XN000022-1985-03-17 — Page 2

SUNDAY, MARCH 17, 1985

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MUNICIPAL SERVICES BRANCH STARTS APRIL 1

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THE MUNICIPAL SERVICES BRANCH WILL BECOME OPERATIONAL ON APRIL 1.

THE MUNICIPAL SERVICES BRANCH WILL BE HEADED BY A NEW SECRETARY FOR MUNICIPAL SERVICES. THE PRESENT DIRECTOR OF URBAN SERVICES, MR GRAHAM BARNES, J.P., HAS BEEN APPOINTED TO TAKE UP THIS POST ON APRIL 1. HE WILL BE ASSISTED BY TWO DEPUTY SECRETARIES, MRS MABEL HAYES AND MR PATRICK WILLIAMSON, J.P., AND MR WILLIAMSON'S POST WILL BE STYLED COMMISSIONER FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE.

STAFF OF THE MUNICIPAL SERVICES BRANCH WILL BE RE-DEPLOYED MAINLY FROM THE EXISTING URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND THE RECREATION AND CULTURE DEPARTMENT.

THE MUNICIPAL SERVICES BRANCH WILL ASSUME POLICY RESPONSIBILITY FOR ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE MATTERS FROM THE HEALTH AND WELFARE BRANCH, AND RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANTIQUITIES AND MONUMENTS, COUNTRY PARKS AND COUNTRYSIDE CONSERVATION, LIQUOR LICENSING, AND CULTURAL AND RECREATIONAL SERVICES AT THE TERRITORIAL LEVEL FROM THE HOME AFFAIRS BRANCH.

THESE WILL

THE MUNICIPAL SERVICES BRANCH WILL ALSO ASSUME FROM THE HOME AFFAIRS BRANCH AND THE RECREATION AND CULTURE DEPARTMENT POLICY AND EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONS RELATING TO THE MUSIC OFFICE AND THE PRINCIPAL SPORTING AND CULTURAL ORGANISATIONS. INCLUDE THE SERVICING OF THE COUNCIL FOR RECREATION AND SPORT AND THE COUNCIL FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS, GOVERNMENT'S RELATIONS WITH THE ACADEMY FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS, AND SPORTING AND CULTURAL RELATIONS WITH OTHER COUNTRIES.

THE BRANCH WILL ALSO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THOSE FUNCTIONS IN PERSONNEL ADMINISTRATION WHICH DERIVE FROM THE NEED TO MAINTAIN COMMON DEPARTMENTAL GRADES FOR THE TWO DEPARTMENTS SERVING THE URBAN COUNCIL AND THE PROVISIONAL REGIONAL COUNCIL, 1.E. THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT.

THE MUNICIPAL SERVICES BRANCH WILL BE ACCOMMODATED AT 10/F AND 11/F OF HARBOUR CENTRE IN WAN CHAI.

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