The minutes were confirmed on 3 May 2019 without amendment.

Minutes of the Second Meeting of the District Facilities Management Committee under the District Council in 2019

Date: 1 March 2019 (Friday) Time: 10:00 a.m. - 10:55 a.m. Venue: Conference Room, Council, 13/F, Yuen Long Government Offices, 2 Kiu Lok Square, Yuen Long

Present Time of Arrival Time of Withdrawal Chairman: Mr LEE Yuet-man, MH (Beginning of the meeting) (End of the meeting) Vice-chairman: Mr TANG Cheuk-yin (Beginning of the meeting) (End of the meeting) Members: Mr CHAM Ka-hung, Daniel, (Beginning of the meeting) (End of the meeting) BBS, MH, JP Ms CHAN Mei-lin (Beginning of the meeting) (End of the meeting) Mr CHAN Sze-ching (Beginning of the meeting) (End of the meeting) Mr CHING Chan-ming (Beginning of the meeting) (End of the meeting) Ms CHIU Sau-han, MH (Beginning of the meeting) (End of the meeting) Mr CHOW Wing-kan (Beginning of the meeting) (End of the meeting) Mr KWOK Keung, MH (Beginning of the meeting) (End of the meeting) Mr LAI Wai-hung (Beginning of the meeting) (End of the meeting) Ms LAU Kwai-yung (10:50 a.m.) (End of the meeting) Mr LEUNG Fuk-yuen (Beginning of the meeting) (End of the meeting) Mr LEUNG Ming-kin (Beginning of the meeting) (End of the meeting) Mr LUI Kin, MH (Beginning of the meeting) (End of the meeting) Ms MA Shuk-yin (Beginning of the meeting) (End of the meeting) Mr MAK Ip-sing (10:20 a.m.) (End of the meeting) Mr MAN Kwong-ming (Beginning of the meeting) (End of the meeting) Mr MAN Ping-nam, MH (Beginning of the meeting) (End of the meeting) Mr SIU Long-ming (Beginning of the meeting) (End of the meeting) Mr TANG Cheuk-him (Beginning of the meeting) (End of the meeting) Mr TANG Hing-ip, BBS (Beginning of the meeting) (End of the meeting) Mr TANG Ka-leung (Beginning of the meeting) (End of the meeting) Mr TANG Sui-man (Beginning of the meeting) (End of the meeting) Mr TANG Yung-yiu, Ronnie (Beginning of the meeting) (End of the meeting) Mr TO Ka-lun (Beginning of the meeting) (End of the meeting) Ms WONG Wai-ling (Beginning of the meeting) (End of the meeting) Mr WONG Wai-shun, MH (Beginning of the meeting) (End of the meeting) Mr YIU Kwok-wai (Beginning of the meeting) (End of the meeting) Mr YOUNG Ka-on (Beginning of the meeting) (End of the meeting) Ms YUEN Man-yee (Beginning of the meeting) (End of the meeting)

Secretary: Ms WONG Man-ting, Mandy Executive Officer I (District Council), Yuen Long District Office Assistant Ms CHUNG Sin-Kwan, Polly Executive Officer (District Council) 4, Secretary: Yuen Long District Office

In attendance Mr NG Lak-sun, Nixon Assistant District Officer (Yuen Long) 1 Mr TSANG Tak-chung Senior Inspector of Works (1), Yuen Long District Office Mr CHAN Sai-hung Senior Inspector of Works (2), Yuen Long District Office Mr HUI Wai-ming, Kenneth Liaison Officer-in-charge (R5), Yuen Long District Office Ms LAM Pui-fun, Maggie Senior Executive Officer (Planning) 8, Leisure and Cultural Services Department Ms LUNG Lai-seung, District Leisure Manager (Yuen Long), Wendy Leisure and Cultural Services Department Mr WONG Shu-yan, Francis Chief Leisure Manager (New Territories North), Leisure and Cultural Services Department Ms KWAN Yuen-mei, Rica Senior Librarian (Yuen Long), Leisure and Cultural Services Department Ms LAM Pui-yin, Gloria Chief Leisure Manager (New Territories West), Leisure and Cultural Services Department Ms CHAN Ching-han, Ada Senior Estate Surveyor/West, Yuen Long District Lands Office

