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The proposal to merge the Amenities Officer (AO) and Recreation & Sport Officer (RSO) grades in the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) is introduced in the interests of the public as well as those of the department and staff, a spokesman for the department said today (April 9).
In reply to press enquiries, the spokesman said that the proposal was aimed at building up a team of multi-skilled managers with a view to improving the delivery of leisure services.
"More specifically, we hope to introduce a one-stop service at major venues where members of the public can make venue bookings and enrol in programmes at the same time and at the same place instead of having to visit different offices," he explained.
The grade merger proposal was one of the recommendations made by the Consultant appointed by the Government to study the development of an institutional framework for the provision of arts and culture, sport and recreation services in his report released in February 1999.
After extensive consultation with staff in the past 16 months and fine-tuning the merger package, the proposal is now expected to be put to the Standing Commission on Civil Service Salaries and Conditions of Service, the Home Affairs and Public Services Panels and the Finance Committee of the Legislative Council for consideration soon.
Under the present structure, the AO grade is mainly responsible for the planning and development of recreational and amenities projects and the management of recreational facilities and venues. The major duties of the RSO grade are the promotion and organisation of recreation activities and sport programmes.
The proposal is to merge the two grades to form a new one called the "Leisure Services Manager grade".
"The merger will enable the department to provide a more professional and user-friendly service at venues and to build up a multi-skilled work force for the delivery of leisure services.
"It will at the same time facilitate greater flexibility for staff deployment and is good for staff's long-term career development," the spokesman explained.
He said that the management fully appreciated staff's concerns about the proposal and briefing sessions had been organised to keep staff informed of developments.
The spokesman emphasised that no staff would suffer any financial loss or diminished career prospects as a result of the merger. They would in fact benefit from wider exposure and better career development.
He also assured the affected staff that there would be sufficient training and logistical support to ensure the successful implementation of the merger exercise.
"Members of the AO and RSO grades will be allowed a period of 12 months within which to join the new grade.
"Subject to approval of the Finance Committee, those who do not opt to join the new grade will be allowed to retain their status, salary scales, seniority and conditions of service within the obsolete AO and RSO grades. However, in line with previous practice, they will no longer be eligible for consideration for advancement," he said.
"The primary objective of the exercise is to enhance the standards of our service and the professionalism of our staff. There is absolutely no truth in the suggestion that this exercise is paving the way for contracting out the management of sports venues.
"We shall continue our dialogue with the staff to assuage their concerns. We are confident that they will accept the proposal as it is our common vision to provide quality services to enhance the quality of life of our community while at the same time to seek to meet the standards of professional excellence," he added.
There are currently 228 AO grade and 279 RSO grade staff on the establishment.
End/Monday, April 9, 2001
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