Minutes of the 3rd Meeting in 2019 of the Agriculture, Fisheries, Commerce, Industries, Tourism and

Recreation Affairs Committee of Tai Po District Council Date: 10 May 2019 (Friday) Time: 9:32 a.m. – 11:18 a.m. Venue: Conference Room, Tai Po District Council (“TPDC”) Present Time of Arrival Time of Withdrawal

Chairman Mr. YU Chi-wing, Ken Beginning of the meeting End of the meeting Vice-Chairman Mr. LI Kwok-ying, BBS, MH, JP

Beginning of the meeting End of the meeting

Members

Mr. AU Chun-wah Beginning of the meeting End of the meeting Mr. CHAN Cho-leung, MH 9:33 a.m. End of the meeting Mr. CHAN Siu-kuen, MH, JP Beginning of the meeting End of the meeting Mr. CHOW Yuen-wai Beginning of the meeting 10:25 a.m. Mr. KWAN Wing-yip Beginning of the meeting End of the meeting Mr. LAM Yick-kuen Beginning of the meeting End of the meeting Dr. LAU Chee-sing 9:37 a.m. 10:31 a.m. Mr. LAU Yung-wai 9:39 a.m. End of the meeting Mr. LI Wah-kwong, Rex 9:34 a.m. End of the meeting Mr. LO Hiu-fung 9:44 a.m. End of the meeting Mr. TAM Wing-fun, Eric, MH 9:54 a.m. End of the meeting Mr. TANG Ming-tai, Patrick Beginning of the meeting End of the meeting Ms. WONG Pik-kiu, BBS, MH, JP Beginning of the meeting End of the meeting Mr. WOO Kin-man, Clement Beginning of the meeting End of the meeting Mr. YAM Kai-bong, Francis Beginning of the meeting 10:25 a.m. Mr. YAM Man-chuen 9:56 a.m. End of the meeting

Co-opted Members

Mr. LAM B Beginning of the meeting End of the meeting Mr. MO Ka-hung, Joseph Beginning of the meeting End of the meeting Mr. LO Chi-ping Beginning of the meeting End of the meeting

- 2 -

Secretary Ms. NG Wing-yan, Sophie Beginning of the meeting End of the meeting Executive Officer (District Council) 2 / Tai Po District Office (“TPDO”) / Home Affairs Department (“HAD”) In Attendance Mr. CHAN Lap-wai Senior Assistant Shipping Master / North / Marine Department

(“MD”) Mr. MA Hon-chiu Chief Health Inspector 1 / Tai Po / Food and Environmental

Hygiene Department (“FEHD”) Mr. HUNG Sze-sik Deputy District Leisure Manager (Tai Po) 1 / Leisure and Cultural

Services Department (“LCSD”) Mr. NG Chi-keung, Barry Senior Librarian (Tai Po) / LCSD Mr. LEUNG Cheuk-ming, Rico Senior Manager (New Territories East) Promotion / LCSD Mr. WU Tip-ming, Wilson Senior Field Officer (Agricultural Extension) / Agriculture,

Fisheries and Conservation Department (“AFCD”) Ms. STEWART Pik-ha, Sara Fisheries Officer (Mariculture Development) / AFCD Mr. SHEK Chung-tong Country Parks Ranger Services Officer (Northwest) / AFCD Mr. SIN Wai-pun Ranger I (North) / AFCD Mr. LAU Ka-yip Assistant Division Commander (Operations) (Tai Po) / Hong

Kong Police Force (“HKPF”) Mr. FUNG Tat-yan Sub-unit Commander (Task Force) (Tai Po Division) / HKPF Mr. WONG Hei-nok Engineer / New Territories East (Headworks 4) / Water Supplies

Department (“WSD”) Mr. LEE Yu-sau, Terence Senior Executive Officer (District Council) / TPDO / HAD Ms. LEE Ching-yee, Patty Senior Liaison Officer (1) / TPDO / HAD Ms. NG Suet-yau, Sharon Executive Officer (DC) 4 / TPDO / HAD

Opening Remarks The Chairman welcomed participants to the Agriculture, Fisheries, Commerce, Industries, Tourism and Recreation Affairs Committee (“ATRC”) meeting and announced the following:

(i) He welcomed Mr. LAM Yick-kuen to the ATRC.

(ii) Mr. WU Tip-ming, Wilson, Senior Field Officer (Agricultural Extension) of the AFCD, attended this meeting in place of Ms. HUI Yuk-ting, Rachel, and Ms.

- 3 -

STEWART Pik-ha, Sara, Fisheries Officer (Mariculture Development), attended this meeting in place of Ms. TSOI Wing-yan, Connie.

I. Confirmation of the minutes of the 2nd meeting in 2019 of the ATRC on 15 March 2019 (TPDC Paper No. ATR 20/2019) 2. The Chairman reported that the Secretariat had not received any proposed amendments prior to the meeting. As no Members proposed any amendments at the meeting, the minutes of the previous meeting were confirmed.

II. Concerns about the safety of kite fliers and other people on the scene (TPDC Paper No. ATR 21/2019)

3. The Chairman welcomed Mr. SHEK Chung-tong and Mr. SIN Wai-pun, Country Parks Ranger Services Officer (Northwest) and Ranger I (North) respectively of the AFCD; Mr. HUNG Sze-sik, Deputy District Leisure Manager (Tai Po) of the LCSD; Mr. LAU Ka-yip and Mr. FUNG Tat-yan, Assistant Division Commander (Operations) (Tai Po) and Sub-unit Commander (Task Force) (Tai Po Division) respectively of the HKPF; as well as Mr. WONG Hei-nok, Engineer / New Territories East (Headworks) of the WSD, to the meeting for the discussion of this agenda item. 4. Mr. AU Chun-wah went through the captioned paper, and raised the following views and questions:

(i) Kite flying was becoming more popular in recent years. Many members of the public liked going on an outing and flying kites in the vicinity of Tai Po Waterfront Park, Tai Mei Tuk or Plover Cover Reservoir. However, many accidents had taken place before. While the accidents might not have been reported by the media, there was an increasing number of accidents arising from kite flying. Most of these accidents involved people flying kites in non-designated zones, resulting in passers-by or cyclists being cut by kite strings. In addition, the materials used for making kites had been enhanced in recent years. Kite strings, which used to be nylon threads, were made of glass-coated strings instead and hence became much sharper. He was worried that they might cause more serious injuries to passers-by.

