GOVERNMENT INFRASTRUCTURE (Audit of use and sharing of surplus capacity)

Mrs Yu-Fu Yee Shoon asked the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance (a) whether there is a procedure to audit the use of Government infrastructure such as educational institutions, voluntary welfare centres, family service centres, community centres and sports centres to ensure their efficient utilisation and (b) whether a system can be put in place for voluntary welfare organizations and grassroots and civic organisations, such as Community Development Councils, Citizens Consultative Committees, Community Club/Centre Management Committees and Residents' Committees to share any surplus capacity.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance (Mr Lee Hsien Loong): Mr Speaker, Sir, Government development projects are implemented only after a rigorous process to assess need as well as the relevant costs and benefits. This applies to facilities such as educational institutions, voluntary welfare centres, family service centres, community centres and sports centres. Judicious rental policies also help to promote efficient space utilisation. More importantly, the various community organisations which use the facilities are accountable to their funding agencies and to the public for the effective and efficient use of their resources. For example, voluntary welfare organisations are accountable to funding Ministries such as MCDS which would monitor the effectiveness of the services and ensure value for money. The People's Association has an established system of ensuring proper utilisation of Government funds allocated to the community centres or community clubs and other community facilities.

The Government also facilitates the co-location of community facilities, including family service centres and other social service facilities, community clubs, libraries and so on, to optimise land resources, and provide more convenient and integrated services to users. Where appropriate, the co-located facilities share common facilities such as multi-purpose halls, to optimise resources. URA chairs a regular Community Facilities Co-ordination Committee meeting with relevant agencies and parent Ministries of the common community facilities to facilitate implementation of co-location.

Mrs Yu-Foo's suggestion for various community groups and voluntary welfare organisations to share space or premises is a useful one. Such arrangements can be worked out, taking into account the needs of the clients or users and operational requirements. This is already taking place among Community Development Councils (CDCs) and various grassroots organisations, which work closely together and share resources. The five CDCs are using the CCs and RCs to reach out to a larger number of residents. For example, the South East CDC is using Potong Pasir Community Centre and Bedok Community Centre as service points. The Singapore Sports Council has also piloted a programme whereby selected school fields are opened for public use outside school hours.

No doubt, more can be done. Although plans are made centrally for maximum utilisation of infrastructure funded by the Government, full efficiencies can only be extracted by goodwill and good sense between the various facility owners on the ground. MOF will also work with agencies such as MCDS and MOE to make improvements to the allocation and sharing process for the greater benefit of the community. At their end, line agencies must foster a culture which seeks to optimise and integrate services.