EC(97-98)71
For discussion
on 12 February 1998
ITEM FOR ESTABLISHMENT SUBCOMMITTEE OF
FINANCE COMMITTEE
HEAD 150 - GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT : HOUSING BUREAU
Subhead 001 Salaries
Members are invited to recommend to Finance Committee the creation of the following permanent post in the Housing Bureau -
1 Chief Engineer
(D1) ($92,650 - $98,300)
PROBLEM
The existing establishment of the Housing Bureau (HB) is in need of additional support at the directorate level to ensure the timely delivery of the Government's housing production targets.
PROPOSAL
2. The Secretary for Housing (S for H) proposes to create one permanent post of Chief Engineer (CE) (D1) in HB to strengthen the Bureau's capability to monitor the provision of housing sites and flat production and to deal with associated problems.
JUSTIFICATION
3. The Government is committed to increasing housing production as a matter of high priority. The Chief Executive in his Policy Address on 8 October 1997 announced a target of building not less than 85 000 flats a year in the private and public sectors beginning in 1999-2000. Our current estimate is that we will produce some 780 000 flats over the eight years period of 1997-98 to 2004-05.
4. To meet our housing targets, the Government has introduced a number of measures, described in the following paragraphs, which will significantly increase the role of HB in co-ordinating and monitoring housing production.
5. The Government has approved inventories of more than 900 housing sites, known as "control lists", and established a new accountability system for the delivery of flats on these sites. Under this system, the Financial Secretary (FS) has appointed 20 directorate officers from three departments (Housing Department, Lands Department and Territory Development Department) as Project Directors charged personally with taking forward individual housing projects on the control lists. The Project Directors monitor their housing projects continuously, carry out monthly reviews, and report progress to HB through a computerised system. When they encounter problems relating to housing sites which cannot be resolved at the district or departmental level, they will refer these problems to HB for resolution. The Bureau will, where appropriate, refer such problems to the Housing Project Action Team (HPAT) chaired by S for H, or the Steering Committee on Land Supply for Housing chaired by FS.
6. To identify more sites to boost housing supply, HB has initiated a large number of studies to be undertaken by Planning Department, Territory Development Department, Civil Engineering Department and Housing Department. These include three integrated planning and development studies and two engineering feasibility studies (for Strategic Growth Areas identified in the Territorial Development Strategy Review), and eight development studies on individual housing sites. More studies are forthcoming. We estimate that these studies, taken together, will help provide housing for a population in excess of 700 000. The studies require close monitoring by HB's Project Management Division so that practical decisions can be taken as quickly as possible on the production of land for housing.
7. HB is responsible for the planning and implementation of housing-related infrastructural projects. The number of such projects has increased from 40 with a total cost of $6 billion in 1996-97 to 61 with a total cost in excess of $14 billion in 1997-98. The implementation of these projects requires close monitoring and liaison with project offices to ensure timely completion.
8. The role of HPAT chaired by S for H has been greatly expanded under the new system of monitoring housing production. HPAT is now responsible for monitoring all housing projects, shortfalls in flat production and problems in respect of individual housing sites. In addition, HPAT has to forward to the Land Disposal Committee, chaired by the Secretary for Planning, Environment and Lands, a rolling programme of land requirements for housing.
Project Management Division and the Proposed Chief Engineer Post
9. Established on 18 November 1994, HB currently consists of five divisions. The Project Management Division, which is headed by a Principal Assistant Secretary (PAS) at Government Engineer (D2) rank, is supported by one Chief Assistant Secretary ranked at CE level and two Assistant Secretaries ranked at Senior Engineer level. The Division is tasked to ensure delivery of the Government's flat production targets. As part of this task, the Division is responsible for all aspects of the planning and provision of housing sites and the implementation of related infrastructural projects. The Division also provides administrative and technical support to the HPAT.
10. The Project Management Division has insufficient professional staff to discharge its function efficiently. The enhanced housing programme described in paragraphs 5 to 8 above including introduction of the new housing monitoring system, the increased number of housing sites, development studies, infrastructural projects and the expanded role of HPAT will exacerbate this situation. If we do not promptly increase the staff resources of the Project Management Division, there is a real danger that the Government's flat production targets will be jeopardised.
11. Most of the issues related to housing production under the responsibilities of the Project Management Division are complex and require the involvement of the PAS who already has a full schedule including administering the work of the expanded HPAT and attending meetings of the Town Planning Board and its Committees. A new post at the directorate level is necessary to assist the PAS to cope with the Division's new tasks effectively. We propose to create a multi-disciplinary post of CE.
12. If approved, the new CE will be responsible for the operation and management of the computerised monitoring system of housing sites and for providing technical support to the HPAT. The existing CE will be responsible for the management of housing-related infrastructure projects under the Capital Works Reserve Fund. Both CEs will be involved in major development studies, in co-ordinating the work of Government departments and developers, and in resolving problems on housing-related projects. The job descriptions of the PAS, the existing and proposed CE posts and the proposed organisation chart of the HB are at Enclosures 1to 4 respectively.