(ii) To his understanding, Tai Po Waterfront Park was managed by the LCSD. The various areas near Tai Mei Tuk barbeque site were managed by a number of departments, while the area behind the gate of Plover Cove Reservoir (including

- 4 -

the dam and the helipad) was managed by the WSD. He would like to ask the above departments whether there were any measures regulating kite flying in the venues under their purview. In addition, as there were more members of the public going on an outing in the above places during holidays, the HKPF would deploy additional manpower to patrol there. In this connection, he would also like to know what the HKPF would do if it found any kite fliers causing danger to visitors.

5. Mr. SHEK Chung-tong responded that Plover Cove Reservoir was a suitable place for the public for outdoor activities because of its beautiful scenery, the fewer buildings in the surroundings and its close proximity to Plover Cove. Apart from being a facility managed by the WSD, Plover Cove Reservoir was also part of a country park managed by the AFCD. The AFCD would deploy officers to conduct regular patrols in the area concerned, provide timely reminders for visitors that they had to take care of their own and others’ safety, and give advice to them as necessary. If the department’s officers found any kite fliers potentially affecting other visitors, they would also remind them to fly kites in a more suitable area. 6. Mr. HUNG Sze-sik responded that two turfed areas at the LCSD’s Tai Po Waterfront Park had been designated as a kite flying venue. The venue was divided into upper and lower kite flying zones, providing the public with a larger variety of recreational sites. The department had put up notices at the kite flying zones, reminding users to follow the rules of kite flying and pay attention to safety. In addition, to ensure good order at the venue and users’ safety, the department had deployed venue staff and security guards to carry out regular patrols in the kite flying zones. If any kite flier was found to have violated the rules or flown kites outside the kite flying zones, the security guards would instruct them to return to the kite flying zones, and remind them to comply with the rules of the venue. 7. Mr. LAU Ka-yip responded that the HKPF would deploy officers to patrol the above location during holidays, and immediately remind visitors who were found to have caused danger while flying kites. 8. Mr. WONG Hei-nok responded that he understood Members’ concerns about the possibility that members of the public might get hurt when they visited Plover Cove Reservoir. He also said that the WSD was willing to co-operate with other departments in their operations. Where necessary, it could also put up banners in the above location to remind visitors to mind the safety of their own and others when doing outdoor activities there. 9. Mr. AU Chun-wah said that accidents relating to kite flying were often due to lack of self-discipline among visitors and lack of supervision by the department. As such, he opined that it might not be very effective for the department to remind visitors about safety simply by putting

- 5 -

up notices or banners in the venues under its purview. He would like to know whether the various departments had any prosecution mechanism, and suggested the department deploy additional manpower to patrol the aforesaid location. If any visitor was found to behave inappropriately when flying kites, the department could give them warnings first and prosecute those who had violated the rules repeatedly. 10. Mr. YAM Kai-bong, Francis’s questions and comments were as follows:

(i) First of all, he would like to know exactly which department managed the aforesaid location, and asked the WSD whether the area stretching from the slope behind the gate of Plover Cove Reservoir was under the purview of WSD.

(ii) The AFCD’s representative said that Plover Cover Reservoir was also part of a country park under the department’s purview. He asked the AFCD whether it currently allowed visitors to fly kites in country parks.

(iii) If flying kites in the aforesaid location was not against the law, he suggested the WSD and the AFCD draw on the LCSD’s experience by designating kite flying zones within the venues under their purview (including county parks, as well as the main dam and helipad of Plover Cove Reservoir), thus allowing visitors to fly kites in the designated zones while preventing other visitors from approaching and causing accidents.

11. Mr. TANG Ming-tai, Patrick’s comments were as follows:

(i) He would like to know whether the various departments had designated no-kite-flying zones in the venues under their purview. If yes, he opined that the departments had to announce the locations of these prohibited zones for the public’s information.

(ii) He opined that kite fliers usually focused on the kites when flying kites and paid less attention to other visitors. As such, accidents could easily happen. The departments concerned should put more efforts in reminding kite fliers that they had to pay attention to the safety of other visitors.

(iii) He suggested the departments concerned explore the possibility of regulating kite flying through legislation.

12. Mr. LAU Yung-wai indicated that to his knowledge, a member of the public had injured another person with a fishing rod when fishing in Shing Mun River. Although fishing in river channels was not against the law, the HKPF had charged the angler with assault. Likewise, he opined that regardless of whether it was against the law for the public to fly kites at the above location, if kite fliers injured others due to negligence or other reasons, the HKPF could also

- 6 -

take prosecution actions with reference to the afore-mentioned case. 13. Mr. KWAN Wing-yip opined that due to the constraints for the departments’ officers when inspecting the venues under their purview, it was impossible for them to identify irregularities and prevent accidents in a timely manner. He suggested that when the departments put up notices or banners in their venues as reminders to visitors, they could provide the contact numbers of the departments on the notices and banners. Members of the public who had found any irregularities or problems could report to the departments at once so that the departments’ officers could arrive at the scene immediately to look into the matter and take follow-up actions. 14. Mr. SHEK Chung-tong responded that the main dam of Plover Cove Reservoir was a facility of the WSD as well as part of a country park under the AFCD’s purview. To his knowledge, no prevailing legislation in Hong Kong prohibited flying kites there. The AFCD often deployed officers to inspect the venues under its purview, participated in joint operations with the HKPF, and stepped up its efforts on holidays to call on the visitors to pay attention to safety. 15. The Chairman suggested the AFCD consider demarcating kite flying zones clearly in the venues under its purview, and putting up more notices to remind visitors about safety. 16. Mr. HUNG Sze-sik responded that to ensure users’ safety, the LCSD not only arranged for venue staff and security guards to patrol the kite flying zones in Tai Po Waterfront Park on weekdays, but also deployed additional manpower on holidays to maintain order at the venue so that the public could contact the venue staff more easily where necessary. Meanwhile, he also agreed to set out the contact numbers of venue staff on the notices in the kite flying zones so that members of the public could make enquires or comments. He said that visitors could easily leave the kite flying zones unknowingly while flying kites. However, most of them were very co-operative and would return to the kite flying zones after being advised by the venue staff. Therefore, the department did not have to take any prosecution action. (Post-meeting note: The LCSD put the contact numbers of venue staff on the notices in the kite flying zones in Tai Po Waterfront Park in May 2019 so that members of the public could put forward enquiries or comments.) 17. Mr. LAU Ka-yip responded as follows:

(i) As mentioned by the LCSD’s representative, kite flying activity at the LCSD’s venues was regulated by the LCSD. Where necessary, the department’s officers could also give advice or take prosecution action.

