Press Releases
New Framework for delivery of municipal services
A new framework for the delivery of municipal services will commence operation from January 1, 2000. It will continue to provide and enhance services currently undertaken by the municipal councils.
A government spokesman said today (Tuesday) that the setting up of the new framework marked a new chapter of quality service to the public.
"We will ensure that services to the public will not be affected due to the re-organisation. Members of the public can continue to obtain services from the usual places and channels," he said.
The new framework comprises a new Environment and Food Bureau (EFB) which will be responsible for policies on food supply, food safety, environmental hygiene, waste management, environmental protection and nature conservation.
It will lead and coordinate the Government's overall effort in these areas and oversee the work of a new Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD), the Agriculture and Fisheries Department (AFD) and the Environmental Protection Department (EPD).
A new Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) will be set up under the Home Affairs Bureau (HAB). It will be responsible for the provision of recreational, sports and cultural facilities and services in Hong Kong.
"The mission of EFB is to build a healthy, clean and environmentally friendly city for the people of Hong Kong," the spokesman said.
The FEHD will take over responsibilities for environmental hygiene services and facilities from the two provisional municipal councils; food safety and control from the Department of Health (DH); and poultry and food animal inspection from AFD.
With a staff of about 16,000, the Department will have two operational Branches to look into food safety and environmental hygiene respectively.
The Food and Public Health Branch is responsible for food safety and control. It is further divided into seven sections each dedicated to specific aspects of food safety concerns, including food surveillance, risk assessment, risk communication and food crises.
The Branch aims to adopt a proactive approach to uphold food safety standards in the territory. To achieve this goal with greater cost-effectiveness and efficiency, it will call upon the cooperation of the food industry and the consumers.
The Environmental Hygiene Branch is responsible for formulating departmental policies on environmental hygiene services, licensing and hawker control.
There will be 20 District Environmental Hygiene Offices to provide public cleansing and pest control services, inspect food premises and manage public markets, public toilets and hawkers at a district level.
"Despite changes in the structure that provides environmental hygiene services, members of the public can be assured that present services will not be affected," the spokesman said.
"The FEHD aims to work hand in hand with the community in building Hong Kong into a world-class metropolis renowned for its food safety and public hygiene," he added.
The LCSD will take over the responsibilities to provide recreational and cultural services and facilities in Hong Kong. The objective of the services is to promote cultural and recreational activities, enhance arts appreciation and enrich the quality of life in the territory.
"The Department is dedicated to using existing resources more cost-effectively in providing quality services to meet rising community needs," the spokesman said.
The pledge of of the Department is reflected in its slogan - Quality Services for Quality Life, he added.
The LCSD has some 9 500 staff members serving under the Leisure Services Branch, Cultural Services Branch and Administration Branch.
Over 2 000 leisure and cultural facilities under the Department will remain open on January 1, 2000. People are welcome to visit parks, indoor recreation centres, holiday camps, heated swimming pools, major museums and all performing venues throughout the territory during the New Year Holiday (January 1) and at their normal opening hours afterwards.
For the 66 public libraries, they will be closed on January 1, 2000 as usual, but will be re-opened on January 2 (Sunday).
Also in the pipeline are some 5 380 recreational activities, 330 cultural performances and 135 entertainment programmes to be organised for public enjoyment between January and March.
Meanwhile, market stall rental and kiosk licence fee demand notes issued by the Provisional Regional Council on or before December 31, 1999 may still be settled through the payment-by-phone system after December 31, 1999.
On the identity of the two new Departments, the spokesman said that the FEHD will be looking for a new logo. However, the existing ones used by the two municipal councils and affixed to building walls will only be gradually phased out or replaced.
Where possible, the replacement will tie in with the renovation and maintenance programme of individual buildings. The same applies to logos imprinted on equipment, tools and litter bins.
The LCSD will be adopting a new logo. Replacement of existing logo on its buildings and equipments will only take place gradually and tie in with the renovation and maintenance programme of individual buildings.
Staff of FEHD will be using the present uniform, except that a new cap badge featuring the name of the new department will replace the old cap badge.
As for LCSD, staff uniforms, clothes, cap badges and buttons bearing the logos of the muncipal councils will be replaced with new ones.
Starting from January 1, 2000, an FEHD departmental hotline 2868 0000 will be set up to handle enquiries and complaints regarding food safety and environmental hygiene matters throughout the territory. The LCSD hotline will be 2414 5555.
The office of the EFB will be located at 3/F Main Wing, Central Government Offices, the FEHD Headquarters will be located at 42nd -45th floors, Queensway Government Offices, 66 Queensway, Hong Kong; and the LCSD Headquarters will be located at 1-3 Pai Tau Street, Sha Tin.
On the publicity side, the Administration will start publicising the new structure on radio and television from today. Other publicity arrangements include advertisements and posters produced for the two new departments.
A booklet introducing the establishment and functions of FEHD will be available towards the end of the month at District Offices of the Home Affairs Department, District Environmental Hygiene Offices and the Information Services Department at 4th floor, Murray Building, Central.
Booklets and telephone cards introducing LCSD and its services will be also be available at its 18 District Leisure Services Offices and cultural venues, as well as the District Offices of the Home Affairs Department.
Alternatively, members of the public can visit the EFB's Website (http://www.info.gov.hk/efb), the FEHD's Website (http://www.fehd.gov.hk) and the LCSD's Website (http://www.lcsd.gov.hk) for more information.
Tuesday, December 28, 1999