Summary of the 15th Meeting of the Third Term Council held on 4 May 2010

A. Director of Planning meets with Members of the Sham Shui Po District Council (SSPDC Paper 53/10) Director of Planning Mrs Ava NG briefed Members on the paper and responded to Members’ views and enquiries that: (a) The standards of community facilities, greening zones and open spaces of Sham Shui Po District were higher than those set in the Planning Standards and Guidelines. As Sham Shui Po was an old district, not many new sites were available, so future developments would mainly be redevelopment projects. PlanD hoped to provide different types of residential sites for various income groups of the community, and would include development parameters and development height restrictions into statutory plans to let the public understand future developments. (b) Town planning design guidelines indicated the importance of ridgelines. In drawing up height restrictions in outline zoning plans, PlanD would consider ridgelines, local features as well as special buildings. (c) Harbour-front Enhancement Committee would be upgraded to play a better supervisory role and to devote great efforts in promoting improvements in land use, design, management and revitalisation of the harbourfront. As regards accessibility, PlanD would consult DC on proposals put forth later. (d) Many development plans approved in the past greatly differed from public aspirations nowadays. Developers could decide the construction time after the plans got PlanD’s approval, and could apply for extension of the approved term. To minimise adverse impact, PlanD would deliberate on adjusting the approved term to affect the implementation timetable, but could not entirely recover approved development plans. (e) Emergence of single-block buildings was not entirely related to planning approval. For residential or commercial developments based on approved land use and development parameters of outline zoning plans, owners or developers could construct buildings after submitting plans to the Buildings Department (BD) without planning approval and consultation. To be fair for developers and nearby

1 residents, public views on the height of nearby buildings should be put forth so that height restrictions could be indicated clearly in outline zoning plans. (f) Development of “Comprehensive Development Area” had to undergo statutory application procedures. PlanD would display the application and proposal for public notice and inform Members separately, views collected would be submitted to TPB for deliberation and decision. Recordings and minutes of TPB’s meetings could be accessed online so as to let the public understand how TPB balance the interests of various parties in making decisions. (g) For matters like location for constructing public transport interchange, timetable for construction of elevated walkway and public housing development, PlanD would discuss with the Transport Department (TD) and the Housing Department (HD). (h) Construction of town hall was decided by the Home Affairs Bureau (HAB) based on criteria, needs and resource allocation. PlanD would liaise with HAB and help find a suitable site if there were resources and needs. (i) District Planning Officer would report the review on Site 6 to Sham Shui Po District Council (SSPDC). It was hoped that a result welcomed by all would be attained after the review. As PlanD had to consider the interests of various parties, Members might have to accept certain land use needed by the community but not welcomed by all, such as the development of a special school in the open space near Hoi Lai Estate.

2. In conclusion, the Chairman said that the views of residents especially those on Site 6 were heard in the discussion. It was hoped that the Director of Planning would deliberate the views and bring good news to the Council.

B. Amendments to the draft Outline Zoning Plan No. S/K4/24 (SSPDC Paper 54/10) 3. District Planning Officer/ Tsuen Wan & West Mr Wilson CHAN Wai-shun and PlanD’s representative responded to Members’ views and enquiries that: (a) Tai Hang Sai Estate was a “Residential (Group A)” site with a permitted plot ratio of 9; if redeveloped, the maximum building height would be 200 mPD. PlanD

2 suggested lowering the plot ratio to 5.5 with a maximum building height of 130 mPD to greatly reduce the building height in redevelopment. (b) When the site was rezoned from “Residential (Group A)” to “Comprehensive Development Area”, the developer had to submit planning application together with master layout plan as well as assessment on transport, waterworks, air movements and landscape to TPB, so as to demonstrate that the plan complied with the requirements of outline zoning plan and had no adverse effects on buildings nearby and those to be developed. TPB would provide the planning applications for public inspection in accordance with the Town Planning Ordinance, SSPDC and local residents could put forth their views to TPB during the public inspection period. Planning applications had to be accepted by departments concerned and TPB before development plans could be taken forward. (c) Since SSPDC put forward a motion on Shek Kip Mei Health Centre in January 2010, PlanD had proactively proposed to HD and the Food and Health Bureau (FHB) to rezone the site as “Residential (Group A)1” and to construct a public clinic. HD and FHB did not oppose to the rezoning and was considering reprovisioning the clinic and the medical facilities at the original site or in Woh Chai Street. As the existing clinic was on a platform of 20 to 30 metres tall, the maximum height of the new clinic would be some 50 metres due to a height restriction of 80 mPD. (d) HD and PlanD would draw up planning briefs for redeveloped and new public housing. HD would seek District Councils (DCs)’ views on draft plans with building height and design. Before implementing public housing redevelopments, HD would carry out micro-climate studies, and DCs could comment on the assessment. (e) In outline zoning plans, the plot ratio of domestic area and non-domestic area for public housing development were 7.5 and 1.5 respectively. As PlanD considered it not suitable to construct very tall buildings, the maximum plot ratio for public housing construction / redevelopment would be 6. HD would consult SSPDC on building disposition later on. (f) There were currently 1 600 housing units in Tai Hang Sai Estate. The number of units after redevelopment would depend on the size of units to be constructed.