- 7 -

(ii) According to the Air Navigation (Hong Kong) Order 1995 executed by the Civil Aviation Department (“CAD”), a kite should not be flown at a height of more than 60 metres above ground level or within 60 metres of any vessel, vehicle or structure. The kite operator contravening the above order was liable to a maximum fine of HK$5,000 on summary conviction. In addition, the above order also stipulated that a person operating a kite recklessly or negligently and hence endangering any person or property could also be prosecuted by the CAD.

(iii) If members of the public reported irregularities of kite fliers to the HKPF, the HKPF would deal with the cases according to the actual circumstances and send the injured to the hospital immediately. Under normal circumstances, as the Air Navigation (Hong Kong) Order 1995 was executed by the CAD, the HKPF would suggest members of the public report the cases through the CAD’s hotline. Meanwhile, the HKPF would also keep records of the informants’ reports, and suggest the informants lodge civil claims against the kite operators through civil proceedings.

18. Mr. WONG Hei-nok responded that the area behind the gate of Plover Cove Reservoir was under the WSD’s purview. The area was the main dam of Plover Cover Reservoir, composed mainly of a helipad and a carriageway. The water-facing side of the main dam was fitted with railings to prevent pedestrians from falling down the slope. The department had not designated any kite flying zone on the main dam, primarily because the carriageway on the main dam was not a flat surface but lined by kerbs instead. Therefore, it might not be suitable for visitors to fly kites there. The department had no plans to change the design of the main dam for designating a kite flying zone for the time being. If the department’s officers found any visitors flying kites there, they would also remind them to pay attention to safety. 19. Mr. AU Chun-wah pointed out that as many members of the public also flew kites at the barbeque site near Tai Mei Tuk public car park, he would like the LCSD to deploy officers to keep in view the situation there. He said that members of the public flying kites at the helipad on the main dam of Plover Cove Reservoir might affect the take-offs and landings of helicopters. Therefore, he found it unsuitable to fly kites there as well. In addition, he suggested that the LCSD and the WSD should take the initiative to inform the CAD of how members of the public were flying kites at the venues under their purview, and should ask the CAD’s staff to inspect the areas concerned. In the event of any irregularities, law enforcement and prosecution actions could be taken directly. 20. Dr. LAU Chee-sing’s comments were as follows:

(i) There had also been accidents in his constituency involving passers-by who were injured by kite strings.

- 8 -

(ii) As mentioned by the WSD’s representative, the main dam of Plover Cove Reservoir was in fact not suitable for kite flying. He suggested the departments display warnings in areas unsuitable for kite flying, which could serve as reminders to members of the public.

(iii) If the helipad on the main dam of Plover Cove Reservoir was not suitable for kite flying, he suggested the WSD close off the area so that visitors there would not have to run away when a helicopter was landing.

(iv) The WSD had set up a gate on the main dam of Plover Cove Reservoir, and had set up a pedestrian way beside the gate. On holidays, numerous visitors would cycle through the gate, which, however, was too narrow for cyclists to go through easily. He said that although he understood the WSD might not be able to widen the gate, he hoped that the department could improve the design of the pedestrian-cum-cyclist gate by splitting it into two so as to make it easier for cyclists to go through.

21. Mr. LI Wah-kwong, Rex said that there was also an accident on Sai Sha Road in 2018 where a passer-by was injured by kite strings. To his knowledge, while the prevailing legislation stipulated that members of the public could not fly kites within flight paths, no other places had been designated as prohibited zones. Moreover, as government departments could hardly regulate the materials of kites, he opined that it was difficult for them to take law enforcement actions. In addition, he opined that if the strings had snapped, kites might fall onto different places, and those with glass-coated strings could easily injure the passers-by when they fell onto people’s homes or roads. Therefore, he hoped that departments such as the LCSD and the FEHD could clear these fallen kites in a proactive manner so as to minimise the risk of injuries to the passers-by. 22. Mr. LO Hiu-fung said that apart from flying kites, he also noticed some members of the public operating drones at Tai Po Waterfront Park recently. He asked the LCSD whether there were any incidents where passers-by were injured by falling drones at Tai Po Waterfront Park, and whether any member of the public had complained to the department about privacy issues. He also opined that the use of drones by the public had to be regulated by the Government as well. 23. Mr. HUNG Sze-sik responded as follows:

(i) The barbeque site next to Tai Mei Tuk public car park was managed by the LCSD. As the location concerned was not a designated kite flying zone, the venue staff would stop members of the public flying kites there if they found anyone doing so.

- 9 -

(ii) As regards the roadside area where trees were maintained by the department, if kites were found to be hanging on the trees and posing potential danger to road safety, the department would arrange for their clearance as soon as possible.

(iii) So far, the department had not received any complaints about the use of drones at Tai Po Waterfront Park, nor had it found any member of the public using drones at the park. The department would keep in view the situation and take actions in a timely manner.

24. Mr. WONG Hei-nok responded as follows:

(i) The WSD had set up a gate on the vehicular access at the entrance of Plover Cove Reservoir, while leaving an access road beside it for pedestrians and cyclists. The intent was to restrict access by unauthorised vehicles. As the entrance area was constrained by the slopes and buildings nearby, the department had widened the access road for pedestrians and cyclists as far as the terrain allowed, while the speed of cyclists could be limited at the same time. Although the department had displayed notices and put up road signs on the main dam to remind cyclists that they had to dismount and push the bicycles when they went through the gate and went past the slope, some cyclists had ignored the warnings and got injured when they rode down the slope directly. If the bicycle access was widened, cyclists might mistakenly believe that there was enough room to ride down the slope when there were fewer cyclists on weekdays, and accidents were more likely to happen. The department understood that it was difficult for pedestrians and cyclists to go through the existing gate. However, for safety reasons, the department had no plans to widen the bicycle access.

