In 2005, the Finance Wing continued
to exercise a strong sense of responsibility in the management of
financial resources. Several significant targets were met. Our priorities
for the future are to reach the overall goal of Efficiency Savings
by 2006/07, and to continue placing financial authority in the hands
of our budget holders.
The Administration Wing explored ways and means
to further improve the cost-effectiveness of our service and to
promote staff relations in the civilian grades. For the future,
we will continue to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of
our service by launching new initiatives to meet changing needs
and new challenges.
During the year, the Planning and Development
Branch completed several new capital works projects. These included
the second largest building project in the Force´s history: the
New Territories South Regional Headquarters and Operational Base
complex. This purpose-built building was completed in May and
became fully operational in October.
Finance Wing
2005/06 Financial Results
For the financial year ending March 31, 2006, the total expenditure
of the Force was estimated to be $10.9 billion, amounting to about
5.1 per cent of the Government´s total budget for the year. Of
this allocation, salaries and allowances accounted for about $9.5
billion, with the rest being contributed by departmental expenses
and capital items. Fines, penalties and other fees and charges
are expected to produce about $423 million in revenue.
Efficiency Savings Exercise
The Force has agreed to the target of Efficiency Savings of $296
million for 2005/06. This exercise is being carried out with the
aim of achieving 2.4 per cent savings on recurrent expenditure
and avoiding a reduction in front-line Police coverage.
One-line Vote
Under the “One-line vote” arrangement, expenditures under various
traditional sub-heads are now pooled under the sub-head of operational
expenses. Subject to prescribed conditions, the Force has the
flexibility to vire funds between categories under this sub-head
without having to seek prior approval. This arrangement continued
to considerably facilitate decision-making in resource management.
For the financial year ending March 31, 2006, the arrangement
was invoked for some $76 million of departmental expenditure.
Administration Wing
The Force has a civilian establishment of over 5 000 to provide
administrative, secretarial and technical support services to
Police operations. A number of initiatives were implemented in
2005 to streamline procedures and reorganise resources. They included
the restructuring of support services in the new Police Headquarters,
the simplification of procedures for renewal of cleaning contracts,
the amalgamation of registries and the retraining of civilian
staff to take up new responsibilities. The Efficiency Unit was
also commissioned to carry out a review on the outsourcing of
police translation services to achieve better cost-effectiveness.
Planning and Development Branch
The New Territories South Regional Headquarters and Operational
Base at No. 8 Shing Mun Road, Tsuen Wan was completed in May and
became fully operational in October. The hitherto unsatisfactory
situation whereby the New Territories South Regional Headquarters
and its Operational Units were scattered in various districts
no longer exists, since they are now accommodated under one roof.
The strategic location for the complex has greatly enhanced the
operational effectiveness and efficiency of the New Territories
South Region. With the projected increase in policing demands
as a result of major developments on both Ma Wan Island and Lantau,
the new complex enables a quicker response to emergencies and
major incidents.
The complex consists of a 16-storey tower block and a podium
block with vehicle parking facilities and an indoor firing range.
Modern technologies are adopted with the use of optical fibre
cables and computer flooring. As such, the building can facilitate
future information technologies and telecommunication developments
to cater for future operational requirements. Energy saving measures
include the provision of curtain walls with sun shading devices
to maximise sunlight, and motion sensors that allow lights to
switch off automatically if no one is in the room. This complex
has without doubt promoted the Force´s image and public confidence
in the service quality provided.
The purpose-built Marine Outer Waters District Headquarters and
Marine North Division Operational Base at Ma Liu Shui will be
completed in early 2006. In addition to providing Marine units
with accommodation in support of their sea going duties, there
are various supporting facilities such as a frontline maintenance
office for vessels maintenance, underground fuel tanks and a pillar
crane. Upon completion, it will enhance the operational efficiency
of the District through the provision of a more centrally-located
District Headquarters and improve the District´s capability to
cope with the challenges as a result of the infrastructure development
in the Deep Bay Link and the Lantau Island in the coming years.
In order to increase the limited capacity of the vehicular boundary
crossings between the HKSAR and Shenzhen, the Government has fast-tracked
several cross-boundary traffic facilities with policing facilities
included. Two of these, namely the Deep Bay Link in Yuen Long
and the HK-Shenzhen Western Corridor, were completed in December.
The boundary crossing facilities at Shekou in the Mainland and
the KCR East Rail Sheung Shui to Lok Ma Chau Spur Line are now
at a very advanced stage of development and both facilities are
due for completion by end 2006. Another cross-boundary project,
the Sky Plaza within the “Sky City” now under construction
at Hong Kong International Airport, will become operative by July
2006. The project will include Police facilities.