ENG-2010 — Page 64

22 Constitution and Administration

Central Policy Unit

The Central Policy Unit provides advice on policy issues to meet the special requirements of the Chief Executive, the Chief Secretary for Administration and the Financial Secretary and submits reports directly to them.

The unit consults widely with business and professional circles, political organisations and concerned groups, and the academic community. It undertakes in-depth examinations of complex policy issues, analyses options, conducts soundings of community feedback and recommends solutions for the Government's internal consideration. It also carries out research studies on various issues in Hong Kong, as well as the Mainland and on regional co-operation. The unit is also responsible for co-ordinating the annual Policy Address exercise.

In addition, the unit provides secretariat support to the Commission on Strategic Development, which advises the Chief Executive on Hong Kong's long-term development needs and goals with particular reference to the direction and strategy of social, economic and political developments for Hong Kong. The Chief Executive chairs the commission with 69 non-official members drawn from many fields, including the academia, the business sector, the professional sector, the media, think tanks, the welfare sector and political parties. The commission also comprises four official members: the Chief Secretary for Administration, the Financial Secretary, the Director of the Chief Executive's Office and the Head of the Central Policy Unit.

Efficiency Unit

The Efficiency Unit reports to the Chief Secretary for Administration. It supports Government's commitment to improving services to the community and to ensuring openness and accountability. It does this through identifying, securing support for and implementing public sector reform measures. The unit also provides internal management consultancy for the public service.

The unit operates the 1823 Call Centre. This provides a one-stop enquiry service on behalf of 21 departments and a complaint handling service for the whole of government. The call centre won various awards in 2010, including the Hong Kong Most Admired Knowledge Enterprises Award 2010 and The Ombudsman's Awards 2010 for Officers of Public Organisations. The unit also operates a 'Youth Portal' (www.youth.gov.hk) which provides a multi-media internet platform for young people to access government information and services easily. Its colourful and trendy look and feel gives the audience a totally different and brand-new user experience in surfing government websites. The portal was awarded the Hong Kong ICT Awards 2009: Best Public Service Application (Website) Gold Award.

The Civil Service

The civil service is responsible to the Chief Executive and supports the Government in formulating, explaining and implementing policies, conducting administrative affairs, delivering public services, and undertaking law enforcement and regulatory functions.