Minutes of the 2nd Meeting of the Leisure and District ...
Transcript of Minutes of the 2nd Meeting of the Leisure and District ...
Minutes of the 2nd Meeting of
the Leisure and District Facilities Management Committee
of the Kowloon City District Council
Date: 18 February 2016 (Thursday)
Time: 2:30 p.m.
Venue: Conference Room, Kowloon City District Office
Present:
Chairman: Ir CHEUNG Yan-hong, MH
Vice-chairman: Miss LEUNG Yuen-ting
Members: Miss KWONG Po-yin
Mr HO Hin-ming, MH
Mr CHO Wui-hung
Mr NG Fan-kam
Mr LO Chiu-kit (Arrived at 3:05 p.m.)
Mr TING Kin-wa
Mr LAM Tak-shing
Mr LAM Pok, Jimmy
Mr YEUNG Chun-yu
Mr HE Huahan
Mr YANG Wing-kit
Mr KWAN Ho-yeung
Mr LAI Kwong-wai
The Hon Starry LEE Wai-king, JP (Left at 3:53 p.m.)
Mr SIU Leong-sing
Mr LUK King-kwong (Left at 3:30 p.m.)
Mr PUN Kwok-wah (Arrived at 3:00 p.m.)
Secretary: Miss CHONG Pik-yu, Vivian Executive Officer (District Council) 3,
Kowloon City District Office
Absent: Ir Dr CHENG Lee-ming
Mr YUE Chee-wing, Admond
Mr SIU Tin-hung, Terence
Mr NG Po-keung
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In Attendance: Ms CHIU Kam-chun, Jamie Senior Liaison Officer (Special Duties
& Ho Man Tin), Kowloon City District
Office
Ms KWOK Lai-kuen, Eva Senior Executive Officer (District
Management), Kowloon City District
Office
Mr YU Man-chun, Jeff Executive Officer I (District
Management), Kowloon City District
Office
Mr WONG Yik-ho, Vico Executive Officer (District
Management), Kowloon City District
Office
Miss TANG Man-wah, Sylvia Chief Leisure Manager (Kowloon),
Leisure and Cultural Services
Department
Ms LO Lai-fong, Jackie District Leisure Manager (Kowloon
City), Leisure and Cultural Services
Department
Ms TONG Tak-yan, Amy Deputy District Leisure Manager
(District Support) Kowloon City,
Leisure and Cultural Services
Department
Mr LEE Pao-wan Deputy District Leisure Manager
(Kowloon City)2, Leisure and Cultural
Services Department
Mr CHEUNG Kwok-wai, Alex Senior Manager (Kowloon
West/Cultural Services), Leisure and
Cultural Services Department
Ms LAU Siu-mui, Lily Manager (Kowloon West) Marketing,
Programme & District Activities,
Leisure and Cultural Services
Department
Mr LO Hing-kwan Senior Librarian (Kowloon City),
Leisure and Cultural Services
Department
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* * *
The Chairman of the Leisure and District Facilities Management
Committee (LDFMC) welcomed Members and representatives of government
departments to the meeting. He said that the Secretariat had received notices from Ir
Dr CHENG Lee-ming, Mr Terence SIU and Mr Admond YUE of their absence due to
other commitments before the meeting. In addition, he welcomed Mr LO
Hing-kwan, who acted as Senior Librarian (Kowloon City) of the Leisure and
Cultural Services Department (LCSD) in place of Miss KONG Mei-yi. Prior to
discussion of agenda items, he reminded Members that if the matters to be discussed
gave rise to conflict of interest with their property rights, profession or investment,
they should make a declaration prior to the discussion so that the Chairman would
consider if it was necessary to ask the Members concerned to exit from the meeting
during the discussion or voting.
District Minor Works (DMW) Projects
Minor Improvement Works for the Recreation Areas under the LCSD in 2016/17
(Paper No. 04/16)
2. Miss Sylvia TANG, Chief Leisure Manager (Kowloon) of the LCSD
introduced the Paper.
3. Mr LUK King-kwong said that he supported approving the relevant
funding application. He pointed out that the general service life of hypochlorite
generation electrolytic tanks was approximately five years, so he enquired why the
LCSD did not replace the two sets of electrolytic tanks at Ho Man Tin Swimming
Pool until they were used for more than eight years.
4. Mr HO Hin-ming enquired how the LCSD would deal with the disused
parts resulted from the replacement of components.
5. Miss Sylvia TANG of the LCSD made the following consolidated reply:
(i) the LCSD had always been concerned over the hygiene of
swimming pools under the LCSD. The service life of five years
for electrolytic tanks had been a consistent reference indicator, and
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the option adopted would depend on the actual conditions. If the
replacement of parts could enable the facilities to continue
operation, the LCSD would usually choose to replace parts. If
parts were not available because manufacturers ceased to produce
relevant parts, or if facilities were damaged beyond repair, the
LCSD would purchase new hypochlorite generation electrolytic
tanks to replace those damaged; and
(ii) the LCSD would report to the Committee after consulting the
Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) on the
disposal of the disused parts.
