There are probably 2 groups of people.
One who likes upgrade and one who feel the public fund could be
better spent elsewhere.
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I am a resident of Blk 142 Lor
2 Toa Payoh and the turf area beside the block was fanced up
recently for the construction of a linkway to link the block to Blk
142A. It is a waste of public fund as currently there is already an
existing linkway which link Blk 142 to Blk 142A.
Date of Reply : 05/09/2005
Reply : Dear Sir / Madam
We agree with your concerns and appreciate this opportunity to
clarify the issue.
2 Generally, Citizens' Consultative Committees (CCCs) prioritise
potential improvement works based on the likely benefits. The Town
Councils then assist to implement the approved projects.
3 We understand from Bishan-Toa Payoh Town Council that the
proposed covered walkway from Blk 142 Lor 2 Toa Payoh to the
linkhall at Blk 142A was requested by the residents at Blk 142
during the MP's house-to-house visit and his dialogue session with
the residents. The Thomson Citizens' Consultative Committee (CCC)
decided to engage the Town Council to implement the request since
the block residents frequently use the linkhall and it provides
useful shortcut. Please refer to the attached sketch showing the
existing and new linkways.
4 We thank you for your feedback and interest.
Unfortunately, the same group off people failed to understand
the hardships faced by our people.
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Hope the Town council could
assist the residents to solve their problem of paying their
outstanding conservancy and service charges,instead of spent monies
to ask for solicitors to sue the residents or add penalty charge to
those residents who already facing financial problem.
Date of Reply : 19/07/2005
Reply : Dear Sir / Madam
We agree with your concerns and appreciate this opportunity to
clarify the issue.
2 The service and conservancy arrears management policies and
procedures of the Town Councils (TCs) are fairly consistent except
for some differences due to TCs' localised needs and
conditions.
3 The TCs do carry out measures to help needy residents with
outstanding fees, such as :
(a) Extension of time
TCs will send reminders if payment is not received by the due date.
Generally, 3 to 4 reminders/letters are sent if payment is still
outstanding by the 3rd month.
(b) House visits
Some TCs conduct house visits if payment is not made after
reminders have been served.
(c) Write-offs
For rental cases, depending on the merit of the cases, some TCs may
write-off the outstanding arrears.
(d) Employment as Temporary Estates Inspectors
Some TCs have employed the residents concerned to work as Temporary
Estates Inspectors. The salary of these Inspectors is deducted for
payment of their arrears.
(e) Deferment of payment / waiver of penalties
Generally, the penalties are waived if the residents follow through
with payment plans.
(f) Funding for hardship cases
Some TCs may refer cases to Community Development Councils and / or
MCYS for ComCare Fund assistance to help residents with arrears
payment.
4 The above measures are adopted to help residents with their
arrears payments. Solicitors are only engaged as a last resort, for
example, in chronic arrears cases where residents choose not to pay
despite numerous reminders.
5 Thank you for your feedback.
