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Minutes of the 10th Meeting of the Food, Environment, Hygiene & Works Committee (2016-2017)

Central & Western District Council

Date : 13 July 2017

Time : 2:33 pm

Venue :Conference Room 14/F, Harbour Building 38 Pier Road, Central, Hong Kong

Present:ChairladyMs SIU Ka-yi*

Vice-chairmanMr YEUNG Hok-ming*

MembersMr CHAN Chit-kwai, Stephen, BBS, JP (2:50 pm - end of the meeting)Mr CHAN Choi-hi, MH*Mr CHAN Ho-lim, Joseph (4:04 pm - 5:31 pm)Mr CHAN Hok-fung, MH*Ms CHENG Lai-king*Mr CHEUNG Kwok-kwan, JP (2:55 pm - 3:41 pm)Mr HUI Chi-fung (Beginning of the meeting - 3:57 pm)Mr KAM Nai-wai, MH (Beginning of the meeting - 5:14 pm)Mr LEE Chi-hang, Sidney, MH* (Beginning of the meeting - 4:07 pm)Miss LO Yee-hang (2:34 pm - 6:21 pm)Mr NG Siu-hong*Mr YEUNG Hoi-wing*Mr YIP Wing-shing, BBS, MH, JP (Beginning of the meeting - 5:34 pm)

Co-opted MembersMr CHENG Chi-shing, David*Mr HO Chi-wong (4:47 pm - end of the meeting)Mr LEE Wai-keung (Beginning of the meeting - 3:57 pm)Mr WONG Sai-kit* (Beginning of the meeting - 6:18 pm)

Remarks: * Members who attended the whole meeting ( ) Time of attendance of Members

Guests

Item 5Ms YANG Ka-yee Architectural Services

DepartmentSenior Forestry Officer/TMG

Mr CHUI Chi-keung, Chris Architectural Services Department

Landscape Architect/TMG

Item 6Ms Sarah YUN Urban Renewal Authority Senior Manager, Community

DevelopmentMr CHAN Chi-hung Urban Renewal Authority Senior Manager, Building

RehabilitationMr LI Yam-yee Buildings Department Senior Building Surveyor/Fire Safety

3Mr LI Ka-ming, Ray Buildings Department Building Surveyor/Fire Safety 9

Ms LAM Wan-ching, Erica Buildings Department Building Surveyor/A3-SD

Mr CHAN Derek Armstrong Fire Services Department Senior Division Officer

Mr AU Kwok-ping Fire Services Department Assistant Division Officer

Mr TSE Tak-wah Fire Services Department Senior Station Officer

Item 7Ms LAM Wan-ching, Erica Buildings Department Building Surveyor/A3-SD

Mr CHAN Derek Armstrong Fire Services Department Senior Division Officer

Mr AU Kwok-ping Fire Services Department Assistant Division Officer

Mr TSE Tak-wah Fire Services Department Senior Station Officer

Mr YAN Man-kit, Andrew Electrical and Mechanical Services Department

Senior Electrical and Mechanical Engineer/Consumer Installations

Mr LEUNG Yin-man, Kevin Hong Kong Police Force Police Community Relations Officer (Central District)

Mr CHAN Chun-ping Hong Kong Police Force Neighbourhood Police Co-ordinator (Central District)

Miss LI Ka-yan Hong Kong Police Force Police Community Relations Officer (Western District)

Mr CHAN Wai-man Hong Kong Police Force Assistant Police Community Relations Officer (Western District)

Item 8Mr LEE Tze-wah Food and Environmental

Hygiene DepartmentDistrict Environmental Hygiene

Superintendent (Central/Western)

Item 9Mr CHUNG Kwok-wah, Victor Food and Environmental

Hygiene DepartmentSuperintendent (Prosecution/Licensing)

HK & IslandsMiss TSANG Kit-yee Food and Environmental

Hygiene DepartmentAssistant Secretary (Liquor Licences)

HK & Islands 1Mr LEUNG Yin-man, Kevin Hong Kong Police Force Police Community Relations Officer

(Central District)Mr CHAN Chun-ping Hong Kong Police Force Neighbourhood Police Co-ordinator

(Central District)Mr YUEN Man-wai Dawning Height Owners’

CorporationsVice Chairman

Item 10Mr LAW See-hon, Sean Environmental Protection

DepartmentSenior Environmental Protection

Officer (Regional South)1Mr LEUNG Yin-man, Kevin Hong Kong Police Force Police Community Relations Officer


(Central District)Miss LI Ka-yan Hong Kong Police Force Police Community Relations Officer

(Western District)Mr CHAN Wai-man Hong Kong Police Force Assistant Police Community Relations

Officer (Western District)

Item 11Mr LEUNG Wing-kee Office of the Communications

AuthoritySenior Telecommunications Engineer

(Broadcasting Support)Mr LEE Shun, Wilson Office of the Communications

AuthorityTelecommunications Engineer

(Broadcasting Support)3

Item 12Mr CHAN Chak-wing, Esmond Highways Department District Engineer/West

Mr KOO Siu-long Drainage Services Department Engineer/Western 1

Ms CHAN Ka-yan Drainage Services Department Engineer/Drainage System Planning 5

Item 13Mr KOO Siu-long Drainage Services Department Engineer/Western 1

Ms CHAN Ka-yan Drainage Services Department Engineer/Drainage System Planning 5

Mr CHEUNG Chun-kee Lands Department Senior Estate Surveyor/West (District Lands Office, Hong Kong West and South)

Mr NG Cheuk-lun Architectural Services Department

Property Services Manager/Western

Mr CHOW Kin-keung, Jeff Architectural Services Department

Property Services Manager /SD13

Mr WONG Kim-ching, Philip Leisure and Cultural Services Department

Acting Deputy District Leisure Manager (Central and Western) 2

Ms LAU Yee-yan, Dorothy MTR Corporation Limited Assistant Public Relations Manager – External Affairs

Mr Alex HO Hong Kong Housing Society Senior Manager (Maintenance - geotechnical works)

Ms CHUNG Lai-king Hong Kong Housing Society Senior Manager (Property Management)

Mr LEUNG Yau-keung Hong Kong Housing Society Senior Manager (Maintenance - construction)

Mr Dick HO Hong Kong Housing Society Manager (Property Management)

Item 14Mr LEE Tze-wah Food and Environmental


Superintendent (Central/Western)Mr CHENG Ka-yu Food and Environmental

Hygiene DepartmentSenior Superintendent (Hawker &

Market)Ms CHEUNG Wai-yee, Jenny Food and Environmental

Hygiene DepartmentSuperintendent (Hawker)

Item 16Ms Reona SHU Central and Western District

OfficeExecutive Assistant (District

Council)2

Item 17Mr TANG Yuk-lam Hong Kong Young Women’s

Christian Association (Central, Western & Islands District Youth Outreaching Social Work Team)

Registered Social Worker

Item 18Mr CHAN Kin-sun Caritas Mok Cheung Sui Kun

Community CentreRegistered Social Worker

Item 19Ms CHENG Yin-hung Hong Kong Y.W.C.A. Sai

Wan Social Centre for the Elderly

Social Worker

Item 20Ms Ellen WU Central and Western District

OfficeExecutive Assistant (District

Council)4

Item 21Mr CHAN Kin-sun Caritas Mok Cheung Sui

Kun Community CentreRegistered Social Worker

Item 22Mr Lee Sai-cheung Central & Western Mid-

Levels Owners AssociationVice Chairman

In AttendanceMrs WONG Ho Wing-sze,

Susanne, JPCentral and Western District

OfficeDistrict Officer

Ms YEUNG Wing-shan, Grace Central and Western District Office

Senior Executive Officer (District Council)

Mr MOK Chi-kin, Jiv Central and Western District Office

Senior Executive Officer (District Management)

Ms LAM Wan-ching, Erica Buildings Department Building Surveyor/A3-SDMr CHAN Chak-wing, Esmond Highways Department District Engineer/WestMr LEUNG Yin-man, Kevin Hong Kong Police Force Police Community Relations Officer


(Central District)Miss LI Ka-yan Hong Kong Police Force Police Community Relations Officer

(Western District)Mr CHAN Wai-man Hong Kong Police Force Assistant Police Community Relations

Officer (Western District)Mr LEE Tze-wah Food and Environmental


Superintendent (Central/Western)Mr WONG Kim-ching Leisure and Cultural Services

DepartmentActing Deputy District Leisure

Manager (Central and Western) 2Mr WONG Chi-leung Civil Engineering and

Development DepartmentSenior Engineer 11 (Hong Kong Island

Division 1)Mr LAW See-hon, Sean Environmental Protection

DepartmentSenior Environmental Protection

Officer (Regional South) 1Mr CHEUNG Chun-kee Lands Department Senior Estate Surveyor/West, (District

Lands Office, Hong Kong West and South)

SecretaryMiss TAM Lok-Yin, Jovita Central and Western District

OfficeExecutive Officer (District Council) 3

Absent with Apologies:Mr LAU Kam-sing, Dickie

Opening RemarksThe Chairlady welcomed Members and representatives of government departments to the

10th meeting of the Food, Environment, Hygiene & Works Committee (“FEHWC”) (2016-17).

2. On behalf of the FEHWC, the Chairlady welcomed Ms LAM Wan-ching , Building

Surveyor/A3-SD of the Buildings Department, who succeeded Ms WONG Kam-ling; Mr WONG Chi-leung, Senior Engineer 11 (Hong Kong Island Division 1) of the Civil Engineering and Development Department, who succeeded Mr LAM Wai-chuen; Mr WONG Kim - c hing , Deputy District Leisure Manager (Central & Western) 2 of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, who succeeded Ms CHAN Miu-ling; and Miss LI Ka-yan, Police Community Relations Officer (Western District), who succeeded Ms CHOW Wing-yee.

Item1: Adoption of the Agenda (2:33 pm - 2:34 pm)

3. Members had no comment on the agenda and the agenda was adopted.

Item 2: C onfirmation of the Minutes of the Ninth Meeting of FEHWC on 25 May 201 7 (2:34 pm)

4. The Chairlady said that no amendment proposal on the draft minutes was received from Members before the meeting. Members had no comment on the draft minutes and the Chairlady declared that the minutes were confirmed.

