Ten Signature Projects in seven districts endorsed by PWC; closed meeting regarding Jimmy Lai’s political donations; extremely lengthy FC meeting on public welfare projects.
June 29 Monday
Establishments Committee
Four supernumery posts created:
- Administrative Officer Staff Grade C (D2) in Division 5 of the Transport Branch of Transport and Housing Bureau. If approved by the Finance Committee, he/she will be responsible for “[steering] and [overseeing] the promotion of the long-term development of the maritime industry in Hong Kong” up to 31 March 2020.
- Administrative Officer Staff Grade C (D2) in the Development Office of the Judiciary Administration. If approved by the Finance Committee, he/she will be responsible for “[steering] and [supervising] the legislative amendments” for three years from approval.
- Chief Electrical and Mechanical Engineer (D1) in the Electrical and Mechanical Services. If approved by the Finance Committee, he/she will be responsible for ”[enhancing] the safety inspection and monitoring of existing railway service and new railway projects.”
- Chief Electronics Engineer (D1) in the Electrical and Mechanical Services. If approved by the Finance Committee, he/she will be responsible for ”[enhancing] the safety inspection and monitoring of existing railway service and new railway projects.”
June 30 Tuesday
Public Works Committee
Eleven items endorsed, await for Finance Committee’s approval:
- Ten Signature Project Scheme projects in seven districts
- Central and Western District: Harbourfront Enhancement and Revitalisation at the Western Wholesale Food Market
- Islands District: Yung Shue Wan Library cum Heritage and Cultural Showroom, Lamma Island
- Islands District: Improvement works at Silvermine Bay Beach, Mui Wo, Lantau Island
- North District: Improvement of Trails and Provision of Ancillary Facilities at Wu Tip Shan and Wa Mei Shan in Fanling
- North District: Improvement of Trails and Provision of Facilities in Sha Tau Kok
- Wong Tai Sin DIstrict: Enhancement of Leisure Facilities of Morse Park
- Tsuen Wan Distriect: Redevelopment of Sai Lau Kok Garden
- Sha Tin District: Revitalisation of Shing Mun River Promenade near Sha Tin Town Centre
- Sha Tin District: Decking of Tai Wai Nullah in Sha Tin
- Two 24-classroom primary schools at ex-Tanner Road Police Married Quarters site at Pak Fuk Road, North Point, Hong Kong
- Yuen Long effluent polishing plant
- Construction of the East Kowloon Cultural Centre
- Dualling of Hiram’s Highway between Clear Water Bay Road and Marina Cove and Improvement to Local Access to Ho Chung
- Port Shelter sewerage, stage 2
- Open space at Hing Wah Street West, Sham Shui Po
- Student hostels on northern campus (Blocks A3 and A4), The Chinese University of Hong Kong
- Redevelopment of Kwun Tong staff quarters at Tseung Kwan O Road, Kowloon
- Widening of Tai Po Road (Sha Tin Section)
- Detailed Feasibility Study for Environmentally Friendly Linkage System for Kowloon East
July 2 Thursday
Members’ Interests Committee
Closed meeting investigating into Jimmy Lai’s political contributions to LegCo members Lee Cheuk-yan (GC – New Territories West, Labour Party) and Leung ‘Longhair’ Kwok-hung (GC – New Territories East, League of Social Democrats). Lai’s monetary contributions to Lee and Leung were said to be secret donations that were never disclosed to the public.
Several other pan-dem councilors, including Alan Leong (GC – Kowloon East, Democratic Party), Claudia Mo (GC – Kowloon West, Civic Party), James To Kun-sun and (FC – District Council Second, Democratic Party) have also allegedly received donations from Lai without proper disclosure.
July 3 Friday
Finance Committee
Meeting starts at 5pm, broken into three sessions, expecting to end at 11:40pm.
Eight public welfare fundings will be discussed and voted on, including the construction of a Contract Residential Care Home for the Elderly on Choi Yuen Road, Sheung Shui, the constructions of two integrated rehabilitation services complexes in the sites previously belonging to Siu Lam Hospital and Kai Nang Sheltered Workshop respectively, the construction of Kai Tak Sports Complex, Enviromental Protection Department’s Recycling fund, and Development Bureau’s pilot scheme to enhance the skill level of construction manpower.
The Committee will also discuss the 3% pay rise for civil servants who are paid by Directorate Pay Scale, by Directorate (Legal) Pay Scale, at pay points 45 to 49 in the Master Pay Scale, or at pay points 55 to 59 in the Police Pay Scale.
CE CY Leung said on June 30 that he hopes all public welfare fundings can be passed in Finance Committee.
