MEMBERS from the Urban and Regional Councils have complained that they were not consulted about the drafting of the Budget. Kam Nai-wai, an Urban Councillor from the Central and Western District, said he was disappointed that the Government was unable to take members' advice into consideration. 'The Government had promised to increase the number of outreach teams in 1992, but now it says it will only review the scheme again later this year,' Democrat Mr Kam said. He criticised Mr Tsang for not discussing the Budget with the members of the Urban Council before his announcement. 'The Urban Council plays a very important role in government expenditure, but we were not consulted,' Mr Kam said. Regional Council member Cheung Hon-chung, from the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment of Hong Kong, said only briefing the chairmen of the two councils was not enough. 'It may be difficult for the Financial Secretary to go to all the 18 districts to explain the Budget, but it is definitely not enough if he only discusses it with the chairmen,' Mr Cheung said. Mr Tsang briefed chairmen from the Urban Council, Regional Council and district boards at a closed-door meeting yesterday morning. Mr Tsang said at the end of the one-hour meeting that most of them supported the Budget and he would continue to listen to opinion from all walks of life. 'I will consult legislators and district boards in formulating policies,' Mr Tsang said. The chairman of Kwun Tong District Board, Poon Yam Wai-chun, said most district board chairmen agreed with the principle and direction of the Budget. 'We find the Budget acceptable, but Mr Tsang can do better if he can increase the number of the outreach teams,' Mrs Poon said.
