1.26
The chart on page (vii) shows the organization of the Department. The object of the organisation is to decentralize wherever possible so that day-to-day decisions on virtually all matters, other than departmental policy and the programming of future projects, can be made by Offices. Headquarters concerns itself with departmental policy, future works programmes and the co-ordination of the needs of Offices. To provide this co-ordination, weekly meetings are held at which Headquarters and Office representatives consider matters affecting land and development. Very close contacts are maintained between P.W.D. Headquarters and the Government Secretariat.
1.27
THE EFFECT OF VACANCIES ON PRODUCTIVE EFFICIENCY
The majority of Offices in the Department continued to experience staff strengths well below the approved establishments. Vacancies ranged from 15% to 25% of establishment in supervisory posts, from 7% to 40% in technical posts and from 6% to 25% in professional and assistant professional posts.
1.28
In some cases this shortage of staff could be overcome by the employment of consultants and by overtime working but in the Town Planning Office, for example, planning records have unavoidably become outdated and programmes for the preparation of plans have been retarded despite the fact that this Office was one of the least affected. In Waterworks Office some urgent new plant installations had to be carried out by maintenance staff, so that programmed maintenance of existing plant suffered as a result. In the Electrical and Mechanical Office it has been found difficult to obtain technical staff who combined adequate academic qualifications with practical experience, and productivity has been lower than it would otherwise have been.
1.29
STAFF
The total staff numbered more than 14,000, of whom 1048 were professional or assistant professional officers. Occupants of senior duty posts, distribution of staff and rates of pay of artisans, labourers and apprentices are given in Appendices A, B and C respectively.
1.30
During the year the following senior officers proceeded on leave prior to retirement :-
Mr. W.T. Knight, Director of Water Supplies, on 8.10.76
Mr. C. Bramwell, Principal Government Architect, on 8.8.76
Mr. G.L. Lowman, Government Building Surveyor, on 19.1.77
Mr. J.C. Howlett, Chief Building Surveyor, on 19.5.76
6