Financial Management

The Director of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) is the controlling officer of the Department’s budget, ensuring the provision of quality services efficiently and economically.

Source of Funds

Under Head 95 — Leisure and Cultural Services Department, the Government’s General Revenue Account allocated to the Department $5,455 million for the 2010-11 financial year to meet operational and capital expenditure in five major areas managed by the LCSD: Recreation and Sports, Horticulture and Amenities, Heritage and Museums, Performing Arts, and Public Libraries. The funds were also used to financially support the Hong Kong Life Saving Society, the Hong Kong Archaeological Society, local sports bodies and camps run by non-government organisations.

The Government's Capital Works Reserve Fund finances the Department’s installation of major systems and equipment costing more than $2 million per item. The fund also finances the capital works projects of the Department. The Architectural Services Department supervises the funding and progress of such projects.

Budgetary Control

The Department ensures good financial control within the approved budget through a three-tier structure involving 200 budget holders authorised to deploy funds and are accountable for expenditure.

Fees, Charges and Revenue Collection

The Director of LCSD administers more than 740 types of fees and charges, ensuring that these fees and charges are periodically reviewed, collected on time and properly accounted for.

The revised revenue estimate for 2010-11 of $911 million came primarily from fees and charges, ticket sales and facility rent. Revenue is credited to the General Revenue Account.