Fund raising to supplement social and community programmes for residents

Question

Ms Sylvia Lim: To ask the Minister for Culture, Community and Youth (a) how much revenue the Citizens' Consultative Committees (CCCs) earned from the organisation of trade fairs in the Financial Years 2012/13, 2013/14 and 2014/15; and (b) for a breakdown by CCC of the revenue earned from trade fairs for the years 2012/13, 2013/14 and 2014/15.

Response

1. Minister Lim Swee Say, Minister (Prime Minister's Office) and Deputy Chairman of People's Association: Between FY12 and FY14, about 40 trade fairs were organised each year by the Citizens' Consultative Committees (CCCs). Ranging from 16 to 32 days in duration, about two-thirds of these fairs received revenues of between $10,000 and $100,000 each and another one-third between $100,000 and $350,000. The exception was the Geylang Serai Trade Fair held during the Ramadan period, which attracted between $900,000 and $1.3 million a year. 

2. The CCCs raise funds through trade fairs to provide welfare assistance, scholarships and bursaries to help the less fortunate among us. The funds raised also go towards programmes to promote neighbourliness and community ties as well as initiatives that enhance the well-being of residents such as healthcare programmes. Some CCCs also contribute to the building of community facilities. For example, Geylang Serai CCC is helping to raise funds for the new Geylang Serai Community Club at the Wisma Geylang Serai Civic Centre.

3. The use of funds raised for these purposes are subject to good governance – they must comply with PA's financial rules.