Extended library hours and new markets and recreation services may be axed because of a proposed budget cut for the Urban Council, members said yesterday.
Charges for the use of sports and other public facilities might also increase, they said after a closed-door meeting of the Finance Branch.
Council chairman Ronald Leung Ding-bong said: 'Some members have expressed regrets and it's possible some current services may have to be discontinued if we incur a deficit.' According to fellow member Kam Nai-wai, the council had asked for $23.8 billion for the financial period spanning April 1997 to March 2000, but the branch would only offer $18.7 billion.
'The Government is being unreasonable and has refused to explain how its estimate differed so much from ours,' Mr Kam said. 'The drastic cut could undermine service quality and the number of services available.' Under an agreement with the central administration, the council receives the bulk of its budget from half the rates collected by the Government.
The new budget may require the ratio of the rate share to be changed.
The three-year budget ending in March is set at $15 billion.