\n<\/p>\n
Most council members agreed that training could help raise standards, but raised concerns about making it compulsory.<\/p>\n
BCA first launched voluntary e-learning courses for council members in 2024, covering procurement, accounting and dispute management, offered at no cost.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Take-up has been low, however, and the authority is now considering whether to make training mandatory \u2013 with potential consequences for non-compliance, such as ineligibility to stand for future council elections.<\/p>\n
But some council members said mandatory training could deter residents \u2013 especially younger ones \u2013 from stepping up. Recruitment is already a persistent challenge. The role is generally unpaid and comes with no additional privileges.<\/p>\n
Some members are retirees, and to make them attend classes, whether online or physical, without any form of assessment would defeat the purpose, said Mdm Yap Mee Mee, 68, the council secretary at Pine Grove.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you make it available to council members, those who wish to better their knowledge, yes, it’s a very good idea. But if you make it mandatory, then I think it’s going to be a challenge to recruit new members to join,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Managing agents, who advise councils and provide operational expertise, also have a key role to play. A capable managing agent is essential, said Mr Johnny Chua, 60, the council chairperson at Mi Casa.<\/p>\n
They must be able to enforce house rules and advise the council on bylaws. On top of regular estate maintenance and improvements, they should also propose cost-saving ideas, he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe problem is, due to cost competition, many (managing agents) recruited condo managers who lack the relevant experience. As a result, the estate is poorly managed, funds are overrun, wrong advice is given to council, and ended up with unhappy residents,\u201d said the former project manager.<\/p>\n
Mr Lioe, who is also managing director of strata and facility management firm A4 International, said the industry is working to encourage more firms to seek accreditation.<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause at the end of the day, if you have an efficient and responsible managing agent running your MCST, there’s less need for the council members to be so involved in the day-to-day,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo as much as the council members are being trained, we also believe that we ourselves as managing agents will need to be accredited and trained,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
Beyond technical skills or financial know-how, some council members said the most important quality is simply commitment. Mrs Liew and Mdm Yap both lack formal training in engineering or accounting, but have built up their knowledge through years of hands-on experience.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople like us, who are not trained in those fields, we learn. We really learn about it,\u201d said Mrs Liew. \u201cI always tell (Mdm Yap), we graduate from \u2018Pine Grove University\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n