(ii) The helipad on the main dam was used mostly by the helicopters of the Government Flying Service (“GFS”). The GFS provided helicopter rescue services only when emergency delivery services were required due to accidents or injuries of members of the public, or in the event of emergencies such as hill fire in the vicinity. If the GFS staff had to go to the area concerned by helicopter under the afore-mentioned circumstances, the venue staff would inform the visitors there as early as possible, giving them ample time to leave the area.

(iii) The department would remove any kites that had fallen into the reservoir after the strings had snapped. If members of the public intentionally threw objects into the reservoir and polluted the water source, the department could instigate prosecution under the Waterworks Ordinance.

- 10 -

25. Mr. LAU Ka-yip added that according to the prevailing legislation, drone operators also had to comply with the Air Navigation (Hong Kong) Order 1995, which stipulated that no one should recklessly or negligently operate an aircraft to endanger any person or property. The regulation and law enforcement actions with respect to the operation of drones were also undertaken by the CAD. 26. The Chairman suggested providing the CAD with the minutes of this agenda item for reference, and hoped that the departmental representatives attending this meeting could consider Members’ views in a proactive manner. 27. Members agreed with the above suggestion put forward by the Chairman. (Post-meeting note: The Secretariat provided the CAD with the draft minutes of this agenda item on 18 June 2019.)

III. Report on the assistance provided for the agricultural industry by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department and matters concerning the mariculture industry in March and April 2019 (TPDC Paper No. ATR 22/2019)

(1) Assistance provided for the agricultural industry by the Agriculture, Fisheries and

Conservation Department 28. Mr. Wilson WU reported that between March and April 2019, the AFCD had provided farmers with free farm machinery lending services, which included the lending of cultivator tillers 41 times, weed burners and brush cutters 37 times, and other farm machineries 23 times. Besides, the department had also organised two technical seminars at Tai Long Farm to explain the production of organic seedling and the application of biological control. Both seminars had recorded full attendance. 29. Members did not have any comments or questions. (2) Matters concerning the mariculture industry 30. Ms. Sara STEWART introduced Appendix II to the captioned paper and reported as follows:

- 11 -

(i) Between March and April 2019, the AFCD had inspected a total of 18 fish culture zones (“FCZs”), of which 10 were located in Tai Po District.

(ii) The department’s representative had reported the outbreak of fish disease in Yung Shue Au fish farm at the previous ATRC meeting, and said that the department would report to the ATRC again after the histopathology examination result was available. She asked Members to refer to the examination result in the current report, and added that the report revealed the presence of macrophages in the fish’s spleen. It meant that the fish had been affected by non-contagious factors that had undermined their immunity. The department had immediately contacted the affected fish farmers in connection with this case, and provided them with advice and ways of prevention. The condition of the fish farm concerned had improved accordingly. Meanwhile, during the outbreak of fish disease at the above fish farm, the department did not receive any fish disease report in other fish farms.

(iii) The AFCD received a total of two red tide reports in the waters of Tai Po District during the above period. The first was found in Hoi Ha Wan, where the red tide was formed by the common and non-toxic Noctiluca scintillans. The second was found in Yim Tin Tsai and Yim Tin Tsai East FCZs, where the red tide was formed by Heterosigma akashiwo. The department did not receive any report of fish abnormalities or deaths during the above red tide period.

31. Mr. CHAN Cho-leung said that there was a section under the Tai Po Rural Committee (“TPRC”) for the discussion of fishery and agricultural matters, with the participation of fisherman representatives. He learnt from these fisherman representatives that the problems presented to them were not limited to difficulties in fish culture, but also included problems such as fish raft safety being affected by aquatic activities, illegal fishing, etc. He said that fishing moratorium was in effect every September. Some illegal trawlers had caught fish in the waters of Tai Po District on the eve of the fishing moratorium (i.e., early August), thus affecting the livelihood of fishermen in the district. Therefore, he would like the ATRC to revise the agenda item, so that the AFCD would not only report on the agricultural and maricultural matters in the district, but also send representatives to discuss with the ATRC as regards other problems faced by fishermen in the district. 32. Ms. Sara STEWART thanked Mr. CHAN Cho-leung for the views he had just put forward, and responded that she would inform the department of the views and consider arranging for the staff of other units of the department to attend the ATRC meetings. She said that Members or fishermen who had any comments or questions could contact the department at any time without having to wait for the ATRC meeting.

- 12 -

33. Mr. CHAN Cho-leung opined that it was not enough for the ATRC to maintain its current practice of discussing maricultural matters only. Therefore, he would like to expand the coverage of this agenda item so that the AFCD could respond to Members’ views on fishery in the district in a more effective manner. 34. The Chairman asked the AFCD to take further follow-up actions with regard to Mr. CHAN Cho-leung’s views.

IV. Report on the quantity of refuse collected from Tolo Harbour by the Marine Department and the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department in March and April 2019 (TPDC Papers No. ATR 23/2019 and ATR 24/2019) 35. Mr. CHAN Lap-wai reported that the MD contractors collected 16.3 tonnes and 17 tonnes of floating refuse at the inner waters of Tai Po District in March and April 2019 respectively. 36. Mr. MA Hon-chiu reported that the FEHD collected 10.122 tonnes and 12 tonnes of coastal refuse in Tolo Harbour in March and April 2019 respectively. 37. Ms. WONG Pik-kiu said that she had witnessed some plant-like floating matters on Lam Tsuen River in April 2019, and indicated that these floating matters were growing rapidly. As such, she would like to know the species of the floating matters. 38. Mr. MA Hon-chiu responded that the FEHD, mainly responsible for refuse collection, was not able to identify and confirm the species of the floating matters. 39. The Chairman suggested Members follow up on the above issue at the meetings of the Environment, Housing and Works Committee.

V. Report on the response to community activities held in March and April 2019 and the planned community activities to be held in May and June 2019 in Tai Po by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (TPDC Paper No. ATR 25/2019) 40. Mr. HUNG Sze-sik introduced Appendix I to the captioned paper and reported as follows:

(i) The LCSD had organised 104 activities in March and April 2019 with a total of 2 385 participants.