3 (g) Under existing policy, application for redevelopment would be submitted to the Government by the land owner. PlanD would draw up a planning brief to include Members’ views as far as possible and would consult SSPDC on the brief. With the endorsement of TPB, the developer had to draw up a master layout plan and various assessments based on all requirements in the planning brief. (h) A consultancy study showed that Sham Shui Po District did not have substantial problem in air movements. The easterly wind passed through low-rise buildings in Kowloon Tong and Yau Yat Tsuen towards and , and the southwesterly wind passed through Nam Cheong Street and Shek Kip Mei Street towards Nam Shan Estate. It was suggested that in public housing redevelopment, there should be an east-west or north-south breezeway of 20 to 30 metres wide, and air movement assessment should be carried out to enhance air ventilation within and around the . (i) The study also suggested that a non-building area of 25-metre wide be drawn up in the west of Tai Hang Sai Estate so that the southwesterly wind in summer could reach the central area of Shek Kip Mei including Nam Shan Estate. The developer needed to carry out air movement impact assessment to ensure that the redeveloped Tai Hang Sai Estate would not have adverse impact on air movements to nearby housing estates, including Nam Shan Estate and Tai Hang Tung Estate. There would be non-building areas of 5 metres wide on both sides of Pak Tin Street and 3 metres wide on both sides of Nam Cheong Street.

4. In conclusion, the Chairman hoped that PlanD would consider Members’ views and satisfy the requests put forth by Members as far as possible.

C. Brief on Test Survey of the 2011 Population Census (SSPDC Paper 55/10) 5. Representative from the Census and Statistics Department (C & SD) said in response to Members’ views and enquiries that: (a) Previously, information on economic characteristics of the population, including trade and occupation, would be collected in population censuses / by-censuses. However, to trace the occupational transition of a designated population by questionnaire would be more difficult.

4 (b) Data on “Hong Kong Resident Population” classified as “usual population” and “mobile population” would be collected in population censuses. More detailed information such as the situation of Hong Kong residents living in Mainland China would be collected through thematic surveys. (c) Households selected to take part in the Test Survey of the 2011 Population Census would also take part in the 2011 Population Census. (d) A question asking the area that residents lived 5 years ago was included in the questionnaire to understand the internal migration of the population. Statistics on cross-boundary marriages would be compiled based on administrative data. (e) Face-to-face interviews would be carried by census officers during the second stage. C & SD would adjust the number of temporary field workers according to the number of households choosing “self-enumeration” on the internet. (f) “Type of quarters” was classified according to the purpose of buildings, such as public housing, subsidised sale flats and private housing etc. As for “type of accommodation”, relevant information such as family households or collective households would be provided for selection by interviewees.

6. In conclusion, the Chairman requested Members to support the test survey.

D. Alteration of the Former Lai Chi Kok Hospital into the Jao Tsung-I Academy / Hong Kong Cultural Heritage under the Revitalising Historic Buildings Through Partnership Scheme by the Hong Kong Institution for Promotion of Chinese Culture (SSPDC Paper 56/10) 7. The Representative from Hong Kong Institution for Promotion of Chinese Culture (HKIPCC) briefed Members on the project and responded to Members’ views and enquiries that: (a) If SSPDC supported setting up a heritage trail, HKIPCC would coordinate with SSPDC to invite experts and academics to discuss matters concerning facilities, and to arrange for cultural and historical sites guided tours, exhibitions, talks and production of information brochures. HKIPCC was discussing with the drama sector on a large-scale historical drama about Sham Shui Po to be performed in 2012 upon completion of the revitalisation project.

