Singapore Green Movement

Rants.
During my leave, I have noticed how busy the town council ACS are at the blocks around mine. They worked from as early as 6am till after midnight. Sometimes they seems to work around the clock. One might have the impression that my area is squeaky clean.

NAH!

It is constantly decorated with litter... tissues, wrappers, ciggie butts, pads (you know what kind) food packagings etc... OMG... somehow they think that their flat windows are the rubbish chutes. The side staircase leading up second floor is used as a public toilet. The ledge outside my living room needs to be flush with water during raining days to clear the rubbish accumulated there.

I have not doubt that since I moved in here, we will never ever win the cleanest block in our town.

Have you noticed how we have upgraded the tools of the trade of the area cleaning specialist (ACS) and yet it seems to be as bad as the old times?

Broom/Rake - Gas-power air blower/sweeper or electrical power water pump.

I am not asking them to use detergent to clean the public areas. But with the pump-assist water jet spray, it would at least remove most of the stain. Instead I feel that it just decreases the time the ACS need to get the area wet.

Number of floors in my block = 11
Approximate 5-Room Flat per floor = 6 @ SGD 60.50 = SGD 363.00
Approximate 4-Room Flat per floor = 8 @ SGD 48.00 = SGD 384.00
Total Service and Conservancy Charges (S&CC) / Month = SGD 8,217.00
Total Service and Conservancy Charges (S&CC) / Year = SGD 98,604.00
That comes to SGD 100K per year.

Based on the above, it would mean SGD 65K - 70K per year or SGD 5.3K per month would be used for ROE.

"Town councils (TCs) are largely funded by service and conservancy charges (S&CC) collected from residents as well as grants from the Government. The Government has to ensure that TCs use these funds prudently for the benefit of the majority of their residents over the long term. This is why TCs are required by the Town Councils Act to lock away 30% to 35% of their funds into a sinking fund, to ensure that they have adequate funds in the long term to do major cyclical works (MCW) like repainting, re-roofing, replacing lifts and replacing water-supply systems. The remaining 65% to 70% of the funds are used for routine operating expenditure (ROE), such as cleaning, repairs and utility charges. Sembawang Town Council (my TC) has $269 million in its funds, with $237 million going into its Sinking Fund. Aljunied TC has $93 million ($67m going into its Sinking Fund) and Bishan-Toa Payoh $139m ($96m going into its Sinking Fund.) Opposition-held Hougang Town Council has $14 million in its Sinking Fund.

I do not have experience in doing budgets for area maintainence but I would like to know the level of service can one expect paying these charges. Is it too low and thus the lower level of expectation.

Do I have a choice if the S&CC is to be increase?
When can I expect my block lifts to be upgrade?
Why is that my surround blocks are being upgraded (stainless steel pole walls to replace those concrete walls on staircase landings - I think to improve air circulation, more natural lighting, or even crime prevention.