- 13 -

(ii) The LCSD planned to organise 164 activities in May and June 2019 with an estimated 4 083 participants. The activities included aquatic activities, distance running, swimming, dancing, fitness training, ball games, activities for the elderly people, activities for the disabled, various fun days, greening activities, etc. In addition, the department would also organise lawn bowl league games and basketball competitions.

41. Mr. LEUNG Cheuk-ming, Rico introduced Annexes A to E of Appendix II to the captioned paper. In response to Members’ hope for cultural and recreational activities to be held at indoor venues during the rainy season wherever possible, the LCSD had inspected the community halls in the district in mid-April, which included Fu Heng Neighbourhood Community Centre, Fu Shin Community Hall, Tai Wo Neighbourhood Community Centre and Tai Po Community Centre. Except for Fu Heng Neighbourhood Community Centre which was closed for renovation works and could not offer any venues until January 2020, the department would make every effort to hold cultural and recreational activities at the other three indoor venues in the next few months, having regard to the facilities and availability of the venues. 42. Mr. NG Chi-keung, Barry introduced Annexes 1 to 3 of Appendix III to the captioned paper. He reported that between March and April 2019, the LCSD had organised 82 promotional activities at Tai Po Public Library with a total of 39 371 participants. 43. Members did not have any comments or questions.

VI. Vetting of district minor works proposals to be recommended to the District Facilities Management Committee (TPDC Paper No. ATR 26/2019 (Revised)) 44. The Chairman welcomed Ms. NG Suet-yau, Sharon, Executive Officer (District Council) of the TPDO to the meeting for the discussion of this agenda item. 45. The Chairman said that among the works proposals submitted to the District Facilities Management Committee (“DFMC”) recently, five had to be examined by the ATRC to decide whether they should be recommended to the DFMC’s Working Group on District Works (“WGDW”) for consideration and according priority. 46. The ATRC agreed to recommend the afore-mentioned five works proposals to the WGDW.

- 14 -

VII. Allocations of DC Funds to the ATRC in 2019/20 (TPDC Paper No. ATR 27/2019) 47. The Chairman reported that at the meeting on 2 May 2019, the TPDC approved the funding of $9.11 million to the ATRC for the 2019/20 financial year (including a surplus funding of $1,210,600). Details of the estimated funding allocation had been set out in TPDC Paper No. ATR 27/2019. 48. Members noted the afore-mentioned matters.

VIII. Report of working group Working Group on Promotion and Publicity 49. Mr. TAM Wing-fun, Eric, Chairman of the Working Group on Promotion and Publicity, reported as follows:

(i) The Working Group did not hold any meeting recently.

(ii) The Tai Po Celebrates the Birthday of Tin Hau Blessing Parade, co-organised by the Working Group and Tai Po Old Market Tin Hau Temple in Tai Po Market Social Event Control Committee, had been held successfully from 20 to 22 April 2019.

(iii) The iOS version of “Tai Po Fun” mobile app had been taken off the shelf in March 2019. Meanwhile, its Android version would also be taken off the shelf in late May 2019, and the Facebook page would also be deleted by then.

(iv) At the meeting on 2 May 2019, the TPDC approved a funding of $1,037,100 (including a surplus funding of $120,000) to the Working Group for the 2019/20 financial year, of which $350,000 (including a surplus funding of $40,000) would be used for organising the Tai Po Celebrates the Birthday of Tin Hau Blessing Parade as an impetus for the local economy; $7,100 for covering the remaining maintenance service fee of “Tai Po Fun”, a mobile app providing information on tourism in Tai Po District; and $680,000 (including a surplus funding of $80,000) for promoting and publicising the TPDC.

(v) The Working Group would hold meetings to discuss various funding applications in due course. Members were welcomed to provide comments and recommendations for promoting and publicising Tai Po District and the TPDC.

50. Members did not have any comments or questions.

- 15 -

IX. Applications for DC Funds (TPDC Paper No. ATR 28/2019 (Revised)) 51. The Chairman indicated that if Members were satisfied that the 23 DC Funds applications for the activities in 2019/20 submitted to this ATRC meeting for vetting fell within the ambit of DC Funds, they could consider endorsing the applications. 52. The Chairman asked the Secretary to go through the arrangement on interest declaration. 53. The Secretary reported as follows:

(i) Pursuant to Orders 48(9) and 48(10) of the Standing Orders, a Member had to declare interests if he found that he had direct personal interests, pecuniary interests or other interests in an application for DC Funds under consideration, or had links with the benefitted party or the potential benefitted party.

(ii) The Secretariat had compiled a declaration form (see Annex) based on the information collected. It had set out the links between Members and the hosting, partnering or co-hosting organisations concerned, and the substantive and non-substantive positions held by Members were highlighted in yellow and green respectively. She asked Members to check the information contained in the declaration form and make amendments or give supplementary information where necessary. In addition, apart from having links with the hosting, partnering or co-hosting organisations of the activities, she also asked Members to declare interests if they had any direct personal interests, pecuniary interests or other interests in the applications for DC Funds under consideration.

54. Members agreed with the information contained in the declaration form. 55. The Chairman asked the Secretary to go through the arrangement on Members who had declared interests. 56. The Secretary reported that for Members who had declared their links with the hosting, partnering or co-hosting organisations of the activities, if they held non-substantive positions in the organisations concerned without involving any pecuniary interests or other interests, it was suggested that they could take part in the discussion and resolution of the funding application concerned. If they held substantive positions in the organisations concerned without involving any pecuniary interests or other interests, it was suggested that they were not required to withdraw from the meeting while the funding applications concerned were being examined, but

- 16 -

had to remain silent during the discussion and refrain from participating in the resolution or voting in connection with the funding applications concerned. However, the Chairman could ask them to provide supplementary information where necessary. 57. Members agreed with the afore-mentioned approach. (1) Eight funding applications submitted by Tai Po Sports Association 58. The Chairman reminded that Mr. LI Kwok-ying, the Vice-chairman, Mr. CHAN Siu-kuen and Mr. MO Ka-hung, Joseph, who were shown holding substantive positions in the hosting organisation in the declaration of interests form, had to remain silent during the discussion and refrain from participating in the resolution or voting. The ATRC, however, could ask them to provide supplementary information where necessary. 59. The ATRC resolved to:

(i) allocate $22,312 to the captioned organisation for organising the 3rd Tai Po Cup Volleyball Invitation Championship (2019-2020), and to waive the funding ceiling for the expenditure item marked in Appendix I to the paper.