5 (b) The Government announced on 30 December 2009 that Hong Kong Cultural Heritage would be named “Jao Tsung-I Academy”. Conservationists and advisers would be involved in upgrading the facilities to conserve and display Professor Jao’s academic writings and artworks in an exhibition hall, and the Academy would highlight his aspiration and vision for cultural heritage. HKIPCC would not become a personalised venue as the focus would not be solely on Professor Jao. (c) There were 90 to 100 seats in the Chinese and western restaurants of the venue respectively. Catering services could also be provided in the multi-function room upon request for banquets or activities. (d) Four blocks of the hostel would be mainly double rooms providing some 150 bed spaces. Another block could be used for culture and liberal studies camp for youngsters to tie in with the curriculum set by the Education Bureau. Double rooms would be of 3-star level at rates between $400-500. Daily rate for bed spaces would be $200, whereas long-term rates would be different. Bunk beds would be available for students of culture and liberal studies camps at a rate within $100. (e) Visitors touring in the venue would not affect classroom activities as long as they did not cause disturbance. Courses would mainly be conducted indoor. Culture programmes with interesting games would be designed by tutors, and activities for students would be mainly passive ones. In addition, students taking part in camps would have to keep quiet after 10pm so as not to disturb the others. (f) HKIPCC would coorganise activities with art groups and district organisations and venues could be hired out to them. There were 100 to 200 collapsible seats in the theatre and additional seats to accommodate a maximum audience of 150 to 160. (g) Over 100 jobs would be provided by the project, including part-time jobs such as cleaning and security, full-time jobs would mainly involve office work. Both full-time and part-time jobs were available for catering and hostel room management. For job applicants with same qualifications, priority would be given to residents of Sham Shui Po District. Members’ views on the method and time of application were welcome. (h) Interested persons would be trained as docents to provide guided tours of 1.5 to 2 hours for groups with advanced booking. Recorded messages in Cantonese, Putonghua and English would be available at suitable locations for introduction.

6 (i) HKIPCC requested the help of SSPDC in applying for road lighting and signs. HKIPCC had discussed with departments concerned on providing another car park exit, so that vehicles coming into the car park would not obstruct other vehicles. As for areas which had been used for parking, HKIPCC staff would manage vehicles picking up and dropping off passengers to improve the current situation. Drop-off areas for the disabled would be available in the upper and lower zones. Two elevators would be installed to link up the lower and the middle zone, as well as the middle and the upper zone. In addition, toilets in the venue would be more than legislation requirements. (j) There were typographical constraints in Lai Chi Kok Hospital and not all areas could be accessed by the disabled. The highest point was the top of a slope accessible by staircases only. Slope reinforcement works were being carried out by the Geotechnical Engineering Office of the Civil Engineering and Development Department. According to the conservation principle, new buildings should not affect slope safety after the slope improvement works was completed. Structural investigations were under way for existing blocks. Some ceiling structures would be altered or renovated to achieve a certain safety standard. As large-scale maintenance would be involved, BD would approve and issue occupation permits using standards different from that for new buildings.

8. The Chairman concluded that the revitalisation project would surely benefit the district. He hoped that when further details were available, HKIPCC would inform SSPDC so that the Council could give full cooperation.

E. 2010-2011 Work Plan of the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) Regional Office (Kowloon West) (SSPDC Paper 57/10) 9. ICAC’s representative Mrs Bernadette COOK briefed Members on the paper and responded to Members’ view and enquiries that: (a) ICAC understood the corruption risk related to building maintenance works, and had offered views on corruption prevention to the Hong Kong Housing Society (HKHS) and the Urban Renewal Authority (URA) regarding “Operation Building

7 Bright”, including approval of subsidy applications, supervision of building maintenance works and approval of subsidies. (b) Staff from ICAC’s Corruption Prevention Department and Community Relations Department had explained corruption prevention legislation and measures to works consultants and contractors during briefings on “Operation Building Bright”. (c) In 2009, ICAC received about 900 reported corruption cases related to building management, similar to that of 2008 and accounted for about 42% of reported corruption cases in private institutions. The cases were mostly related to building maintenance works as well as tendering and supervision of management contracts. 50% to 60% of persons complained were members of the owners’ corporations (OCs), the rest included the staff of property management companies and security companies. (d) Owners played an important role in clean building management and could request ICAC to provide corruption prevention services. DC Members could also give proactive assistance to ICAC in promoting corruption prevention services related to building management to OCs. (e) Apart from publicity on corruption prevention to works companies, ICAC would also hold seminars with works consultants and professional bodies of contractors, elements of professional ethics would also be added in continuing education programmes to disseminate messages on corruption prevention.

