District councillors want more efficiency and flexibility in the construction of public facilities.
The call follows the expansion of district councils' functions in January to include the management of public facilities such as libraries, swimming pools and sports grounds.
In the first 11 months of the year, the city's 18 councils approved 626 minor works projects for public facilities, the total cost of which is estimated to be HK$373 million, according to the Home Affairs Bureau.
While most councillors welcomed the district-driven mode of facility management, some pointed out problems with the implementation of projects.
Suen Kai-cheong, chairman of Wan Chai District Council, one of four councils which took part in a pilot scheme last year, said some of the works approved in the previous session had not yet started.
'Whenever it comes to works which involve creativity, the process becomes lengthy,' he said.
Citing as an example the beautification project for three footbridges in Gloucester Road, Mr Suen said that construction had still not started even though councillors from the previous term had approved the design which won a competition early last year. 'The government said it did not oppose the design, but would remove the decorations if it had to carry out repairs on the bridges, and the council would have to approve funding for their installation again,' Mr Suen said.