(Post-meeting note: In response, the LCSD said that the EMSD would arrange the
project contractor to deliver the removed parts to a recyclable waste collector for
disposal.)
6. After discussion, the Committee approved the following proposed district
minor improvement works projects and funding:
Name of Project Estimated
Expenditure
1. Emergency repair, replacement or minor improvement works for
the recreation areas under the LCSD in 2016/17
$1,100,000
2. Replacement and upgrading works for the public address system of
Ho Man Tin Swimming Pool
$104,680
3. Replacement works for hypochlorite generation electrolytic tanks of
Ho Man Tin Swimming Pool
$360,000
4. Replacement works for pressure water supply tanks of
Ho Man Tin Swimming Pool
$144,000
7. The Chairman asked Members to note the report on the progress of a total
of 19 DMW projects led by the LCSD and their expenditures listed in Annex II.
8. Mr TING Kin-wa said that he supported and recognised the LCSD’s
efforts for Projects 12 and 17 set out in Annex II.
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Discussion Items
Recreation and Sports Activity Programmes Organised by the LCSD in Kowloon
City District from April 2016 to March 2017
(Paper No. 05/16)
9. Miss Sylvia TANG of the LCSD introduced the Paper.
10. Mr YANG Wing-kit enquired whether the LCSD had arranged leisure and
cultural activities in Kai Tak District for local residents, and he suggested that the
LCSD should conduct a survey to understand the needs of local residents for various
leisure and cultural activities, with a view to diversifying the activities in Kowloon
City District.
11. Mr HO Hin-ming opined that the performance of Kowloon City District in
track and field events in the Hong Kong Games was relatively weak, and he enquired
if the LCSD could enhance the training and activities in track and field events for
Kowloon City District.
12. Miss Sylvia TANG of the LCSD made the following consolidated reply:
(i) the LCSD had been arranging leisure and cultural activities in Kai
Tak District for local residents since 2015, including Tai Chi
classes and carnivals. The LCSD would continue to review the
existing arrangement and arrange appropriate leisure and cultural
activities in view of the needs of residents; and
(ii) as always, the LCSD would continue to organise track and field
training classes this year, and work with district sports associations
closely to provide relevant activities.
13. After discussion, the Committee approved funding of $5,953,968 for the
LCSD to organise 1 224 recreation and sports activities in financial year 2016/17, and
reserving $326,454 for financial year 2017/18 to cover the expenses of activities in
March 2017.
14. The Chairman said that as the above funding for activities exceeded the
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ceiling of funding which could be approved by the Committee, such application must
be submitted to the District Council (DC) for approval before it could be officially
approved on or after 1 April 2016.
Free Local Civic Programmes Organised by the LCSD in Kowloon City District
in 2016/17
(Paper No. 06/16)
15. Mr Alex CHEUNG, Senior Manager (Kowloon West/Cultural Services)
of the LCSD introduced the Paper.
16. Mr YANG Wing-kit said that he supported the proposal on including the
soccer pitch at Ko Shan Road Park as a performance venue. He enquired whether
the LCSD would use the same performance venues used in 2015/16 for the
programmes in 2016/17. If that was the case, he opined that it was unreasonable to
include the soccer pitch at Ko Shan Road Park as a venue but not use it to hold
programmes. He requested the LCSD to increase the number of performances at the
soccer pitch at Ko Shan Road Park, including traditional cultural programmes such as
traditional stage art show, folk song and dance and Cantonese opera.
17. Mr HO Hin-ming opined that the number of audience of Cantonese opera
performances held at Argyle Street Playground and Basketball Court No. 4 at
Carpenter Road Park was rather small. He suggested that the LCSD should consider
holding similar Cantonese opera programmes at indoor venues, so as to accommodate
more audience.
18. Mr CHO Wui-hung supported the LCSD in holding free entertainment
programmes, and he said that the residents reacted enthusiastically to the programmes
held at Oi Man Estate and Martha Boss Lutheran Community Centre. However, he
said that Martha Boss Lutheran Community Centre and Oi Man Estate Concourse
could accommodate more audience, and he suggested that the LCSD should invite
local organisations to participate, or invite Members to be officiating guests of the
activities, so as to obtain a better publicity effect and attract more residents to the
activities.
19. Mr LUK King-kwong supported approving the funding application. He
suggested that the LCSD should hold more entertainment programmes with
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innovative elements in order to attract more young people to the activities. In
addition, he suggested that the LCSD should cooperate more closely with the Area
Committees and local organisations to obtain a better publicity effect.
20. Mr NG Fan-kam supported the entertainment activities held by the LCSD.
He said he had noted that only 60 viewers were present at the performance
programme held at Six Arts Terrace, Kowloon Walled City Park, and he urged the
LCSD to review whether the publicity was insufficient. Meanwhile, he enquired
about the method which the LCSD used to count viewers, and he suggested that the
LCSD should send out invitation cards to invite Members to the entertainment
programmes.
