The Administration and Development Branch provides various management and support services to the entire Department. These include, staff management and development, financial management, information technology, planning of capital works projects and public education on environmental hygiene and food safety.
Grade Management
There are three major departmental grades - the Health Inspector grade, the Hawker Control Officer grade and the Foreman grade. There are two grade managers, one for the Health Inspector and the other for the Hawker Control Officer and the Foreman grades. The grade managers are responsible for human resource management matters such as manpower planning, career development, postings, promotions and training.
The Health Inspector grade comprises six ranks - Senior Superintendent, Superintendent, Chief Health Inspector, Senior Health Inspector, Health Inspector I/II and Student Health Inspector. They are responsible for various environmental hygiene and food safety functions, for example, district hygiene, licensing, prosecution, meat inspection, cleansing service, outsourcing, pest control, hawker control, market management, management of cemeteries and crematoria, food control and health education.
The Hawker Control Officer grade comprises five ranks - Principal Hawker Control Officer, Chief Hawker Control Officer, Senior Hawker Control Officer, Hawker Control Officer and Assistant Hawker Control Officer. They are responsible for controlling on-street hawking activities, managing hawker permitted places and taking law enforcement action against illegal hawking activities. They are also empowered to take legal action against offenders committing littering/spitting offences.
The Foreman grade comprises four ranks - Senior Overseer, Overseer, Senior Foreman and Foreman. They are mainly responsible for supervising the work of minor staff in market management, street cleansing, waste collection, pest control, cemeteries and crematoria services as well as monitoring the performance of the Department's contractors. They are also empowered to take legal action against committing littering/ spitting offences offenders.
Training
Vocational and general training is provided to staff to equip them with the necessary knowledge and skills to carry out their duties, to enhance professionalism and help them gain the pre-requisite qualifications for career advancement. Staff are provided with in-house programmes, and programmes organised by local institutes and outside Hong Kong. An evaluation system is in place to measure the effectiveness of each programme.
In-house programmes are organised to enhance the functional and core competence of staff. They are mainly designed, administered and conducted by the Department's Training Section.
Local academic institutes are appointed to administer and conduct commissioned programmes. Some of these programmes lead to the award of qualifications which are pre-requisites for career advancement. Also, staff are sponsored to attend local public programmes whose contents are highly relevant to the Department's work.
Training programmes outside Hong Kong are organised to enhance skills and knowledge in functional competence, when there is difficulty in organising such programmes locally.
Management Services
Management studies and statistical surveys help facilitate the Department in providing efficient and effective public services, in monitoring the standard of quality performance, and in formulating policy.
The Management Services, Survey and Statistics Section, consists of the Management Services Unit and the Survey and Statistics Unit. It is responsible for the provision of management consultancy studies (inclusive of the Business Process Re-engineering studies for computerisation projects) and opinion surveys.
The Management Services Unit completed six major review projects during the year on manual street sweeping; mechanised street sweeping; street washing; mechanised gully cleansing; manpower and vehicle requirements of the Senior Foreman on Contract Management; and Establishment of the Departmental Accounting Unit.
It also assists clients in the Department in implementing recommendations in various review reports, maintains and upgrades the bar-coding file management system to enhance office efficiency, and renders contribution to departmental form design.
The Survey and Statistics Unit completed a number of surveys in 2002 such as FEHD's Public Toilets; the Demand on Market Facilities in Siu Sai Wan and Tung Chau Street Area; and Food Purchasing Habits.
It compiles an annual statistical report for the Department and offers technical advice to clients on how to undertake statistical surveys and analyse the data collected.
Financial Management
Breakdown of Expenditure by Expenditure Group (Chart)
| $M | Percentage | |
|---|---|---|
| Personal Emoluments | 2,815 | 65.2% |
| General Departmental Expenses | 1,414 | 32.8% |
| Capital Expenditure | 88 | 2.0% |
Breakdown of Expenditure by Activities (Chart)
| $M | Percentage | |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Hygiene | 2,081 | 48.2% |
| Market Management and Hawker Control | 1,400 | 32.4% |
| Food Safety and Public Health | 344 | 8.0% |
| Administration and Development | 270 | 6.3% |
| Monitoring of Food Trade | 181 | 4.2% |
| Public Education & Community Involvement | 41 | 0.9% |
Breakdown of Revenue (Chart)
| $M | Percentage | |
|---|---|---|
| Market Stall Rental | 326 | 46.5% |
| Licences and Permit Fees | 238 | 34% |
| Other Revenue | 137 | 19.5% |
All matters relating to expenditure and procurement, including payment processing, financial advice and monitoring, are handled by the Finance and Supplies Division.
