NSP: Town Councils should be Depoliticized and Run by Third Parties

NSP Statement on Running of Town Councils by Members of Parliament

1. The National Solidarity Party ("NSP") adheres to a principled and balanced-approach in politics and aspires to nurture a positive political culture in Singapore.

2. NSP has been following the recent debate into the motion calling on Parliament to support the strengthening of the legislative framework for town councils in order to uphold those responsible for their good management to proper account [1]. The motion follows the national audit of a town council carried out by the Auditor-General’s Office (“AGO”) on the Aljunied-Hougang-Punggol East Town Council (“AHPETC”).

3. The debate has brought to surface a few major concerns relating to the welfare of residents and the management of town councils by Members of Parliament ("MPs"). This statement is issued with regards to such concerns. 

Residents’ plight

4. NSP notes with concern the government's decision to withhold the Service and Conservancy Charges (“S&CC”) grant to AHPETC in the light of the adverse findings against the town councillors [2].

5. AHPETC has 71,760 HDB households and the S&CC grants to town councils are based on the number of HDB flat units and the flat types [3]. As it is, the collection of S&CC charges from residential and commercial units is insufficient to cover all town council expenses and hence a government grant is required. Any withholding of the S&CC grant amounting to S$ 7 million per year will therefore affect residents if AHPETC is unable to pay for essential services.

6. Although the government has said that it is prepared to consider paying out the S&CC grants in full or at least in half if it receives assurance that the grants will be properly used, the government should not withhold but continue to disburse the grants to pay for such essential services directly through appropriate means at its disposal. This will prevent the residents from being unfairly penalised for the findings of the AGO's report. 

Tightening the Town Council Framework

7. NSP supports the move to enforce greater standards of accountability and governance. However, NSP is concerned about the proposal to put in place a penalty 2 framework in the management of town councils in relation to its impact on town councillors who are, first and foremost, Members of Parliament (“MPs”).

8. A MP’s fundamental duty is to represent his constituents who elected him or her and to participate in the functions of Parliament. This duty cannot and should never be subjugated to any other duty. By putting in place a penalty framework in relation to town councillors who are also MPs, the concern is whether such a framework would lead to their secondary role as town councillors overshadowing and undermining their primary role as MPs. 

Depoliticising the Town Council

9. NSP notes the political imperative given by the government in imposing upon MPs the duty of managing town councils which is to test their ability to govern the country. As observed, the management of town councils by MPs, especially those under the non-ruling party, has been constantly plagued with accusations of an un-level playing field and political bias.

10. NSP hopes that the government will re-examine the political wisdom of the notion that the competency of political parties aspiring to form the national government can be tested through their management of town councils. Such a notion has no empirical basis. The ability to manage a town council and the ability to govern the country have no correlation whatsoever. Any suggestion of a correlation would imply that the best people to govern the country are town planners and estate managers, which cannot be true.