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.
Under Head 95 — Leisure and Cultural Services Department, the Government’s General Revenue Account allocated to the department $5,630 million for the 2011-12 financial year to meet operational and capital expenditure in five major areas managed by 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.
The department ensures good financial control of the approved budget through a three-tier structure involving 200 budget holders authorised to deploy funds and accountable for expenditure.
The Director of LCSD administers more than 740 types of fees and charges, ensuring that they are collected on time, properly accounted for and periodically reviewed.
The revised revenue estimate for 2011-12 of $956 million came primarily from fees and charges, ticket sales and facility rent. Revenue is credited to the General Revenue Account.
