Questions about town council fee hikes

Clivebenss SG

I AM glad that most town councils will not be raising conservancy fees, other than Aljunied and Jurong (Most town councils not raising fees', Monday). Some town councils manage to avoid raising fees thanks to budget surpluses or prudent cash flow management or because they switched to energy-saving lights.

I am grateful to Ang Mo Kio-Yio Chu Kang Town Council chairman Inderjit Singh as the town council held back its intention to raise fees due to a goods and services tax increase.

I have lived in Jurong since 1987. My flat is about 29 years old. We have waited so long for lift upgrading and recently our MP announced that finally we would have our turn.

Aljunied and Jurong town councils announced two weeks ago that they would increase their service and conservancy fees from next month, due to high operating and maintenance costs. If other town councils were able to arrange lift upgrading earlier and so avoid higher maintenance costs, why the delay in Jurong? If other town councils can delay their fee increases considering the economic situation, why not Aljunied and Jurong? Perhaps these two town councils should review their operational management and efficiency.

Chua Poh Suan (Ms)

charlize SG

I read somewhere these town councils have a combined surplus of 2 billion in sinking funds held in reserve.

Why need to raise fees?

Clivebenss SG

To make more.

Clivebenss SG

WE REFER to Mr Thomas Tan's letter on Tuesday, 'Conservancy charges: Bite bullet, raise them'. The financial status of East Coast, Holland-Bukit Panjang and Tanjong Pagar town councils is healthy.

In the financial year 2008-2009, East Coast, Holland-Bukit Panjang and Tanjong Pagar town councils achieved healthy accumulated surpluses. Our total funds stood at $82.7 million, $96.16 million and $166.28 million respectively.

The three separate accounts for the maintenance of HDB estates, which Mr Tan referred to, are funds established according to the various types of properties, namely residential, commercial and carpark, within the operating fund.

This is for the presentation of the accounts in accordance with the Town Councils Act. Under the Act, town councils can make good any deficit in the funds by making transfer between funds while the total operating funds remain positive.

East Coast and Tanjong Pagar town councils did just that. For the town improvement project funds, they are set up by transferring from the accumulated operating surplus to fund specific town improvement projects.

In the respective town council websites, the audited accounts for the past financial year presented to residents show the following:

A comprehensive cyclical work programme is also put in place to upkeep the conditions of building components and infrastructure.

Albert Teng
General Manager/Secretary
Holland-Bukit Panjang Town Council

Simon Koh
General Manager/Secretary
Tanjong Pagar Town Council

Sasidharan Nair
General Manager/Secretary
East Coast Town Council