21. Mr LAM Tak-shing opined that the programmes held by the LCSD were
rather monotonous, and he suggested incorporating other elements such as singing
competition, so as to attract more young people to be involved. Separately, he said
that the performance programmes held at Hung Hom Community Hall were not
sufficient, and he suggested holding one or two more recreation programmes.
22. Mr Alex CHEUNG of the LCSD made the following consolidated reply:
(i) the LCSD would hold free local entertainment programmes at the
soccer pitch at Ko Shan Road Park after July 2016, and would
place the request to hold traditional cultural programmes on record
and make relevant arrangements;
(ii) the LCSD had always been considering carefully whether the
performance venues were fit for Cantonese opera. He opined that
the small number of viewers of the Cantonese opera performances
at Argyle Street Playground and Basketball Court No. 4 at
Carpenter Road Park was probably attributable to the hot weather,
and he said that the LCSD would consider holding such
performance programmes at indoor venues;
(iii) the LCSD welcomed the cooperation with local organisations.
Co-organisers could assist in conducting publicity activities,
making liaison in the district and distributing tickets;
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(iv) the LCSD had noted the relative small number of viewers of the
performances held at Six Arts Terrace, Kowloon Walled City Park.
In light of this, the LCSD would arrange free local entertainment
programmes to be held at newly added venues this year, and
actively consider holding programmes at community halls;
(v) the LCSD could send information of free local entertainment
programmes to Members through the Secretariat; and
(vi) in addition to traditional entertainment programmes, the LCSD had
included some modern and popular performing arts programmes.
The relatively high proportion of traditional programmes was
mainly to cater for the needs of the group of relatively elderly
viewers in Kowloon City District, but the LCSD would also
arrange various types of entertainment programmes to cater for the
needs of people of different age groups. The LCSD welcomed
and noted the views of Members.
23. Mr LO Chiu-kit enquired about the criteria for selecting new venues, and
he pointed out that the LCSD had never held entertainment programmes at Hung Hom
Estate or Ka Wai Chuen. He said that Hung Hom Estate and Ka Wai Chuen were
geographically far from Hung Hom Community Hall. He enquired whether the
LCSD would consider including Hung Hom Estate and Ka Wai Chuen into the list of
performance venues in response to the strong appeal of the residents. In addition, he
enquired about the reaction of youngsters to the entertainment programmes in the
absence of celebrity effect, and he suggested that the LCSD should focus resources on
popular programmes. He reiterated that the residents of Hung Hom Estate and Ka
Wai Chuen had a strong demand for entertainment programmes such as children
programmes and Cantonese opera, and he enquired whether the LCSD would hold
such entertainment programmes at Hung Hom Estate and Ka Wai Chuen in the future.
24. In response, Mr Alex CHEUNG of the LCSD said that when considering
adding a new venue, the LCSD would consider key factors such as whether public
access was allowed, volume of pedestrian flow, availability of appropriate access for
vehicles transporting equipment, availability of sufficient power supply, etc. In the
selection of venues, the LCSD would arrange appropriate activities depending on the
ancillary facilities and conditions of a venue. The LCSD welcomed Members to
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propose new venues and would be willing to inspect such venues and study their
feasibility.
25. Mr LO Chiu-kit suggested that the LCSD should include Ka Wai Chuen
Central Square and the square in the park of Hung Hom Estate Phase 1 into the list of
performance venues this year.
26. In response, Mr Alex CHEUNG of the LCSD responded that the LCSD
would arrange inspection on the venues and conduct feasibility studies. It would
report to the Committee when appropriate, so that Members could consider whether or
not to include the venues as performance venues for free local entertainment
programmes.
27. Mr LO Chiu-kit requested the LCSD to conduct investigation works on
the venues as soon as possible.
(Post-meeting note: On 31 March 2016, the LCSD, together with duty officers of the
Office of Mr LO Chiu-kit and the offices of Ka Wai Chuen and Hung Hom Estate, had
inspected the venues at the estates, and carefully considered the space available and
technical support at these venues. Of these, Ka Wai Chuen Central Square was too
close to residential buildings. If programmes were held here, noise nuisance would
be caused to the residents. Therefore, it was not a suitable performance venue. The
square in the park of Hung Hom Estate Phase 1 was rather small, and it was fit for
small group performances only. The LCSD would continue to discuss with the
Office of Mr LO Chiu-kit and the offices of the estates, follow up to arrange
appropriate free local entertainment programmes and report to Members when
appropriate.)
28. After discussion, the Committee approved funding of $515,000 for the
LCSD to organise 24 free local entertainment programmes in financial year 2016/17,
and reserving $40,500 for financial year 2017/18 to cover the expenses of activities in
March 2017.
29. The Chairman said that as the above funding for activities exceeded the
ceiling of funding which could be approved by the Committee, such application must
be submitted to the DC for approval before it could be officially approved on or after
1 April 2016.
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(Post-meeting note: In mid-March, the LCSD had notified Members through the
Secretariat by email of the free local entertainment programmes to be held in
Kowloon City District in April, and would proceed with such arrangements going
forward.)
