Aljunied-Hougang-Punggol East Town Council (AHPETC) chairman and Workers’ Party (WP) chairperson Sylvia Lim explained that the omission of an additional step to avoid double counting of households in arrears over service and conservancy charges (S&CC) led to the erroneous figure of 29.4 per cent reported to the Housing and Development Board (HDB). The number that drew much flak from the baying wolves - reminiscent of the attack dogs jumping on fictitious heckling of speech needs children at Hong Lim Green - turned out to be 5.66 per cent.
Same eye popping figure that galvanised Desmond Lee into full assault mode, warning of "serious implications for residents", and other dire consequences. Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Lawrence Wong also leaped into the foray, crafting a long and verbose commentary to suggest that the town council’s silence on the issue signalled that “something is seriously wrong”. Both have dug for themselves holes so deep they are probably wishing that they had paid more attention to Ms Lim's prudent advice “not to confuse or alarm the public by speculating on whether the S&CC arrears situation has worsened or whether AHPETC is facing ‘bigger problems'”.
Apart from AHPETC, only Potong Pasir received anything other than a “green rating” for S&CC arrears management in the Town Council Management Report. What the architects of that blunt instrument fail to appreciate is that a higher proportion of households in arrears over service and conservancy charges (S&CC) also implies the town council in charge is more forgiving and empathetic in the approach on collections. Instead of harshly imposing a penalty fee of $12 as well as a legal fee of $12.85 over an outstanding sum of $192.90, and inadvertently exposing the lucrative business of legal firms charged with enforcement. Especially firms with close affiliation with town councils.
Same eye popping figure that galvanised Desmond Lee into full assault mode, warning of "serious implications for residents", and other dire consequences. Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Lawrence Wong also leaped into the foray, crafting a long and verbose commentary to suggest that the town council’s silence on the issue signalled that “something is seriously wrong”. Both have dug for themselves holes so deep they are probably wishing that they had paid more attention to Ms Lim's prudent advice “not to confuse or alarm the public by speculating on whether the S&CC arrears situation has worsened or whether AHPETC is facing ‘bigger problems'”.
Apart from AHPETC, only Potong Pasir received anything other than a “green rating” for S&CC arrears management in the Town Council Management Report. What the architects of that blunt instrument fail to appreciate is that a higher proportion of households in arrears over service and conservancy charges (S&CC) also implies the town council in charge is more forgiving and empathetic in the approach on collections. Instead of harshly imposing a penalty fee of $12 as well as a legal fee of $12.85 over an outstanding sum of $192.90, and inadvertently exposing the lucrative business of legal firms charged with enforcement. Especially firms with close affiliation with town councils.