CONSTRUCTION OF GOVERNMENT OFFICE BUILDINGS ...

January 2000, the DH informed the GPA that the relocation of the MEB to the CSWGO was not
necessary in view of the outsourcing of the medical examination services.
3.8 Audit noted the DH’s reasons for not making earlier the decision of not relocating the
MEB to the CSWGO (see para. 3.5 above). However, Audit considers that:
(a)
the cost of the fitting-out works of $3.7 million completed for the MEB could have
been avoided or substantially reduced if the DH had taken more proactive action
between January 1999 and July 1999 to deal with the possible outsourcing of the
medical examination services;
(b)
the DH could have informed the Secretary for the Civil Service that an early
decision of outsourcing the medical examination services was essential, having
regard to the commencement of the fitting-out works in May 1999; and
(c)
in July 1999 (i.e. after the parties concerned had expressed no in-principle objection
to extending the outsourcing of the medical examination services to other
departments), the DH could have given advance notification to the GPA that it
would not take up the allocated accommodation in the CSWGO for the MEB,
instead of six months later in January 2000.
Audit recommendations on fitting-out works
in the CSWGO for the MEB
3.9 Audit has recommended that the Secretary for the Treasury, in consultation with the
Government Property Administrator, should:
(a)
if organisational changes (such as the disbandment of an established office) take
place after the award of a contract, ensure that user departments assess the effects
of such changes and that they would take proactive action to minimise abortive
works; and
(b)
amend the Accommodation Regulations so that government departments are
required to inform the GPA immediately of any changes which may affect
departments’ allocated accommodation in a government office building under
construction. This will enable the GPA to consider alternative uses of the office
space.
Response from the Administration
3.10 The Secretary for the Treasury has said that she supports all the audit recommendations
as mentioned in paragraph 3.9 above. She will positively consider promulgating the new
requirements.
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