Item 2 Ms HUI Ka-wai, Minerva Architect (Works) 5, Home Affairs Department Ms FUNG Ka-yiu Architectural Assistant, WCWP International Limited

Item 5 Mr HO Kwai-hung, Barry Senior Executive Officer (District Management), Yuen Long District Office Mr LAM Man-kin, Andy Executive Officer (Community Affairs), Yuen Long District Office Item 6 Mr HO Kwai-hung, Barry Senior Executive Officer (District Management), Yuen Long District Office Mr LAM Man-kin, Andy Executive Officer (Community Affairs), Yuen Long District Office

Absent Mr CHEUNG Muk-lam (Absent due to other commitments) Mr KWOK Hing-ping The Hon LUK Chung-hung (Absent due to other commitments) Mr SHUM Ho-kit Mr TSANG Shu-wo (Absent due to other commitments) Mr WONG Cheuk-kin (Absent due to other commitments)

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Opening Remarks The Chairman welcomed Members and government departmental representatives to the meeting. He especially welcomed Ms LAM Pui-fun, Maggie, Senior Executive Officer (Planning) 8 of Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) to the meeting, Ms LAM would succeed Ms LEUNG So-ping, Selina. The Chairman thanked Ms LEUNG on behalf of Yuen Long District Facilities Management Committee (DFMC) for her past efforts in assisting the works of Members, and proposed to write to the Director of LCSD to compliment Ms LEUNG’s performance.

(Post-meeting notes: The Secretariat had sent a letter to the Director of LCSD on behalf of the DFMC on 12 March 2019 to compliment Ms LEUNG So-ping, Selina's performance.)

2. Mr CHEUNG Muk-lam, The Hon LUK Chung-hung, Mr TSANG Shu-wo and Mr WONG Cheuk-kin were absent due to other commitments.

Item 1: Confirmation of the minutes of the first meeting of the District Facilities Management Committee in 2019 3. The Chairman concluded that the minutes were unanimously confirmed by Members.

Item 2: Progress report on District Minor Works (DMW) Programme (projects proposed by District Council Members) (DFMC Paper No. 13/2019) 4. In addition to permanent departmental representatives, the Chairman welcomed the following persons to the meeting:

Home Affairs Department Architect (Works)5 Ms HUI Ka-wai, Minerva

WCWP International Limited Architectural Assistant Ms FUNG Ka-yiu

5. The views and responses of Members and relevant departmental representatives on the following projects were summarized as follows:

(1) “Construction of a Sitting-out Area adjoining Pai Lau, Pat Heung Road” （YL-DMW143） - Ms HUI Ka-wai, Minerva reported that the maintenance period of the project facilities had expired on 28 February 2019.

(2) “Construction of a Sitting-out Area at Shan Ha Tsuen” (YL-DMW209) - Ms HUI Ka-wai, Minerva said the tendering was underway for the project, and the commencement date mentioned in the meeting documents should be revised to mid-2019 to the third quarter of 2020.

(3) “Construction of Covered Walkway from Bus Stop near Yat Tam House to Grandeur Terrace Multi-storey Carpark, ” （ YL-DMW213） - Ms HUI Ka-wai, Minerva reported that the tendering evaluation was completed, the contract was expected to be signed in March 2019; - Members enquired if the construction time stated in the paper needed to be revised, and enquired about the progress of the project; - Ms HUI Ka-wai, Minerva responded that the project had rewarded the tender on 19 February 2019, and expected to sign a contract with the contractor in mid-March. She also said that the construction time stated in the paper should be revised to March 2019 to mid-2020.

