For discussion PWSC(95-96)89
on 7 February 1996

TEM FOR PUBLIC WORKS SUBCOMMITTEE
OF FINANCE COMMITTEE

CAPITAL WORKS RESERVE FUND
HEAD 704 - DRAINAGE
Block allocations

Members are invited to recommend to the Finance Committee to approve the allocation of $59.547 million for block allocations under Head 704 for 1996-97 together with the creation of a new block allocation Subhead 4100DX, and to delegate to the Financial Secretary the power to authorise expenditure from the new block allocation.



PROBLEM

Various block allocations under Head 704 need funding in 1996-97 for existing and new projects to proceed on schedule. The present system of block allocations is administratively cumbersome and leads to underspending.

PROPOSAL

2. We propose a single block allocation, 4100DX, Drainage works, studies and investigations for items selected in Category D of the Public Works Programme with a total allocation of $59.547 million for 1996-97 under Head 704. The new subhead, which replaces existing block allocation subheads 4001DX to 4006DX, 4009CX and 4010CX, is for minor works, feasibility studies and site investigations in respect of drainage projects, subject to a maximum ceiling of expenditure of not more than $15 million per Category D item. Items may also be included in Category D to cover the costs of preliminary feasibility studies and investigations to enable drainage projects to be included in Category C of the Public Works Programme, and consultants’ fees and charges for feasibility investigations and design (including preparation of tender documents) of drainage projects in Category B or (subject to the Secretary for the Treasury’s approval) Category C of the Public Works Programme. Urgent payments in respect of minor outstanding works to a value not exceeding $100,000 on any drainage projects that have been substantially completed and for which there is no subhead in the Fund estimates may also be charged to this subhead. Approval will be sought from the Financial Secretary to reinstate such projects in the Fund estimates during the year and, once this approval has been obtained, expenditure will be transferred to the original project. Enclosure 1 sets out the allocation for each existing block allocation in 1995-96 as compared to the amount proposed under the new block allocation for 1996-97. As with other block allocations under the Capital Works Reserve Fund (CWRF), we also propose that the Finance Committee delegate to the Financial Secretary the power to authorise expenditure under the above subhead1.

JUSTIFICATION

3. Block allocation subheads under those CWRF heads of expenditure dealing with the Public Works Programme provide sources of funds for a wide variety of minor projects, generally costing less than $15 million each. Public works projects costing over $15 million each have to be approved on an individual basis by the Finance Committee. The Finance Committee approves expenditure under block allocations on the basis of the forecast of total expenditure required for the next financial year, not the total estimated cost of the works to be carried out, the implementation of which can extend beyond the financial year in question. It is necessary for the Finance Committee to approve funds under each of the block allocations under Head 704 for 1996-97 in order to enable the Government to undertake various minor drainage works in the next financial year, including meeting payments carried forward from the present and earlier financial years2.

4. The proposed total allocation for the new Head 704 block allocation for 1996-97 is about 4% more than the total allocation for the existing subheads in 1995-96. We have drawn up the allocation proposed for 1996-97 on the basis of expenditure patterns, existing commitments and projects expected to be undertaken in the coming financial year. Enclosure 2 sets out the key expenditure items in 1996-97.

5. We have also taken the opportunity in this year's block allocation exercise to reduce the number of block allocations under Head 704. The creation of new block allocations has usually taken place on an ad hoc basis in response to a particular need at the time. Underspending is a problem because the procedures governing expenditure under the Capital Works Reserve Fund (CWRF) prevent us from automatically transferring readily available funds under one block allocation to another block allocation where additional funds are urgently required and then, if necessary, subsequently seeking additional funds from the Finance Committee via PWSC should total expenditure for the financial year in respect of all block allocations look likely to be exceeded. Total expenditure on block allocations under Head 704, since 1992-93, is shown below -

Total expenditure on Head 704 block allocations

Financial year Original Estimate
$'000
Actual Outturn
$'000

1992-93

30,100

13,012

1993-94

36,000

22,132

1994-95

56,500

35,892

1995-96

57,360

# 32,608

# Forecast outturn for 1995-96

6. We usually find ourselves only being able to apply to the Finance Committee via the PWSC to increase the permitted level of expenditure under the block allocation requiring the additional funds, leaving the amounts available under other block allocations unchanged. This is particularly true in the early part of the financial year when we are still uncertain of the likely total year expenditure under each block allocation. By combining the block allocations into one, we can overcome these problems.

7. In addition, the present variety of financial controls on maximum levels of expenditure on any single item depend on the individual scopes of each block allocation. This is confusing. We propose to introduce only one limit for the new block allocation, that being a maximum expenditure ceiling of not more than $15 million per item3. Above that ceiling we will seek the specific approval of the Finance Committee via the PWSC in the form of a separate project for upgrading to Category A in the Public Works Programme. We will also place all items funded under the new block allocation in Category D of the Public Works Programme so as to be able to impose uniform administrative procedures.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

8. The total proposed allocation for the new block allocation for 1996-97 under Head 704 is $59.547 million. There are no additional annually recurrent expenditure implications arising from the proposal.

