Page 94 - URA Annual Report 2020-21

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Introduction
The URA places high priority on the standard of corporate governance to ensure accountability, openness and transparency in the work of its Board and Committees.
Board
The Board exercises the powers and performs the duties conferred and imposed on the URA by the URA Ordinance, and plays a key role in setting direction and providing strategic guidance to ensure that the URA’s works are carried out effectively.
Constitution
The Board is appointed by the Chief Executive under Section 4 of the URA Ordinance. All members of the Board, including the Chairman, are appointed by the Chief Executive for a term not exceeding 3 years.
As at 31 March 2021, the Board comprised a Chairman and 24 other members. There are three executive Board members who are not public officers, namely the Managing Director (MD), who is by law also the Deputy Chairman, and the two Executive Directors (EDs). The Director of Lands, the Director of Planning, the Director of Buildings and the Deputy Director of Home Affairs (2) are Board members who are Non-Executive Directors (NEDs) and public officers.
The Board includes three legislative councillors plus professionals and academics from various fields, including legal, accounting, finance, property, planning, surveying and social work who are NEDs and not public officers. The diverse backgrounds of NEDs bring to the Board a wide range of experience, expertise and perspectives.
Chairman and MD
Chairman
• Leading the Board in setting the URA’s overall direction, strategy and work priorities
• Monitoring the executive team’s performance
MD
• Administrative head responsible for administering the affairs of the URA, subject to the direction of the Board
• Developing strategic objectives, including setting the URA’s agenda and priorities, and implementing them as agreed with the Board
• Assigning responsibilities to senior management and supervising their work
• Reporting regularly to the Board
Committees
For the better carrying out of the purposes and powers of the URA, the Board has established seven standing committees, each chaired by a Board member and comprising other Board members and co-opted members with the relevant expertise and experience. The committees and their function areas are listed as follows:-
90 URA ANNUAL REPORT 2020-21