10. In conclusion, the Chairman said that Members considered the anti-corruption activities on building management this year worth supporting. The Council endorsed the fund applications presented in the paper.

F. Sham Shui Po District Annual Policing Plan 2010 (SSPDC Paper 58/10) 11. District Commander (Sham Shui Po) Mr Nelson LUI Hon-kwok briefed Members on the paper. In response to Members’ views and enquiries, he said that: (a) In the 4th quarter of 2009, 20 burglary cases in public housing estates and 133 burglary cases in the district were recorded. In the 1st quarter of 2010, there were 15 burglary cases in public housing estates and 111 burglary cases in the district. After the cases happened, Crime Prevention Unit officers would provide security

8 advice to related persons as appropriate. The Police would also cooperate with other government departments to publicise security awareness, and special action would be carried out regularly to test the security awareness of security guards. (b) Due to the increase of reported crime figures, in particular shoplifting cases, there was a slight increase in crime figures in the district in 2009. (c) The increase in drug-related cases was resulted from massive efforts by the Police to combat drug problems in the district. As there was a methadone centre in the district, drugs seized by the Police were mainly heroin. A lot of intelligence-led actions were carried out and cases were being cracked with police officers impersonating as drug buyers. Locations in the district with frequent drug dealing activities had been provided by the Police to Members after the meeting. (d) Sham Shui Po Police District (SSPPD) had been liaising with the road safety team of the headquarters, and would discuss with Road Safety Campaign Committee members of the new term to improve road safety management in the district. (e) SSPPD took part in the anti-terrorist drill of the headquarters to familiarise with the contingency measures during terrorist attack, including those on sensitive buildings in the district such as institutions of the Correctional Services Department. (f) The Police was concerned about increasing cases of family violence and shoplifting. More shops installed with close-circuit television system would help the Police to crack such cases. Police would also step up patrol in pickpocket black spots such as Pei Ho Street Market and Dragon Centre. Prevention and enforcement actions would be taken in crime black spots. (g) The Police gave high regard to maintaining good community relations, and listed “promotion of community participation” as one of the strategic action plans. In handling more serious or complicated complaint cases against the Police, the cases would be referred to the Complaints Against Police Office of the Police Headquarters, and the handling time would be longer. As for moderate or simple complaint cases, they would be referred to relevant police district to handle, and the handling time would be shorter. A pilot scheme was currently implemented to centralise the coordination and investigation of all complaint cases against the police so as to improve the efficiency of investigation.

9 (h) The Police contacted closely with the Social Welfare Department (SWD) and would refer family violence cases to SWD on need basis.

12. District Social Welfare Officer Mrs Elaine YUE said in response to Members’ views and enquiries that: (a) SWD was deeply concerned about family violence in the district, and had been maintaining close liaison with the Police and hospitals in the district in order to handle such cases effectively. (b) Family violence cases in the district recorded by SWD were similar to the average figures of all districts, and the figures recorded were relatively stable. SWD did not have the category of “family incidents” (which are cases not involving criminal elements or committing a breach of the peace, such as non-violent incidents like dispute, nuisance, annoyance or conflict) in the classification of family violence cases.

13. The Chairman concluded that DC requested the Police to combat problems of youth drug trafficking and drug abuse, continue to liaise closely with SWD to handle family violence incidents, and maintain good community relations.

G. Study on the feasibility of linking Sham Shui Po Mass Transit Railway Station with the lifts of pedestrian subways in Cheung Sha Wan Road (SSPDC Paper 59/10) 14. Representative from the Highways Department (HyD) said in response to Members’ views and enquiries that, technical feasibility studies on construction of ramps or lifts by stages in existing pedestrian subways and footbridges without access facilities for the disabled were being carried out by HyD. It was found that lifts could be installed at the two ends of the subway at the junction of Cheung Sha Wan Road and Kweilin Street (Structure no. KS25, near Sham Shui Po MTR Station Exits C & D). Since the consultant contract was to study the feasibility of constructing lifts for the disabled at existing pedestrian subways, the completed report had not explored the feasibility of linking the lifts to the concourse of MTR stations. As the role of HyD was

10 to carry out the works, HyD had submitted the proposal of the above project to MTR Corporation Limited (MTRCL).

15. TD’s representative said that, a task force of the Transport and Housing Bureau was responsible for handling and approving proposals on improving existing access facilities of MTR stations. TD welcomed proposals on improving pedestrian facilities and access facilities of MTR, and would discuss related matters with HyD and MTRCL after the meeting.

