Dear Colleagues,

Reorganisation of the Civil Service Bureau

We briefed both departmental management and the staff sides of the four central consultative councils as well as major civil service unions of our plan to reorganise the operation of the Civil Service Bureau (CSB) yesterday.  I write to inform you of the objectives of this exercise.

The reorganisation of the CSB aims to underline the Bureau's focus on civil service policies and major issues, to provide more authority and responsibility to Heads of Department (HoDs) in their day-to-day staff management and to streamline and simplify the Administration's decision-making process on personnel matters.  These changes are necessary to ensure that our civil service management system continues to function effectively and efficiently under present day circumstances.

Let me brief you on two major initiatives in this reorganisation which may be of interest to you.  First, we shall provide Permanent Secretaries, HoDs and Heads of Grade (HoGs) the authority to appoint holders of public office at Directorate Pay Scale Point 1 level or equivalent (other than HoD and the rank of Chief Superintendent of Police whose appointment procedure will remain unchanged).  At present, HoDs already have the authority to appoint all holders of public office at the non-directorate level.  Second, we shall empower Permanent Secretaries and HoDs/HoGs to institute disciplinary proceedings and impose punishment on officers below Master Pay Scale Point 34 or equivalent, with the exception of dismissal which will continue to be determined by this Bureau.  Currently, they have the power in this respect for officers who are below Master Pay Scale Point 14.

Let me assure you that the changes are introduced solely to enhance the operational efficiency of our administrative process.  There will be absolutely no change to our present civil service policies.  We shall continue to ensure that appointments and promotions are handled on the basis of the existing policies and mechanisms under the principles of fairness and meritocracy.  The disciplinary cases will continue to be processed under the existing evidence-based system with the involvement of the Secretariat on Civil Service Discipline as before.  The integrity of the civil service management system will remain intact.  The Public Service Commission will continue to provide impartial advice to the Administration on appointment, promotion and discipline matters under its purview.  All the checks and balances including the prevailing appeal channels will be upheld.

Next month, we shall organise workshops for departmental and grade management and issue guidebooks on discipline and appointment matters so as to fully equip departmental and grade management in taking up the new responsibilities. 

The reorganisation will take effect from 1 November 2002.  We shall monitor the effect on departments and staff.  It is my commitment that the CSB will provide better service to departments and colleagues under the new set-up and continue to uphold the core values of the civil service.

Yours sincerely,

(Joseph W P Wong)
Secretary for the Civil Service