Item 3: Action Checklist on Matters Arising from the Last Meeting______ (C&W FEHWC Paper No. 58 /2017) (2:34 pm – 2:35 pm)

5. The Chairlady referred Members to the paper.

Item 4: Chairman’s Report and Working Group Reports (2:35 pm - 2:38 pm)

6. The Chairlady said that the Secretariat had circulated the following papers to Members for perusal:

No. Document Title Circulation Date39/2017 Food and Environmental Hygiene Department – Second

Phase of Anti-rodent Campaign 2017 in Central & Western District

14 June 2017

50/2017 Food and Environmental Hygiene Department – Refurbishment Work for Belcher’s Street Public Toilet

28 June 2017

7. The Chairlady said that the working group reports were forwarded to Members with the second batch of papers on 10 July.

8. Mr YEUNG Hok-ming, Chairman of the Concern Group on the Development of Markets in the Central and Western District (“the Group”), said that the Group held discussion with the Architectural Services Department (“ArchSD”), which was in charge of the works, and the market stall owners about arrangement of the works on the 1/F and UG/F in the Sai Ying Pun Market at the last meeting. After the meeting, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (“FEHD”) held a special meeting of the Market Management Consultative Committee at which two proposals were concluded for consideration by the market stall owners. In proposal 1, demolition works on the 1/F and works on the drainage pipes on the ceiling of UG/F would commence on 20 July 2017 at the same time; the works would last for 26 days and during that period, the fish stalls and dry goods area would be closed for business temporarily. In proposal 2, only the demolition works on the 1/F would be carried out, and the fish stalls would be closed for business for 6 days so that scaffolding could be erected for protection. After completion of the works on the 1/F, the stalls would be closed for 5 days for scaffolding removal. There would not be any repair or replacement works of the drainage pipes on the floor for fish stalls. The FEHD had distributed the questionnaires on the works proposals to the market stall owners. Of the 22 questionnaires, 17 were in favour of proposal 1. He said that the FEHD had told the ArchSD to commence the works concerned.

Item 5: Architectural Services Department Notification of Removing the Old and Valuable Trees No. ArchSD CW/41 (Slope Feature no. 11SW-B/FR260) and ArchSD CW/43 (Slope Feature no. 11SW-B/FR152), which were Confirmed to be Infected with Brown Root Rot Disease at Hong Kong Park

(C&W FEHWC Paper No. 49 /201 7 ) (2:38 pm – 3:45 pm)

9. Ms YEUNG Ka-yee, Senior Forestry Officer/TMG of the ArchSD, said that the ArchSD became maintenance agent of the old trees on the slopes it maintained in the parks of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (“LCSD”) at the end of 2012. In 2015 and 2016, the department found that two old trees were suspected of being infected with Brown Root Rot (“BRR”) disease. After the Tree Management Office (“TMO”) confirmed the infection, the department closely monitored the situation and carried out a series of precautionary measures according to the guidelines. As recommended by the TMO and the Urban Forestry Advisory Panel (“UFAP”), a removal plan could be submitted if a

department found that the condition of a tree continued to deteriorate or the disease had spread. Later, around March to April 2017, the department discovered that health of the two old trees had deteriorated rapidly. A tree between these two old trees were also infected and needed removal, showing that the BRR disease had started to spread. The department reflected the situation to the TMO immediately. After consulting the plant pathologist of the UFAP, the TMO said it had no objection to the removal of the trees, and also requested the department to consult the Central and Western District Council (“C&WDC”). The department had explained the situation to several Members at the scene of the two old trees earlier, and learned that the C&WDC wanted to know the precautionary measures taken by the department and whether it was necessary to remove the two old trees.

10. Mr CHUI Chi-keung , Landscape Architect/TMG of the ArchSD, briefed Members on the BRR disease and the condition of the two old trees. He explained that the BRR disease was spread by an aggressive fungal pathogen through root to root or wood debris contact and the dissemination of spores. There was currently no effective cure. If the infected tree was an old and valuable tree (“OVT”), it was necessary for the department to continue to monitor it closely. If the health or structure of the trees showed a serious problem, the Development Bureau should be informed immediately. He said that the Chinese Banyan with OVT No. CW/41 was confirmed to be infected with the BRR disease on 15 September 2015. Currently, its health condition was almost poor. Its foliage density was medium-sparse and its base was also eroded by fungus. After assessment, it was confirmed that the tree had medium to high risk of collapse. The BRR disease had also spread to a Cotton tree nearby. He said that TMO had a series of monitoring and precautionary measures requirements for old trees infected with the BRR disease. Hence, after the tree was confirmed to be infected with the BRR disease, the department had arranged with the LCSD to clear the plants under the tree, erect warning signs and fences near the tree, conduct resistograph, measure the leaning angle regularly, apply fungicide, fasten it with cables, prune the tree regularly and monitor the condition of the trees nearby. In addition, he said that the Great Indian Banyan with OVT No. CW/43 was confirmed to be infected with the BRR disease on 14 June 2016. Currently, the condition of the tree was poor. It only had sparse foliage density, roots showed signs of mild decay, and often had dead branches fallen to the ground. The trees nearby were also infected with the BRR disease and had to be removed. Similarly, the department had taken monitoring and precautionary measures in accordance with the guidelines of the TMO, including erecting warning signs and fences, clearing the plants under the trees, massive pruning, measuring the leaning angle regularly, monitoring the condition of the trees nearby and applying fungicide. He said besides the two nearby trees in the Hong Kong Park got infected, TMO

also confirmed on 30 June 2017 that another Chinese Banyan with OVT No. CW/39 at a distance away also had BRR infection. It was suspected that the disease had spread through dissemination of spores. Hence, after obtaining agreement in principle for tree removal from the TMO and UFAP in June 2017, the department had coordinated with the LCSD to plant ornamental plants at the original location after removing the trees as a greening compensation measure.

11. The Chairlady invited Mr Mark MAK of the Green Sense to speak for two minutes.

12. Mr Mark MAK of the Green Sense agreed that the condition of the trees was not satisfactory. However, he said after consulting arborists, views were that even though trees were infected with the BRR disease, it was not necessary to remove them immediately. He opined that as long as there was proper care, trees in bad condition could still recover. He said that the community showed great concern about old trees and many citizens loved these trees. The ArchSD should consider saving the trees with methods other than cutting. At the same time, he hoped that Members would ask the department concerned to provide a complete arboriculture report of the trees, postpone the action and consult specialists before making decisions.

13. The Chairlady invited Members to express their views and raise questions on the issue. The main points of Members’ comments were as follows:

(a) Mr HUI Chi-fung hoped that the ArchSD would send an arborist in charge of risk assessment to the meeting and answer questions from a more scientific aspect, and make public the content of Tree Risk Assessment Form 2. In addition, he hoped that the department would postpone cutting the trees, explain the work on the assessment of structural safety, and respond to groups’ views that diseased trees could recover so that the public could know more.

(b) Mr CHEUNG Kwok-kwan hoped that the department would provide information on the specific number of trees infected with the BRR disease in the district and the follow-up action taken, and respond to whether the above information would be released to the community and the C&WDC.

(c) Ms CHENG Lai-king said that if tree cutting was postponed, what precautionary measures would be taken to protect the safety of pedestrians. She also worried that other trees might be infected.

(d) Mr CHAN Choi-hi quoted the ArchSD and said the department confirmed the trees were diseased in 2015, so he wanted to know what actions the department had taken during the period. He remarked that the trees concerned should be preserved by every means possible. In addition, he hoped that the department would provide more evidence to facilitate judgment of whether the trees were incurable. He also hoped that the department would provide safety reports of other trees in the district.

(e) Mr CHAN Chit-kwai wanted to know whether the BRR disease could be cured and the preventive measures. He said that the public should be educated about the knowledge concerned. Moreover, he opined that if tree cutting was needed in the end, he wanted to know the arrangements of compensatory replanting.

(f) Mr NG Siu-hong said that the department’s enclosure measures were not sufficient and hoped that the department would provide detailed reports from specialists or consult trustworthy people in the society. Moreover, he opined that the spread of the BRR disease could not be stopped because the isolation measures taken were inadequate, so he had reservations about cutting the tree.

(g) Mr YIP Wing-shing hoped that the department would provide the power point presentation for uploading to the web site of the C&WDC, so that the public would know more about the issue. Moreover, he hoped that the department would postpone the tree cutting, try to cure the trees and make decision according to the progress of the department’s report. He also requested the department to erect warning signs near the diseased trees.

(h) The Vice-chairman Mr YEUNG Hok-ming said that after paying a site visit, he opined that the enclosure measures of the department were insufficient. He suggested that the department should close the pavement to avoid any accidents and injuries to passers-by. He also said that the precautionary measures the department took to prevent the BRR disease from spreading were insufficient. He suggested that the department should improve the drainage to prevent the BRR disease from spreading through storm water. Moreover, he said that the trees concerned were worth saving by all means but it was necessary to ensure public safety and the disease would not be spread to other trees.

14. The Chairlady said that she wanted to seek the specialists’ advice as to whether there was any cure to these two diseased trees. She also asked the department whether they confirmed that the trees would not cause any immediate danger and they would not collapse even though there was a typhoon. Moreover, she wanted to know the level of

transmissibility of the BRR disease, and she needed specialists to decide whether the trees should be removed.

15. Ms YEUNG Ka-yee of the ArchSD responded that the department had submitted a paper to the C&WDC and the paper concerned had been made public. Moreover, she stressed that there was no cure for the BRR disease at present. According to the guidelines of the TMO, the department should remove diseased trees within four weeks if they were not old trees. However, as the public loved old trees, so the department needed to monitor them closely and take precautionary measures according to the guidelines of the TMO to try to stop the disease from spreading. At the same time, she pointed out that the TMO and the UFAP did not have any objection to the removal of the two old trees. She also remarked that even though the two trees did not have any immediate danger of collapse, there were more and more broken branches so they might pose danger to visitors in the park. Since the section of road was the main access of the park, the venue management could not cordon off the section completely. If necessary, the department was willing to discuss with the venue management again. Moreover, the department was very concerned that the BRR disease was highly infectious, so if these two old trees were not removed immediately, more trees would be infected. She added that members of the Tree Management Section of the department were qualified arborists. Besides the contractor’s arborists who met the requirements of the TMO, the department also employed independent assessors who were qualified arborists to assess contractor’s work before the department’s endorsement for TMO’s consideration. She also said that trees inspection reports could be provided for reference. Finally, she said that if OVTs were confirmed to be infected with the BRR disease, the department would upload the information to the Tree Register. If tree-cutting was needed, there would be notice boards erected at the scene to explain to the public why the trees would be removed and answer public enquiries. The department was also willing to pay a site visit with the representative of Green Sense.