(ii) allocate $19,280 to the captioned organisation for organising the 17th New Territories Inter-District Basketball Tournament.

(iii) allocate $8,940 to the captioned organisation for organising the 8th New Territories Inter-District Rugby Championship.

(iv) allocate $26,434 to the captioned organisation for organising the 34th New Territories Inter-District Swimming Gala.

(v) allocate $29,328 to the captioned organisation for organising the 6th New Territories Inter-District Taekwondo Competition.

(vi) allocate $17,480 to the captioned organisation for organising the 18th New Territories Inter-District Table Tennis Tournament.

(vii) allocate $45,138 to the captioned organisation for organising Football Tournament.

(viii) allocate $92,796 to the captioned organisation for co-organising the Sports Activity Anniversary Integrated Prize Presentation Ceremony 2019-2020 with the LCSD, and to waive the funding ceiling for the expenditure items marked and in Appendix VIII to the paper.

- 17 -

60. The Chairman reported that the expenditure for the afore-mentioned activities would be listed under “District Schools Sports Activities” of the ATRC in the 2019/20 financial year. (2) Three funding applications submitted by Tai Po District Arts Advancement

Association 61. The Chairman reminded that Mr. CHAN Cho-leung and Ms. WONG Pik-kiu, who were shown holding substantive positions in the hosting organisation in the declaration of interests form, had to remain silent during the discussion and refrain from participating in the resolution or voting. The ATRC, however, could ask them to provide supplementary information where necessary. 62. The ATRC resolved to

(i) allocate $18,800 to the captioned organisation for organising Tai Po Children Choir (II).

(ii) allocate $18,264 to the captioned organisation for organising Integrated Dance Class (II).

(iii) allocate $46,616 to the captioned organisation for organising Chinese Musical Instrument Class (II).

63. The Chairman reported that the expenditure for the afore-mentioned activities would be listed under “District Arts and Cultural Activities” of the ATRC in the 2019/20 financial year. (3) Five funding applications submitted by local groups 64. The ATRC resolved to:

(i) allocate $10,800 to the Mutual Aid Committee of Wan Lam House for organising Summer Family Swimming Tour.

(ii) allocate $18,960 to Crescendo for organising Happy Gathering for the Elderly. 65. The Secretary said that the gifts to be handed out in the game booths during the Celebration of Parents with Songs and Melodies Carnival had been changed from reusable bags to scarves. Meanwhile, the estimated expenditure and application amount for the activity remained unchanged.

- 18 -

66. The ATRC resolved to:

(i) allocate $23,300 to the Wisenice Club for organising Celebration of Parents with Songs and Melodies Carnival.

(ii) allocate $12,000 to Sui Cheung Wing Cantonese Opera for organising Cantonese Opera – Mistake at the Flower Festival.

(iii) allocate $12,000 to Yiu Ming Sing Cantonese Opera for organising Cantonese Opera – The Story of Red Plum (Youth Version).

67. The Chairman reported that the expenditure for the afore-mentioned activities would be listed under “Application for Other Activities” of the ATRC in the 2019/20 financial year. (4) Five funding applications related to the Long-term Training Programme for Tai Po

Athletes 68. The Chairman reminded that Mr. LI Kwok-ying, the Vice-chairman, Mr. CHAN Siu-kuen and Mr. Joseph MO, who were shown holding substantive positions in Tai Po Sports Association (“TPSA”) in the declaration of interests form, had to remain silent during the discussion and refrain from participating in the resolution or voting. The ATRC, however, could ask them to provide supplementary information where necessary. 69. The ATRC resolved to:

(i) allocate $49,496 to the TPSA for organising Swimming Training for the Elite Athletes in Tai Po District.

(ii) allocate $84,620 to the TPSA for organising Tennis Training for the Elite Athletes in Tai Po District.

(iii) allocate $61,888 to the TPSA for organising Volleyball Training for the Elite Athletes in Tai Po District.

(iv) allocate $26,856 to the TPSA for organising Basketball Training for the Elite Athletes in Tai Po District.

(v) allocate $36,054 to the TPSA for organising Table Tennis Training for the Elite Athletes in Tai Po District.

70. The Chairman reported that the expenditure for the afore-mentioned activities would be listed under “Long-Term Training Programmes for Tai Po District Athletes” of the ATRC in the 2019/20 financial year.

- 19 -

(5) Two funding applications for activities jointly organised by local groups and Tai Po

District Youth Committee 71. The Chairman reminded that Mr. LI Kwok-ying, the Vice-chairman, Mr. LAM Yick-kuen, Mr. CHAN Cho-leung, Mr. CHAN Siu-kuen, Mr. Patrick TANG, Ms. WONG Pik-kiu and Dr. LAU Chee-sing, who were shown holding substantive positions in the TPRC in the declaration of interests form, had to remain silent during the discussion and refrain from participating in the resolution or voting. The ATRC, however, could ask them to provide supplementary information where necessary. 72. The Secretary said that the Secretariat had distributed TPDC Paper No. ATR 28/2019 (Revised) to Members earlier. The revisions included matters relating to the 22nd Tai Po Countryside Football Cup cum Celebration of the 22nd Anniversary of the Establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the 70th Anniversary of the Founding of the People’s Republic of China, in which the DC Fund application for the expenditure item “Invitation letters” was reduced from $1,200 to $1,050, and that for the expenditure item “Medals” was increased from $5,500 to $5,650. Meanwhile, the total application amount for the activity remained unchanged. 73. The ATRC resolved to allocate $68,940 to the TPRC for co-organising the 22nd Tai Po Countryside Football Cup cum Celebration of the 22nd Anniversary of the Establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the 70th Anniversary of the Founding of the People’s Republic of China with Tai Po Tsat Yeuk Village Office and Tai Po District Youth Programme Committee. 74. The Chairman reminded that Mr. CHAN Cho-leung and Ms. WONG Pik-kiu, who were shown holding substantive positions in Tai Po District Arts Advancement Association (“TPDAAA”) in the declaration of interests form, as well as Mr. Eric TAM, who was shown holding a substantive position in Tai Po Youth Association, had to remain silent during the discussion and refrain from participating in the resolution or voting. The ATRC, however, could ask them to provide supplementary information where necessary. 75. The ATRC resolved to allocate $69,380 to TPDAAA for co-organising Tai Po District Summer Youth Singing Competition cum Prize Presentation Ceremony 2019 with Tai Po District Youth Committee.