(4) “Construction of a Sitting-out Area near the Pavilion at Tai Tong Shan Road, Yuen Long” (YL-DMW306) - The Chairman said that the Works Section of Home Affairs Department, the departmental representatives and Members had visited the site for the project, and initially considered the project was feasible. As the Geotechnical Engineering Office requested for the data of the slopes to prove its stability, the Chairman proposed the relevant departments and project proponents to arrange to hold a case meeting in March to discuss how to deal with the related matters; - Members pointed out that the departmental representatives and Members had visited the site for the project, and said the slopes around the construction area had been in existence for a long time, and did not pose any safety issues. Since many leisure parks were also built near slopes, therefore the construction should not be hindered due to the lack of slope data; - Members said that the construction of a sitting-out area was a simple minor work, and the construction area was near to the flat land on the roadside, therefore the construction was considered feasible; - Members urged the departments to coordinate with each other, and actively sought solutions to push forward the construction. If a case meeting was to be held, Members urged the departments to be practical and realistic, and make feasible proposals to Members so the project could continue to be put forward; - Members said a large number of visitors would appreciate red leaves in Tai Tong every year, they urged the departments to build a leisure park to divert visitor flows and ease the traffic congestion in the area as soon as possible; and - Ms HUI Ka-wai, Minerva responded that the Works Section of Home Affairs Department and the consultant firms had discussed with the Geotechnical Engineering Office about other proposals, including the proposal of moving the construction area away from the slopes, but the Geotechnical Engineering Office did not agree with the related proposals. The consultant firms submitted a geotechnical appraisal report to the Geotechnical Engineering Office in January. Based on the comments of the first approval from the Geotechnical Engineering Office on 28 January 2019, the consultant firms had submitted additional information to the Office for re-approval, and was waiting for a reply. The Department and the consultant firms were actively following up on the project, and would discuss with Members and relevant departments at the case meeting in response to the comments made by the Geotechnical Engineering Office.

(5) “Construction of Fitness Facilities and a Children’s Playground at the Sitting-out Area of Pat Heung Kam Tsin Wai Tsuen” - Members hoped to launch the project as soon as possible.

(6) “Construction of Covered Walkways from Yuen Long South to ” - Members said that they and the departmental representatives had visited the site in 2016, but there was still no works schedule, and urged to follow up as soon as possible; and - Ms HUI Ka-wai, Minerva responded that they were sorting out the departments’ responses on the proposed covered walkways and making a preliminary project evaluation. She hoped to report the progress to Members as soon as possible in the next DFMC meeting.

(7) “Construction of a Children’s Playground next to Ha Tsuen Soccer Pitch” - Enquired about the project progress, and hoped to launch the project as soon as possible.

(8) “Provision of a Rain Shelter at Tai Tong Shan Road, Yuen Long” - Members said that there was still no works schedule for the project, and urged to launch the project as soon as possible.

6. The Chairman concluded that Members noted the above paper, and urged the departments to launch various projects as soon as possible, and to strengthen communication with Members and stakeholders. The Chairman also urged the relevant departments and project proponents to hold a case meeting on the “Construction of a Sitting-out Area near the Pavilion at Tai Tong Shan Road, Yuen Long” (YL-DMW306) project to discuss how to deal with the slope matters of the project to launch the project as soon as possible.

(Post-meeting notes: The Geotechnical Engineering Office responded on 20 March 2019 that there were no further comments on the additional information submitted by the consultant firms regarding the project of “Construction of a Sitting-out Area near the Pavilion at Tai Tong Shan Road, Yuen Long” (YL-DMW306). After the consultant firmss’ consolidated study, the project was considered to be feasible and the original case meeting was cancelled.)

Item 3: Proposals on DMW projects submitted by Members for the consideration of DFMC (DFMC Paper No. 14/2019) 7. The Chairman and the proponent supplemented that after the site visit on 12 December 2018, the original proposed project site was a private land and the related zone had been planned to be “Other Specified Uses (Industrial Estate)” for the development of an industrial estate for industries to be admitted by Science and Technology Parks Corporation. Therefore, the project proponent proposed to build the “5-a-side Football Pitch in ” in another location nearby.

8. The Chairman concluded that Members noted the above paper, and endorsed the revised proposed project location for “5-a-side Football Pitch in Wang Chau”.

Item 4: Progress report on Minor Environmental Improvement Programme in 2018/19 (DFMC Paper No. 15/2019) 9. Mr CHAN Sai-hung from Yuen Long District Office (YLDO) briefly introduced the paper.

10. The Chairman concluded that Members noted the above paper, and urged the YLDO to maintain full communication with the respective District Council Members and Rural Committee when handling the project.