(a) Mr HUI Chi-fung asked the department again to make the information of Form 2 public. He said that the BRR disease spread through root contacts, so the infected trees which were at a distance away from these two old trees might not be infected by these two old trees. Furthermore, he asked the department what precautionary measures would be taken to protect the roots of trees. He strongly requested that tree cutting should be postponed until the department could provide more information.

(b) The Vice-chairman hoped that the department would clarify the modes of transmission of the BRR disease. Moreover, he hoped that the department would invite tree specialists to pay a site visit and provide professional advice for making a decision.

(c) Mr Chan Hok-fun g said that advice on tree removal should be provided by tree specialists. He opined that the C&WDC did not have relevant knowledge to decide on tree removal.

17. Ms YEUNG Ka-yee of the ArchSD responded that the BRR disease could be spread through the dissemination of spores by air. The department would hang a notice board at the scene to consult the public, and also welcomed the representative of Green Sense to pay a site visit together.

18. The Chairlady concluded by saying that she hoped the department would provide the tree reports after the meeting; and also hoped the department would invite specialists and green groups to pay a site visit and provide professional advice on tree removal.

Item 6: How to Further Assist Owners’ Corporation in Carrying out Large-scale Maintenance

______ (C&W FEHWC Paper No. 40/2017) (3:45 pm – 4:14 pm)


(a) Mr CHAN Choi-hi hoped that besides the Urban Renewal Authority, Buildings Department and Fire Services Department (“FSD”), other departments concerned would reply to the paper after the meeting. He said Operation Building Bright was a popular scheme, and hoped that the department concerned could launch the scheme again. He suggested that the department concerned should launch a one-stop service for the elderly in which the same department would co-ordinate with various subsidy schemes related to building maintenance. He also said that the process for the approval of drawings under Chapter 572 Fire Safety Ordinance was too slow. He hoped that the FSD could consider submission of drawings online to expedite the process concerned.

(b) Ms CHENG Lai-king said that the biggest problem that owners encountered during building maintenance was bid-rigging. She hoped that the department concerned could help owners’ corporations to carry out major maintenance in a convenient, simple,

trustworthy and safe way. For example, the Government could collect payment from owners’ corporations to undertake the maintenance works. She suggested that the Government should establish an authority against bid-rigging or co-ordinate the maintenance works of different buildings in other ways and provide owners with a price list for reference.

(c) Mr YEUNG Hoi-wing agreed that the FSD’s approval process of drawings under Chapter 527 was too slow, and wanted to know the performance pledge of the FSD. He suggested that the FSD should review the approval process of drawings.

(d) Mr KAM Nai-wa i said some owners’ corporations reflected that when they looked for contractors according to the list on the FSD’s web site, many contractors did not reply or were not willing to undertake works. He suggested that the department should examine the list and delete the contractors who were not willing to undertake works from the list, and specify what works were included in class 1, 2 or 3. He said that some time earlier, the Financial Secretary had earmarked $300 million to allow owners to participate in the Smart Tender scheme run by the Urban Renewal Authority (“URA”) at a concessionary rate; hence many owners were waiting for the announcement of the relevant details so that they could commence maintenance works. He hoped that URA would announce how the funding would be used as soon as possible. He also suggested writing to the Water Supplies Department (“WSD”), requesting an exemption of connection fee to town mains when the owners’ carried out works in accordance with fire safety directions under Chapter 572.

(e) The Vice-chairman concurred with writing to the WSD asking for an exemption of connection fee to town mains payable by owners. He also hoped that URA would announce how the funding of $300 million would be used as soon as possible. He said that many fire service installation contractors were not willing to participate in the tender exercises, while the quality of those contractors who were willing to participate varied greatly. He opined that the FSD as a licensing authority should monitor the contractors properly.

20. Mr AU Kwok-ping, Assistant Divisional Officer (Building Improvement 1) of the FSD, responded that the department had streamlined the vetting procedures for drawings in 2015. Upon receipt of fire service installation drawings, the department would conduct initial screening which required about one month, and then notified the applicants of the initial screening result. If the drawings passed the initial screening, a Principal Technical Officer of the department would conduct a detailed vetting. Currently, the time required

for the entire vetting process had been shortened to an average of four months. Moreover, the department had deployed manpower internally and would continue to recruit experienced vetting officers. He said that the “List of Registered Fire Service Installation Contractors Interested in Undertaking Fire Safety Improvement Works as Required by Law” had been uploaded to the web page of the FSD and would be updated once every six months. On the supervision of contractors, he said that the Case Officer would monitor the contractors in each case to see if there was any non-compliance. Regarding Member’s claim that many fire service installation contractors were unwilling to tender for relevant works, he hoped that the Member would provide further information after the meeting so that the department could follow up.

(Post-meeting note: the FSD had updated the information online and specified the fire service equipment and works that Class 1, 2 or 3 fire service installation contractors respectively were fit to undertake in the List of Registered Fire Service Installation Contractors Interested in Undertaking Fire Safety Improvement Works as Required by Law.)

21. Mr LI Yam-yee, Senior Building Surveyor/Fire Safety 3 of the Buildings Department, responded that current legislation did not provide for the department to undertake fire safety improvement works required under Chapter 572 on behalf of the owners. Therefore, legally speaking, there was certain difficulties in implementing the proposal of allowing the Government to undertake contracted fire safety improvement works. He also said that as far as he knew, the department had noted the request for exempting the connection fee to town mains payable by owners, and there was progress on the issue.

22. Mr CHAN Chi-hung, Senior Manager 3 of Building Rehabilitation of the URA, responded that to facilitate owners, the URA and the Hong Kong Housing Society (“HKHS”) launched the Integrated Building Maintenance Assistance Scheme in 2011, allowing the elderly to apply for different subsidy schemes with one application form. The URA had provided a telephone hotline for the owners to enquire about the details of application and the information concerned. There were also staff in the Urban Renewal Resource Centre at Tai Kok Tsui to answer questions. On the concern about bid-rigging, the URA launched the “Smart Tender” building rehabilitation facilitating services in May 2016 and provided independent cost estimates to owners as reference. Moreover, on the funding of $300 million, he said that the URA Board had approved the work concerned at the meeting on 13 June. The URA was discussing the scheme details with the Development Bureau and would release the details in the third quarter of 2017.


(a) Mr YIP Wing-shing hoped that the URA would launch concessionary policy and the related favourable measures as soon as possible.

(b) The Vice-chairman praised the FSD staff for their willingness to explain to owners’ corporations after work about the requirements of fire order. He hoped that the department would promote such practice and consider to provide the staff concerned with overtime payment.

(c) Mr CHAN Choi-hi hoped that the Government would help the “three-nil” buildings, especially those with potential dangers, to deal with the maintenance problems and collect payment from the owners concerned after completion of the works.

24. The Chairlady agreed to provide the minutes of meeting to the department responsible for handling building maintenance and bid-rigging problem after the meeting for reference; and hoped that the department concerned would provide supplementary information. The Chairlady also agreed to write to the WSD asking for an exemption of owner’s connection fee to town mains.

Item 7: Safety Issues of Sub-divided Units (C&W FEHWC Paper No. 41 /201 7 )_____________ _______ (4:14 pm – 4:36 pm)

25. The Vice-chairman chaired the discussion of this agenda item. He invited the Member who had submitted the paper to give additional views.

26. Mr CHAN Choi-hi said that if sub-divided units could not be eradicated completely in the near future, he hoped that the Government would tackle the problems of safety, fire-prevention, building structure and noise of sub-divided units properly. He also asked the department when the information booklet of sub-divided units in the 18 districts would be completed.

27. The Vice-chairman expressed concern about the safety of sub-divided units in tenement buildings, and pointed out that there was a case where the balcony was converted into sub-divided units with pipes laid, lavatories added and brick walls built to divide the units. He enquired whether the structure of the balconies could bear the load of the sub-

divided units. He hoped that the Buildings Department would take this problem seriously.

28. Ms LAM Wan-ching , Building Surveyor/A3-SD of the Buildings Department, responded that building works associated with sub-divided units were regulated under the Building (Minor Works) Regulation. Such works were required to be carried out by prescribed building professionals and prescribed registered contractors to ensure safety. She hoped the Vice-chairman would provide address of the balcony which had been converted into sub-divided units after the meeting for follow up.

29. Mr CHAN Derek Armstrong, Senior Division Officer of the FSD, responded that sub-divided units fell outside the jurisdiction of the FSD. However, when suspected sub-divided units were noted by the FSD staff during fire incidents or fire safety inspections, the case would be referred to the department concerned for follow up.

30. Mr YAN Man-kit , Senior Electrical and Mechanical Engineer/Consumer Installations of the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (“EMSD”), responded that the department had been paying site visits at the buildings with suspected sub-divided units as provided by the Buildings Department. Owning to failure to gain entry into some of the units, the department had distributed leaflets about electrical safety to all the units of the relevant buildings. It was hoped that the message of proper installation of electrical installations and use of electrical appliances could be conveyed to the residents.

31. The Vice-chairman invited Members to express their views and raise questions on the issue. The main points of Members’ comments were as follows:

(a) Ms CHENG Lai-king quoted the Buildings Department as saying that sub-divided units should be called sub-division of a flat, and enquired whether these units were legal. Furthermore, she asked the department concerned if the number of lavatories in a tenement building was greater than that shown on the original plan, could the building bear such load. She also said that she had received complaints from the residents who were troubled by water seepage from upstair flats. She expressed concern about the safety of the sub-divided units and suggested that C&WDC should write to the Government on the safety problem of sub-divided units.

(b) Mr CHAN Choi-hi quoted the reply from the Transport and Housing Bureau as saying that there were 17 800 sub-divided units on Hong Kong Island in 2015. He hoped that the department could provide figures in relation to the Central and Western District after the meeting. In addition, he quoted the reply from the police as saying that “the police would

pay more attention and maintain strong police presence to curb crimes”. Hence, he hoped the police would provide a specific reply about the manpower maintained by them. He also said that there were sub-divided units in many tenement buildings in the Western District, which were causing a lot of nuisance, especially water seepage problem. Most of the time, the problem could not be solved even though people sought assistance from the Joint Office for Investigation of Water Seepage Complaints. He hoped that the Government could reply to how it would assist the public. He also asked the WSD and the Buildings Department whether they would provide detailed guidelines on water seepage in sub-divided units to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness in tacking the problems.

