http://www.straitstimes.com/ST%2BForum/Story/STIStory_177219.html
Nov 16, 2007
I REFER to the letter, 'Clear HDB shopfronts for elderly, handicapped' (ST, Nov 5), by Ms Tong Jee Cheng.
The misuse of the Outdoor Display Area (ODA) is an irresponsible act, and poses a danger to residents by blocking the access routes in times of fire or other emergencies.
The ODA guidelines were drawn up in consultation with the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF), National Environment Agency (NEA) and the town councils to educate shopkeepers on the proper use of the ODA. One of the guidelines is that there must be a minimum 1.5m-wide clear corridor passageway from the front of the shop to the ODA.
The guidelines are enforced nationwide, to ensure the proper use of the ODA by HDB shopkeepers.
The town councils will conduct regular checks to ensure that ODAs comply with the guidelines. To augment the efforts by the town councils, HDB, SCDF, NEA and town councils have been carrying out joint enforcement exercises.
There are provisions in the Town Council By-laws to take errant shopkeepers to task. They would be issued an offence notice and be required to appear before the courts. If they are successfully prosecuted, they could be fined up to a maximum of $5,000. The town councils can also remove the merchandise and paraphernalia if they obstruct the passageway.
We thank Ms Tong for her feedback and would like to urge shopkeepers to cooperate with the town councils and comply with the ODA guidelines.
Lim Huat Eng
Deputy Director (Commercial Properties Management)
For Director (Properties and Land) Housing and Development Board
Showing posts with label hougang fire. Show all posts
Showing posts with label hougang fire. Show all posts
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
人命关天
2007-10-15 ----------------------------------------------
● 吴俊刚
店外摆货统一守则日前出台，而且即日生效，相信一般组屋居民都会欢迎，但有些店主和租户则必然心中不快，甚至觉得新规定不近人情。但新守则是为了确保生命安全而设的，它肯定会损及一些人的既得利益，不能被简单地说成是不近人情。
先看看守则的内容：不能陈列跟生意无关的商品；店前走道空间不得少于1.5公尺；不可在沟渠上放置杂物；不能把货物通宵留在店外；店外物品摆设不能超过3公尺；佳节期间不得把货物摆在陈列区外；店外货物必须和楼梯口保持至少3公尺距离；摆设在店外的货物；不得用帐篷把店前空间围起来等。
其实，它们并非全然是新的条规。严格说，店前的空间和走道都是公共场所，并非店主所有，但是，习惯上店主或租户都把店前的空间视为店面的一部分，并把在店前摆货视为理所当然的事。对于这个长时间存在的违规现象，负责监管的各区市镇理事会，始终都没法有效地解决。新守则的出台，其实重点就在于改变之前基本上只靠市镇会监管的做法，而是由建屋局、民防部队、国家环境局加上市镇会共同执行。
组屋商店的管理权，原本在建屋局手中，有了市镇理事会之后，这一监管权便跟着下放。问题的关键也就在这里。因为市镇会由民选议员担任主席和副主席，理事会成员多为基层组织成员，他们在执法时碰到的最大障碍，就是人情这道难关。市镇会的官员可以严厉执法，但店主或租户一收到传单，往往就会找上议员求情。店主往往是区内活动的支持者，在碰上这样的问题时找议员，议员很难不给个人情，因此，也就出现了一再警告无效的问题。某区的执法如果加大了力度，店主或租户就会拿别区的情况来比较，说别区可以，为什么我们就不可以？甚或在区内散播怨言和不满的情绪。市镇会因此也投鼠忌器。
