consultation with the New Territories District Planning Division and the New Territories Administration. It undertakes special studies and supplies information and reports to the Town Planning Board, the Working Group on the Hong Kong Comprehensive Transport Study and other committees and government departments.
STAFF, TRAINING AND WELFARE
Staff
10.10 The problem of staff shortage continued to exist in the office. There were unfilled vacancies in both the professional and technical grades throughout the year. One Planning Officer was appointed on contract during the year.
Two Assistant Planning Officers who became professionally qualified were promoted to Planning Officers.
10.11 Three Chief Planning Officers and five Planning Officers were seconded to the New Territories Development Department, and one Chief Planning Officer to the Housing Department.
10.12 During the year one Surveying Assistant (Planning) Rank II passed the Intermediate Examination of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and was promoted to Assistant Planning Officer.
Training
10.13 A number of Assistant Planning Officers and Surveying Assistants (Planning) enrolled as student members of the Royal Town Planning Institute and the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and sat for professional examinations during the year.
10.14 Three Assistant Planning Officers were undertaking overseas post-graduate town planning courses at universities in the United Kingdom and Australia under the scheme of Government Training Scholarships.
Welfare
10.15 The Town Planning Office Sports and Social Club was very active during the year and organized various activities which were well attended. The activities included a launch picnic, a coach picnic, a trip to Macau, many sports and games competitions and a Christmas Eve party in the Office.
10.16 The Office Discussion Group was formed during the year and dealt with many matters of interest.
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