(c) Mr CHAN Chit-kwai said that sub-divided unit was a phenomena caused by exorbitant housing rent, and it also reflected that the authority was lax in taking enforcement action. In the long term, he opined that the authority should supply sufficient housing. Moreover, he quoted the Secretary for Transport and Housing as saying that they would launch small units similar to sub-divided units in collaboration with Non-government Organisations (NGOs). He considered that although the Government should build more houses in the long term, there was room in the current situation to study the launch of units with smaller areas. Besides, he opined that houses offered by NGOs would have higher quality and safety. He also said that the Government should implement enforcement actions against sub-divided units, otherwise there would be risks of fire safety, unauthorised building works and electricity safety. He hoped that the Government would take the problem seriously and clearly convey the message that sub-divided units were not encouraged, or else owners would ignore the matter.

(d) Mr YIP Wing-shing said many non-profit-making organisations were launching units similar to sub-divided units. Citing the units the URA used in the Light Home Scheme at Wing Lee Street in the Central and Western District as an example, he said that eligible people could live in a Light Home for three years so that they could save some money during the period of residence. He said that the NGOs in charge of the scheme would ensure that water and electricity supply etc. in the units met government requirements. In the event of water seepage, the NGOs which operated these units would take up the responsibility. He opined that given the shortage of land supply, these units were preferred ways to solve the problem for the time being. However, he only concurred with using this method to help the underprivileged, but would not accept sub-divided units which were illegal, indiscriminately sub-divided or had no fire safety facilities. He said that units similar to the sub-divided units operated by NGOs should be handled differently from sub-divided units.

32. The Vice-chairman said that partition or sub-division works had to be carried out by

licensed professionals or minor works contractors, so he wanted to know whether it was contravening the law if the sub-division works were carried out by renovation masters or owners themselves instead of minor works contractors; could the Buildings Department take enforcement actions against this; and how it would take enforcement actions. He said that he had lodged a written complaint to the Buildings Department but the department did not take action, using the location was a private place and thus was not accessible as reason, or there was no evidence of immediate danger as reply. He said that after the meeting, he would give to the Buildings Department the list of the sub-divided units which involved sub-division of the balcony into two rooms and causing great danger. He also hoped the Buildings Department would clarify again whether there were codes requiring that sub-division works must be undertaken by professionals or minor works contractors; if yes and if the works were not undertaken by qualified people, whether the unit concerned had to be reinstated.

33. Ms LAM Wan-ching of the Buildings Department responded that when reports were received, the department would carry out investigation and take appropriate enforcement action in accordance with the Buildings Ordinance. Generally speaking, if situation which contravened the Buildings Ordinance was found, the Buildings Department would issue removal order against actionable unauthorised building works according to the current unauthorised building works enforcement policy. If the owner concerned failed to comply with the removal order, the Buildings Department would consider instigating prosecution or requesting government contractors to undertake the removal works. As sub-division of a flat had been included as minor works, owners could employ prescribed building professionals and prescribed registered contractors to carry out the works concerned in accordance with the Minor Works Control System; those works included erection of non-load bearing block wall, laying of solid floor screeding and erection of drains in the sub-division of a domestic flat into three or more rooms with lavatories or other sanitary fitments.

34. Mr CHAN Derek Armstrong of the FSD said he had nothing to add.

35. Mr YAN Man-kit , Senior Electrical and Mechanical Engineer/Consumer Installations of the EMSD, said he had nothing to add.

36. Representative of the Hong Kong Police Force said he had nothing to add.

37. Mr CHAN Choi-hi said he wanted to know whether the Buildings Department would issue reinstatement orders to the sub-divided units in the district which had not submitted any minor works plan. If the answer was no, he wanted to know the reasons. He also

enquired whether the Buildings Department had inspected the sub-divided units in the district which had not submitted any minor works plan, or followed up with the complaints received.

38. In conclusion, the Vice-chairman said that he hoped the Buildings Department would provide figures related to the reinstatement orders issued to sub-divided units, prosecutions instigated and arrangement of contractors to remove sub-divided units in the Central and Western Districts after the meeting.

(Post-meeting note: the Buildings Department had provided the supplementary information on the aforesaid figures on 16 August.)

Item 8: Strong Request for Alleviating the Problem of Odour and Dust Emission from In Ku Lane Refuse Collection Point

_______(C&W FEHWC Paper No. 42 /201 7 )_____________________ __ (4:36 pm – 4:46 pm)


40. Mr KAM Nai-wai said he wanted to follow up the problems below. First, he enquired whether the water scrubber system in the refuse collection point operated 24 hours. Second, he quoted the reply from the FEHD as saying that the EMSD had inspected the refuse collection point in late May, hence he wanted to know the frequency of inspection. Third, he enquired whether the EMSD had checked the ventilation exhaust system to see if it generated noise and odour. Fourth, he pointed out that the refuse collection point was close to residential buildings; and as it was located in a side street, the accumulated odour would be difficult to dissipate. However, he had walked past the refuse collection point many times and always found that its roller gate was open. He enquired whether the FEHD had examined this situation. He opined that the department should close the roller gate except when there were refuse collection vehicles entered or left the refuse collection point.

41. Mr LEE Tze-wah, District Environmental Hygiene Superintendent (Central/Western) of the FEHD, responded that the operation hours of the water scrubber system were the same as that of the refuse collection point, so as to filter the odour generated during the operation of the refuse collection point. Currently, the operation hours of the refuse collection point were from 7:00 am to 11:30 pm. Second, the FEHD had requested the

EMSD to carry out inspection and regular maintenance work for the refuse collection point again in June and July. Such work would continue to be carried out once every month to ensure proper functioning of the system and avoid generation of odour and noise from the refuse collection point. Finally, the FEHD had warned the staff of the contractor that the roller gate of the refuse collection point needed to be closed. The department would continue to monitor the situation concerned and take appropriate action.

42. T he Vice-chairman invited Members to express their views and raise questions on the issue. The main points of Members’ comments were as follows:

(a) Mr NG Siu-hong enquired whether the refuse collection point was installed with a negative pressure system. If no, he wanted the department to give an explanation.

(b) Mr KAM Nai-wai said that the odour was strongest when rubbish was being tipped into the refuse collection vehicles, but usually the roller gate was opened at that time, thus greatly reducing the effectiveness of the ventilation system. If there was a negative pressure system in the refuse collection point, then the refuse collection vehicles could drive inside, and the roller gate could be closed during rubbish tipping, thereby enabling the use of the system to get rid of the odour. However, a confined environment would be harmful to the health of the staff in the refuse collection point. Therefore, he suggested that the department should provide additional fans and exhaust system.

43. Mr LEE Tsz-wah of the FEHD responded that currently the system in the refuse collection point did not meet negative pressure standard. However, he opined that even though negative pressure system was not installed, the ventilation system and water scrubber system in the refuse collection point were able to stop the generation of odour as long as there was good management. He said that except when the refuse collection vehicles entered and left the refuse collection point, the FEHD required the roller gate to remain closed during the rest of the operation hours of the refuse collection point, including during rubbish tipping after the refuse collection vehicles entered the refuse collection point, so that the ventilation system could function effectively when the odour was the strongest. He continued to add that currently compactors were used to process the rubbish in the refuse collection point, and the refuse collection vehicles would take the compactors away directly. This method was different from the usual practice of tipping each container of rubbish into the refuse collection vehicle one by one, so there would not be any strong odour generated. Finally, he responded to Member’s concern about the health of the staff in the refuse collection point, and said that the FEHD had asked the works department to work out the ventilation and air changes requirements for the refuse

collection point when it was built. If necessary, the FEHD could provide additional fans so that the staff in the refuse collection point would work in a more ventilated environment.

44. In conclusion, the Vice-chairman said it was hoped that the FEHD would ensure the roller gate of In Ku Lane Refuse Collection Point would always be closed, so as to solve the problem of odour emitting from the refuse collection point.

Item 9: Concern over PMQ Management Company Limited Taking the Lead in Damaging the Tranquil Neighbourhood by Applying for a Liquor Licence

(C&W FEHWC Paper No. 43/2017) (4:46 pm – 5:13 pm)


46. The Chairlady said she received complaints about the liquor licence and noise problem of the PMQ many times. This time, the company which applied for a liquor licence was not an ordinary private company but the PMQ’s management company, and it wanted to sell liquor from 11:00 am to 11:00 pm. She opined that such act was in contrary to the original intent for the PMQ to promote cultural and creative industries. She also expressed regret and strong dissatisfaction about the absence of the PMQ Management Company Limited at this meeting. She hoped that the Committee would adopt the motion of this agenda item so that the PMC Management Company Limited would hear the voices of the Members and residents.

47. The Vice-chairman invited Mr YUEN Man-wai, Vice Chairman of the Dawning Height Owners’ Corporations to speak for two minutes.

48. Mr YUEN Man-wai, Vice Chairman of the Dawning Height Owners’ Corporations, pointed out that the liquor selling time of the PMQ coincided with the work and rest schedule of the residents nearby, and it was not desirable to ask the residents to adjust their daily routine to cater for the PMQ’s business operation. He also opined that the PMQ Management Company Limited had behaved arrogantly by simply ignoring the residents’ requests and refusing to listen to their views. He said that the residents had made several complaints but the figures recorded by the police failed to reflect the actual number of residents’ complaints. He pointed out that many restaurants in the PMQ faced residential buildings. If the restaurants could be moved to the central atrium of the premises, the impact on the residents could be reduced. He hoped that district councillors could help the

residents solve the problem.

49. T he Vice-chairman invited Members to express their views and raise questions on the issue. The main points of Members’ comments were as follows:

(a) Mr YEUNG hoi-wing expressed regret that the PMQ Management Company Limited and the Development Bureau did not attend this meeting. He said that the reply from the PMQ Management Company Limited was not satisfactory. He agreed that eating and drinking could be a kind of culture but he wanted to know what kind of eating and drinking culture the relevant bar was promoting, and why did the Management Company had to become the liquor licensee. He said the PMQ Management Company Limited stated in the reply that it would not and had never applied for liquor licence on behalf of other shop owners, but this claim did not tally with the contents of the Liquor Licensing Board’s consultation paper. He opined that the current operation mode of the PMQ was anything but promotion of cultural and creative industries as originally expected by the public. He wanted to know whether the Development Bureau and the department concerned could punish or monitor the PMQ Management Company Limited.

