The Director of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) is the controlling officer of the department’s budget, and is tasked with ensuring that the department delivers quality services efficiently and economically.
The LCSD is funded by the Government. The expenditure for 2013-14 of $6,593 million covered operational and capital expenditure in five major areas: Recreation and Sports, Horticulture and Amenities, Heritage and Museums, Performing Arts, and Public Libraries. The funds were also used to 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 capital works projects of the department. The Architectural Services Department supervises the funding and progress of such projects.
To ensure good financial control of the approved budget, the department operates a three-tier structure involving about 200 budget holders authorised to deploy funds, who are accountable for expenditure.
The LCSD administers more than 700 types of fees and charges, ensuring that they are collected on time, properly accounted for and periodically reviewed.
The department’s revenue for 2013-14 of $1,057 million came primarily from fees and charges, ticket sales and facility rentals. Revenue is credited to the General Revenue Account.
Public swimming pool admission fees are one source of the department’s revenue.
