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WEDNESDAY, MAY 5, 1993
STEPS TO IMPROVE CO-ORDINATION OF GOVT ACTIVITIES
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON HAMISH MACLEOD, SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD TAKEN STEPS TO ADDRESS THE SPECIFIC INSTANCES OF LACK OF CO-ORDINATION BETWEEN GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AS HIGHLIGHTED IN TIE PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
HE WAS TABLING BEFORE THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THE GOVERNMENT MINUTE IN RESPONSE TO THE COMMITTEE'S REPORT ON THE ACCOUNTS ог THE GOVERNMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED MARCH 31 LAST YEAR, AND THE RESULTS OF VALUE FOR MONEY AUDITS.
"FIRST, ALL STAGES IN THE PROVISION OF GOVERNMENT, INSTITUTION AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES IN PRIVATE DEVELOPMENTS ARE NOW BEING CO- ORDINATED BY THE GOVERNMENT PROPERTY AGENCY, HE SAID.
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MR MACLEOD SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD ALSO TAKEN A NUMBER OF NEW INITIATIVES TO IMPROVE THE CO-ORDINATION OF PUBLIC WORKS PROJECTS.
THE SECRETARY FOR WORKS NOW CHAIRS A NEW PUBLIC WORKS PROGRESS COMMITTEE WHICH INCLUDES ALL POLICY SECRETARIES HAVING A CLOSE INVOLVEMENT WITH PUBLIC WORKS.
THE COMMITTEE IS ALSO ATTENDED BY THE DIRECTORS OF THE WORKS GROUP OF DEPARTMENTS.
"ITS MAIN TASK IS TO CO-ORDINATE THE GOVERNMENT'S DELIVER PUBLIC WORKS PROJECTS ON TIME AND WITHIN BUDGET.
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HE SAID.
IN ADDITION, A WIDE-RANGING REVIEW OF EXISTING PUBLIC WORKS PROCEDURES AND SYSTEMS IS BEING CARRIED OUT.
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"THIS WILL INVOLVE A DETAILED EXAMINATION OF HOW PUBLIC WORKS PROJECTS ARE PLANNED, CO-ORDINATED, FINANCED AND EXECUTED, MR MACLEOD SAID.
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"THE COMMITTEE'S PROPOSAL THAT A PROJECT CO-ORDINATOR APPOINTED FOR PROJECTS INVOLVING MORE THAN ONE DEPARTMENT WILL BE CONSIDERED IN THE REVIEW, HE SAID.
MR MACLEOD SAID A MORE SOPHISTICATED COMPUTER-BASED INFORMATION AND MANAGEMENT SYSTEM WOULD BE DEVELOPED TO LINK ALL WORKS DEPARTMENTS AND RELEVANT POLICY BRANCHES.
"WE ARE, OF COURSE, NOT CONTENT WITH SIMPLY IMPROVING CO- ORDINATION OF ACTIVITY," HE SAID.
LINES OF COMMUNICATION AND ACCOUNTABILITY BETWEEN GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND POLICY SECRETARIES WOULD ALSO BE IMPROVED, HE ADDED.
APART FROM THE WORK OF THE EFFICIENCY UNIT, IN THE COMING MONTHS FURTHER WORK WILL BE REQUIRED TO REFINE PERFORMANCE MEASURES AND ΤΟ INTRODUCE REGULAR PROGRAMME REVIEWS BETWEEN BRANCHES AND DEPARTMENTS, MR MACLEOD SAID.
"THESE ARRANGEMENTS WILL FACILITATE A MORE PROACTIVE APPROACH то RESOURCE MANAGEMENT WITH A VIEW TO ENSURING THE BEST VALUE FOR MONEY IN DELIVERING THE GOVERNMENT'S PROGRAMMES,' HE SAID.
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