In a media release today (Feb 17), all 15 PAP Town Councils will raise Services and Conservancy Charges (SNCC) by as much as S$9 a month from June 1 onwards. All HDB flats, shops, offices, markets and hawker stalls will be affected, and the move will likely spike a round of inflation in cost of living.
There will be two waves of increase. For the “first tier” effecting from June 1, commercial property owners and tenants will increase ranging from $0.09 to $0.27 psm more per month, while the increase for market and food stalls is between $2.70 and $23.00 more a month. One-room flat owners should see a S$0.50 increase while those living in executive HDB units will pay up to S$9 more a month.
The 2nd wave of increase will take place on 1 June 2018, and will see HDB flat owners paying $0.50 to $8.00 more per month. Commercial property owners and tenants will see an increase ranging from $0.05 to $0.21 psm more month, and the increase for market and food stalls is between $2.50 and $17.50 more per month.
PAP spokesperson at Hollang-Bukit Timah said they are not profiting enough to sustain their “sinking funds”:
“The adjustments will enable the PAP Town Councils to build up their Sinking Funds to replace old lifts, undertake essential cyclical maintenance and component replacements, and carry out the Lift Enhancement Programme. Expenditure requirements in these areas are significant and will continue to grow as our estates get older.”
The Workers’ Party town council however did not mention a need for an increase in SnCC collection.