Public Library Promotion Activities Organised by the LCSD in Kowloon City
District in 2016/17
(Paper No. 07/16)
30. Mr LO Hing-kwan, Senior Librarian (Kowloon City) of the LCSD
introduced the Paper.
31. Mr LO Chiu-kit requested the LCSD to hold more storytelling activities
hosted by foreign teachers. In addition, he suggested that the LCSD should
co-organise reading, storytelling and parent-child activities for public participation
with various publishers, with a view to increasing the interest of the youth in reading.
He said that such suggestion had been raised before, and he enquired why the LCSD
had not followed up.
32. In response, Mr LO Hing-kwan of the LCSD said that the LCSD would
try to hold storytelling for children in Cantonese, Mandarin and English this year.
Meanwhile, the LCSD had planned to cooperate with schools to co-organise
storytelling for children with voluntary foreign teachers as hosts. Some foreign
teachers had also indicated their interest in hosting storytelling for children at
Kowloon Public Library. The LCSD said that it would avoid cooperating with
profit-making organisations whenever possible, but emphasised that it would hold
more activities on its own.
33. After discussion, the Committee approved funding of $82,170 for the
LCSD to organise 946 library promotion activities in financial year 2016/17, and
reserving $4,240 for financial year 2017/18 to cover the expenses of activities in
March 2017.
Setting up the District Football Team Working Group
(Paper No. 08/16)
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34. The Secretary introduced the Paper.
35. Mr PUN Kwok-wah supported setting up the District Football Team
Working Group. He requested the Secretariat to provide the Committee with the
results of competitions of the district football team in previous years for reference.
36. Miss KWONG Po-yin suggested setting up a cheering team to enable more
residents of Kowloon City District to take part in supporting the football team,
thereby enhancing their sense of belonging.
37. In response, the Secretary said that the results of competitions of the
district football team in previous years would be provided to the Committee after the
meeting. She also invited Members to join the District Football Team Working
Group to have dialogues with the responsible person of the district football team
directly and relay relevant views to them.
38. The Committee approved setting up the District Football Team Working
Group and its terms of reference.
Setting up the Working Group on the Management of Community Halls
(Paper No. 09/16)
39. The Secretary introduced the Paper.
40. The Committee approved setting up the Working Group on the
Management of Community Halls and its terms of reference.
Setting up the Working Group on the Signature Project
(Paper No. 10/16)
41. The Secretary introduced the Paper.
42. Mr PUN Kwok-wah supported setting up the Working Group on the
Signature Project. He said that the Signature Project of Kowloon City had been
submitted to the Panel on Home Affairs for approval on 18 January 2016, and would
be submitted to the Public Works Sub-Committee of the Legislative Council for
approval on 29 February 2016. The Signature Project of Kowloon City would be
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commenced if the funding application was successful.
43. The Chairman briefly introduced that the Signature Project of Kowloon
City was the development of the rear portion of the Cattle Depot. He said that upon
approval by the Public Works Sub-Committee of the Legislative Council on the
Signature Project of Kowloon City, it would be submitted to the Finance Committee
of the Legislative Council for approval. If the Finance Committee could not
complete the approval process before July this year, the project would need to be
approved by the new term of the Legislative Council from the very beginning again.
44. The Committee approved setting up the Working Group on the Signature
Project and its terms of reference.
Strong Call for Building a Public Library in Kai Tak District
(Paper No. 11/16)
45. Paper No. 11/16 was jointly signed by Miss LEUNG Yuen-ting and Mr HE
Huahan, and was introduced by Mr HE Huahan as the representative.
46. The Chairman invited Members to refer to the written response of Tabled
Paper No. 1 as submitted by the LCSD.
47. Mr LO Hing-kwan of the LCSD briefly introduced Tabled Paper No. 1.
48. Mr YANG Wing-kit enquired whether a new library would be built at the
existing site of Kowloon Public Library if it was reprovisioned to the Kai Tak
Development Area. If the LCSD would not build a new library at the existing site,
he would oppose to the LCSD’s plan to reprovision Kowloon Public Library to the
Kai Tak Development Area, and he strongly requested the establishment of an
additional major library in Kai Tak District in line with the population growth.
49. Miss LEUNG Yuen-ting opined that the reprovisioning of Kowloon Public
Library would affect local students, and she suggested that the LCSD should consider
setting up book drops at the Community Library of Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui for
the convenience of residents in Kai Tak District to return books.
50. Mr HE Huahan opined that when considering whether a major library was
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needed to be provided, the LCSD should take into account both the population and the
needs of the community and neighbouring communities. Meanwhile, he opined that
the LCSD should review the usage of the mobile library stops and the service hours in
different districts, in order to avoid mismatch of resources and unfair allocation.
