City Hall and the schedule of the
performing group, the programme would be advanced from May - June to early April. In
view of this, the funding application for the coming year was specially advanced for
consideration at the current FC meeting. In addition, this year’s Cantonese Opera Show of
Tung Sin Tan was sponsored by the new provision of $1,000,000 for arts and cultural
activities. The amount of the funding would thus be deducted from the same category in
2014/15. Mr KWOK Cheung-sing, Elderly Service Development Consultant of Tung Sin
Tan said that the programme was well-received by residents in the C&W District and famous
Cantonese opera virtuosi would be invited to perform each year. The Cantonese Opera
Show was usually held in May and June over the past years but would be advanced to 4 April
for 2014 to accommodate the renovation works at the Hong Kong City Hall after June 2014
and the schedule of the performing group.
29.
The Committee endorsed an allocation of $45,000 to Tung Sin Tan for organising the
“Cantonese Opera Show for the Elderly by Tung Sin Tan 2014”.
Item 7: Fund Applications of the Committees and Working Groups under Central and
Western District Council
(C&W FC Paper Nos.261/2013 to 262/2013)
30.
The Chairman asked Members to refer the Paper No. 261/2013 for a fund application
from the committees and working groups under the C&WDC.
(C&W FC Paper No.262/2013)
31.
In regard to the fund application of the “‘Green Stalls’ in Hong Kong Flower Show
2014”, Ms CHAK Lai-fong, Team Leader of the Hong Kong Young Women’s Christian
Association (Central, Western & Islands District Youth Outreaching Social Work Team) said
that five volunteers would be recruited and five non-engaged youths with low academic
qualifications would be employed to promote the message of reducing waste at source and
greening. Mr CHAN Chit-kwai thanked the Hong Kong Young Women’s Christian
Association for representing the C&W District to participate in the annual flower show. He
opined that the programme was very meaningful as it could help teenagers.
32.
The Committee endorsed an allocation of $25,640 to the Hong Kong Young
Women’s Christian Association (Central, Western & Islands District Youth Outreaching
Social Work Team) for organising “‘Green Stalls’ in Hong Kong Flower Show 2014”.
Item 8: Inspection of DC-funded activities
(C&W FC Paper Nos. 263/2013 to 268/2013)
33.
The Chairman asked Members to refer to the Paper No. 263/2013 - “List of Critical
DC funded Activities” tabled at the meeting and Paper Nos. 264/2013 to 268/2013 for
preliminary assessment reports of evaluated activities (Section A and B).
34.
The Committee noted that there were seven activities to be executed by NGOs or
local organisations for consideration at the present meeting. Out of those seven activities to
be executed by NGOs or local organisations, the Chairman would select randomly 20%, i.e.
two activities, on the spot for monitoring arrangements.
35.
The drawn activities were “Year-end Cleaning Campaign” in C&W FC Paper No.
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255/2013 and “Spring Fun Walk at the Victoria Peak 2014” in C&W FC Paper No. 257/2013.
Item 9: Any other business
36.
There was no other business.
Item 10: Date of the next meeting
37.
The next meeting would be held on 27 February 2014. The deadline for fund
applications would be 12 February 2014.
38.
The meeting was adjourned at 3:25 pm.
The minutes were passed on 27 February 2014
Chairman: Mr MAN Chi-wah, MH
Secretary: Miss Fiona YUEN
Central and Western District Council Secretariat
February 2014
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