- 20 -

76. The Chairman reported that the expenditure for the afore-mentioned activities would be listed in “District Youth Activities Committee” under “Other Activities Programme” of the ATRC in the 2019/20 financial year.

X. “Tai Po Feast for the Elderly 2019” (TPDC Papers No. ATR 29/2019 and ATR 29A/2019) 77. The Chairman said that Mr. AU Chun-wah had proposed discussing matters relating to Tai Po Feast for the Elderly 2019 at the TPDC meeting on 7 March 2019, and had submitted a paper to the Secretariat. At the meeting, the TPDC resolved to hand over the case to this ATRC meeting for follow-up actions. The TPDC Secretariat had earlier forwarded Mr. AU Chun-wah’s paper to the hosting organisation of Tai Po Feast for the Elderly 2019 (namely the TPRC), and the TPRC had given a written reply in relation to the paper. He asked Members to refer to TPDC Paper No. ATR 29A/2019. 78. Mr. AU Chun-wah said that he had described the incident in TPDC Paper No. ATR 29/2019. The TPRC mentioned in its reply that Mr. MUI Siu-fung was one of the volunteers and was therefore assigned to hand out red packets to the participants. However, not all the volunteers there had handed out red packets to the participants. Therefore, he found the reply unreasonable. In addition, he said that a similar situation also took place at Tai Po Feast for the Elderly 2016. In response to that incident, the TPRC (i.e., the hosting organisation at that time) had stated that it would improve the arrangements concerned and respect the DC Members there. He said that he was the only DC Member at the event. When he noticed that it was inappropriate to hand out the red packets, he had informed the helpers there about it, but no one seemed to care. He could hardly accept the TPRC’s explanation, and hoped that the TPRC’s Chairman, Vice-chairman and members, who also served on the ATRC, could explain the afore-mentioned arrangements in the event. 79. Mr. CHAN Cho-leung’s comments were as follows:

(i) The TPRC stated in its reply that Mr. AU Chun-wah was welcomed to join the future preparatory meetings for Tai Po Feast for the Elderly and express his views on the event. He found the reply reasonable.

(ii) He said that he had been a volunteer for the captioned event for years. The volunteers had different duties, and most of them were responsible for maintaining order and taking care of the participants. Subject to the manpower arrangements in different venues, the distribution of red packets to participants was mainly carried out by one volunteer, and not all volunteers had assisted in handing out red packets to the participants.

- 21 -

80. The Chairman said that Tai Po Feast for the Elderly had been organised for years. He believed that Members could discuss ways to improve the details of the event together on the premises of serving the elderly participants. 81. Mr. LAM Yick-kuen said that as the new Chairman of the TPRC, he did not participate in the captioned event at that time. However, he had looked into the incident and had gone through the afore-mentioned paper. He said that the next Tai Po Feast for the Elderly would be the first one he would take part in, and hoped that Members who had years of experience in organising Tai Po Feast for the Elderly could express their views to him more often. He sought to develop a closer co-operation with Members so as to improve the event’s arrangements together. 82. Mr. AU Chun-wah’s comments were as follows:

(i) For the past few years, it had always been the TPRC’s staff who handed out red packets to the participants at Tai Po Feast for the Elderly. As the TPRC was the hosting organisation of the event, even if it had never asked him to make a speech to the participants or hand out red packets to them, he had no comments about it and respected the arrangements of the hosting organisation.

(ii) The TPRC stated in its reply that Mr. MUI Siu-fung was one of the volunteers and was assigned to help serve the participants, maintain order and hand out red packets to the participants at the venue. To his knowledge, however, Mr. MUI did not arrive at the venue earlier for the preparatory work, unlike other volunteers. Instead, he arrived at the venue only after the event had started and then handed out red packets to the participants.

(iii) He said that he was also a volunteer for the captioned event but, unlike others, was not assigned to hand out red packets to the participants. He found such an arrangement unreasonable, and wondered whether the TPRC regarded him as a volunteer for the event. As such, he felt slighted and ignored.

(iv) He reiterated that it was not the first time the above situation had happened. Therefore, he opined that the hosting organisation had to improve the event’s arrangements. Otherwise, it was difficult to ensure that the same situation would not happen again.

(v) He suggested the Secretariat write to the TPRC to remind the latter to prevent the recurrence of similar incidents wherever possible.

83. Ms. WONG Pik-kiu’s comments were as follows:

- 22 -

(i) DC Members who showed up at different venues of the event on that day were all volunteers.

(ii) Having heard Mr. AU Chun-wah’s comments on the above incident, she had asked the staff members of the hosting organisation about it. They said that as they did not know Mr. AU Chun-wah, he was not assigned to hand out red packets to the participants.

(iii) As the venue of the event Mr. AU Chun-wah visited was located in her constituency and Mr. MUI Siu-fung was her assistant, Mr. MUI attended the event at that venue.

(iv) As the TPRC, the hosting organisation, had to manage a number of venues at the same time, and the organisations which helped co-ordinate the event had also sent volunteers for assistance, she found it inappropriate to put all the blame on the TPRC for the improper arrangements of the event.

(v) She opined that Members should focus on the meaning of the event. As the purpose of the event was to serve the elderly people and make them happy, while the distribution of red packets to the participants was just icing on the cake, she hoped that Members would not get too upset by the arrangement.

(vi) She hoped that the TPRC would draw on the experience from this event and review its arrangements, with a view to improving the next event together.

84. The Chairman hoped that the TPRC would invite Mr. AU Chun-wah to attend the relevant meetings in future to discuss the various event’s arrangements together. 85. Mr. AU Chun-wah’s comments were as follows:

(i) At Tai Po Feast for the Elderly over the past few years, the hosting organisation had never assigned him to hand out red packets to the participants or make a speech, and he had never expressed his dissatisfaction either. Therefore, he reiterated that he did not mind whether the hosting organisation had assigned him to hand out red packets to the participants. He just felt slighted.

(ii) As the TPRC was the hosting organisation of the event, he opined that he should reflect his views to the TPRC.