51. Mr LO Hing-kwan of the LCSD made the following consolidated reply:
(i) the plan to reprovision Kowloon Public Library in Kai Tak District
was still at the study stage. Currently the LCSD had no plan to
demolish the whole Kowloon Public Library. However, once a
major library was built in Kai Tak District, it was not likely that a
library of the same scale would be provided at the existing site of
Kowloon Public Library. It remained to be discussed as to
whether or not a district library or small library would be provided
instead. The LCSD indicated that it would continue to follow up
relevant developments with the Planning Department (PlanD);
(ii) the logistic operation behind the provision of book drops service
involved additional resources. Meanwhile, there was the problem
that the book borrowing quota could not be updated in a timely
manner due to the time difference in transport and actual operation.
It would be difficult for the LCSD to guarantee how long it would
take to resume the book borrowing quota after a reader returned
books through book drops, and the LCSD opined that it was not
economical to set up book drops at places apart from libraries;
(iii) currently there were a total of 12 mobile library vans in service.
The service hours designated for Kowloon City District were on
Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays. The LCSD said that the DC
was free to change the service hours on these three days, but any
change of dates would be subject to the cooperation and consent of
other DCs; and
(iv) the LCSD requested Members to refer to the usage of the three
mobile library stops in Kowloon City District as set out in Paper
No. 20/16, and the LCSD opined that it deemed the existing
service timetable as appropriate.
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52. Mr YANG Wing-kit said that the LCSD must consult the opinions of
Kowloon City DC and Yau Tsim Mong DC on the plan to reprovision Kowloon
Public Library, and study how to improve the usage of mobile library stops.
53. Mr SIU Leong-sing welcomed the LCSD’s active efforts to study the
feasibility of building a major library in Kai Tak District, but he opposed to the
reprovisioning of Kowloon Public Library. He opined that the LCSD should not
refuse to respond to the appeal of residents by using Hong Kong Planning Standards
and Guidelines as an excuse, and that the residents would not oppose to the LCSD
providing more services than those set out in the standards.
54. Mr HE Huahan enquired whether the service hours of mobile library stops
could be extended to 9:00 p.m.
55. Miss KWONG Po-yin said that it was unfair to close down Kowloon
Public Library in order to build a major library in Kai Tak District. She suggested
building a district library in Kai Tak District and arranging more activities to enhance
the reading habit of residents.
56. Mr LO Hing-kwan of the LCSD made the following consolidated reply:
(i) Kowloon Public Library was established in 1985 with a history of
30 years. The reprovisioning plan would provide residents with
better facilities and more enriched collection. The LCSD
indicated that it would relay to the departments concerned
Members’ opposition to the reprovisioning of Kowloon Public
Library and their proposal requesting to build a district library in
Kai Tak District;
(ii) the LCSD would consult the opinions of the DCs concerned on the
plan to reprovision Kowloon Public Library;
(iii) due to limited resources, new library facilities would be planned
basically according to Hong Kong Planning Standards and
Guidelines; and
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(iv) the extension of service hours of mobile library stops would
involve human resources issues and would be difficult to
implement.
57. Mr PUN Kwok-wah requested that revision should be made to Hong Kong
Planning Standards and Guidelines, so as to be in line with social development and
respond to residents’ appeal.
58. The Chairman requested the LCSD to record Members’ views against the
reprovisioning of Kowloon Public Library and their request to adjust the service hours
of the mobile library stops. He also asked the Secretariat to send a letter to the
LCSD in the name of the LDFMC, stating that the Committee welcomed the
establishment of a district library in Kai Tak Development Area but opposed to the
reprovisioning of Kowloon Public Library to Kai Tak Development Area, while
requesting the LCSD to adjust the service hours of the mobile library stops and work
with the PlanD to review Hong Kong Planning Standards and Guidelines, so as to be
in line with the current needs and development of society.
(Post-meeting note: The Secretariat had sent a letter to the LCSD on 10 March 2016
in the name of the LDFMC to relay the Committee’s views.)
Call for Installing Fitness Facilities for the Elderly at Perth Street Sports Ground
(Paper No. 12/16)
59. Paper No. 12/16 was submitted by Ir Dr CHENG Lee-ming. The
Chairman said that Ir Dr CHENG Lee-ming had appointed Mr YANG Wing-kit
before the meeting to introduce the Paper on his behalf.
60. The Chairman invited Members to refer to the written response of Tabled
Paper No. 2 as submitted by the LCSD.
61. Miss Sylvia TANG of the LCSD briefly introduced Tabled Paper No. 2.
Call for Providing Water Dispensers at Ko Shan Park
(Paper No. 13/16)
62. Paper No. 13/16 was jointly signed by Mr Jimmy LAM and Mr YANG
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Wing-kit, and was introduced by Mr Jimmy LAM as the representative.
63. The Chairman invited Members to refer to the written response of Tabled
Papers No. 3 and 4 as submitted by the LCSD.
64. Miss Sylvia TANG of the LCSD briefly introduced Tabled Paper No. 3.
65. Mr Alex CHEUNG of the LCSD briefly introduced Tabled Paper No. 4.
66. Mr Jimmy LAM enquired when the LCSD would install the water
dispensers.
