Town Councils Archives - The Online Citizen

Singapore

PAP Town Councils to implement phased hike in Service and Conservancy Charges due to rising costs

Amid escalating costs, Singapore’s People’s Action Party (PAP) town councils will raise Service and Conservancy Charges (S&CC) in two phases over the next two years. The increase will affect HDB residents, commercial properties, and market and food stalls. The first increment takes effect on July 1, 2023, with the next on July 1, 2024. Marine Parade Town Council stated that government funding support has helped to moderate the hikes, which are necessary to maintain estate upkeep and long-term maintenance funds.

The Online Citizen
1 June 2023

Current Affairs

Impending S&CC hike for HDB residents, Govt to provide temporary relief

A recent report by the Straits Times highlighted comments from Lim Biow Chuan, coordinating chairman for PAP town councils, suggesting that Housing Board residents can anticipate a rise in Service and Conservancy Charges (S&CC) in the near future. S&CC, which covers expenses such as estate cleaning, landscaping, refuse collection, pest control, and maintenance of mechanical and electrical fixtures like lifts and lights, last saw a rise between $1 and $17 per month, phased over two years, in 2017. Mr Lim noted that town councils are grappling with increased cost pressures due to rising energy prices, maintenance costs, and manpower costs. Energy prices have surged by 23% between 2018 and 2023, while lift maintenance costs have risen because of higher labour and material costs. The implementation of the Progressive Wage Model to uplift low-wage workers has further contributed to increased operational costs for town councils.