TNAG-0812-FCO40-1017-Allegations-of-bribery-and-corruption-in-Hong-Kong-1978 — Page 89

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2.40 Functional Departments - Regionalisation"

2.41

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A distinctive feature of governmont organisation that has arisen in recent years is the process now commonly known as "rogionalisation". This is a necessary response to the increasing population and the sophistication of the many services which, until regionalisation took place, were provided on a centralised basis. As rogionalisation is likely to become a significant feature, the two departments, namely Housing Department and Urban Services Department, which have pioneered this concept of organisation, have been examined in the context of the practice of accountability. Discussions with the Housing Department centred upon the Estate Management Branch and in the U.S.D., the Urban Services District.

The New Territorios Administration is also charged with executive functions and is organised on a regional basis. But the historical background of the N.T.A. is completely different and should, therefore, be looked at in its own, somewhat unique, context.

2.42 The following cannot be taken as an exhaustive survey of the practice

of accountability in these departments, but rather as a summary, of the views and opinions given to us in the course of our study. Where it was appropriate, however, the experience of C.F.D. gained through assignment work in these departments has been included.

2.43 Regionalisation"

2.44

Housing and Urban Services Departments

Intrinsic in the idea of regionalisation is the adoption of a geographical unit as the basic unit of accountability. Within this geographical unit, the government officer is responsible for executing the functions of his Department, and for ensuring that resources are directed in the most effective way to meet the public demand. He is accountable for the results obtained within his geographical area and for the overall supervision of staff.

In the case of the Urban Services Department, the basic geographical unit coincides with a City or New Territories District. The officer-in- charge is the Urban Services Officer (U.S.0.) who is accountable for activities in his District to an Assistant Director at Regional Head- quarters and thence, to the Director of Urban Services. In the Housing Department, the basic unit, as far as Housing Management is concerned, is the Estate, the running of which is the responsibility of the Housing Manager (II.M.). The Housing Manager is accountable to a Senior Housing Manager (who is in charge of a Group of 4 to 8 Estates), thence to an Assistant Director (in charge of a geographical Division) and upwards to the Deputy Director (Estate Management).

2.45 In terms of the practice of accountability within the basic geographical

unit, the impression given by U.S.D. staff in the course of our interviews is that the U.S.D. and his functional staff are in no doubt as to their responsibilities, their lines of communication, and their accountability. The system of regionalisation has involved the transition of front-line staff from a specialist to a generalist function. Cur own observations and the impression given to us is that this transition has been successfully effected, and staff are aware of their new roles.

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