所以，把执法权交给市镇会，这本身就具有先天性的缺点，也就是议员或市镇会在执法时往往为了照顾地方上的人情而“手软”。有些市镇会因此采取放任的态度，有些则很早就实行在商店门前划上黄格子的做法，用意是要划个固定范围，既给店主多一些空间摆放货物，也方便执法，但久而久之，黄格子的界限就会在不知不觉间被逾越，形同虚设，市镇会的执法人员也可能出现某种“执法疲劳”的现象。他们天天要在选区内活动，大家也都不想成为店家的仇人。新守则弥补执法宽严不一弊端 手软，加上执法疲劳，商店在走道和店前摆放商品的现象于是日益泛滥、失控。更严重的是出现越来越多店主非法将店前的公家空间“出租”给人摆摊。比如，榴梿季节一到，到处的邻里商店就会出现许多的榴梿摊；拜六礼拜早上，许多邻里中心的商店前也会出现一整排的临时地摊，卖人工首饰的、服装的、鞋子的、瓷器的，玩具的，不一而足。这些其实都是店主们暗自赚钱的门路，没有白纸黑字的合约，只是口头的“协定”，因为那是不合法的。
早报10月12日还报道，有的店主因为没有生意，竟然把店面租给别人，自己在店前摆摊， “一举两得”。对这些店主来说，这是变通求存，但却是违法之举。各市镇会不是不知情，只是一只眼开一只眼闭而已。就这样，有些商店门口的走道也逐渐被堵塞了，公共走道成了店主的“领土”，居民投诉，可能还会被店主抢白一顿。
很明显，组屋商店的面积是有限的，因此，不管是咖啡店、杂货店、药材店、生果店、服装店、面包店，甚或超市，都肆无忌惮地往外延伸，没有明确的指导原则、规范及严格执法是不行的。各有关当局在后港8道发生火患烧死一对姐弟后，痛定思痛，决心明确规定，并合力加强执法，是亡羊补牢的做法，也有助于弥补各市镇会在执法上宽严不一的弊端。 据报道，有的市镇会下月起将把执法观念工作“外包”给第三方，这是沿用建屋局的停车场执法行动外包的做法。这么做可以避免市镇会职员和店主直接发生摩擦，但最终效果如何，还得看大家是否真能克服“手软”的这一关。
·作者是《联合早报》评论员
● 吴俊刚
店外摆货统一守则日前出台，而且即日生效，相信一般组屋居民都会欢迎，但有些店主和租户则必然心中不快，甚至觉得新规定不近人情。但新守则是为了确保生命安全而设的，它肯定会损及一些人的既得利益，不能被简单地说成是不近人情。
先看看守则的内容：不能陈列跟生意无关的商品；店前走道空间不得少于1.5公尺；不可在沟渠上放置杂物；不能把货物通宵留在店外；店外物品摆设不能超过3公尺；佳节期间不得把货物摆在陈列区外；店外货物必须和楼梯口保持至少3公尺距离；摆设在店外的货物；不得用帐篷把店前空间围起来等。
其实，它们并非全然是新的条规。严格说，店前的空间和走道都是公共场所，并非店主所有，但是，习惯上店主或租户都把店前的空间视为店面的一部分，并把在店前摆货视为理所当然的事。对于这个长时间存在的违规现象，负责监管的各区市镇理事会，始终都没法有效地解决。新守则的出台，其实重点就在于改变之前基本上只靠市镇会监管的做法，而是由建屋局、民防部队、国家环境局加上市镇会共同执行。
组屋商店的管理权，原本在建屋局手中，有了市镇理事会之后，这一监管权便跟着下放。问题的关键也就在这里。因为市镇会由民选议员担任主席和副主席，理事会成员多为基层组织成员，他们在执法时碰到的最大障碍，就是人情这道难关。市镇会的官员可以严厉执法，但店主或租户一收到传单，往往就会找上议员求情。店主往往是区内活动的支持者，在碰上这样的问题时找议员，议员很难不给个人情，因此，也就出现了一再警告无效的问题。某区的执法如果加大了力度，店主或租户就会拿别区的情况来比较，说别区可以，为什么我们就不可以？甚或在区内散播怨言和不满的情绪。市镇会因此也投鼠忌器。
所以，把执法权交给市镇会，这本身就具有先天性的缺点，也就是议员或市镇会在执法时往往为了照顾地方上的人情而“手软”。有些市镇会因此采取放任的态度，有些则很早就实行在商店门前划上黄格子的做法，用意是要划个固定范围，既给店主多一些空间摆放货物，也方便执法，但久而久之，黄格子的界限就会在不知不觉间被逾越，形同虚设，市镇会的执法人员也可能出现某种“执法疲劳”的现象。他们天天要在选区内活动，大家也都不想成为店家的仇人。新守则弥补执法宽严不一弊端 手软，加上执法疲劳，商店在走道和店前摆放商品的现象于是日益泛滥、失控。更严重的是出现越来越多店主非法将店前的公家空间“出租”给人摆摊。比如，榴梿季节一到，到处的邻里商店就会出现许多的榴梿摊；拜六礼拜早上，许多邻里中心的商店前也会出现一整排的临时地摊，卖人工首饰的、服装的、鞋子的、瓷器的，玩具的，不一而足。这些其实都是店主们暗自赚钱的门路，没有白纸黑字的合约，只是口头的“协定”，因为那是不合法的。
早报10月12日还报道，有的店主因为没有生意，竟然把店面租给别人，自己在店前摆摊， “一举两得”。对这些店主来说，这是变通求存，但却是违法之举。各市镇会不是不知情，只是一只眼开一只眼闭而已。就这样，有些商店门口的走道也逐渐被堵塞了，公共走道成了店主的“领土”，居民投诉，可能还会被店主抢白一顿。
很明显，组屋商店的面积是有限的，因此，不管是咖啡店、杂货店、药材店、生果店、服装店、面包店，甚或超市，都肆无忌惮地往外延伸，没有明确的指导原则、规范及严格执法是不行的。各有关当局在后港8道发生火患烧死一对姐弟后，痛定思痛，决心明确规定，并合力加强执法，是亡羊补牢的做法，也有助于弥补各市镇会在执法上宽严不一的弊端。 据报道，有的市镇会下月起将把执法观念工作“外包”给第三方，这是沿用建屋局的停车场执法行动外包的做法。这么做可以避免市镇会职员和店主直接发生摩擦，但最终效果如何，还得看大家是否真能克服“手软”的这一关。
·作者是《联合早报》评论员
Sunday, November 4, 2007
Hougang Fire 070913 - Who is/are responsible?