In 2002, the Department spent $4,317 million, including $2,815 million on salaries and allowances, $1,414 million on general departmental expenses and $88 million on capital expenditure.
By activities, the majority of the expenditure ($2,081 million) was spent on environmental hygiene. This was followed by $1,400 million for market management and hawker control, $344 million for food safety and public health, $270 million for administration and development, $181 million for monitoring the food trade, and $41 million for public education and community involvement.
In 2002, the Department received a revenue of $701 million. The majority of revenue came from the rents of some 13,000 stalls in markets managed by the Department ($326 million) and from licence and permit fees ($238 million). Other sources included fees for cemeteries and crematoria services ($58 million), fees for meat examination ($29 million) and other miscellaneous services ($50 million).
Information Technology
Information technology (IT) is now widely applied throughout the Department to help us deliver more and better quality services and in a more effective and efficient manner.
2002 has been a busy year in terms of IT development in the Department. Along with implementation of the new Fixed Penalty (Public Cleanliness Offences) Ordinance on 27 May, the Department has completed a joined-up government project in mid 2002 to develop a computer system for the seven enforcement departments. Mobile computing devices have been used in field inspection of the performance of cleansing contractors to directly capture useful information in electronic form to facilitate management of outsourced services. Computer systems were also developed or enhanced to help strengthen the control of food inspection and food sampling activities. The departmental Internet web site has been enhanced for viewers to browse in Simplified Chinese.
To support the increasing use of IT in the Department, the computer network infrastructure and the hardware at the computer centre have undergone upgrading and restructuring. In a parallel move, more officers are now provided with networked workstations and office automation applications. Tighter computer security control has also been implemented.
Capital Works
In the 2002 Government's Capital Works Resource Allocation Exercise, the five-year allocation on food and environmental hygiene services capital projects is about $2,600 million. Of the total allocation, about $1,800 million is to meet expenditure for projects under construction or completed with outstanding accounts, while $800 million has been earmarked for new projects.
Markets
A new market, provided within a complex building in Luen Wo Hui, North District, was completed in mid 2002. Two markets to be accommodated in multi-functional complexes in Tai Po and Tai Kok Tsui are under construction. Construction of a new market in the Aldrich Bay Reclamation Area is underway.
Conversion works to the East Block of the Centre Street Market in Sai Ying Pun are in progress. Improvement works to two markets, the Tung Yick Market in Yuen Long and the Yeung Uk Road Market in Tsuen Wan were completed in mid and end 2002 respectively.
Of the 19 projects on air conditioning retro-fitting and/or general improvement works to markets/ Cooked Food Centres (CFCs) (involving 18 markets and 9 CFCs) under planning, the Administration has recommended to the relevant Legislative Council Subcommittee to proceed with individual projects after securing an 85% or more support rate from the lessees concerned. By the deadline for response on 31 March 2003, three markets and four CFCs (a total of five projects) attained a support rate of 85% or above and will proceed with A/C retro-fitting works in addition to general improvement works subject to obtaining the funding approval from the Legislative Council. The markets and CFCs include -
* Bowrington Road CFC
* Fa Yuen Street CFC
* Fa Yuen Street Market
* San Hui Market
* Shek Wu Hui CFC
* Yue Wan CFC
* Yue Wan Market
According to the tentative implementation programme, works will commence in late 2003 at the earliest for completion around late 2004.
