In 2005, the Finance Wing continued to exercise a strong sense of responsibility in the management of financial resources. Several significant targets were met. Our priorities for the future are to reach the overall goal of Efficiency Savings by 2006/07, and to continue placing financial authority in the hands of our budget holders.

The Administration Wing explored ways and means to further improve the cost-effectiveness of our service and to promote staff relations in the civilian grades. For the future, we will continue to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of our service by launching new initiatives to meet changing needs and new challenges.

During the year, the Planning and Development Branch completed several new capital works projects. These included the second largest building project in the Force´s history: the New Territories South Regional Headquarters and Operational Base complex. This purpose-built building was completed in May and became fully operational in October.

Finance Wing

2005/06 Financial Results
For the financial year ending March 31, 2006, the total expenditure of the Force was estimated to be $10.9 billion, amounting to about 5.1 per cent of the Government´s total budget for the year. Of this allocation, salaries and allowances accounted for about $9.5 billion, with the rest being contributed by departmental expenses and capital items. Fines, penalties and other fees and charges are expected to produce about $423 million in revenue.

Efficiency Savings Exercise
The Force has agreed to the target of Efficiency Savings of $296 million for 2005/06. This exercise is being carried out with the aim of achieving 2.4 per cent savings on recurrent expenditure and avoiding a reduction in front-line Police coverage.

One-line Vote
Under the “One-line vote” arrangement, expenditures under various traditional sub-heads are now pooled under the sub-head of operational expenses. Subject to prescribed conditions, the Force has the flexibility to vire funds between categories under this sub-head without having to seek prior approval. This arrangement continued to considerably facilitate decision-making in resource management. For the financial year ending March 31, 2006, the arrangement was invoked for some $76 million of departmental expenditure.

Administration Wing

The Force has a civilian establishment of over 5 000 to provide administrative, secretarial and technical support services to Police operations. A number of initiatives were implemented in 2005 to streamline procedures and reorganise resources. They included the restructuring of support services in the new Police Headquarters, the simplification of procedures for renewal of cleaning contracts, the amalgamation of registries and the retraining of civilian staff to take up new responsibilities. The Efficiency Unit was also commissioned to carry out a review on the outsourcing of police translation services to achieve better cost-effectiveness.

Planning and Development Branch

The New Territories South Regional Headquarters and Operational Base at No. 8 Shing Mun Road, Tsuen Wan was completed in May and became fully operational in October. The hitherto unsatisfactory situation whereby the New Territories South Regional Headquarters and its Operational Units were scattered in various districts no longer exists, since they are now accommodated under one roof. The strategic location for the complex has greatly enhanced the operational effectiveness and efficiency of the New Territories South Region. With the projected increase in policing demands as a result of major developments on both Ma Wan Island and Lantau, the new complex enables a quicker response to emergencies and major incidents.

The complex consists of a 16-storey tower block and a podium block with vehicle parking facilities and an indoor firing range. Modern technologies are adopted with the use of optical fibre cables and computer flooring. As such, the building can facilitate future information technologies and telecommunication developments to cater for future operational requirements. Energy saving measures include the provision of curtain walls with sun shading devices to maximise sunlight, and motion sensors that allow lights to switch off automatically if no one is in the room. This complex has without doubt promoted the Force´s image and public confidence in the service quality provided.

The purpose-built Marine Outer Waters District Headquarters and Marine North Division Operational Base at Ma Liu Shui will be completed in early 2006. In addition to providing Marine units with accommodation in support of their sea going duties, there are various supporting facilities such as a frontline maintenance office for vessels maintenance, underground fuel tanks and a pillar crane. Upon completion, it will enhance the operational efficiency of the District through the provision of a more centrally-located District Headquarters and improve the District´s capability to cope with the challenges as a result of the infrastructure development in the Deep Bay Link and the Lantau Island in the coming years.

In order to increase the limited capacity of the vehicular boundary crossings between the HKSAR and Shenzhen, the Government has fast-tracked several cross-boundary traffic facilities with policing facilities included. Two of these, namely the Deep Bay Link in Yuen Long and the HK-Shenzhen Western Corridor, were completed in December. The boundary crossing facilities at Shekou in the Mainland and the KCR East Rail Sheung Shui to Lok Ma Chau Spur Line are now at a very advanced stage of development and both facilities are due for completion by end 2006. Another cross-boundary project, the Sky Plaza within the “Sky City” now under construction at Hong Kong International Airport, will become operative by July 2006. The project will include Police facilities.