1) Town Council?
2) HDB?
3) SCDF?
4) NEA?
5) Shopkeepers?
6) All of the above?
7) None of the above?
8) ???
Clear HDB shopfronts for elderly, handicapped
http://www.straitstimes.com/ST+Forum/Story/STIStory_173599.html
ST Forum - Nov 05, 2007
Clear HDB shopfronts for elderly, handicapped
THE decision to conduct checks and implement stricter control to ensure clear footpaths at HDB shopfronts is a long awaited welcome move.
However, the checks must be conducted regularly to ensure compliance. Sad to say, some shopkeepers have short memories and will return to their old ways. Some have raised platforms joined to their shop front to extend their display area. Others have their display taking up half the footpath. The situation is aggravated with customers standing around or if one is carrying a bag.
Fire and safety issues aside, we are talking about a gracious society that cares for the elderly and handicapped. Even as a able person, I find negotiating these cluttered footpaths difficult. So how do we expect the elderly and handicapped to make their way around the neighbourhood?
We see modification work done in HDB estates, such as slopes and railings to make the place more user- friendly to the elderly and handicapped. But if neighbourhood shops are inaccessible to this group of people, isn't it a mockery to have all these facilities when they can't get around beyond the immediately vicinity of their block of flats?
We have a handicapped-'friendly' bus service, but the truth is, it is a white elephant at this juncture. Where do we expect someone in a wheelchair to go when many of our shopping malls are not handicapped-friendly? We can have lots of slopes and ramps (as in HDB estates) but if the walkways inside the mall are cluttered, how do we expect them to have a pleasant shopping experience? Except for a few places like Ikea and VivoCity, one hardly ever see people in wheelchairs enjoying an outing with their family.
Let us start with our neighbourhood shopfronts. This environment should have clear footpaths to complement facilities for the elderly and handicapped around the housing blocks.
Tong Jee Cheng (Ms)
ST Forum - Nov 05, 2007
Clear HDB shopfronts for elderly, handicapped
THE decision to conduct checks and implement stricter control to ensure clear footpaths at HDB shopfronts is a long awaited welcome move.
However, the checks must be conducted regularly to ensure compliance. Sad to say, some shopkeepers have short memories and will return to their old ways. Some have raised platforms joined to their shop front to extend their display area. Others have their display taking up half the footpath. The situation is aggravated with customers standing around or if one is carrying a bag.
Fire and safety issues aside, we are talking about a gracious society that cares for the elderly and handicapped. Even as a able person, I find negotiating these cluttered footpaths difficult. So how do we expect the elderly and handicapped to make their way around the neighbourhood?
We see modification work done in HDB estates, such as slopes and railings to make the place more user- friendly to the elderly and handicapped. But if neighbourhood shops are inaccessible to this group of people, isn't it a mockery to have all these facilities when they can't get around beyond the immediately vicinity of their block of flats?
We have a handicapped-'friendly' bus service, but the truth is, it is a white elephant at this juncture. Where do we expect someone in a wheelchair to go when many of our shopping malls are not handicapped-friendly? We can have lots of slopes and ramps (as in HDB estates) but if the walkways inside the mall are cluttered, how do we expect them to have a pleasant shopping experience? Except for a few places like Ikea and VivoCity, one hardly ever see people in wheelchairs enjoying an outing with their family.
Let us start with our neighbourhood shopfronts. This environment should have clear footpaths to complement facilities for the elderly and handicapped around the housing blocks.