For the remaining 15 markets and five CFCs which had a support rate of less than 85%, the Department will proceed with essential improvement works in compliance with the latest statutory requirements and/or general improvement works either as capital works projects or to be funded under the minor building works block vote allocation. Subject to funding approval from the Legislative Council, works will be carried out between 2003-04 and 2004-05. These projects include:
* Aberdeen Market and CFC
* Bowrington Road Market
* Kwun Chung Market and CFC
* Ngau Chi Wan Market and CFC
* Ngau Tau Kok Market and CFC
* North Kwai Chung Market
* Po On Road Market and CFC
* Sai Kung Market
* Sheung Wan Market
* To Kwa Wan Market
* Tsuen King Circuit Market
* Tsuen Wan Market
* Tung Yick Market
* Wing Fong Street Market
* Yeung Uk Road Market
In addition, some other markets are lined up for fire services upgrading and general improvement works which are being implemented in phases starting from 2002-03.
Refuse Collection Points
As part of the on-going efforts to improve the living environment, the Department continues to replace temporary roadside refuse collection points (RCPs) with off-street facilities in enclosed buildings equipped with modern de-odorising installations. The RCP at Ma Tau Kok Road came into service at end 2002. Works for the RCP at Hing Shing Road, Kwai Chung Area 10B are scheduled to commence in 2003. In addition, upgrading works to 48 RCPs in the New Territories to enhance pollution control are being implemented with eight projects completed in 2002.
Public Toilets
Three new public toilets near the respective MTR stations in Tseung Kwan O were commissioned in mid 2002. New public toilets in the Aldrich Bay Reclamation Area of Eastern District, Chung Hau Tsuen on Lantau, Lam Tsuen in Tai Po, Tai Ho Road in Tsuen Wan and the Jordan Road Bus Terminus in Yau Tsim District are under construction. Improvements to 35 public toilets have also been completed under the Public Toilet Improvement Programme in 2002, while improvements to another 60 public toilets are in progress or under planning.
Cemeteries and Crematoria
A new urn burial site in the Cheung Chau Public Cemetery and a communal grave for reburial of urns affected in a landslide at the Wo Hop Shek Cemetery were completed in early 2002.
Replacement of four cremators in Kwai Chung Crematorium was completed in late 2002. Replacement of existing cremators at the Fu Shan Crematorium is in progress and is scheduled for completion in mid 2004. The reprovisioning of cremators at Diamond Hill Crematorium is under active planning.
Outsourcing of Services
Contracts (Chart)
| Services Contract Out | No. | $M |
|---|---|---|
| Street Cleansing (including Public Toilets Cleansing) | 31 | 910 |
| Waste collection | 19 | 357 |
| Market & Building Complexes Cleansing | 64 | 216 |
| Security Services | 17 | 24 |
| Other Services | 29 | 385 |
By the end of 2002, 160 contracts at a total contract value of $ 1,892 million were in force for the provision of services by private contractors. The outsourcing policy is aimed at greater cost-effectiveness and efficiency in the delivery of services.
Public market cleansing, street cleansing, waste collection, mechanical street sweeping, mechanical gully cleansing, building cleansing, security guard services, mosquito control in streams, animal carcass collection, cleansing and undergrowth cutting services for cemeteries and columbariums, and collection of recyclables are examples of services contracted out.
To ensure the quality of the services provided, measurable performance standards are set in the contracts. Protective clauses have also been included in tenders to safeguard the rights and benefits of workers. Supervisory checks are conducted to ensure compliance by contractors.
Complaints Management
The Complaints Management Section is responsible for formulating and reviewing policies on and procedures for handling all types of complaints. It also conducts independent investigation into staff-related complaints other than those concerning crime, corruption, serious misconduct and dereliction of duties.
In 2002, a total of 88,136 complaints were received by the Department including 86,725 relating to the Department's services. In addition to taking immediate action on the complaints and replying to complainants, the Section analysed the complaints according to their type, nature, causes, etc. to enable remedial or improvement measures to be taken.
Quality Assurance
Continuous improvement is one of the priority tasks of the Department to ensure provision of quality services to the public.
The Quality Assurance (QA) Section is mainly responsible for conducting day-to-day regulatory inspections on services provided by the Department and where inadequacies in existing operational systems, procedures and guidelines are identified, making recommendations for improvement. The Section also recommends good performers for QA Awards to motivate meritorious and hardworking front-line staff.
The QA Section is also tasked with investigation into cases of dereliction of duties in an independent, objective and fair manner for action by the Discipline Section.
Public Education
Public education plays an important role in almost all the Department's activities and initiatives, forming part of an integrated approach to ensuring food safety and improving environmental hygiene.
