Staffing

To provide the best service possible to the people of Hong Kong, it is the policy of the Land Registry to keep its manpower resources flexible. This flexibility comes from the ability of Land Registry's staff to be redeployed to meet changing operational needs and by supplementing permanent staff with non-civil service contract (NCSC) staff. The employment of such contract staff allows the Registry to respond easily to changes in operational or business needs while containing costs. As at 31 March 2003, 497 permanent staff and 52 NCSC staff were employed.

Development and Training

The investment that the Land Registry puts in training and development is a sign of our commitment to giving staff the support they need to work well together and to expand their individual capabilities. The Land Registry formulates an annual Departmental Training Plan that serves as the blueprint for all training and development (T&D) activities. The Land Registry is a government leader in implementing this system and its T&D plan was used as the model for the Government's 2001 guide for all departments, the Guide on Preparing a Departmental T&D Plan.

'Changing Creatively: Seeking Continuous Improvement' was the Annual Staff Development Theme for 2002/03. The workshops aimed at stimulating creativity in problem solving and exploring ways to sustain a learning culture with the ultimate aim of continuous improvement for meeting the challenges of organisational change ahead.

Participants 'created' various interesting gestures in the 'ice-breaking' game

In addition to theme development programmes, the Land Registry organised a variety of in-house activities to equip staff with the necessary knowledge and skills, such as land related knowledge and customer service skills, to cope with the business needs of the department.

The Land Registrar demonstrated his full support by actively participating in the class activity

During the year, the Land Registry staff produced a VCD on good customer service. In this, the three winners of the Best Counter Staff Award 2001 shared their experience in providing good customer service.

In-house production of a VCD on good customer service

To give staff insight into the operation and management of land registration in other jurisdictions, two short attachments with the Department of Land Administration of the State of Western Australia and the Singapore Land Authority were arranged for four Land Registration Officers this year. The programmes broaden officers' perspective and assist them to manage organisational changes more effectively.

In the coming year, the Land Registry will focus on management and technical training in support of the department's organisational change. The Registry will regularly review the effectiveness of training activities so as to ensure that training will improve efficiency of the workplace and add value to the business operation.

Management Initiatives

During 2002/03, a consultancy study on the performance appraisal system was carried out with the objectives to strengthen the existing system and improve the management of performance.

Staff Relations

The Land Registry recognises that effective communication between management and staff is essential to provide quality service to clients and customers. The Land Registry is committed to providing an environment that promotes communication between staff at all levels.

Green Management and Environmental Improvement

The Land Registry continues to improve its performance in the efficient use of resources and energy as well as minimising the use of paper and office supplies while collecting waste paper for recycling purpose. In 2002, consumption of paper and envelopes fell by 8.4% and 23.4% respectively. The waste paper collected increased by 1%. Conversion of the User's Guide to the Street Index and the New Territories Lot/Address Cross Reference Table from paper to compact disk also contributed to saving resources.

The Controlling Officer's Environmental Report for 2002 can be found at our website: www.info.gov.hk/landreg.