Tong Jee Cheng (Ms)
Monday, October 15, 2007
Multi-Agency Effort to Intensify Enforcement On Use Of Outdoor Display Areas
HDB Guidelines
Some HDB shop retailers have misused the outdoor display area (ODA) of their shop fronts by subletting the spaces illegally or displaying their wares beyond permitted limits. Such irresponsible acts pose a danger to residents as they block the access routes in times of fire or other emergencies. The placing of bulky items across covered drains may also obstruct their cleaning and lead to mosquito breeding.
2 Following the recent shophouse fire at Hougang Ave 8 which led to the loss of two innocent lives, HDB, Town Councils and SCDF have received complaints and feedback from HDB residents and members of the public concerning the obstruction of common property in HDB estates.
3 HDB, SCDF, NEA and Town Councils will intensify enforcement to ensure the appropriate use of ODA by HDB shop retailers.
ODA Guidelines
4 A set of ODA guidelines (see Annex A) has been drawn up to guide the use of ODA. Shop retailers are to confine the display of their wares within designated boxes drawn by the Town Councils. This is to ensure that there is sufficient passageway for the residents so that fire escape routes are not obstructed, and that drains in front of the shops can be cleaned. Retailers are also required to keep their wares inside the shops after their operating hours. They are not allowed to sublet the ODA to third parties. Please see the photographs in Annex B for a pictorial representation of the guidelines.
Intensified Enforcement Action
5 The Town Councils will conduct regular checks to ensure that the ODA guidelines are followed strictly. Joint inspections with the HDB, SCDF and NEA will also be mounted to complement the checks by Town Councils. Retailers are strongly advised to cooperate with the Town Councils and comply with the ODA guidelines. Retailers who do not cooperate and persist in violating these guidelines will be dealt with severely. Failure to comply with the guidelines may result in fines up to $5,000 under the Town Councils Act.
ANNEX A Guidelines on Shop Front Display
- Minimum 1.5m-wide clear corridor passageway to be maintained from the front of the shop to ODA
- Minimum 1m-wide open path to be maintained between goods
- Row of goods should not exceed 3m in length
- Goods should not be placed within 3m of exit staircases.
- Goods, shelves or racks should not be left overnight outside the shop
- No enclosure is allowed (including drop-down screens/blinds)
- No subletting of ODA
- Goods should not cover the drains at shop front
- No extension of ODA during festive period
ANNEX B
Some HDB shop retailers have misused the outdoor display area (ODA) of their shop fronts by subletting the spaces illegally or displaying their wares beyond permitted limits. Such irresponsible acts pose a danger to residents as they block the access routes in times of fire or other emergencies. The placing of bulky items across covered drains may also obstruct their cleaning and lead to mosquito breeding.
2 Following the recent shophouse fire at Hougang Ave 8 which led to the loss of two innocent lives, HDB, Town Councils and SCDF have received complaints and feedback from HDB residents and members of the public concerning the obstruction of common property in HDB estates.
3 HDB, SCDF, NEA and Town Councils will intensify enforcement to ensure the appropriate use of ODA by HDB shop retailers.
ODA Guidelines
4 A set of ODA guidelines (see Annex A) has been drawn up to guide the use of ODA. Shop retailers are to confine the display of their wares within designated boxes drawn by the Town Councils. This is to ensure that there is sufficient passageway for the residents so that fire escape routes are not obstructed, and that drains in front of the shops can be cleaned. Retailers are also required to keep their wares inside the shops after their operating hours. They are not allowed to sublet the ODA to third parties. Please see the photographs in Annex B for a pictorial representation of the guidelines.
Intensified Enforcement Action
5 The Town Councils will conduct regular checks to ensure that the ODA guidelines are followed strictly. Joint inspections with the HDB, SCDF and NEA will also be mounted to complement the checks by Town Councils. Retailers are strongly advised to cooperate with the Town Councils and comply with the ODA guidelines. Retailers who do not cooperate and persist in violating these guidelines will be dealt with severely. Failure to comply with the guidelines may result in fines up to $5,000 under the Town Councils Act.
ANNEX A Guidelines on Shop Front Display
- Minimum 1.5m-wide clear corridor passageway to be maintained from the front of the shop to ODA
- Minimum 1m-wide open path to be maintained between goods
- Row of goods should not exceed 3m in length
- Goods should not be placed within 3m of exit staircases.
- Goods, shelves or racks should not be left overnight outside the shop
- No enclosure is allowed (including drop-down screens/blinds)
- No subletting of ODA
- Goods should not cover the drains at shop front
- No extension of ODA during festive period
ANNEX B
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Discarded furniture - 070726 - 070728
Furniture discarded for one week when pictures taken.
Waited for another 2 weeks before "complain" to TC.
Waited for another 2 weeks before "complain" to TC.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)