ENG-1999 — Page 54

CONSTITUTION AND ADMINISTRATION

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All public servants have the right to make any representations of a public or private nature to the Chief Executive under the Public Service (Administration) Order 1997. This also provides that the Chief Executive may appoint a review board to advise him. on those representations relating to appointment, dismissal and discipline of public

servants.

The Government values regular communication and consultation with staff. There are four consultative councils at the central level: the Senior Civil Service Council, the Model Scale 1 Staff Consultative Council, the Disciplined Services Consultative Council and the Police Force Council. More than 80 consultative committees operate at the departmental level. A Civil Service Newsletter is published quarterly to provide an added link with serving and retired civil servants.

Staff commitment and contributions are recognised in various forms including appreciation letters, commendations and honours or awards. Long Service Travel Awards, Long and Meritorious Service Awards and retirement souvenirs are given to long-serving staff. To further encourage civil servants in providing quality service to the community and to recognise their achievements and efforts in customer service, a Customer Service Award Scheme was introduced in 1999.

Civil Service Reform

With the approach of the 21st century and a rapidly changing external environment, it is essential that the Civil Service keeps pace with the community it serves, improves itself and enhances its efficiency. In March, the Government issued a Consultation Document on Civil Service Reform. The objectives are to create an open, flexible, equitable and structured civil service framework, an enabling and motivating environment for civil servants, and a proactive, accountable and responsible culture. Reforms will cover the four policy areas of entry and exit; pay and fringe benefits; disciplinary procedures; and performance management, professional training and personal development.

The first phase of the consultation on the Reform Proposals ended in June. Over 700 submissions were received. These submissions provide useful and valuable views, comments and suggestions.

The Civil Service Reform Consultation Document covers a wide range of different issues. It would not be practicable for the Government to develop and implement all proposals in parallel. The administration has therefore decided to concentrate on the proposals for which a broad consensus was evident during the first phase of the consultation exercise as well as those which are subject to more urgent time frames. Civil Service Training and Development

Preparing civil servants to provide quality service to the public is the primary goal of training and development in the Civil Service. To achieve this goal, the Civil Service Training and Development Institute, (CSTDI) the Government's central training agency, offers a wide range of training courses and self-learning packages on management, languages, information technology and China studies.

Management training programmes are organised for government officers at various managerial levels. Programmes for senior staff include overseas executive programmes, local directorate seminars and high-level leadership development programmes. In September, a new Leadership in the Public Sector Programme was