BACKGROUND

9. The Capital Works Reserve Fund (CWRF) finances eleven different heads of expenditure covering the Public Works Programme, the acquisition of land, capital subventions and major systems and equipment, and computerisation. The block allocations under Head 704 provide for expenditure on minor drainage works, including site investigations and consultancy fees for larger projects in the capital works programme. The ambits of the current block allocations for 1995-96 are set out in Enclosure 3. We allow for a certain level of over-commitment on the sums approved by the Finance Committee in order to cater for expenditure on items which can only start towards the end of the financial year and part of the expenditure must carry forward to the next financial year or for items where we forecast the full amount of expenditure to be spread over several financial years.

1 -- As provided for under the Resolution establishing the CWRF, the Financial Secreatry may delegate his power of administration to other officers.
2 --- Even relatively small drainage projects can take more than one year to complete. Most works contracts for example require a one year's maintenance period on completed works. Only after the maintenance period is completed do we release the final amountof money due to the contractor.
3 -- We do not allow larger projects, costing more than $15 million each, to be broken down into phases or stages so as to circumvent the need to seek Finance Committee's approval. Finance Committee has previously delegated to the Secretary for the Treasury the power to authorize expenditure on Category D items up to a maximum ceiling of $15 million per item.


Enclosure 1 to PWSC(95-96)89

Subhead Title Original Allocation 1995 - 96
$ million
Proposed
New
Subhead
Proposed Title Proposed
Allocation
1996 - 97
$ million

4009CX

Works contingent on development

0.43

4100DX

Drainage works, studies and investigations for

59.55

4010CX

Minor sewers and drains

6.20

items selected in Category D of the Public Works

4001DX

Minor investigations for drainage projects

0.67

Programme

4002DX

Minor outstanding drainage items

0.30

4003DX

Minor drainage works and studies/ investigations selected from items in Category D of the Public Works Programme

26.68

4004DX

Minor structures and submarine outfalls

0.50

4005DX

Project feasibility studies and minor investigations for drainage projects

3.38

4006DX

Consultants' design fees and charges and major in-house investigations for drainage projects

19.20

Total

57.36

Total

59.55


Enclosure 2 to PWSC(95-96)89

Block allocations under Head 704 Key expenditure items in 1996-97

Project Description Estimate
1996-97
$'000

Chuen Lung sewerage - site investigation

100

Ground investigation for Shek Wu Hui STW upgrading

120

North West Kowloon industrial area expedient connection surveys

5,500

Supply and installation of mechanical raked screen at Yuen Long Nullah

2,000

North District sewerage advance works - trunk sewer along Sha Tau Kok Road

2,800

West Kowloon stormwater drainage improvement, stage I - consultants' fees and investigations

4,400

Shenzhen River improvement works stage II - site investigation, survey and design fees

7,200

Construction of a 375mm dia sewer along Road L8 in Fanling

600

Construction of new sewer diameter 750mm and 700mm along Tai On Road, Shaukeiwan

400

Central expedient connection survey

5,500

Causeway Bay expedient connection survey

5,500

Sewer construction for Anderson Road quarries development and Po Lam housing platform

300

Construction of stormwater drain along Road 20/5, Lo Shue Pai, Chai Wan

300


Enclosure 3 to PWSC(95-96)89

Ambits of the current block allocations for 1995 - 96

Block allocation
Subhead
Title Ambit

4009CX

Works contingent on development

For modifications to public drains and sewers contingent on development.

4010CX

Minor sewers and drains

For minor reconstruction and improvement of existing sewers and drains costing $1.25 million or less in respect of each site.

4001DX

Minor investigations for drainage projects

For minor site investigation works costing $400,000 or less in respect of each site.

4002DX

Minor outstanding drainage projects

An arbitrary amount which may be used initially for urgent payments in respect of minor outstanding works to a value not exceeding $100,000 on any drainage project which has been substantially completed and for which there is no subhead shown in the Fund estimates. Approval will be sought from the Financial Secretary under delegated power to reinstate such projects in the Fund estimates during the year and, once this approval has been obtained, expenditure will be transferred to the original project.

4003DX

Minor drainage works and studies/ investigations selected from items in Category D of the Public Works Programme

For minor drainage works and studies/investigations selected from Category D of the Public Works Programme, including improvements to existing facilities.

4004DX

Minor structures and submarine outfalls

For minor reconstruction, improvement and rehabilitation of civil structures in sewage treatment works and submarine outfalls costing $1.5 million or less in respect of each site.

4005DX

Project feasibility studies and minor investigations for drainage projects

For preliminary feasibility studies and minor investigations to enable drainage projects to be included in Category C of the Public Works Programme.

4006DX

Consultants' design fees and charges and major in-house investigation for drainage projects

For consultants' fees and charges costing not more than $15 million for the design of drainage projects, including preparation of tender documents, in Category B or (subject to the Secretary for the Treasury's approval) Category C of the Public Works Programme. Site investigations costing more than $400,000 but not more than $15 million in respect of each site are also funded under this block allocation.


Last Updated on 8 December 1998