Town councils to be assessed on two more new performance indicators

The Ministry of National Development (MND) added on April 1 two new indicators to the report card for town councils.

The 16 town councils will now be assessed on their corporate governance and financial adequacy, in addition to four other existing indicators.

MND said the introduction of these two indicators aims to promote greater accountability and transparency, and encourage community ownership of the management of public housing estates.

For corporate governance, town councils have to submit a self-declared checklist on their compliance with the Town Councils Act and Town Councils Financial Rules. The report will provide information on whether the town councils' auditors have made any governance-related observations in their annual financial audit.

For financial adequacy, there will be information on the adequacy of town councils' funds to meet future expenses, especially big-ticket items such as repainting and repairs, and lift replacements.

MND said this will help residents better understand whether the town councils have adequate funding through the service and conservancy charges collected.

The ministry will appoint a professional consultant to develop an appropriate assessment methodology on town councils' financial adequacy.

More details will be announced at a future date. 

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