(b) Mr NG Siu-hong condemned the PMQ Management Company Limited for not attending the meeting. He also wanted to know whether the police recorded all the residents’ complaints. He opined that the whole policy of the PMQ had changed, now it only aimed at making profit, totally in contrary to the direction of developing cultural and creative industries. He said that currently the PMQ was involved in a lot of complaints related to bars and noise nuisance. He worried that the PMQ would become another Soho bar area. He objected to the PMQ’s application for a liquor licence and opined that the department concerned should introduce regulatory measures.

(c) Ms CHENG Lai-king said the PMQ had become the club of the rich second generation, and the shops and restaurants had become high-end consumer trades. She wanted to know that being a management company, why the PMQ Management Company Limited would apply for a liquor licence; and whether it had applied for the licence in the capacity of a restaurant licensee. She also hoped that the department could clarify whether other restaurants in the PMQ could sell liquor after the management company obtained the liquor licence. She requested to write to the former Secretary for Development, i.e. the current Chief Executive, to ask for a review of the overall direction of the PMQ.

(d) Mr CHAN Chit-kwai said he had been a member of the Liquor Licensing Board for many years, and could identify that the location where a liquor licence was needed was at

S109-S113, 1/F, Block A of the PMQ. Also, in deciding whether or not to approve the application concerned, the Liquor Licensing Board would consider the suitability of the premises concerned and the licensee. He said that if the applicant was a restaurant and the time of selling liquor was not long, the application could be approved. However, the time of selling liquor should not be as late as 11:00 pm.

50. The Vice-chairman clarified that the Liquor Licensing Board had considered that the application was contrary to public interest so the application was rejected.

51. The Chairlady added that the Liquor Licensing Board rejected the application but residents and she worried that the PMQ Management Company Limited would apply for a liquor licence again. She said that the PMQ was a centre of cultural and creative industries so it was not appropriate for a management company to apply for a liquor licence. Besides, although the PMQ Management Company Limited said they did not agree that holding a liquor licence represented an act of damaging the tranquil neighbourhood, the location indicated in the application for liquor licence included outdoor areas, and doors or windows could not be closed to stop the noise. She hoped that the Liquor Licensing Board would handle the application carefully in future, especially the location close to Staunton Street. She concurred with writing to the Chief Executive, Development Bureau and the PMQ Management Company Limited.

52. The Vice-chairman said the Government allowed the Musketeers Education and Culture Charitable Foundation Limited (“Musketeers Foundation”) to run the PMQ but currently the PMQ Management Company Limited applied for a liquor licence to become a bar for profit-making. He opined that this was an act in breach of the terms and conditions when the project was granted by the then Development Bureau. He hoped that the department would re-examine the mode of operation of the current PMQ to see whether there was any breach of the principles or terms and conditions. He also hoped that the police would clarify why the number of police reports was different from the data provided by the residents’ representative and the Liquor Licensing Board.

53. Mr LEUNG Yin-man , Police Community Relation Officer (Central District) of the Hong Kong Police Force, responded that the police would enter all the complaints, including the cases transferred by 1823 and the cases received by the report room, into the computer system for record. He would examine and seek to understand the situations reflected by Mr YUEN Man-wai.

54. The Vice-chairman suggested that the police should follow up on the situation with

Mr YUEN Man-wai after the meeting.

55. Mr CHUNG Kwok-wah , Superintendent (Prosecution/Licensing) HK & Islands of the FEHD, responded that in assessing the applications for liquor licences, the Liquor Licensing Board would consider three factors in accordance with the Dutiable Commodities (Liquor) Regulations, including whether the applicant was a fit and proper person to hold the licence; whether the premises were suitable for selling liquor having regard to the location, structure, fire safety and hygienic conditions; and in all circumstances, whether the grant of the licence was contrary to public interest. He said that in examining liquor licence applications, the Liquor Licensing Board would adopt an open, transparent and fair approach and aims to balance the interests of commercial activities and the lifestyles of the locality. In considering liquor licence applications, the Liquor Licensing Board would also value very much the views of local residents and law-enforcement agencies.

56. After discussion and voting, the following motion proposed by Ms SIU Ka-yi and seconded by Mr CHAN Hok-fung was adopted:

Motion: “The Committee considers that PMQ is established for the purpose of promoting local cultural and creative industries and local art and culture, and thus objects to PMQ operating any business in contrary to the cultural and creative industries. As the nuisances caused by selling liquor within the premises of PMQ have already aroused strong dissatisfaction among local residents and created adverse impacts, and the sale of liquor has no relevance to the promotion of cultural and creative industries, the Committee strongly opposes the matter concerned.”

(14 voted for the motion: Ms SIU Ka-yi, Mr YEUNG Hok-ming, Mr CHAN Hok-fung, Mr KAM Nai-wai, Ms CHENG Lai-king, Mr Lee Chi-hang (with Ms SIU Ka-yi being his authorised representative for voting), Mr CHEUNG Kwok-kwan (with Mr YEUNG Hoi-wing being his authorised representative for voting), Mr YEUNG Hoi-wing, Mr NG Siu-hong, Mr HUI Chi-fung (with Mr NG Siu-hong being his authorised representative for voting), Miss LO Yee-hang, Mr CHENG Chi-shing, Mr HO Chi-wang, Mr WONG Sai-kit)

(0 voted against the motion)

(2 abstained from the voting: Mr CHAN Chit-kwai , Mr CHAN Choi-hi)

57. The Vice-chairman declared that this motion was adopted.

58. The Committee agreed to write to the Office of the Chief Executive, the Development Bureau and the PMQ Management Company Limited to express the Committee’s concern about the application for a liquor licence by the PMQ Management Company Limited

Item 10: Concern over the Nuisance Caused by Promotion Broadcast and Unloading of Goods by Shops in the District

_________(C&W FEHWC Paper No. 44/2017)______ ______________(5:13 pm – 5:26 pm)


(a) Mr CHAN Hok-fung said he found that shops which sold vegetables, fruit and meat were gradually moving out of markets to the shops on ground floors where there were no fixed loading and unloading areas. Shop assistants often unloaded goods near the shop starting at 4:00 am, thus causing noise problem. This had seriously affected the work and daily lives of the residents nearby and causing great nuisance to them. He hoped that the government departments could advise the shops more or step up prosecutions to reduce the nuisance.

(b) Mr CHAN Ho-lim found that the shops left the goods on the street for almost several hours every day. He opined that although the situation did not last one whole day, it would still cause obstruction and affect the environmental hygiene. Therefore, he wanted to ask the government departments about the approach adopted to handle such activity. Moreover, he said that the shops which loaded and unloaded goods would cause traffic problems like illegal parking. He asked the Government how it would deal with the problem. He also hoped that the department concerned would clarify how to decide on acceptable behaviour.

(c) Mr YIP Wing-shing said the problem of the shops at Shek Tong Tsui broadcasting promotion, unloading goods and causing nuisance was very serious. He found that some shops selling vegetables and wholesale food left the goods outside the shops directly. He said that the noise might not cause much nuisance to the people who walked past the shops but it would cause long-term nuisance to the residents living nearby. He hoped that the FEHD would first advise them and take enforcement action later to stop the problem from

worsening.

(d) Mr CHAN Choi-hi reflected that many shops in the district broadcasted promotion with loud speakers. He said that he had received complaints from many residents living near the shops. He said that he had discussed with the Environmental Protection Department (“EPD”) to tackle the noise problem under the Summary Offence Ordinance whereby a summons would be issued once the noise was found above the standard level.

60. The Vice-chairman agreed that the nuisance caused by promotion broadcast and unloading of goods by shops at Shek Tong Tsui was serious but the situation now had improved. He said that if the shops broadcasted promotion with loud speakers repeatedly between 4:00 pm and 7:00 pm, he quoted EPD’s reply as saying that enforcement action could still be taken without measuring the decibel level of the noise. Somehow, there was no such prosecution. He hoped that the FEHD and the EPD could work together to reduce the problem concerned. He opined that Government’s enforcement action was effective in the short term. After being advised, the shops would take away the loud speakers or shorten the broadcasting time to reduce the nuisance to the residents. But he said that after a period of time, the old habits of the shop might come back. Therefore, he hoped the government department could discuss ways to eradicate the problem concerned.

61. Mr LAW See-hon , Senior Environmental Protection Officer (Regional South) 1 of the EDP, responded to the noise problem caused by the use of loud speakers by the shops. He said that enforcement action concerned did not require the measurement of the decibel level. A reasonable standard used by people could be the criteria, and situations in reality would be considered. For example, the loudness of the noise, special feature of the noise, time of the noise generated, continuity of the noise, frequency level and the noise in the surrounding would be considered to decide whether it could be tolerated by people under normal circumstances. He said that when shops used loud speakers, they should not cause nuisance to residents. When the EPD handled similar cases in the past, it was learned that some shops turned the volume of loud speakers higher than the promotion broadcast of other shops during vicious competitions. When the EPD handled the cases concerned, they would try to understand the environment of the shops and the intention behind one by one, and would explain that the activities might not be good for the operation of their shops. Besides, he said that the situation would be improved after the EPD took action against the cases. Since March 2017, the department had not received similar complaints so far. He hoped that this would allow the shops to have self-evaluations and then they would realise that it was not necessary to attract customers with louder noise.

62. Mr LEUNG Yin-man of the Hong Kong Police Force responded to the problem of obstruction caused by goods or vehicles raised by Mr CHAN Ho-lim. He said that enforcement action would depend on whether the problem would cause obstruction or pose danger to other road users. If the owner or driver was found, the police would give them advice first. They would be prosecuted by summons if the situation was serious. If the owner or driver could not be located, the police would seize the articles concerned or remove the vehicles concerned away from the scene once they were found causing serious obstruction or posing danger.

