FUNCTIONS OF GRASSROOTS COMMITTEES AND LEADERS

FUNCTIONS OF GRASSROOTS COMMITTEES AND LEADERS

28.

Mr Steve Chia Kiah Hong asked the Acting Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports if a complete description of the roles, duties, powers and privileges of the Residents Committees (RC), Community Centres (CC), Citizens Consultative Committees (CCC) and grassroots advisers will be posted at their respective notice boards so that residents can read and know the roles, duties, responsibilities, powers and privileges given to the RC, CC and CCC members.

Dr Vivian Balakrishnan: The functions of these committees and those of their advisers are available on the PA website (www.pa.gov.sg) for everyone to read. Mr Steve Chia's suggestion to post them on the notice boards is not practical, because the limited notice-board space is better utilised to communicate or inform residents about current and upcoming activities in the neighbourhood.

Nevertheless, I will summarise the functions of these committees, and state the role of their advisers. The CCCs lead and co-ordinate projects and activities at both constituency and national levels. They also disburse bursaries and scholarships, as well as raise funds and give welfare assistance to the needy. In addition, they disseminate information on Government policies to residents in the constituency, and channel their feedback to the Government. The CCMCs manage the CCs which organise courses and activities for the benefit of residents. The RCs focus on residents in their designated zone, promoting neighbourliness among them through activities like block parties and celebrating festivals together. RCs also serve to channel information on Government policies to residents and vice versa. The role of advisers is straightforward - all these committees from time to time consult their advisers, tapping on advisers' experience and knowledge, in carrying out their functions.

On privileges given to grassroots leaders, there are two major ones which are common public knowledge, as these have been mentioned in the media from time to time. Grassroots leaders who have served a minimum three years get priority HDB housing allocation within the constituency they serve. This enables the People's Association to leverage on experienced grassroots leaders to start new grassroots organisations and activities in new estates. This is useful as most residents in new estates do not know

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each other, and the grassroots leaders can act as catalysts for community bonding. Children of grassroots leaders are eligible for priority registration during Phase 2B of the primary school registration exercise, and only for schools within the constituency that they serve and/or reside. This registration priority is not exclusive to grassroots leaders and is also extended to others who have served or are connected to the school in one way or another.

To broaden their perspectives, serving grassroots leaders who have not had the benefit of higher education are eligible for the People's Association Training Awards in non-graduating management and related courses.

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