The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department today (December 27) announced an adjustment to the auto-LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) ceiling prices for dedicated LPG filling stations from January 1 to January 31, 2020, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the contracts of the dedicated LPG filling stations.
 
     A department spokesman said that the adjustment on January 1, 2020, reflects the movement of the LPG international price in December 2019. The adjusted auto-LPG ceiling prices for dedicated LPG filling stations will range from $3.03 to $3.57 per litre, representing an increase of $0.04 per litre.
      
     The spokesman said that the auto-LPG ceiling prices were adjusted according to a specified pricing formula. The formula comprises two elements – the LPG international price and the LPG operating price. The LPG international price is the LPG international price of the preceding month. The LPG operating price is adjusted on the first day of February every year according to the movement in the Composite Consumer Price Index in the previous year.
      
     The auto-LPG ceiling prices for respective dedicated LPG filling stations in January 2020 are as follows:
 

     
     â€‹The spokesman said that the details of the LPG international price and the auto-LPG ceiling price of each dedicated LPG filling station have been uploaded to the department website www.emsd.gov.hk. They are also posted at dedicated LPG filling stations to enable the trades to monitor the price adjustment.
 
     Details of the pricing adjustment mechanism for dedicated LPG filling stations can also be viewed under the "What's New" section of the department website at www.emsd.gov.hk/en/what_s_new/current/index.html.

     The Partnership Fund for the Disadvantaged (PFD) announced today (December 27) its invitation for the 13th round Regular Portion applications and the sixth round Dedicated Portion applications for implementing After-school Learning and Support Programmes. Welfare non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and eligible primary and secondary schools are encouraged to submit proposals to the PFD managed by the Social Welfare Department (SWD).

     The Government set up the PFD in 2005 for promoting tripartite partnership among the welfare sector, business corporations and the Government to help the disadvantaged. To date the Government has injected a total of $1.2 billion into the PFD. Apart from a commitment of $800 million for the Regular Portion of the PFD to help the disadvantaged, a total of $400 million has been earmarked as the Dedicated Portion. Since its launch in 2015, the Dedicated Portion has been actively promoting the "Citizens-Business-Government-School" collaboration to implement more after-school learning and support programmes for primary and secondary students from grassroots families to facilitate their whole-person development.

     Taking into consideration the recent local economic downturn and its impact on the disadvantaged, the SWD has raised the ceiling of grant by 50 per cent, that is, the ceiling of grant for each Regular Portion project is raised from HK$2 million to HK$3 million and that for each Dedicated Portion project from HK$3 million to HK$4.5 million, to allow room for welfare NGOs and schools to provide services for the benefit of more disadvantaged people. Additionally, the SWD has streamlined the application form and provides relevant reference materials to facilitate the submission of proposals and to speed up the vetting process.

     A spokesman for the SWD said that in the 12 earlier rounds of Regular Portion Applications of the PFD, matching grants totalling over $470 million were approved for 192 welfare NGOs sponsored by over 1 600 business partners. More than one million disadvantaged persons have benefitted from a total of 980 welfare projects. The first five rounds of Dedicated Portion applications attracted a favourable response. More than $205 million in matching grants have been approved for 309 after-school learning and support projects so far. Over 300 business organisations participated in the projects, benefitting more than 100 000 primary and secondary students in total.

     Summaries of the two applications are as follows:
 

     Details of the Regular Portion and the Dedicated Portion of the PFD are available on the SWD homepage: www.swd.gov.hk. For enquiries about the applications, please contact the Secretariat of the PFD during office hours on 3468 2718/3468 2711, or by email to spfd@swd.gov.hk.

     â€‹The Transport Department (TD) today (December 27) announced that the 41st invitation exercise of the Personalised Vehicle Registration Marks (PVRMs) Scheme will be launched on January 1.
      
     "Starting from January 1, applications are invited under the 41st invitation exercise for the allocation of PVRMs upon sale by auction. Completed application forms should reach the department no later than January 31. If there are more than 1,500 applications, those to be considered will be selected by lot," a TD spokesman said.
      
     Interested persons should complete and submit the application forms (TD569). Those who possess a digital certificate may also make use of the online application service at the GovHK website (www.gov.hk).
      
     Application forms (TD569) and Guidance Notes for Application can be downloaded from the TD's website (www.td.gov.hk) or obtained from the TD's Licensing Offices as well as the Public Enquiry Service Centres of the Home Affairs Department. Completed applications can be put in the drop-in box at any of the TD's Licensing Offices or posted to Vehicle Registration Marks Unit, Transport Department, 12/F, South Tower, West Kowloon Government Offices, 11 Hoi Ting Road, Yau Ma Tei, Kowloon. Applications received by mail will be dated by the postmark. No payment of deposit is required at this stage.
      
     Applicants are advised to read carefully the Guidance Notes for details of the scheme before completing the application forms. They can also check whether a proposed PVRM is in compliance with the basic combination requirements by using the online service at the GovHK webpage at www.gov.hk/en/residents/transport/vehicle/onlineservices.htm.
      
     Each applicant may submit only one application in each exercise. If an applicant submits more than one application, none of his/her applications will be processed. Once submitted, the applicant cannot withdraw the application or change the arrangement of the PVRM stated in the application form.
      
     An acknowledgement will immediately be sent to the applicant upon successful submission of online application. Those who submit the applications by TD569 will receive TD's acknowledgement by ordinary post within two weeks after submission. Applicants who do not receive the acknowledgement within this time frame should call the TD hotline at 2804 2600.

     The Government Property Agency is inviting tenders for a three-year tenancy of Shop No. 18 on Podium Level 2 of Shun Lee Disciplined Services Quarters, 32 Lee On Road, Kwun Tong, Kowloon.

     The premises should only be used for (i) retail or provision of services (excluding TV or Internet game centre, off-course betting centre and mahjong school); or (ii) eating outlet; or (iii) the combination of both (i) and (ii).

     The tender notice was uploaded today (December 27) to the Agency's website: www.gpa.gov.hk. Tender documents are available for collection at the Government Property Agency, 9th Floor, South Tower, West Kowloon Government Offices, 11 Hoi Ting Road, Yau Ma Tei, Kowloon, during office hours (8.30am to 5.45pm from Mondays to Fridays). The documents can also be downloaded from the Agency's website.

     Interested tenderers who wish to attend the site inspection should make prior appointment with the Government Property Agency by calling 3842 6777 on or before January 17, 2020.

     Tenderers must submit their tenders by placing them in the Government Logistics Department Tender Box situated on the Ground Floor, North Point Government Offices, 333 Java Road, North Point, Hong Kong before noon on February 10, 2020. Late tenders will not be accepted.

     The Financial Secretary, with the authority delegated by the Chief Executive, has appointed Mr Lawrence Chan Kam-man and Mr Peter Lo Chi-wai as members of the Hong Kong Deposit Protection Board. The above appointments were gazetted today (December 27) under the Deposit Protection Scheme Ordinance, for a term of three years with effect from January 1, 2020.
 
     Announcing the appointments, a government spokesman said, "The appointees possess rich experience in public service and their respective professional fields. We look forward to having their expert advice on the Board."
 
     "We would like to express our heartfelt thanks to the outgoing member, Professor Chan Ngai-hang, for his valuable contribution over the past years."
 
     The Board is a statutory body established in 2004 under the Deposit Protection Scheme Ordinance. Its primary function is to maintain and manage the effective and efficient operation of the deposit protection scheme, for protecting depositors and contributing to the stability of the banking system.