63. Mr LEE Tsz-wah of the FEHD responded to the problem of the shops loading and unloading goods which caused obstruction in the streets. He said that the FEHD did not accept goods being left on the pavements for a long time and they would step up enforcement action. He said that in taking enforcement action, they would consider the actual circumstance like the shop’s loading and unloading situation, the width of the pavement, the time the goods were left on the pavement and the pedestrians flow. On the shops which used loud speakers, he said that the FEHD did not have the power to take enforcement action. Finally, he said that there would be more inspections at the locations that Mr YIP Wing-shing mentioned.

64. In conclusion, the Vice-chairman said it was hoped that government departments would show more concern about the problems of promotion broadcast and loading and unloading of goods by shops.

Item 11: Concern over Poor Reception of Free TV Signals in the District________ (C&W FEHWC Paper No. 46/2017) ___________________ ________ (5:26 pm – 5:43 pm)


(a) Mr YEUNG Hoi-win g said that he collected views from the residents about the poor reception of free TV signals in the district by questionnaires some time earlier. He also knew the situations of coverage area about digital terrestrial television (“DTT”) broadcasting from the web page of the Office of the Communications Authority (“OFCA”). He said that the area in the vicinity of Li Po Lung Path and Smithfield Terrace at Smithfield in Kennedy Town was at marginal coverage or no coverage area. Residents often reflected that the reception of TV signals was poor, thus affecting their daily lives seriously. He hoped that the authority would improve the signals for the affected area as

soon as possible. He also said that he had invited the OFCA to send staff to inspect and measure the signals in the past. However, the OFCA often replied that adequate signals could be measured successfully and told end-users to contact the telecommunications operators. He opined that the OFCA had not provided adequate advice and technical supports.

(b) Mr CHAN Hok-fung said the OFCA had suggested that the residents in the vicinity of Tai Pak Terrace and Hei Wong Terrace should adjust their aerials to a suitable location and direction in order to improve the reception of DTT signals. However, he said that all the locations near the premises were not suitable for the reception of signals. He opined that the OFCA did not provide proper support to help the residents. He cited the removal of mobile phone transmitting station discussed at the 10th C&WDC meeting as an example. At the time, the authority said that in accordance with the Communications Ordinance, the authority had the responsibility to facilitate the government properties in the installation of mobile phone transmitting stations. However, when some residents encountered some problems in the reception of free-to-air TV signals and found it necessary to cooperate with the buildings nearby for the provision of signals, the OFCA only suggested that residents should contact the contractors by themselves. They also considered that it was private business so they did not participate in the consultations between buildings. Finally, the situation had not improved. He opined that free TV was basic entertainment and hoped that the OFCA would actively help the buildings affected to have coordination with the buildings around to reduce the problem of signal reception.

(c) Mr YIP Wing-shing said he had received complaints about poor reception of free TV signals from the buildings at Tai Pak Terrace and Man Fat Building. He also sought assistance from the OFCA through the Members’ office. He opined that airwave was free entertainment which every citizen should have. Therefore, he hoped that the OFCA would follow up as soon as possible.

66. On the discussion about the removal of mobile phone transmitting station by the authority at the 10th C&WDC meeting, the Vice-chairman refuted the authority whether they had the obligation to help the affected buildings to receive strong enough free TV signals. He said that during the time of analogue broadcasting, tidal changes and sea reflexes etc. had caused poor reception of free TV signals. The authority said these problems would be overcome after the launch of digital broadcasting. However, so far many single-block buildings still had had poor reception of free TV signals because they were blocked by high-rise buildings. He opined that the authority had the responsibility to study on solutions. For example, it can request the telecommunication operators to

provide more transmitting stations at suitable locations in the district so that the affected buildings could receive strong enough signals. He said that he had conducted a questionnaire survey. Of the 400 respondents, only about 4% said they had the problem of poor reception of analogue TV signals while 26% said so on DTT signals. He queried that the TV signals of the digital broadcasting companies were not strong or the coverage area was not wide. He also hoped that Mr LEUNG Wing-kee, Senior Telecommunications Engineer (Broadcasting Support) of the OFCA, would offer a response.

67. Mr LEUNG Wing-kee, Senior Telecommunications Engineer (Broadcasting Support) of the OFCA, responded to the coverage problem of TV signals. He said that on the web page of the OFCA, the DTT Coverage and Reception Data Base estimated that the buildings with no coverage might possibly receive stronger TV signals in reality. It was because the data base was estimated according to the building coverage prepared by computer simulation of the DTT reception. Its accuracy would be affected by many factors such as the assumption made by the computer calculation and the difference caused by the actual environmental factors that could not be simulated. Therefore, this data base was used for reference only. Moreover, according to the record of complaints received by the OFCA, there were 11 complaints about TV reception during the period of July 2016 and June 2017. Of them, 8 complaints went through site measurements while the remaining 3 had improvement during the period of investigation. Mr LEUNG said that of the 8 complaints with site measurements, 4 were caused by the master aerial system in buildings. After analysis of the complaint cases, OFCA said that the causes of poor reception included the direction of the reception aerial, unsatisfactory operation of the TV signal amplifiers, TV signal reception problems and master aerial system problems. On the master aerial system in buildings, OFCA encouraged the buildings to invite contractors to inspect and solve the master aerial system problems. He said that there were different transmitting stations covering the Central and Western District, e.g. the simulated signal transmitting station at the YWCA Building of YWCA. Therefore, according to the experience of site measurement in the past, the reception of TV signals could be improved basically after technical adjustments. However, as each case had its uniqueness, they could not be discussed all together. He said that after analysis of the complaint cases, OFCA said that buildings owners needed to pay attention to the maintenance of master aerial system.

68. Mr LEE Shun , Telecommunications Engineer (Broadcasting Support) 3 of the OFCA, added that it had been ten years since the operation of the digital TV in 2007. Currently, the major analogue and DTT transmitting stations covering the Central and Western District were located at Tsz Wan Shan, Kam Shan and the YWCA Building of the

YWCA. As these transmitting stations were located at peaks or high-rise buildings, the TV signals provided would basically have a wider coverage. According to the coverage in the Central and Western District, the overall TV signal reception was normal.

69. Ms CHENG Lai-king said she had dealt with the problem of poor reception at the buildings in Castle Road and Conduit Road. At that time, signal could only be received from the gaps between the buildings. She said she often received concern about poor reception from the residents. Some residents reflected that it would be more difficult to receive DTT signals if the services of I-Cable or NOW TV were not used.

70. Mr LEE Shun of the OFCA said that according to the site investigations in the Central and Western District some time earlier, some buildings were surrounded by higher buildings thus causing weaker TV signals. However, according to experience, a better direction for the reception of signals could be found on roofs normally. For example, during the site investigation at Manly Mansion in Robinson Road, the TV signals sent by the Kam Shan Transmitting Station could be received from the gaps between buildings after adjusting the direction of the aerials although it was surrounded by higher buildings nearby. Besides, it was found that the TV amplifier of the master aerial system had been installed at wrong locations. After correction, the signals received became strong immediately. He said that some of the old buildings received bad signals, which were caused in many ways, including the direction of the reception aerials and the installation of the master aerial system in the building. The OFCA would assist buildings with site inspection and adjustment for improvement according to experience.

Item 12: Request for Improving the Drainage Capacity at the Junction of Water Street and Connaught Road West

________ (C&W FEHWC Paper No. 45/2017)_______ _______ (5:43 pm – 5:59 pm)


(a) Mr CHAN Hok-fung said the department concerned only mentioned the work in the past in the response to the discussion paper of this meeting but residents currently still faced the problem of flooding. He understood that the area in the vicinity of Connaught Road West and Water Street were flooded during rain storm some time earlier. Vehicles were forced to move through water, which proved that it was located in low-lying area. He queried whether the problem in the area could be overcome by dredging the drainage as

said in the response. He said whether the department concerned would enhance the function of the drainage dredging facilities and the pumping station was not mentioned specifically in the response. He enquired the department whether drainage could function one hundred per cent upon completion of the current dredging work like the removal of leaves so that the location at Connaught Road West would not be flooded. He hoped that the Drainage Services Department (“DSD”) would provide additional information.

(b) Mr CHENG Chi-shing said that the DSD did not mention their precautionary measures against flooding in their written response some time earlier. He wanted to know whether the department would launch some precautionary measures against flooding in addition to the regular clearing of drainage after the recent rain storm which caused flooding.

(c) Mr CHAN Choi-hi said that he had reflected to the Director of Drainage Services some time earlier that the drainage capacity of some areas in the Central and Western District was not satisfactory. At that time, the Director responded that the department was conducting a study on the problem concerned, and the Sheung Wan Pumping Station was functioning quite well. However, Mr CHAN stressed that the Sheung Wan Pumping Station could not overcome the problem of flooding in the area of Connaught Road West and Water Street. Therefore, he wanted to know whether the Highways Department (“HyD”) could make some special arrangements on the road design besides drainage dredging. For example, the road would be built higher or some locations would be reserved for drainage improvement. Besides, he hoped that the whole Western District could see more drainage dredging in the near future or there would be more drainage outlets on the road. Finally, he said that the area in the vicinity of Whitty Street, Hill Road and Queen’s Road West would often be flooded on rainy days. Water would be splashed on pedestrians when vehicles moved past so the situation was far from satisfactory. He enquired whether there would be more draining outlets at that location.

(d) The Vice-chairman said that the drainage capacity at the junction of Water Street and Connaught Road West was inadequate because there were insufficient draining outlets or the drainage outlets were blocked by rubbish. He continued to say that the pipe at that location was broken on 18 April thus causing flooding. After the staff of the DSD paid a site visit, they said that the pipe concerned was under the purview of the Water Supplies Department (“WSD”). However, after the staff of the WSD suspended the water supply of the pipe in question, the DSD said that they needed the FEHD to clear the rubbish accumulated at the drainage outlets. Finally, after the FEHD sent some staff to finish the clearing, the staff of the DSD started to look for the drainage outlets. He said that such

situation was unacceptable and the whole area in the vicinity of Chiu Kwong Street, Water Street and Connaught Road West were affected by the flooding. Therefore, he said that the DSD needed to enhance the storm water drainage and drainage outlets badly at that location. He also said that the department should actively overcome this problem, which had been discussed for many years.