67. In response, Miss Sylvia TANG of the LCSD said that after the
Architectural Services Department (ArchSD) completed the feasibility study and
provided the proposal on works and cost estimates, a funding application would be
made to the Committee and relevant works would be commenced.
Call for Installing Additional and Renewing Existing Recreational and Fitness
Equipment at Ko Shan Park
(Paper No. 14/16)
68. Paper No. 14/16 was jointly signed by Mr Jimmy LAM and Mr YANG
Wing-kit, and was introduced by Mr Jimmy LAM as the representative.
69. The Chairman invited Members to refer to the written response of Tabled
Paper No. 5 as submitted by the LCSD.
70. Mr YANG Wing-kit hoped that the LCSD would install additional elderly
fitness equipment in the space close to Lok Man Sun Chuen.
71. Miss Sylvia TANG of the LCSD briefly introduced Tabled Paper No. 5,
and she said in response that the LCSD would check with Mr YANG Wing-kit after
the meeting to further understand his suggestion.
72. Mr Jimmy LAM supplemented that the place which Mr YANG Wing-kit
referred to was not in Lok Man Sun Chuen, but beside the 7-a-side soccer pitch at Ko
Shan Road Park. There was only one set of fitness equipment at the place, and the
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installation of two to three more sets was proposed.
73. In response, Miss Sylvia TANG of the LCSD said that the LCSD would
follow up and study this proposal.
(Post-meeting note: The LCSD said that it had submitted to the Technical Unit the
proposal on installing two more sets of fitness equipment in the Fitness Corner for the
Elderly. Upon approval, a funding application would be made to the Committee.)
Request for Early Implementation of Improvement Works for Upgrading the
Sitting-out Area at Station Lane
(Paper No. 15/16)
74. Paper No. 15/16 was jointly signed by the Hon Starry LEE and Mr LAM
Tak-shing, and was introduced by Mr LAM Tak-shing as the representative.
75. The Chairman invited Members to refer to the written response of Tabled
Paper No. 6 as submitted by the LCSD.
76. Mr LO Chiu-kit opined that the progress of the improvement works
concerned was relatively slow, and he enquired whether the improvement works
included items such as shade structures, fitness equipment and water dispensers. He
requested the LCSD to explain in detail all the items included in the improvement
works.
77. Miss Sylvia TANG of the LCSD briefly introduced Tabled Paper No. 6,
and she said that such suggestion would be submitted to the ArchSD for feasibility
study. If the suggestion was feasible, the LCSD would discuss with Member of the
constituency concerned on the additional equipment, report to the Committee and
apply for funding.
78. Mr LO Chiu-kit enquired when the LCSD would report to the Committee
and apply for funding in relation to the suggestion.
79. In response, Miss Sylvia TANG of the LCSD said that the LCSD would
relay the concern of Members to the ArchSD and request the ArchSD to complete the
report in three months.
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Request for Opening the Lawn at the Sports Ground in Tin Kwong Road to
Public in Order to Increase Open Space
(Paper No. 16/16)
80. Paper No. 16/16 was jointly signed by the Hon Starry LEE Wai-king, Mr
LUK King-kwong, Mr PUN Kwok-wah, Mr NG Po-keung, Mr NG Fan-kam, Mr
Terence SIU, Mr KWAN Ho-yeung and Mr LAM Tak-shing, and was introduced by
Mr NG Fan-kam as the representative.
81. The Chairman invited Members to refer to the written response of Tabled
Paper No. 7 as submitted by the LCSD.
82. Mr HO Hin-ming said that it was necessary to confirm whether the venue
being discussed was the sports ground or the softball field on Tin Kwong Road.
83. Miss Sylvia TANG of the LCSD briefly introduced Tabled Paper No. 7,
and she said in response that the sports ground on Tin Kwong Road was a facility
managed by the LCSD, while the adjacent softball field was managed by Hong Kong
Softball Association, so she could not reply on its utilisation rate on behalf of the
Association. According to the LCSD’s existing policy, lawns under the LCSD were
categorised into three types, including (A) multi-purpose lawns, (B) ornamental lawns
and (C) sports lawns. The sports ground on Tin Kwong Road was a sports lawn
designated for cricket and football. It required meticulous maintenance to maintain
high quality to meet the requirements of training and competitions. It was thus
inappropriate to open the lawn to the public for unspecified purposes. The utilisation
rate of the sports ground on Tin Kwong Road was 90% and 84% in 2014/15 and
2015/16 respectively. There was no room for further opening.
Call for Immediate Provision of Water Dispensers at Ma Tau Wai Road
Playground
(Paper No. 17/16)
84. Paper No. 17/16 was submitted by Mr Terence SIU. As he was absent
from the meeting, Mr KWAN Ho-yeung introduced the Paper on his behalf.
85. The Chairman invited Members to refer to the written response of Tabled
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Paper No. 8 as submitted by the LCSD.
