LCQ13: Creation of supernumerary directorate posts
8.6.2022

Following is a question by the Hon Chan Pui-leung and a written reply by the Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Patrick Nip, in the Legislative Council today (June 8): Question: Some members of the public have pointed out that although the Government indicated in April this year that it would continue to maintain its target of zero growth in the civil service establishment in the current financial year, the Government has, since April this year, submitted a number of proposals to the Legislative Council for the creation of time-limited supernumerary directorate posts (supernumerary directorate posts). In this connection, will the Government inform this Council: (1) of the number of supernumerary directorate posts anticipated to be created, retained and re-created in the current financial year as well as their details, including the estimated expenditure involved; (2) of the ratio of the expenditure on supernumerary directorate posts to that on permanent directorate posts; (3) of the number of supernumerary directorate posts created in each of the past three financial years, and set out, by name of policy bureaux and government departments in a table, the titles, ranks, pay scales and responsibilities of such posts; whether, after such posts were created, it has assessed if they can achieve the intended effects; and (4) whether the Government at present still creates supernumerary directorate posts under the delegated authority in accordance with section 8 of the Public Finance Ordinance (Cap. 2); if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that? Reply: President, The Government's target of zero growth in the civil service establishment will remain unchanged in 2022-23, with the aim of ensuring the sustainability of public finances. We encourage bureaux and departments (B/Ds) to enhance effectiveness and efficiency through re-prioritisation, internal redeployment and streamlining of work processes, so that the workload can be coped with without any increase in the overall civil service establishment. Nevertheless, this does not mean that the zero growth in establishment will then be implemented across-the-board in B/Ds. The establishment of individual B/Ds can still increase having regard to operational needs and when it is fully justified. However, taking into account the deletion of posts which no longer have operational needs in other B/Ds, there will not be any increase in the overall civil service establishment. Having consulted the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau, our reply to the various parts of the question is as follows: (1) Forecast of submissions on creation/retention/re-creation of supernumerary directorate posts in the Financial Year 2022-23 is set out in Annex I. (2) As at May 31, 2022, the establishment of permanent and supernumerary directorate posts in the civil service is 1 464 and 74 respectively. The notional annual salary cost at mid-point of the above permanent and supernumerary posts is about $3.3 billion and $160 million respectively. The ratio is about 21:1. (3) Details of the supernumerary directorate posts approved by the Finance Committee (FC) in the 2019-20, 2020-21 and 2021-22 Financial Years are set out in Annex II. The supernumerary posts will lapse upon expiry of the term as approved by FC. The B/Ds concerned will monitor and review the situation in a timely manner during the creation period of the supernumerary posts to ensure that the staffing level remains appropriate in the light of operational needs. In case the B/Ds concerned consider it necessary to retain certain supernumerary posts upon expiry, separate proposals have to be submitted to the Legislative Council (LegCo) for consideration. A rigorous vetting system is in place to scrutinise proposals relating to the directorate establishment. Each proposal for the creation of a directorate post has been vetted by the relevant policy bureau and the two resource bureaux (the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau and the Civil Service Bureau) before seeking necessary approval from LegCo. (4) Generally speaking, no matter whether it is a permanent or supernumerary directorate post, it needs to be endorsed/approved by the Establishment Subcommittee (ESC)/FC. Nevertheless, in accordance with section 8 of the Public Finance Ordinance (Cap. 2), Controlling Officers may exercise the authority delegated by the Financial Secretary (Note) to create supernumerary directorate posts to meet a temporary need lasting not longer than six months. In exercising this delegated authority, Controlling Officers must obtain ranking support from the relevant head of grade and prior approval from the Secretary for the Civil Service and the relevant Director of Bureau. They must also confirm the availability of necessary funds to the satisfaction of the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury. Posts may be so created only for temporary and short-term purposes and should last for a period not exceeding six months. Endorsement/approval of ESC/FC are required if the posts are to be renewed. Note: Under section 8 of the Public Finance Ordinance, the Finance Committee has delegated to the Financial Secretary certain powers relating to the creation of posts. The Financial Secretary has further delegated the authority to Controlling Officers personally.