Item 5: Utilization Rate of Community Centres/Community Halls in Yuen Long District (DFMC Paper No. 16/2019) 11. The Chairman welcomed the following persons to the meeting:

Yuen Long District Office Senior Executive Officer (District Mr HO Kwai-hung, Barry Management) Mr LAM Man-kin, Andy Executive Officer (Community Affairs)

12. Members’ views were summarized as follows:

(1) It was concerned that the utilization rate of Yuen Long Town East Community Hall was relatively low. Given the remoteness of the respective community hall, many residents had also reported that it was difficult to find its location, and there was a lack of clear pedestrian signs. Members proposed to allocate additional resources for publicity work and put up signs in suitable locations to enhance the utilization rate of the community hall, and to make good use of the resources at the venue;

(2) There were signs with direction to Yuen Long Town East Community Hall at Exit H of West Rail line , but the font sizes were relatively small. Some Members proposed to add light boxes to help people to distinguish. In addition, Members proposed the DFMC to contact MTR to add more direction signs of the community hall in other places of West Rail line Yuen Long Station, and to contact the developers to add related pedestrian signs in the malls nearby;

(3) It was considered that the opening hours of the study room at Yuen Long Town East Community Hall conference room from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. did not meet the needs of the users, and it was proposed to change the opening hours to 4 p.m. till 8 p.m.; and

(4) It was proposed the YLDO should strengthen the publicity work in villages near Yuen Long Town East Community Hall to let the villagers know that the community hall could provide a comfortable environment for activities and attract the villagers to use.

13. The Chairman of the Working Group on the Management of Facilities in Community Halls and Community Centres in Yuen Long District responded that at the Working Group meeting on 25 February 2019, Members had discussed about the opening hours of the study room at Yuen Long Town East Community Hall conference room. And it was proposed that the YLDO and developers should follow up on the addition of pedestrian signs of Yuen Long Town East Community Hall in the malls nearby, and should consider to add direction signs at other suitable locations. In addition, Yuen Long Town East Community Hall conference room was reserved two nights in a week (6 p.m. to 10 p.m.) for the owners’ corporation and management committees to hold meetings. The YLDO would actively strengthen the publicity work in schools, nearby villages and Rural Committee to enhance the utilization rate of Yuen Long Town East Community Hall.

14. Mr LAM Man-kin, Andy gave a consolidated reply and pointed out that Yuen Long Town East Community Hall was officially open for a relatively short period of time, the YLDO had already launched different plans of use and publicity work, including the arrangement of opening the conference room as a study room Monday through Friday 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. The YLDO had also distributed posters and emails to schools to invite students to use the study room services in July 2018 and February 2019 respectively. The YLDO would strengthen the publicity work to enhance the utilization rate, including putting up posters in the nearby villages.

15. The Chairman concluded that Members noted the above paper, and proposed to write to MTR and the developers to request to add pedestrian signs of Yuen Long Town East Community Hall inside MTR Yuen Long Station and in the malls nearby respectively. It was also proposed that the YLDO should add the related signs in the nearby villages when building the village signs.

(Post-meeting notes: The Secretariat had sent letters to MTR and the developers respectively on 17 April 2019 to convey Members’ views.)

Item 6: Report on the Scheme on “Extension of Opening Hours for Community Halls/Community Centres in Yuen Long District” and Funding Applications for 2019 -2020 (DFMC Paper No. 20/2019) 16. The Chairman welcomed the following persons to the meeting:

Yuen Long District Office Senior Executive Officer (District Mr HO Kwai-hung, Barry Management) Mr LAM Man-kin, Andy Executive Officer (Community Affairs)

17. The Chairman of the Working Group on the Management of Facilities in Community Halls and Community Centres in Yuen Long District introduced the paper.

18. Mr HO Kwai-hung, Barry supplemented that the Department would use the fund on an accountable basis based on the actual extended opening hours of community halls/community centres.

19. The Chairman supplemented that one of the objectives of the abovementioned scheme was to provide a suitable activity venue for the Youth at Risk at night. It was expected that the Working Group and YLDO would encourage the organizations/groups to use the community halls/community centres to organize activities.

20. The Chairman concluded that Members noted the above paper, and endorsed to extend the opening hours of Long Ping Community Hall, Tin Yiu Community Centre and Yuen Long Town East Community Hall to 11p.m., and reserved an allocation of $54,000 from Community Involvement Programme to subsidize the scheme on the “Extension of Opening Hours for Community Halls/Community Centres in Yuen Long District”, which included expenses such as staff salaries and MPF, and other relevant miscellaneous expenses such as electricity etc.

