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The following is issued on behalf of the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority:
The Board of the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority (the Board) held its third meeting today (January 20) to listen to the progress reports of its six committees and discuss issues such as the preparation of the Development Plan (DP) of the West Kowloon Cultural District (WKCD), establishment of the Consultation Panel, staff recruitment and corporate governance issues.
The Board has earlier decided to launch a global exercise to engage three consultants for formulating three Conceptual Plan Options for the WKCD. It will also appoint a Project Consultant to assist in preparing a detailed DP. At today・s meeting, the Board was pleased to note that the response to the global tender was overwhelming, with 40 expressions of interest (EOIs) received from local and overseas companies before the deadline. Out of the 40 EOIs, seven submissions were on the project consultancy and 33 submissions were on the conceptual plan consultancy. The Authority has shortlisted 16 consultants and invited them to provide detailed proposals by late February.
The Chairman of the Board, Mr Henry Tang, said: ：The Authority attaches great importance to tapping views from different sectors of the community during various stages of the preparation of the DP. We are actively preparing for the Stage 1 public engagement exercise, and will establish the Consultation Panel in accordance with the West Kowloon Cultural Authority Ordinance as soon as possible to plan for the public engagement exercise in detail. The Development Committee, the Performing Arts Committee and the Museum Committee under the Board will work closely with the Consultation Panel. The Stage 1 public engagement exercise is expected to be carried out in mid-2009. The Board will then listen to the public views on the overall planning of WKCD as well as the views of the arts and cultural sector, with a view to ensuring that the performing venues and museum facilities in the WKCD would meet the needs for the long term development of arts and culture.；
The Performing Arts Committee and the Museum Committee have held meetings respectively. Based on the Recommendation Report of the Consultative Committee on the Core Arts and Cultural Facilities of the West Kowloon Cultural District, the two Committees have started discussions on the vision and mission of the development of the performing venues and museums as well as related preparatory work in order to lay the foundation for planning these facilities.
Mr Tang said: ：The Authority shall recruit key management and professional staff as soon as possible to tie in with the implementation of the work plan of the Board. Currently, the recruitment of the Executive Director, Legal Officer and Museum and Performing Arts Paid Advisors are progressing in an orderly manner.
：We are aware of the public expectation of good governance for the Authority. The Board has discussed governance issues such as the Authority・s organisational structure at the meeting today. The Board decided to commission a consultancy to study appropriate organisational structure, manpower requirements and remuneration packages for key staff, having regard to comparable overseas and local organisations. The consultancy study will commence in February and is expected to be completed in May. Recruitment of staff will start in full swing immediately after we have considered the consultancy report,； Mr Tang added.
The Board also discussed preparation work relating to the appointment of auditor and fund management, etc. at today・s meeting.
This press release will also be uploaded to the webpage of the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority (www.wkcdauthority.hk).
Ends/Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Issued at HKT 19:47
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