Filling of the Chief Engineer Post
13. When created, we will identify a suitable officer from amongst the Architect, Geotechnical Engineer, Structural Engineer and Engineer grades for posting to fill the proposed CE post.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
14. The additional notional annual salary cost of this proposal at mid-point is $1,144,200. The full annual average staff cost, including salaries and staff on-cost, is $2,059,356.
15. In addition, this proposal will necessitate the creation of three non-directorate posts of one Personal Secretary II and two Senior Engineers at a notional annual mid-point salary cost of $2,030,400 and a full annual average staff cost of $3,751,644. We will create these posts through the normal Departmental Establishment Committee machinery. We have included sufficient provision in the 1998-99 draft Estimates to meet the cost of this proposal and the non-directorate posts.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
16. In his Policy Address on 8 October 1997, the Chief Executive announced a target of providing not less than 85 000 flats a year in the public and private sectors beginning in 1999-2000. To ensure delivery of his target, a new system of accountability, monitoring and problem solving for housing-related issues has been established in the Housing Bureau.
CIVIL SERVICE BUREAU COMMENTS
17. The ranking and grading of the proposed post are appropriate having regard to its duties and responsibilities. A multi-disciplinary post will allow a wider field of officers to be considered for the job.
ADVICE OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE ON DIRECTORATE SALARIES AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE
18. The Standing Committee on Directorate Salaries and Conditions of Service has advised that the grading proposed for the post would be appropriate if the post were to be created.
Housing Bureau
January 1998
Enclosure 1 to EC(97-98)71
Job Description for
Principal Assistant Secretary for Housing (Project Management)
Rank : Government Engineer (D2)
Duties :
Responsible to the Deputy Secretary for Housing (2) for -
- organising and updating the control lists on housing sites and monitoring the programme of land supply and housing production to meet the housing production targets for both public and private housing;
- co-ordinating government efforts to ensure an adequate supply of land for both public and private housing, through programming of land production and infrastructural development, including the possibility of entrustment of public works to private developers, to bring forward the development of land for housing development;
- programming and monitoring the development of both public and private housing projects, giving early warnings of possible slippage or shortfall of supply and recommend remedial measures;
- monitoring the progress of development studies in major areas and advise departments on issues related to housing production;
- controlling and monitoring the use of funds for implementing housing-related projects;
- planning and co-ordinating government efforts in the establishment of a centralised information system on land supply and housing production;
- supporting the work of the Housing Project Action Team in the regular review and monitoring of the housing production programme to achieve the housing production target;
- supporting the work of the Housing Project Action Team and the panel comprising the Secretary for Housing and the Secretary for Planning, Environment and Lands in resolving problems and conflicting interests which may cause delays in the processing of housing projects;
- attending the Town Planning Board and its Committees as an official member; and
- supervising the work of the Project Management Division.
Enclosure 2 to EC(97-98)71
Job Description for
Chief Assistant Secretary for Housing (1)
Rank : Chief Engineer (D1), multi-disciplinary
Duties :
Responsible to the Principal Assistant Secretary for Housing (Project Management) for -
- updating the control lists on housing sites and monitoring the programme of land supply and housing production to meet the housing production targets for both public and private housing;
- identifying suitable sites for meeting the housing production targets;
- monitoring the progress of housing projects;
- co-ordinating the work of government departments to ensure an adequate supply of land for the production of both public and private housing;
- co-ordinating the work of government departments and developers in resolving problems encountered in the course of housing production;
- attending to territorial and regional development studies and other housing-related studies and applying the findings of the studies to speed up housing production;
- providing technical support to the work of the Housing Project Action Team and the panel comprising the Secretary for Housing and the Secretary for Planning, Environment and Lands in monitoring the housing production programme and resolving problems related to housing projects; and
- undertaking such duties as assigned by the Principal Assistant Secretary for Housing (Project Management), from time to time.
Enclosure 3 to EC(97-98)71
Job Description for
Chief Assistant Secretary for Housing (2)
Rank : Chief Engineer (D1), multi-disciplinary
Duties :
Responsible to the Principal Assistant Secretary for Housing (Project Management) for -
- identifying and planning adequate infrastructure projects necessary for the housing programme;
- monitoring the progress of infrastructure projects related to housing;
- co-ordinating the work of government departments and developers in resolving problems on housing-related infrastructure;
- attending to territorial and regional development studies and other housing-related studies and applying the findings of the studies to speed up housing production;
- providing support to control and monitor the use of resources earmarked and accounted for under the Capital Works Reserve Fund Head 711 for implementing infrastructure projects to bring forward housing development;
- providing technical support in the development of a centralised computerised system for monitoring and updating information on housing sites;
- attending to draft legislation affecting housing production; and
- undertaking such duties as assigned by the Principal Assistant Secretary for Housing (Project Management), from time to time.