Departmental Reports
The LCSD’s Report on the Sports and Physical Recreation Activities Organised
in Kowloon City District and the Management of Facilities
(Paper No. 18/16)
86. Miss Sylvia TANG of the LCSD introduced the Paper.
87. Mr YANG Wing-kit said that he relayed Ir Dr CHENG Lee-ming’s views
on the alteration of part of Pui Ching Road Rest Garden into a pet garden. He said
that Ir Dr CHENG Lee-ming supported building a pet garden, but opined that Pui
Ching Road Rest Garden was relatively small, without sufficient space for pets to
move around. It was not an appropriate choice of site and the proposed trial plan,
which was for three months only, was a waste of public funds. He said that Ir Dr
CHENG Lee-ming proposed Sheung Shing Street Park as the preferred choice,
because private residences would be completed in the vicinity, and the provision of a
pet garden would meet the needs of the residents. The second best choice was the
space under Fat Kwong Street Flyover, where dog lovers could still bring their pets
outdoors on rainy days. He said that Ir Dr CHENG Lee-ming requested the LCSD to
include the proposed Sheung Shing Street Park and the space under Fat Kwong Street
Flyover for residents’ consideration during the consultation, and convene a residents’
meeting to enable residents to express their views.
88. Mr SIU Leong-sing praised the LCSD for actively following up the
establishment of a pet garden, and he supported the proposed plan of the LCSD and
agreed that Sheung Shing Street Park and the space under Fat Kwong Street Flyover
should be included for residents’ consideration. He hoped that the LCSD could
conduct feasibility studies on Sheung Shing Street Park and the space under Fat
Kwong Street Flyover first, and then carry out consultation after the completion
thereof.
89. Miss Sylvia TANG of the LCSD said that the LCSD was open-minded
about the establishment of pet gardens in Sheung Shing Street Park and the space
under Fat Kwong Street Flyover. It would work with the works departments to
study the feasibility of the proposal and report the progress to the Committee when
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appropriate. The LCSD welcomed the Committee to provide views on the trial
period of the proposed plan, and said that it would follow up the proposed plan based
on the decision of the Committee.
90. Mr YANG Wing-kit opined that the LCSD should respond to Members’
suggestions positively other than merely extending the trial period of the proposed
plan.
91. Miss Sylvia TANG of the LCSD said that since some Members at the
meeting believed that the trial period proposed was too short, the LCSD welcomed the
Committee to provide views on the trial period. As to whether or not to alter part of
Pui Ching Road Rest Garden into a pet garden, the LCSD would respect the
Committee’s decision.
92. Mr SIU Leong-sing opined that the LCSD should temporarily shelve the
trial plan to build a pet garden in Pui Ching Road Rest Garden, pending the
completion of feasibility studies on Sheung Shing Street Park and the space under Fat
Kwong Street Flyover. The trial plan to build a pet garden in Pui Ching Road Rest
Garden should be discussed only if Sheung Shing Street Park and the space under Fat
Kwong Street Flyover were found to be infeasible.
93. Mr YANG Wing-kit supplemented that pet gardens under flyovers had
been built in other districts, and he hoped that the LCSD could make reference to the
practice of those districts.
94. Mr PUN Kwok-wah pointed out that the LCSD should restore the site if
the result of the trial plan was not satisfactory, and he enquired about the reason why
the LCSD proposed the trial plan for the pet garden.
95. In response, Miss Sylvia TANG of the LCSD said that the LCSD observed
that pet owners usually took their dogs outdoors in the evening. In view of the safety
concerns by the schools nearby over their students and the ending time of school days,
etc., it was proposed that the opening hours of the pet garden to be 6 to 11 p.m. so as
to balance the needs of all stakeholders, and that a trial plan should be implemented to
further collect the views of the public.
96. The Chairman confirmed to the LCSD that the costs of the works to set up
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the pet garden and the trial plan were borne by the DC, while the future operating
expenses of the pet garden would be borne by the LCSD. As the Committee had
resolved to shelve the trial plan temporarily, there was no need to follow up the
related consultation for the time being.
97. Mr YANG Wing-kit suggested that the LCSD should conduct feasibility
studies on Sheung Shing Street Park and the space under Fat Kwong Street Flyover
before convening a residents’ meeting and conducting consultation.
98. The Committee agreed unanimously to the above arrangements.
99. Mr KWAN Ho-yeung pointed out that actually a majority of residents in
To Kwa Wan hoped that the opening hours of Hoi Sham Park could remain
unchanged. He opined that the LCSD had not carefully considered the needs of
residents in To Kwa Wan before proposing the change of the opening hours. In
addition, he enquired whether the LCSD had taken other measures to solve the
problem of noise nuisance.
100. Mr Jimmy LAM said that a majority of local residents hoped that the
opening hours of Hoi Sham Park could remain unchanged. He pointed out that
shortening the opening hours would cause users in the morning to have insufficient
time to use the facilities of the park before going to work. In addition, he opined that
the sunshine duration would affect the number of users as calculated by the LCSD.
101. Mr YANG Wing-kit suggested that the LCSD’s proposal to change the
opening hours could be implemented on a trial basis to see whether strong opposition
would be received from residents and to observe the actual circumstances. The
original opening hours would not be resumed unless there were strong opposing
voices.
