The department has followed the Government’s guidelines on outsourcing non-core activities to the private sector to improve efficiency. The major services outsourced include cleaning, security, horticultural maintenance and facility management. As at March 2012, the department was managing 105 outsourced contracts for major services of a total value of $2,824 million. These contracts covered both leisure and cultural facilities.
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Venue staff like this man keep facilities spotless with care and professionalism. |
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The department’s outsourcing follows these principles:
- Contracts must be commercially viable,
- Standard of service must not be reduced,
- Services must be cost-effective, and
- Staff should not be declared redundant.
To deliver quality services to the public more cost-effectively through private sector expertise, the department had contracted out the management of 14 sports centres up to March 2012. They are: Jockey Club Tuen Mun Butterfly Beach Sports Centre, contracted out in 2000; Quarry Bay Sports Centre, Chun Wah Road Sports Centre, Cheung Sha Wan Sports Centre and Chuk Yuen Sports Centre, contracted out in 2001; Choi Hung Road Sports Centre, Wo Hing Sports Centre, North Kwai Chung Tang Shiu Kin Sports Centre and Ap Lei Chau Sports Centre, contracted out in 2004; Fa Yuen Street Sports Centre and Wong Chuk Hang Sports Centre, contracted out in 2005; and Hiu Kwong Street Sports Centre, Yeung Uk Road Sports Centre and Tin Shui Wai Sports Centre, contracted out in 2007.
Because of a previous staff freeze, the department was also compelled to contract out the management of several cultural facilities, including the Hong Kong Heritage Discovery Centre in 2005, the Dr Sun Yat-sen Museum and Fireboat Alexander Grantham Exhibition Gallery in 2006, and the Ping Shan Tang Clan Gallery cum Heritage Trail Visitors Centre in 2007.
The department closely monitors service contractors to safeguard non-skilled workers’ wages and benefits. The department also maintained a computerised appraisal system, giving an overview of contractors’ performance. Contractors’ past performance may be taken into account when the department evaluates their future tender offers. Regular meetings are held between the department’s contract management team and contractors’ senior managers to discuss contract management issues. These meetings enhance communication and convey the message that the department does not condone any exploitation of non-skilled workers.