72. Mr KOO Siu-long , Engineer/Western 1 of DSD, first responded to Mr CHAN Hok-fung’s concern about the low-lying location in Water Street and Connaught Road West. He said that after the flooding happened that day, the department sent an emergency team to clear the drainage outlets. Other manhole covers were opened to allow the water to flow away. In the meantime, their staff found that after the water subsided, one major drainage was still accumulated with water and the water was flowing very slowly. The department believed that the drainage facilities at that location were blocked so some staff were sent there to clear them immediately. The work was completed on 2 June. During the heavy rain on 13 June, the department did not receive any report of flooding at that location again, and there was no flooding either. He said that the traffic was very busy at that location and there was no pavement on either side so there were normally not many opportunities for the department to carry out clearing work. Besides, the location was near the end of a footbridge. When there was heavy rain, the gravel on the footbridge might be flushed down the location thus causing blockage. Later, the department contacted the HyD and both parties agreed to step up the clearing work there and increase the number of cleaning and closely observed the drains there. The department cleared the main drains under the connection pipe on 22 June. On 6 July, the connection pipe at that location was cleared again, the draining capacity resumed and the risk of flooding was reduced.

73. Mr KOO then responded to the Mr CHENG Chi-shing’s enquiry as to whether the department would take any precautionary measures in the future. He said that the department believed the flooding on 22 May was mainly caused by the blockage of the connection pipe. Therefore, it would step up inspections of these drains and clear the connection pipe more in order to prevent recurrence in the future.

74. Mr KOO then responded to Mr CHAN Choi-hi’s views on the problem of flooding at the location of a new building in Chiu Kwong Street. He said that the problem was mainly caused by the blockage of the drains by the waste generated from a new construction site. The department had talked with the contractor. After the contractor knew the situation, the waste was cleared and the situation there was improved. He said that the department had held discussion with the contractor about the blockage there and the contractor made improvement measures shortly afterwards. However, as some Members said the problem

was not overcome at the meeting, the department would follow up on the improvement works at this location.

75. Mr KOO then responded to the Vice-Chairman about the incident of water pipe burst in Water Street. He said that staff of the DSD went to the scene of the water pipe burst that day to deal with the aftermath but he received no report as just mentioned by the Vice-chairman that the staff of the DSD did not offer assistance immediately after arriving at the scene. He would follow up after the meeting. He added that the department knew that there was a problem of flooding at that location. The department had co-ordinated with the HyD for future improvements. They would also go to the scene and study on the possibility of providing more gullies.

76. Mr CHAN Chak-wing , District Engineer/West of the HyD, responded to Mr CHAN Choi-hi’s enquiry about whether the problem of drainage would be eased by road design. He said that currently average roads were designed with a certain gradient to facilitate the storm water flowing to the gullies on the road side. Therefore, the current road design had taken into consideration the locations of the gullies. On the Vice-chairman’s enquiry about whether the number of gullies was sufficient. He said that the HyD had discussed with the DSD to study whether more gullies would be provided nearby.

77. The Chairlady concluded that she hoped the department would make improvements as soon as possible so that the problem could be overcome in this rainy season.

Item 13: Strong Request for Alleviating the Flooding Problem around Lower Lung Wah Street at Kwun Lung Lau, and the “Waterfall” Problem at Forbes Street and near the Slope at Kennedy Town MTR Station Exit

________ (C&W FEHWC Paper No. 47/2017) ____________ ____________ (5:59 pm – 6:21 pm)


(a) Mr YEUNG Hoi-wing said that after the two rain storms on 24 May and 12 June, it could be seen from the mass media that there was serious flooding at the road outside the Kwun Lung Lau Shuttle Lift Complex (i.e. Lung Wah Lower Street). The residents needed to wade through water and he described that the problem was very worrying. Although the Island West Storm-water Drainage Tunnel functioned very well during the period of rain storms helping to alleviate the flooding in Smithfield, a huge amount of storm water

accumulated at the downstream. So the low-lying area or the location near the slopes had a risk of flooding. The affected area started from the Lung Wah Lower Street to the Forbes Street Temporary Playground. Mr YEUNG urged the department concerned to step up clearing of the waste in the roads to ensure a smooth and clear drainage system and avoid flooding at some locations. Besides, he said that the storm water was muddy and yellow in colour and there was serious landslide at the location near the slope of Kung Lung Lau before, so the residents had worries. He suggested that the Civil Engineering and Development Department should enhance the stability of the slope and the retaining wall to ensure that the structure of the slope could satisfy the safety standard. Moreover, he said that the stone wall tree in Forbes Street had been highly conserved and received great concern but the rain storm might have destroyed the roots and the structure of the wall or even caused the tree to collapse. He suggested that the department concerned should improve the drainage of storm water and try to avoid storm water flooding the roots directly. He also suggested that the DSD should carry out drainage improvement works to facilitate the cleaners to clear the blocked drains and helped storm water flow into the drainage system.

(b) Mr CHAN Hok-fun g said that the Western District on the Hong Kong Island was located at the foot of a hill, and storm water would flow down from the hill during rain storms. He suggested that there should be provision of flood mitigation measures at the location of the slope to avoid landslides. Moreover, he said that he had paid a site visit with Mr YEUNG Hoi-wing and the representative of the DSD and made several suggestions to the department at the scene. He hoped that the department would reduce the problem as soon as possible to avoid the storm water from destroying the stone wall tree again.

79. Mr KOO Siu-long , Engineer/Western 1 of the DSD, responded that on the following day of the rain storm, some muddy and yellow storm water flowed down somewhere outside Block 2 of the Kwun Lung Lau in the direction of the basketball courts and football pitch. Some flowed down Lung Wah Lower Street to the downstream area affecting the drainage system of the drains. At the end of June, the department had finished clearing the main drains around Forbes Street, Smithfield, Lung Wah Lower Street and the area near basketball courts to ensure that the drainage capacity in the areas concerned would not be affected. On the facilities which were not managed and maintained by the DSD like the drains at the playground, slope and stone wall tree, the department had passed the investigation findings to the department concerned for follow up. Furthermore, representative of the department and Mr CHAN Hok-fung had paid a site visit at the scene. Mr CHAN Hok-fung suggested that the department should provide more

drains on the road surface in Lung Wah Lower Street to improve the drainage system in the streets. However, upon the department’s investigation, Lung Wah Lower Street was under the purview of the HKHS, so the suggestion concerned was transferred to the organisation concerned for follow up.

80. Mr CHEUNG Chun-kee , Senior Estate Surveyor/West (District Lands Office, Hong Kong West and South) of the Lands Department, said he had nothing to add.

81. Mr NG Cheuk-lun, Property Services Manager/Western of the ArchSD, responded that there were surface channels and storm water drains around the Forbes Street Basket Courts. Storm water could flow to the storm water drain in Forbes Street and would not flow past the stone wall tree. On the “waterfall” brought by the rain storm some time earlier, the department would keep close contact with the LCSD and actively assist the LCSD with the clearance of the blockage drains. Regarding Members’ enquiry about whether there were immediate measures to overcome the above situation, Mr NG said he had paid a site visit, and suggested adding improvement facility to stop storm water at the channels between the Forbes Street Playground and the stone wall tree, so as to prevent storm water from flowing directly to the stone wall tree and caused damage. However, the distance of the surface channels between the playground and the stone wall tree was very short. To avoid damage to the trees and roots owing to the addition of improvement facility, the department would actively conduct in-depth study and finalised the improvement measures later.

82. Mr WONG Kim-ching , Acting Deputy District Leisure Manager (Central & Western) 2 of the LCSD, said that in response to the request raised by Members during the site visit, the department would use a large number of sand bags to temporarily stop the storm water from flowing to the stone wall tree directly. The department would further discuss with the ArchSD on long-term improvement measures later.

83. Ms LAU Yee-yan , Assistant Public Relations Manager - External Affairs of the MTR Corporation Limited, said she had nothing to add.

84. Mr LEUNG Yau-keung , Senior Manager (Maintenance - Construction) of the HKHS, showed the actual situation and the current progress of the follow-up work at the location through pictures. He said that staff of the HKHS had inspected the slope behind Mount Davis which was situated outside the area of Kwun Lung Lau, and found that some vegetation covers were damaged, thus causing a lot of leaves and gravel flowing to the downstream during heavy rain, resulting in blockage of the drains and affecting the

drainage system. The HKHS had immediately tackled the drainage problem. Apart from clearing the tree leaves and gravel inside the drains, stone curbs had been added to the sides of the drains facing the basketball courts to prevent storm water from flowing to the basketball courts directly. To further solve the problem at source, Mr LEUNG suggested that the department concerned should carry out improvement works at the slope behind Mount Davis to protect the vegetation cover, in order to prevent gravel from flowing down the drains and causing blockage.


(a) Mr CHAN Chit-kwai said this accident was not caused by the structure of the drains. It was caused mainly by gravel and branches blocking the drains. He suggested using Frame Dome drain outlets. Even though the drains were blocked by waste, it could be cleared easily, thus reducing the chances of blockage. Besides, he urged the department concerned to provide more manpower to step up clearance of the drains during rainy season.

(b) Mr YEUNG Hoi-wing enquired which government department managed the slope behind Mount Davis and was responsible for the clearing work at the location.

(c) Mr CHAN Choi-hi was concerned about the safety issues related to the stone wall tree. He suggested that the LCSD and ArchSD should submit a detailed tree report to the C&WDC after the meeting, so Members would know whether the roots would be damaged upon impact by storm water.

86. Mr KOO Siu-long of the DSD responded to Mr YEUNG Hoi-wing’s enquiry and said that for the slope behind Mount Davis, it was necessary to check with the Lands Department to identify the management organisation or department, before further follow-up action could be taken.

87. Mr CHOW Kin-keung , Property Services Manager/SD13 of the ArchSD, provided supplementary information on the current health condition of the stone wall tree. After taking over the management and maintenance work of the stone wall tree in Forbes Street from the MTR Corporation Limited in April 2016, the ArchSD had immediately invited qualified contractors and arborists to carry out risk assessment and detailed inspection of the tree, and three detailed inspections had been completed so far. According to the Guidelines on Tree Risk Assessment and Management issued by the Development Bureau, ordinary trees should be inspected once every year. However, as the stone wall tree had

received special concern and was highly sensitive, detailed inspections were conducted twice every year. Furthermore, in consideration of external factors, such as after the hoist of typhoon signal, the contractor and arborist would carry out health assessment for the tree immediately within seven days. After a series of inspections, it was found that the structure and health condition of the stone wall tree remain in good state. The department hoped that other departments concerned would co-operate and provide improvement measures to stop storm water flowing to the stone wall tree and provide further protection for the tree wall and the stone wall tree.

