| Q.1 |
The
NAMS for approved time-limited project will be included in department's
Estimates with effect from 1 April 2000. Can we arrange a posting
before this date? |
| A.1 |
The posting of staff is a matter between the
departments and the relevant Heads of Grades. Departments are
encouraged to get in touch with the Heads of Grades for the posting
arrangements as soon as possible. However, as the additional NAMS
will only be available in 2000-01, salaries can only be charged
to the departments with effect from 1 April 2000 the earliest.
If departments have spare NAMS in 1999-2000 or if the Heads of
Grades could accommodate the staff whilst on attachment to departments
on their reserve, we will have no objection to postings being
affected earlier.
|
| Q.2 |
Once
the department is allocated with the additional NAMS, can the Controlling
Officer redeploy the resource at his own discretion? |
| A.2 |
No. The additional NAMS is allocated for designated
posts and projects. Departments are not allowed to redeploy the
resources to other projects or create/delete posts of different
ranks within the additional NAMS allocated, unless with the prior
consent of Finance Bureau and the Heads of Grades concerned.
|
| Q.3 |
In case the time-limited
projects have to be extended for a longer period, is it possible
to extend the additional NAMS accordingly? |
| A.3 |
Departments should submit an application to Finance
Bureau well in advance, stating the reason for the extension.
However, we will only consider such requests very exceptionally.
|
| Q.4 |
Is the additional
NAMS allocated subject to EPP savings in future years? |
| A.4 |
No.
|
| Q.5 |
Can a department use
the "Save & Invest Account" to purchase vehicles (recurrent cost
to be absorbed by the department's own resources)? |
| A.5 |
"Save & Invest Accounts" are for initiatives
to achieve productivity gains. Bureaux/departments may only draw
from their Account to spend on one-off projects. These projects
should be initiatives leading to productivity gains and may range
from purchase of plant and equipment, investment in IT, to training
and cultural change workshops, etc. If the purchase of vehicles
fits in the above, there is no objection.
|
| Q.6 |
Is reduced provision
for allowances (including acting allowance) acceptable for the purpose
of EPP savings? |
| A.6 |
Yes. Savings in job-related allowances (as opposed
to allowances which are fringe benefits) may be counted towards
the 5% EPP. These job-related allowances include standard and
non-standard allowances accounted for under departments' Subhead
002 and Subhead 007.
|
| Q.7 |
Efficiency dividend
is a one-off arrangement. But will FB consider a similar scheme
to encourage departments to deliver more than 5% EPP saving by 2002-03? |
| A.7 |
Savings over and above 5% could be retained by
the departments concerned. We have no plan for distributing efficiency
dividend in future.
|
| Q.8 |
To avoid staff redundancy,
would FB allow our department to defer the 2% additional savings
in year 2 to year 3, i.e. adjusting the
cumulative savings targets to 1% in 2000-01, 1% in 2001-02 and 5%
in 2002-03? |
| A.8 |
Other than a mandated 1% savings for 2000-01,
the overall EPP target remains to be 5% by 2002-03. We have yet
to decide whether to specify a compulsory saving figure for 2001-02.
Even if we do, we will be flexible with departments which have
genuine problems.
|