16. The Chairman concluded that the issue would be followed up by the Transport and Housing Affairs Committee. The Council urged HyD to discuss related matters with TD and MTRCL after the meeting.

H. Request for the Government to face up to the problems of ageing population and the elderly in poverty, overall review of elderly welfare policy and implementation of “universal retirement protection system” as soon as possible (SSPDC Paper 60/10) 17. A motion raised by Members requested the Government to set up a universal retirement protection system as soon as possible, so that citizens could live a secure and peaceful old age. A position paper was submitted by the Joint Alliance for Universal Retirement Protection during the meeting. After voting, the motion was carried by Members unanimously.

18. The Chairman said that a written reply was submitted by the Labour and Welfare Bureau (LWB) which had not sent representative to attend the meeting. He concluded that the Secretariat would reflect Members’ views to LWB.

I. Request for subsidising the elderly in using mobile personal emergency link service (SSPDC Paper 61/10) 19. District Social Welfare Officer Mrs Elaine YUE said in response to Members’ views and enquiries that:

11 (a) Under the existing Comprehensive Social Security Allowance (CSSA) system, elderly people living alone or without family care could apply for a maximum monthly subsidy of $100 to pay for personal emergency link service charges other than applying for CSSA. The aim of the subsidy was to enable the elderly lacking care to seek help during emergency. However, the “outdoor” or “mobile” concept departed from the policy intent of existing subsidised items. (b) In applying for CSSA, the elderly could apply for a special subsidy to pay for the charges of either fixed-line residential telephone or mobile phone. (c) Mobile personal emergency link had not been included in the scope of service funding; one of the reasons was that the service was newly introduced. SWD needed time to observe its efficacy and quality of service, such as the indoor and outdoor reception effect and stability before consideration.

20. The Chairman concluded that personal emergency link service gained wide recognition of the community. He requested Mrs Elaine YUE to reflect the Council’s views to SWD Headquarters.

J. How to monitor the operation of social enterprises (SSPDC Paper 62/10) 21. In reply to Members’ views and enquiries, HAB’s representative said that: (a) Social enterprise (SE) referred to a business operated with a commercial mode which achieved the prescribed social objectives. (b) The Government took forward the development of SEs through enhancing public understanding of SEs, promoting cross-sector collaboration, cultivating in youngsters the spirit of social entrepreneurs, and strengthening support for SEs. (c) HAB established Social Enterprise Advisory Committee at the beginning of 2010. Its main objectives were to advise the Government on taking forward policies and promoting activities on the development of SEs. (d) The Home Affairs Department (HAD) implemented the Enhancing Self-Reliance Through District Partnership Programme (ESTDPP) in 2006 to provide grants to SEs for initial operation. In approving proposals, HAD would consider the feasibility of programmes; whether the projects were worth supporting and past experience of the organisations would also be considered.

12 (e) To avoid obstructing the development of SEs, steps had been taken to avoid setting too many parameters on them as they were operated with a commercial mode. To supervise the activities, HAD would ask subsidised organisations to submit annual report on activities and finance, as well as a completion report on programmes and audited financial report. Consultative committee members of ESTDPP would also visit subsidised SEs to see their progress. A task force was also set up to discuss with SEs on how to improve the business operation of those with unsatisfactory progress. About two-third of the SEs could achieve the objectives set out in proposals, including profits and social objectives. (f) Only SEs taking part in ESTDPP would be subsidised and monitored by the Government. All sectors and organisations were welcome to run SEs. Those taking part in ESTDPP would be subsidised in their initial operation. It was hoped that SEs could be self-sufficient in the long run.

22. In conclusion, the Chairman said that the Council knew better about the operation and monitoring of SEs after the briefing by HAB.

K. Strive for retaining the service of HSBC Un Chau Street Branch (SSPDC Paper 74/10) 23. HSBC replied that the reasons for closing Un Chau Street Branch had been explained to the Member concerned, and a written reply would be issued to him and copied to DC Secretariat. On the other hand, over 300 letters were signed by households of Lei Cheng Uk Estate and several hundred signatures were collected by Members respectively urging HSBC to consider reproviding a branch near the Un Chau Street Branch as there were many vacant shop units. A Member pointed out that many elderly people queued up in front of HSBC Un Chau Street Branch every morning, which showed that banking service was in great demand. It was hoped that the HSBC management would understand the public need.

24. The Chairman asked DC Secretariat to pass on the signatures and letters to HSBC for consideration.

13 District Council Secretariat Sham Shui Po District Office October 2010 (Rev May 2011)

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