88. The LCSD said they had nothing to add.

89. Ms LAU Yee-yan , Assistant Public Relations Manager - External of the MTR Corporation Limited, said she had nothing to add.

90. The HKHS said they had nothing to add.

91. Mr YEUNG Hoi-wing wanted to know which department was responsible for the maintenance of the slope behind Kwun Lung Lau.

92. Mr CHEUNG Chun-kee of the Lands Department responded to Mr YEUNG Hoi-wing’s enquiry and said that the HKHS needed to submit a location plan of the slope concerned to the department for checking, before they could provide a reply as to which private organisation and/or government department was responsible for the maintenance of the slope.

93. The Chairlady hoped that the HKHS would submit the location plan of the slope concerned to the Lands Department after the meeting to identify the responsible department or organisation, so that the department or organisation concerned could follow up.

(Post-meeting note: The HKHS had submitted the location plan of the slope behind Kwun Lung Lau to the C&WDC on 10 July for forwarding to the government department concerned for follow up.)

Item 14: Request the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department to Review its Guidelines for Frontline Staff on Taking Enforcement Actions against Unlicensed Hawkers

_________ (C&W FEHWC Paper No. 48/2017)_____________________________ __

(6:21 pm – 6:26 pm)

94. The Chairlady invited the Member who had submitted the paper to give additional views.

95. Mr NG Siu-hong said that the prosecution policy concerned should be both reasonable and considerate to align with public sentiments. He said the department had told the mass media that they would review the guideline on the meaning of “unheeded repeated warnings”, hence he wanted to enquire about the progress of the review concerned and the time it would be explained to the public. He said that the public was very concerned about the definition of “unheeded repeated warnings”. In addition, he wanted to ask the FEHD whether the so-called “meet a quota” situation existed, and said some of the FEHD staff claimed there was a “Billboard of Prosecutions”. He wanted to know the department’s response and the follow-up work. Moreover, he enquired that even though the department did not specifically demand the staff to meet a certain prosecution quota, how the department would respond and deal with it if there was such culture in the team. 96. Mr CHENG Ka-yu , Senior Superintendent (Hawker & Market) of the FEHD, responded that the department would review how to optimise the current working guidelines to make it more specific and clear, including whether it could and how to clarify “unheeded repeated warnings”, evidence collection criteria and priority of prosecutions, in order to enable front-line officers to adopt a reasonable and considerate approach as far as possible when performing their duties. During the process of review, the department would consult the stakeholders, including the front-line enforcement officer associations and the Department of Justice. On Members’ concern about whether the so-called “meet a quota” culture existed in the FEHD, he said there was never such requirement in the operational guidelines provided by the department to the Hawker Control Team. Besides, the number of persecutions was not a reliable data to reflect the effectiveness of hawker control. He quoted the information provided in the annex to a document submitted to the C&WDC on 10 July, saying that the number of prosecutions against unlicensed hawkers was 26 000, 23 000 and 15 000 in 2014, 2015 and 2016 respectively. He said the relevant statistics should not drop if the “meet a quota” culture really existed, so this could clarify the department did not have such culture.

Item 15: Fund Application of C&W CGDM: Production of Apron Sets for Publicity in Market

________(C&W FEHWC Paper No. 51/2017)___ ____________ ______________

(6:26 pm – 6:27 pm)

97. The fund application was endorsed by the Concern Group on the Development of Markets in the Central and Western District (“CGDM”) earlier.

98. Mr YEUNG Hok-ming of the CGDM briefly introduced the activity. He said that the representatives of the stall owners agreed to use the fund to produce blue water-proof apron with hand sleeve sets at the CGDM meeting held earlier. The activity aimed to build a unified and tidy impression in the market with the use of same style apron. Stall owners could also distribute aprons to members of the public who patronised the market.

99. The Committee unanimously endorsed the allocation of $60,000 for organising “Production of Apron Sets for Publicity in Market”. The Committee would submit the fund application to the Finance Committee for approval.

Item 16: Fund Application of C&W EGBWG: “Community Planting Day 2017” in the Central and Western District

________ (C&W FEHWC Paper No. 52/2017)________________ ________ (6:27 pm – 6:29 pm)

100. The fund application was endorsed by the Working Group on Environmental Improvement, Greening and Beautification Works in C&W District (“EGBWG”) by circulation of paper earlier.

101. Ms Reona SHU , Executive Assistant (District Council) 2 of the Central and Western District Office, briefly introduced the activity. She said that secondary and primary school students in the district would be invited to plant trees in the Mount Austin Playground at the Peak to enhance their greening consciousness and to beautify the environment.

102. The Committee unanimously endorsed the allocation of $30,000 for organising “Community Planting Day 2017”. The Committee would submit the fund application to the Finance Committee for approval.

Item 17: Fund Application of C&W EGBWG: “Green stalls” in Hong Kong Flower Show 2018

________(C&W FEHWC Paper No. 53/2017) _______ ______________ (6:29 pm – 6:31 pm)

103. The fund application was endorsed by the EGBWG by circulation of paper earlier.

104. Mr TANG Yuk-lam , Registered Social Worker of the Hong Kong Young Women’s Christian Association (Central, Western & Islands District Youth Outreaching Social Work Team), briefly introduced the activity. The organisation would participate in the Flower Show on behalf of the C&WDC, and used booth games as media to promote greening and environmental protection to the public.

105. The Committee unanimously endorsed the allocation of $30,000 for organising “ ‘Green Stalls’ in Hong Kong Flower Show 2018”. The Committee would submit the fund application to the Finance Committee for approval.

Item 18: Fund Application of C&W EGBWG: Clean Air Starts With Me________ (C&W FEHWC Paper No. 54/2017) _____________ ________ (6:31 pm – 6:34 pm)


107. Mr CHAN Chit-kwai , Mr CHAN Choi-hi and CHENG Chi-shing declared that they were members of the Advisory Committee of Caritas Mok Cheung Sui Kun Community Centre.

108. Mr CHAN Kin-sun , Registered Social Worker of the Caritas Mok Cheung Sui Kun Community Centre, briefly introduced the activity, which aimed to enhance local residents’ understanding on the causes of pollutants in the air and the methods and techniques to reduce them; as well as encourage local residents to put into practice the pollutant reduction methods to purify air in the community.

109. The Committee unanimously endorsed the allocation of $25,000 for organising “Clean Air Starts with Me”. The Committee would submit the fund application to the Finance Committee for approval.

Item 19: Fund Application of C&W EGBWG: Stay Smart and Go Green Together (C&W FEHWC Paper No. 55/2017) (6:34 pm – 6:36 pm)


111. Ms CHENG Yin-hung , Social Worker of the Hong Kong Y.W.C.A Sai Wan Social Centre for the Elderly, briefly introduced the activity, which aimed to enhance awareness of environmental protection among the elderly through diversified activities, encouraged them to lead a green life by adopting green practices in daily life, and by changing their previous lifestyles to reduce waste produced.

112. The Committee unanimously endorsed the allocation of $15,000 for organising “Stay Smart and Go Green Together”. The Committee would submit the fund application to the Finance Committee for approval.

Item 20: Fund Application of C&W EGBWG: Cherish Food, So Easy (C&W FEHWC Paper No. 56/2017) (6:36 pm – 6:38 pm)


114. Ms Ellen WU , Executive Assistant (District Council) 4 of the Central and Western District Office, briefly introduced the activity, which aimed to produce environmental friendly cutlery sets for distribution in various C&WDC activities to encourage the public to bring their own cutlery and cherish food.

115. The Committee unanimously endorsed the allocation of $47,102.5 for organising “Cherish Food, So Easy”. The Committee would submit the fund application to the Finance Committee for approval.

Item 21: Fund Application of Community Participation Programme in Environmental Protection 2017/18 under the Environmental Protection Department: Food Wise Ambassador Project

　　　　 (C&W FEHWC Paper No. 57/2017) 　 (6:38 pm – 6:41 pm)


117. Mr CHAN Chit-kwai , Mr CHAN Choi-hi and CHENG Chi-shing declared that they were members of the Advisory Committee of Caritas Mok Cheung Sui Kun Community Centre.

118. Mr CHAN Kin-sun , Registered Social Worker of the Caritas Mok Cheung Sui Kun

Community Centre, briefly introduced the activity, which aimed to train food wise ambassadors to promote eating seasonal food, healthy cooking and methods to reduce food waste; as well as to encourage the residents to practice sustainable food cycle lifestyle.

119. The Committee unanimously endorsed the allocation of $44,800 for organising “Food Wise Ambassador Project”. The Committee would submit the fund application to the Finance Committee for approval.

Item 22: Fund Application of Community Participation Programme in Environmental Protection 2017/18 under the Environmental Protection Department: Join Hands in Reducing Waste

(C&W FEHWC Paper No. 59/2017) (6:41 pm – 6:43pm)


121. Mr CHENG Chi-shing declared that he was a member of the Central & Western Mid-Levels Owners Association.

122. Mr LEE Sai-cheung , Vice Chairman of the Central & Western Mid-Levels Owners Association, briefly introduced the activity, which aimed to assist the residents and domestic helpers in the district in learning how to separate waste for recycling to prepare for municipal solid waste charging; as well as encourage them to change their daily habits and build up environmental friendly habits.

123. The Committee unanimously endorsed the allocation of $128,155 for organising “Joining Hands in Reducing Waste”. The Committee would submit the fund application to the Finance Committee for approval.

Item 23: Cleaning Arrangements and Refuse Disposal in the Central and Western District

________(C&W FEHWC Written Question No. 5 /201 7 ) (6:43 pm)

124. The Chairlady referred Members to the paper.

Item 24: Any Other Business (6:44 pm)

125. The Chairlady announced that there was no other business

Item 25: Date of the Next Meeting________________ _____________(6:44 pm)126. The 11th FEHWC meeting would be held on 19 October 2017. The paper submission deadline for government departments would be on 26 September 2017 and the paper submission deadline for Members would be on 3 October 2017.

127. The meeting was adjourned at 6:44 pm.

The minutes were confirmed on 19 October 2017Chairman: Mr YEUNG Hok-mingSecretary: Miss CHENG Cheuk-yan, Charmaine

Central and Western District Council Secretariat October 2017

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