Item 7: Consolidated Report on the Recreation and Sports Activities to be held in Yuen Long District and the Management of Facilities by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) (March 2019 Issue) (DFMC Paper No. 17/2019) 21. Ms LUNG Lai-seung, Wendy from LCSD briefly introduced the above paper.

22. Some Members enquired about the progress of the addition of elderly fitness facilities at Tin Sau Road Park.

23. Ms LUNG Lai-seung, Wendy responded that the tendering procedures of the addition of elderly fitness facilities at Tin Sau Road Park had begun, and expected to start the installation work in the third quarter of this year.

24. The Chairman concluded that Members noted the above paper.

Item 8: Report on the public library extension activities organized by LCSD and usage of public libraries in Yuen Long district (DFMC Paper No. 18/2019) 25. Ms KWAN Yuen-mei, Rica from LCSD briefly introduced the paper.

26. Members’ views were summarized as follows:

(5) Enquired about the use of Tin Shui Wai North Public Library;

(6) Enquired if the LCSD had plans to install self-service library facilities in Yuen Long District, and hoped the Department would install “Self-service Library Stations” in Yuen Long District; and

(7) Tin Shui Wai Public Library had replaced the former Tin Shui Wai Public Library, the community library at Tin Shui Wai Park had also been shut down. Therefore, it was urged that the LCSD would fulfill its commitment to identify land resources in Central Tin Shui Wai to construct a library which would meet the needs of the residents in the district.

27. Ms KWAN Yuen-mei, Rica gave a consolidated reply as follow:

(1) Overall, the average number of visitors of Tin Shui Wai North Public Library was generally stable. In addition, as the readers’ habits changed, there was a slight drop in borrowing of paper-books. In fact, apart from paper-books, the LCSD had been actively promoting e-reading in recent years, readers could read e-books at any time through the Hong Kong Public Library website;

(2) The LCSD had set up the “Self-service Library Stations” on a trial basis, the pilot projects on Hong Kong Island and in Kowloon had been officially launched, the pilot project in New Territories was expected to put into services in the first half of 2019. After the pilot scheme, the Department would collect data for a comprehensive assessment and analyze the users’ comments, the readers’ demand for services, cost-effectiveness and sustainability of the whole scheme and then consider whether to extend the services to other regions;

(3) The LCSD was working hard to strengthen the library services, including the development of a smart library system, the introduction of self-service library services and facilities to provide better services to the readers; and

(4) The LCSD and the Government Property Agency would continue to actively identify suitable land resources in Central Tin Shui Wai to construct a library. The former community library at Tin Shui Wai Park was operated by . After several years of operation, the organization decided to stop operating the community library considering the allocation of manpower and resources.

28. The Chairman concluded that Members noted the above paper.

Item 9: Report on the cultural and entertainment programmes organized by LCSD in Yuen Long District as well as the utilisation rate of (DFMC Paper No. 19/2019) 29. Ms LAM Pui-yin, Gloria from LCSD briefly introduced the paper.

30. Members’ views were summarized as follows:

(1) It was considered ideal that the LCSD had changed the time of entertainment programmes at Tai Tong Tsuen Open Space, from daytime to 7:30 p.m., and hoped the LCSD would strengthen its communication with Rural Committee and village representatives when organizing entertainment programmes in the future;

(2) It was pointed out that the ticket sales of the cultural programme “The Death of a Bookworm” was relatively slow. It was believed that the ticket price of the event was too high. It was proposed that the LCSD would strengthen the publicity work of the event and considered to introduce a student discount; and

(3) It was proposed that the LCSD should flexibly arrange venues and time when organizing entertainment programmes to attract more viewers.

31. Ms LAM Pui-yin, Gloria gave a consolidated reply as follow:

(1) “The Death of a Bookworm” was organized by Live Theatre, the ticketing and publicity work were both arranged by the organizer. The Cultural Presentations Section of LCSD would convey Members’ concerns and views to the organizer, and would also provide suggestions for publicity work when needed.

(2) Members’ views on organizing cultural programme were noted, and would be referenced when organizing events in the future.

32. The Chairman concluded that Members noted the above paper, and hoped the LCSD would actively refer to the comments made by respective District Council Members to attract more people to participate.

Item 10: Any other business 33. There being no other business, the meeting ended at 10:55 a.m.

Yuen Long District Council Secretariat April 2019