Local Government in Singapore

In theory, there is no such thing as local governance in Singapore, as the country is formed as a city-state and the national government takes over the delivery of social services, such as education, health and housing. However, there are certain forms of local managament that takes care of Singapore's different communities.

HDB Estate in Ang Mo Kio

HDB Estate in Potong Pasir

HDB Estate in Hougang

Establishment of HDB Estates

In 1960, the Singaporean government established a Housing Development Board that takes care of providing housing for lower and middle-class residents. As the number of apartments constructed exploded, it was felt that managing these estates has become more complex, and needs to be decentralized.

Town Council Act of 1988

3 pilot town councils were created in 1984. Their success pushed for the creation of these councils all over the country. The law made town councils which was aimed to decentralize the management of their assigned housing estates and push for residents' participation in everyday community affairs.

Structure of Town Councils

A town council is composed of: A chairman (who should be a Member of Parliament) not more than 10 appointed members for each MP, to the maximum of 30 members.

Structure of Town Councils

Town councils are bodies corporate; they appoint a secretary that assumes responsibility of its affairs. Town councils are then represented in the national government through Parliament by Single Member Constituencies (SMCs) or Group Representation Constituencies (GRCs) for large groups of housing estates. For GRCs, 3 to 6 members of parliament (MP) are elected as a block to represent a town council/s in a certain area.

Town Council jurisdictions in Singapore

Map of Singapore Constituencies, 2011

Function of Officers

The chairman appoints and dismiss all councilors, presides over meetings and sign the council's financial statements. Councilors form committees among themselves for different functions, such as audit, getting feedback from residents, maintenance services and budgetary matters.

Services Provided by Town Councils

Town councils have the power to hire their own staff, or contract out their operations to private estate management companies. Any town council can choose the powers it wants to keep or outsource to the private sector.

Services Provided by Town Councils

If the company fails to deliver its service to the town council, it can easily end its contract and take action against the company. In worse cases, the Prime Minister can appoint someone to take over a town council if it has failed to deliver its services.

Sembawang Town Council made headlines after a dead body was discovered in one of its water tanks.

Services Provided by Town Councils

Maintenance of common areas, such as elevators, corridors and fire systems Collection of service and conservancy charges Environmental maintenance Organization of community events Referral of people or groups with problems to concerned authorities Information dissemination

Community Garden Holland-Bukit Timah Town Council

A renewal progam by Tampines Town Council

Issues Faced by Town Councils

The jurisdictions of a town council change so often, with the borders of housing estates assigned to them modified each election. This cause people to accuse the Singaporean government of gerrymandering in order to prevent opposition parties from taking over. Due to this, town councils felt it impossible to connect with citizens and to initiate partnerships with other town councils, as they are unsure of their long-term existence. Town councils have very limited powers, giving them a steering rather than a rowing role.

Election rally in support of Workers Party, 2011

Election rally in Hougang, 2011

Workers' Party Candidates, 2011

However, as seen by the last elections in 2011 Singaporeans are already starting to participate in political and social issues, making town councils and constituencies a center of attention. People are demanding more accountability from their representatives. 2011 also saw the election of the Workers' Party in Aljunied GRC, a 5-man constituency. This was the first time an opposition party won a GRC against the dominant People's Action Party (PAP).