102. Mr PUN Kwok-wah said that in order to balance the appeals and interests
of different stakeholders, he agreed to the LCSD’s proposal and believed that it was
appropriate. He hoped that the LCSD could also study whether there were any other
long-term solutions.
103. Mr HO Hin-ming doubted whether the park must be fully opened at 5:30
a.m. He enquired whether it was necessary to open the park fully, saying that partial
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opening might be considered. He opined that if people doing Tai Chi played music
at 5:30 a.m., it would certainly cause nuisance to residents in the vicinity.
104. Miss Sylvia TANG of the LCSD made the following consolidated reply:
(i) the LCSD’s proposal to change the opening time to 6:30 a.m. was
only applicable to the basketball court and the soccer pitch at the
park, while the opening time for other facilities remained
unchanged;
(ii) the LCSD chose to count the number of users during the two
weeks from 6 to 20 October because the weather during this period
was mild and fit for outdoor exercises, and the actual
circumstances of morning walkers could be reflected. The staff
observed that though the volume of music played by morning
walkers and/or people doing Tai Chi was not high, it sounded very
loud in the tranquil early morning;
(iii) in order to improve the noise problem caused by park users when
doing exercises in the early morning, the LCSD had replaced the
material of the backboard of the basketball court to reduce the
noise made when a basketball hit the backboard. The LCSD had
also sent staff to the site to call on basketball court users and
morning walkers to keep their voice down when doing exercises.
They all appeared to be cooperative, but regrettably, they were too
excited after made shots and often cheered for that; and
(iv) the LCSD would display notices at conspicuous places at the
basketball court and the soccer pitch at the park to notify the
public of the new arrangement, and send staff to call on basketball
court users to use the basketball court at the adjacent King Wan
Street Playground instead, so as to balance the needs of different
stakeholders.
105. Mr HO Hin-ming suggested the LCSD to send staff to call on morning
walkers to place their music players facing the sea, so as to reduce the noise nuisance
caused to the residents as much as possible.
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106. Mr KWAN Ho-yeung agreed that the LCSD could change the opening
time on a trial basis for three months, and requested the LCSD to post sufficient
notices to have users informed of the trial arrangement.
107. In response, Miss Sylvia TANG of the LCSD said that in the past, the
LCSD had called on morning walkers to place their music players facing the sea and
cover their music players with carton boxes to lower the volume, and they were
cooperative.
108. The Chairman praised the LCSD for the method taken to collect views on
the opening hours of Hoi Sham Park, and opined that the LCSD had collected views
from the stakeholders of both sides.
109. Taking the time of the meeting into account, the Committee unanimously
decided to change the opening hours of the basketball court and soccer pitch at Hoi
Sham Park for four months on a trial basis, and required the LCSD to report the result
of the trial scheme to the Committee before conducting a review.
110. The Chairman reported that the residents hoped the opening period of Tai
Wan Shan Swimming Pool could be extended to 30 November each year.
111. In response, Miss Sylvia TANG of the LCSD said that taking into account
the actual usage of the swimming pool after September, and on the premise of proper
use of resources, the opening period of Tai Wan Shan Swimming Pool was set to be 1
April to 31 October each year. The LCSD said that it would closely monitor the
number of swimming pool users and review when appropriate.
District Arts and Cultural Activities Organised by the LCSD in Kowloon City
District in 2016/17
(Paper No. 19/16)
112. Mr Alex CHEUNG of the LCSD introduced the Paper.
113. The Committee noted the Paper.
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The LCSD’s Report on Public Library Promotion Activities and Use of Library
Facilities in Kowloon City District and Progress Report for DMW Projects
(Paper No. 20/16)
114. Mr LO Hing-kwan of the LCSD introduced the Paper.
115. The Committee noted the Paper.
Any Other Business
116. The Chairman said that the Secretariat had received a letter from the
LCSD proposing the nomination of two Members among the new term of the DC to
act as “Sports Ambassadors” of the district, participate in the sports activities
organised by the LCSD and its Community Sports Committee, assist in encouraging
DC Members and local residents to take an active part in sports and promote the
importance and benefit of sports among residents, with a view to forming a healthy
living style. The term of office of the “Sports Ambassadors” was two years till the
end of December 2017.
117. The Committee approved unanimously that Mr HO Hin-ming and Mr
Terence SIU acted as “Sports Ambassadors” of Kowloon City District.
118. Mr HO Hin-ming requested the LCSD to enhance anti-mosquito measures
in parks to prevent the spread of Zika virus.
119. Miss Sylvia TANG of the LCSD said that the staff carried out
anti-mosquito measures according to the departmental guidelines and that the LCSD
would continue to monitor closely and enhance anti-mosquito operations when
appropriate.
Date of Next Meeting
120. The Chairman declared that the time and date of next meeting would be at
2:30 p.m. of 28 April 2016 (Thursday) while the deadline for submission of
documents would be 13 April 2016. There being no other business, the meeting was
adjourned at 5:28 p.m.