Head 95 — LEISURE and CULTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT
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Head 95 — LEISURE AND CULTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT Controlling officer: the Director of Leisure and Cultural Services will account for expenditure under this Head. Estimate 2001–02.................................................................................................................................................. $5,287.3m Establishment ceiling 2001–02 (notional annual mid-point salary value) representing an estimated 9 275 non-directorate posts at 31 March 2001 reducing by 255 posts to 9 020 posts at 31 March 2002........................................................................................................................................................ $1,857.9m In addition there will be an estimated 12 directorate posts at 31 March 2001 reducing by two posts to ten posts at 31 March 2002. Capital Account commitment balance............................................................................................................ $30.4m Controlling Officer’s Report Programmes Programme (1) Recreation and Sports These programmes contribute to Policy Area 18: Recreation, Programme (2) Horticulture and Amenities Culture, Amenities and Entertainment Licensing (Secretary for Programme (3) Heritage and Museums Home Affairs). Programme (4) Performing Arts Programme (5) Public Libraries Detail Programme (1): Recreation and Sports 1999–2000# 2000–01 2000–01 2001–02 (Actual)# (Approved) (Revised) (Estimate) Financial provision ($m) 491.8 2,235.0 2,148.5 2,268.8 (+354.5%) (–3.9%) (+5.6%) # The actual expenditure for 1999–2000 represents the actual expenditure for the three months from 1 January 2000 to 31 March 2000. Aim 2 The aim is to provide, manage and develop recreation and sports facilities and to organise a wide range of leisure activities. Brief Description 3 The work involves: • formulating policies and strategies for the provision of leisure facilities and activities with particular focus on physical fitness and safe sports; • managing, developing and improving leisure facilities such as sports centres, parks and gardens, swimming pools, gazetted beaches, tennis courts and holiday camps; • organising recreation, sports and leisure activities; and • administering subsidies to local bodies for organising leisure activities. 4 In 2000, the department organised a wide range of recreation and sports activities for different age groups. A “Healthy Exercise for All” Campaign was launched in April 2000 to encourage the general public to participate regularly in sports activities for the benefit of their physical health. To further enhance water sports safety, the department introduced a new rule in September 2000 prohibiting children under the age of 12 from using swimming pools if they are unaccompanied by adults. Two overseas consultants were engaged to make assessments on the operation and management of public swimming pools and bathing beaches. The “Free Use Scheme” was extended from the urban areas to the New Territories in September 2000 allowing schools and national/district sports associations to use selected facilities free of charge on weekdays with a view to optimising the utilisation of leisure facilities. Reviews are being conducted to re-align the booking procedures and fee structures adopted by the former Provisional Municipal Councils. 5 The key performance measures in respect of recreation and sports facilities are: Targets • to provide safe and good quality recreation sports facilities and activities for the public; 1 21-Feb-01 Vol 1B Head095a.Doc Page 1 of Head 95 — LEISURE AND CULTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT • to enhance awareness of the benefit of physical fitness; • to promote awareness of water sports safety; • to organise physical recreation and sports activities for different age groups, including persons with a disability; and • to improve the efficiency and cost-effectiveness in the provision of leisure services. Indicators 1999 2000 2001 (Actual) (Actual) (Estimate) Recreation and sports activities no. of recreation and sports activities organised........................ — 22 000 22 220 no. of participants in recreation and sports activities ................ — 1 250 000 1 262 500 no. of physical fitness activities organised ................................. — 8 500 8 600 Recreation and sports facilities no. of swimming beaches............................................................... — 36 36 no. of children’s playgrounds........................................................ — 606 610 no. of natural and artificial turf pitches ....................................... — 68 69 no. of hockey pitches ...................................................................... — 2 2 no. of rugby pitches ........................................................................ — 2 2 no. of hard surfaced pitches........................................................... — 213 218 no. of holiday camps....................................................................... — 4 4 no. of major parks............................................................................ — 22 22 no. of indoor games halls/leisure centres/indoor recreation centres .......................................................................................... — 80 82 no. of sports grounds ...................................................................... — 24 24 no. of squash courts ........................................................................ — 323 326 no. of stadia ...................................................................................... — 2 2 no. of swimming pool complexes ................................................. — 34 36 no. of tennis courts .......................................................................... — 265 269 no. of water sports centres ............................................................. — 4 4 no. of bowling greens ..................................................................... — 8 8 no. of golf driving ranges............................................................... — 4 4 Usage rates of recreation and sports facilities with admission control total attendance at holiday camps†............................................... — 537 000 490 000 total attendance at water sports centres †..................................... — 63 000 70 000 total attendance at golf driving ranges† ...................................... — 318 000 320 000 total attendance at public swimming pools †............................... — 8 800 000 8 850 000 usage rate of indoor games halls/leisure centres/indoor recreation centres† ..................................................................... — 59% 60% usage rate of tennis courts † ........................................................... — 48% 50% usage rate of sports grounds†........................................................ — 58% 60% usage rate of natural turf pitches† ................................................ — 88% 90% usage rate of artificial turf pitches†.............................................. — 68% 70% † New indicator as from 2001 Matters Requiring Special Attention in 2001–02 6 During 2001–02, the department will continue to: • examine new trends and development in recreation and amenities and introduce new facilities; • encourage parents to participate in leisure activities with their children; • organise the “Healthy Exercise for All” Campaign; • conduct the water sports safety campaign; • encourage the formation of district sports teams ; • encourage schools to participate in the School Sports Programme; and • further enhance the cost-effectiveness of leisure services through private sector participation. 2 21-Feb-01 Vol 1B Head095a.Doc Page 2 of Head 95 — LEISURE AND CULTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT Programme (2): Horticulture and Amenities 1999–2000# 2000–01 2000–01 2001–02 (Actual)# (Approved) (Revised) (Estimate) Financial provision ($m) 131.6 572.8 545.3 566.9 (+335.3%) (–4.8%) (+4.0%) # The actual expenditure for 1999–2000 represents the actual expenditure for the three months from 1 January 2000 to 31 March 2000. Aim 7 The aim is to promote appreciation and conservation of nature and greening of Hong Kong, through planting of trees, shrubs and other plants in public parks and amenity areas, and through organising a wide range of greening promotion activities. Brief Description 8 The work involves: • maintaining the plants and landscape in public parks and amenity areas; • conducting educational activities on horticulture and on the conservation of endangered animal and plant species; • organising greening promotion activities to promote green awareness among the community; • pruning trees along roadside to prevent obstruction to traffic; and • exploring new plant species to be introduced as well as new concepts and technologies in horticulture and landscaping. 9 In 2000, the department met the target of planting of 60 000 standard trees and 2 100 000 shrubs and other plants in public parks and roadside amenity areas. A total of 349 horticultural and 605 greening activities, including horticultural courses, guided visits for school groups, flower shows, community planting days, green camps, Green Hong Kong Ambassadors Scheme and Green School Subsidy Scheme, were organised. A comprehensive tree survey is progressing steadily and the maintenance of landscape plantings and trees is being carried out in accordance with established standards. 10 The key performance measures in respect of horticulture and amenities are : Targets • to promote awareness of the importance of greening,