To achieve this, the Department organises publicity and educational programmes, and arranges exhibitions, outreaching programmes and seminars.
The Department operates the Health Education Exhibition and Resource Centre in Kowloon Park to educate the public on the importance of food safety and environmental hygiene using interactive exhibits and library materials. Group visits and guided tours were provided to schools, voluntary agencies and the general public. Seminars and activities were conducted regularly. The Centre attracted 169,122 visitors in 2002.
In addition, staff of the Centre was tasked to implement a two-year health education programme to spread general and specially selected messages about food safety and environmental hygiene.
In 2002, the Centre organised 570 and 200 talks and activities for primary schools and secondary schools, 750 talks for elderly centres, and 215 talks for new arrivals and members of the public. Audio-visual aids, question-and-answer sessions, demonstrations and games were used to enrich as well as to enliven the learning process.
Publicity campaigns launched during the year included a revitalised Clean Hong Kong Programme. Anti-rodent and anti-mosquito campaigns were also mounted to solicit public support and participation in pest control.
In respect of food safety, a comprehensive public education programme began on genetically modified food and the concept of Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point was introduced. Food surveillance results were regularly released to help consumers make informed choices when buying food.
To cater for the specific needs of the food trade and the general public, seminars on restaurant licensing were arranged on a bi-monthly basis for those who had applied for food premises licences or were thinking about opening a food business.
Clean Hong Kong Programme
In an effort to improve environmental hygiene, the Government launched the Clean Hong Kong programme in December 2000 to address the environmental hygiene conditions of the territory and to bring about improvements on the ground.
Enhanced Clean-up Action
The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, being the lead department, carried out a series of enhanced clean-up action in support of Clean Hong Kong in 2002. Examples include:
- Providing regular cleansing services to over 1,300 "grey area" locations (i.e. areas where no Government department was responsible for clearing waste in the past);
- Cleaning some 100 hygiene black spots such as back lanes and canopies of older tenement buildings;
- Deploying static street cleaners at over 400 public spots to provide instantaneous litter removal and service; and
- Giving Hong Kong streets a much cleaner look by removing gum marks and intensive street washing services.
Legislative Amendment and Enforcement
To step up the law enforcement action, the Government has introduced the fixed penalty system for common public cleanliness offences. Commenced on 27 May 2002, the Fixed Penalty (Public Cleanliness Offences) Ordinance covers littering, spitting, unauthorised display of bills or posters and fouling of street by dogs. It provides a fixed penalty of $600 for committing these offences. By the end of 2002, 8,934 fixed penalty notices were issued. Overall, the Ordinance has been smoothly implemented, and proved useful in improving the cleanliness of Hong Kong. Statistics show that littering is the most common type of offences (84%), followed by spitting (12%) and unauthorised display of bills and posters (4%).
Publicity
On the publicity front, Clean Hong Kong messages are disseminated to the public through a broad range of channels including television and radio announcements of public interests, posters and banners, advertisements on public transport, media interviews, roving exhibitions and large-scale publicity functions. In 2002, educational efforts have also been directed at various target groups including road users, tourists and the elderly. Information packs and pamphlets have been disseminated to these groups.
In respect of school education, the Department and the Education and Manpower Bureau (the then Education Department) incorporated Clean Hong Kong messages in primary and secondary school curricula. Teachers are provided with multi-media teaching kits such as educational VCDs and on-line teaching materials. We have also organised a wide range of extra-curricular activities such as "Para Para Dance" outreach programmes, project competitions, "Adopt-a-Beach Scheme", Community Youth Club activities and school talks. Over 30,000 students have benefited from all these educational activities in the past year.
Community and District Involvement
District Councils and community groups have been invited to organise Clean Hong Kong activities. Aiming at encouraging various organisations to promote public awareness in keeping our environment clean, the Clean Hong Kong Funding Scheme run by the Department provides a maximum subsidy of $20,000 for each project. In 2002, 78 organisations were allocated funds to arrange activities. The total amount of subsidy granted was about $1 million. On the district front, District Councils and District Clean Hong Kong Committees organised over 160 district promotional, educational and actual physical clean-up activities in 2002. In addition, some 1,600 voluntary helpers have been appointed Clean Hong Kong Ambassadors to help disseminate the message.