Business Opportunities for the needy
  1. Wet Market (for Traders)
  2. Food Courts
  3. Pasar Ramadan
  4. Roadside Traders
The above licences/permit/rent is very very low compared to the market rates. No way the beneficiaries of the above can conduct similar scale business on private property at the rates they are paying. Thus, with this opportunity, comes conditions, which they must accept, such as minimun standard of service, owner operates (no renting or subleting licence, permits for a quick buck), etc

The beneficiaries of this licences/permits should realise that its not a "right", but a privalage given to them by the local council, which they stand to lose, if they don't follow the rules.


Welfare for the needy
  1. Council homes
  2. Rent subsidy

For the public at large
  1. Community Halls
  2. Sports facilities
  3. Library
The perception of quite a lot of people is that these facilities are owed to them by the government. Thus, rental should be very minimal, or in fact not be charged. And sometimes, it is right, some things should be subsidized, for its indirect effect works for the greater good of the community.

But the bottom line is that the money for this facilities need to come from somewhere. Either the council operates the facilities at cost, passing on all incurred cost as fees - i.e. Charge hall rentals and badminton court rentals at what it actually cost the council to build and operate. Or have society at large subsidize it. Which means part of the revenues of the council (basically assessment rate, licence & summons) goes towards funding these facilities.

There is no right or wrong answer here, the way I see it. It is up to society to decide how we want our council to spend our money. Budgets and financial statements of the council are available for public viewing (yes, they're not secret).