Following is a question by the Hon Audrey Eu and a reply by the Secretary for Housing, Planning and Lands, Mr Michael Suen, in the Legislative Council today (May 3):
Question:
It has been reported that members of the Harbour-front Enhancement Committee (HEC) have recently been informed by the Government that their term of office will expire at the end of June 2007 so as not to exceed that of the incumbent Secretary for Housing, Planning and Lands. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(a) of the reasons for HEC members' term of office not being able to exceed that of the relevant director of bureau under the accountability system;
(b) whether there is any guideline which requires that the term of office of members of an advisory committee must not exceed that of the relevant director of bureau under the accountability system; if there is, whether such requirement applies to all advisory committees; and
(c) whether the authorities plan to dissolve HEC at the end of June 2007; if so, of the organization to be responsible for advising the Government on the planning, land use and developments along the existing and new harbour-front of Victoria Harbour, and the means to enhance public participation in the planning and design of the harbour-front; and how to ensure that the community will continue participating in the planning of Victoria Harbour?
Reply:
Madam President,
The purpose of setting up the Harbour-front Enhancement Committee (HEC) is to advise the Government on planning, land uses and developments along the existing and new harbour-front of Victoria Harbour, with a view to protecting the Harbour; improving the accessibility, utilization and vibrancy of the harbour-front areas; and safeguarding public enjoyment of the Harbour through a balanced, effective and public participation approach.
HEC completed a lot of work in the past two years. It also applied the ideas of "planning with the people" and "envisioning together" in conducting the Kai Tak Planning Review, Harbour Plan Review and the Harbour Enhancement Review - Wan Chai, Causeway Bay and Adjoining Areas.
HEC has provided a platform to promote and encourage multi-lateral dialogue, public engagement and consensus building in the planning process, which has substantially increased public acceptability of the planning proposals. The work and contribution of HEC are perfectly obvious and commendable. I would like to express my heartfelt appreciation to the HEC Chairman and all members for their efforts.
Therefore, before the last term of the HEC members expired, I reappointed all the members to the HEC for a new term until 30 June 2007 and all of them have accepted my reappointment. As the members of HEC are appointed by me, it is appropriate to tie-in their term with my term of office in the Government. There is no need to overspeculate on the arrangement.
The Government has no guideline stipulating the duration of the term of office of members of an advisory committee.
HEC still has a lot of work to complete for the matters it is handling. It is very important to maintain continuity of HEC. The Government has no plan to disband it.
Ends/Wednesday, May 3, 2006
Issued at HKT 15:17
NNNN