CONSTITUTION AND ADMINISTRATION
20
Role of the Central Policy Unit
The Central Policy Unit provides advice on policy issues to meet the special requirements of the Chief Executive, the Chief Secretary for Administration and the Financial Secretary and reports direct to them.
The unit consults widely with business and professional circles, political organisations and concern groups and the academic community. It undertakes in-depth examination of complex policy issues, analyses options and recommends solutions for the Government's internal consideration. The unit is responsible for co-ordinating the annual Policy Address exercise. It also provides secretariat support for the Commission on Strategic Development, which is chaired by the Chief Executive.
Role of the Efficiency Unit
The Efficiency Unit reports directly to the Chief Secretary for Administration and is tasked with pursuing the Government's commitment to transforming the management and delivery of public services so that the community's needs are met in the most effective and efficient manner.
The unit serves as a focal point to direct and secure improvement through promoting best practice. It integrates a variety of initiatives into the Serving the Community Programme that gives a clear direction to public sector reform. Previously this work focused on transforming the service culture in the public sector, making the Government more open, accountable and customer friendly. While work continues on this aspect, more recent priorities have been on enhancing the use of the private sector to deliver public services; exploiting technology; initiating fundamental re-engineering of services; and facilitating better performance measurement. A major initiative during the year was the development of the integrated call centre for environmental hazards and cleanliness.
Sustainable Development Unit
A new Sustainable Development Unit was set up in April under the Chief Secretary for Administration's Office in pursuance of the Government's commitment to achieve a sustainable future for Hong Kong.
In its inaugural year, the unit focused on the major tasks of introducing a sustainability assessment system within the Government and setting up a Council for Sustainable Development. On the former, the preparatory work was completed by the end of the year. Starting from December, all bureaux and departments are required to carry out sustainability assessments of new and major initiatives or programmes to ensure full integration of the principle of sustainable development. Training was provided to equip bureaux and departments with the skill and knowledge of conducting sustainability assessments. As regards the Council for Sustainable Development, following the research on the structure, modus operandi and performance of similar committees overseas and consultation with major stakeholders, the council was set up in December.
The Civil Service
The Civil Service employs about 5.1 per cent of Hong Kong's labour force. It provides staff for all government departments and other units of the administration.