(iii) He did not rule out the possibility that the staff members at the venue did not know him. However, as he and several staff members there often met each other and the Co-opted Members of other committees under the TPDC were also present at the venue, he had doubts about the claim that the staff members did not know him.

86. Mr. LEE Yu-sau, Terence’s comments were as follows:

- 23 -

(i) He expected that the funding application for Tai Po Feast for the Elderly 2020 would be vetted at the TPDC meeting in September 2019.

(ii) Since Tai Po Feast for the Elderly 2017, the TPRC had formulated venue guidelines for the event for reference by various venues.

(iii) He suggested the ATRC write to the TPRC, suggesting the latter improve the venue guidelines, and incorporate the job division among volunteers as well as the arrangements for red packet distribution into the venue guidelines. In addition, when submitting the funding application for Tai Po Feast for the Elderly 2020, the TPRC also had to submit the improved venue guidelines for Members’ reference.

(iv) In 2016, the TPDC had also discussed an irregularity relating to Tai Po Feast for the Elderly. Although he had not assumed office at that time, he had looked into the case and assigned Secretariat’s staff to carry out on-site inspection at the subsequent Tai Po Feasts for the Elderly. He suggested doing the same by assigning Secretariat’s staff to carry out on-site inspection at Tai Po Feast for the Elderly 2020 so that the afore-mentioned situation would not happen again as far as possible.

87. Mr. Patrick TANG said that he understood why Mr. AU Chun-wah felt slighted because of the afore-mentioned incident. However, he opined that there was no further need for Members to argue who was right or wrong, and should seek to improve the arrangements for the next event. In addition, he did not agree to incorporate the arrangements for red packet distribution into the venue guidelines as red packet distribution was only part of the event arranged by the hosting organisation instead of a procedure of the event. Instead of writing to the TPRC about this incident again, he opined that Mr. AU Chun-wah should attend the meeting for the discussion of the next Tai Po Feast for the Elderly so as to improve the arrangements concerned. 88. Mr. CHAN Cho-leung agreed with Mr. Patrick TANG’s views, saying that the TPRC had already given a reasonable reply to Mr. AU Chun-wah’s letter. In addition, Mr. LAM Yick-kuen had just said that he welcomed all Members to discuss the arrangements for the next event together. On the other hand, he said that the event was jointly sponsored by the TPRC and the TPDC. As the TPRC had more than 200 members who might hold different views on the incident, he did not agree to write to the TPRC about the afore-mentioned incident again. He also hoped that Mr. AU Chun-wah would attend the future TPRC meetings relating to Tai Po Feast for the Elderly and discuss the various event’s arrangements together. 89. Mr. AU Chun-wah reiterated that the issue with the afore-mentioned incident was not about the fact that he had not been assigned to hand out red packets to the participants. It was that the arrangements had made him feel slighted. He said that Mr. MUI Siu-fung was handing out red packets to the residents of Tai Po Centre (i.e., Mr. AU Chun-wah’s constituency) at that

- 24 -

time. If Mr. AU Chun-wah’s assistants were handing out red packets to the residents in other Members’ constituencies, he believed that the Members concerned would also feel slighted. Therefore, he hoped that Members could put themselves in his shoes, and that the TPRC would make every effort to improve the event’s arrangements, so that the afore-mentioned incident would not happen again. His proposal to write to the TPRC could serve as a reminder, but he respected and accepted Members’ suggestion. As the current discussion had been recorded, he agreed not to write to the TPRC about the incident. 90. The Chairman hoped that the TPRC would continue to discuss the event’s arrangements with Members in future to make improvements.

XI. Any other business (i) Updating the list of Members of the Working Group on Promotion and Publicity

(TPDC Paper No. ATR 30/2019) 91. The Chairman said that the TPDC had approved Mr. LAM Yick-kuen to join all the committees under the TPDC via a circulation paper on 18 April 2019. Therefore, Mr. LAM became a member of the ATRC with effect from the same day. As Mr. LAM would like to join the Working Group on Promotion and Publicity under the ATRC, the Secretariat had prepared an updated list of Members of the Working Group (please refer to TPDC Paper No. ATR 30/2019). Pursuant to Order 39(2) of the Standing Order, a committee had to determine the membership of the working groups under its purview. 92. The ATRC endorsed the updated list of Members of the above Working Group. (ii) Mid-Autumn Festival celebration 2019 93. The Chairman reported that since 2008, the TPDC would pool its resources to organise a large-scale Mid-Autumn Festival celebration activity for the residents in the district every year. Except 2017, the ATRC had been co-organising the Mid-Autumn Festival celebration activities with the local groups every year, and the TPRC had indicated its interest in co-organising the Mid-Autumn Festival celebration activity with the ATRC this year. 94. The ATRC agreed to co-organise this year’s Mid-Autumn Festival celebration activity with the TPRC.

- 25 -

(iii) Renaming an agenda item 95. As regards the title of the agenda item “Report on the assistance provided for the agricultural industry by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department and matters concerning the mariculture industry”, Mr. CHAN Cho-leung suggested renaming the latter part as “concerning the mariculture and other industries”, so as to expand the coverage of the agenda item. 96. The Chairman asked the Secretariat to take note of the above suggestion put forward by Mr. CHAN Cho-leung. (iv) Residents’ complaints about the excessive noise from the activities held at Tin Hau

Temple Fung Shui Square 97. Mr. LAU Yung-wai said that some residents had complained to him about the excessive noise from the activities held at Tin Hau Temple Fung Shui Square by the Tai Po Old Market Tin Hau Temple in Tai Po Market Social Event Control Committee. He would like the organisation concerned to look into the matter, and suggested it avoid turning loudspeakers towards people’s homes and reduce the noise level during the activities, so as not to affect the daily life of the residents. 98. The Chairman asked the Secretariat to inform the organisation concerned of the afore-mentioned views. (Post-meeting note: After the meeting, the Secretariat had informed the Tai Po Old Market Tin Hau Temple in Tai Po Market Social Event Control Committee about the afore-mentioned views put forward by Members.)

XII. Date of next meeting 99. The next meeting would be held at 9:30 a.m. on 12 July 2019 (Friday). 100. There being no other business, the meeting was adjourned at 11:18 a.m.

Tai Po District Council Secretariat June 2019