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[h=2]PAP TCs Co-ordinating Secretary: All TCs face similar cost pressure[/h]
September 7th, 2012 |
Author: Contributions
We refer to Mr Goh Kian Huat’s letter ‘Still not convinced of the need to increase S&CC‘ (Sep 3). Each town is unique, and estates under the town councils differ in age and design.
With a diverse profile of towns and residents, each town council may have different facilities to meet their residents’ needs. Thus, maintenance costs and operating expenses vary.
The amount of government grants also differ depending on the property profile. Hence, the town councils determine service and conservancy charges based on their needs and financial position.
But all town councils face similar cost pressure. Those that are not increasing charges this year would have to decide on the increase in the future.
To counter rising costs, the 14 People’s Action Party town councils have been working together to explore new cost-saving measures to keep our utilities cost low.
In the last few years, we have implemented many energy conservation projects, such as the replacement of fluorescent lighting with LED lighting for corridors and staircases, energy-saving amalgam lamps for outdoors and LED car park entrance signs.
Projects were planned with concerted efforts, to leverage on possible economies of scale when tenders are called.
Concerning investments of sinking funds, all 14 town councils complied with the guidelines set by the Ministry of National Development and Town Councils Act.
We assure our residents that we will continue to do our utmost to manage costs carefully to optimise every dollar collected from them.
.
Albert Teng Ann Boon
Co-ordinating Secretary, 14 PAP Town Councils
* The letter first appeared on TODAYonline on 7 Sep.
.



We refer to Mr Goh Kian Huat’s letter ‘Still not convinced of the need to increase S&CC‘ (Sep 3). Each town is unique, and estates under the town councils differ in age and design.
With a diverse profile of towns and residents, each town council may have different facilities to meet their residents’ needs. Thus, maintenance costs and operating expenses vary.
The amount of government grants also differ depending on the property profile. Hence, the town councils determine service and conservancy charges based on their needs and financial position.
But all town councils face similar cost pressure. Those that are not increasing charges this year would have to decide on the increase in the future.
To counter rising costs, the 14 People’s Action Party town councils have been working together to explore new cost-saving measures to keep our utilities cost low.
In the last few years, we have implemented many energy conservation projects, such as the replacement of fluorescent lighting with LED lighting for corridors and staircases, energy-saving amalgam lamps for outdoors and LED car park entrance signs.
Projects were planned with concerted efforts, to leverage on possible economies of scale when tenders are called.
Concerning investments of sinking funds, all 14 town councils complied with the guidelines set by the Ministry of National Development and Town Councils Act.
We assure our residents that we will continue to do our utmost to manage costs carefully to optimise every dollar collected from them.
.
Albert Teng Ann Boon
Co-ordinating Secretary, 14 PAP Town Councils
* The letter first appeared on TODAYonline on 7 Sep.
.