******************************************************
The following is issued on behalf of the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority:
The Board of the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority (WKCDA) held its first meeting today (October 28) to discuss issues such as governance mode of the WKCDA, overall planning of the West Kowloon Cultural District (WKCD), and establishment of committees.
Chairman of the Board Mr Henry Tang said: ˇ§The priority of the WKCDA is to prepare a comprehensive development plan for WKCD. The process will be conducted in phases and in a transparent, open and inclusive manner. The WKCDA will first consult the stakeholders in the arts and cultural sector, so that facilities at performing venues and museums can meet their needs. The WKCDA will also duly consider any comments and suggestions from the stakeholders on the WKCD development plan. The WKCDA will come up with three conceptual plans for extensive public engagement. The views collected will be reflected in a concrete proposal put up at another phase. Public can participate again with a view to refining the proposal before submitting it to Town Planning Board.ˇ¨
As regards architectural design, the Recommendation Report of the Consultative Committee on the Core Arts and Cultural Facilities of the West Kowloon Cultural District (the Report) proposed that there should be three iconic buildings (i.e. M+, the Xiqu (Chinese opera) Centre, and the Concert Hall/Chamber Music Hall) and that the construction projects in phase one of the WKCD would be completed in 2014 ˇV 2015. The WKCDA was of the view that the design of other facilities and piazza in the WKCD should also go through a competitive process so as to obtain suitable designs for the WKCD. This approach would allow more local and overseas architects to take part in WKCD development. Tender exercise and construction of various projects will be carried out when the development plan has been drawn up, creating employment opportunities for the working class, engineering and other sectors.
The WKCDA considered that the whole project should tie in with the infrastructural projects (such as Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link) and traffic flow in the neighbourhood, while making good use of the harbour which is Hong Kongˇ¦s valuable resources. High quality public space and interconnection of various facilities should be ensured to attract arts lovers as well as the general public and tourists. The WKCDA will liaise with the bureaux/departments concerned to ensure that the design of the future private development in the WKCD will coordinate with the arts and cultural facilities.
ˇ§The WKCD Authority is a newly-established public body. We understand that the general public expect stringent governance of the Authority. During the meeting, tender and procurement procedures have been laid down, which will be reviewed from time to time to ensure the regulations are adequately strict. Standing Orders of the Authority and code of conduct for the Board members have also been endorsed at the meeting, including procedures of declaration of interests and guidelines for accepting donations. All Board members and Authority staff must follow relevant regulations and rules,ˇ¨ Mr Tang said.
The register of the declaration of interests of the Board members has been uploaded to the official website of the WKCDA (www.wkcdauthority.hk) and will be temporarily placed at the WKCD Office of Home Affairs Bureau (25/F, Wanchai Tower) for inspection during office hours from Monday to Friday (except public holidays).
Six committees have been set up in todayˇ¦s meeting, including the Audit Committee, the Investment Committee, the Remuneration Committee, the Development Committee, the Museum Committee and the Performing Arts Committee. They will embark on their respective work. The Museum Committee and the Performing Arts Committee, for example, will start preparatory work. Apart from identifying suitable individuals from the cultural and arts sectors to provide views, the committees will also promote cultural and arts activities. The Development Committee will follow up on the detailed work steps needed for the proposed development plan as well as the formulation of the timetable etc.
In order to ensure effective operation, the WKCDA will hire a consultant company by tendering to study other local and overseas organisations, so as to determine the organisational structure, manpower requirements and remuneration level of the key staff of the Authority. The study is expected to be completed by the second quarter of next year and recruitment will start in the later half of next year. The WKCDA will follow the practices of other public bodies where the remuneration of senior staff is made known to the public.
As it takes time to recruit the Chief Executive Officer, the WKCDA will openly recruit an Executive Director who is to assist the Board to oversee the Authorityˇ¦s day-to-day operation. The Remuneration Committee will be responsible for working out the details such as recruitment and remuneration terms.
In terms of manpower, a team of government staff will be seconded to assist the WKCDA in legal and administrative work and preparation of development plans to ensure the effective operation of the Authority prior to the recruitment of permanent staff. It will consist of five officials of directorate grades (a Deputy Principal Government Counsel, a Principal Executive Officer, a Government Town Planner, a Chief Engineer and a Chief Architect). The five officials will be seconded for six months, while other staff will be seconded for a maximum of about one year, depending on the progress of recruitment exercises. The Government will charge the Authority relevant administrative fees and staff salaries during the period. The West Kowloon Cultural District Office of the Home Affairs Bureau will also provide temporary support services such as secretariat service and handling of press enquiries during the period.
Ends/Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Issued at HKT 21:11
NNNN
