Clause 1
Short title and commencement
This Act may be cited as the Urban Redevelopment Authority Act 1989 and shall come into operation on such date as the Minister may, by notification in the Gazette, appoint.
/akn/sg/act/bill/1989/33
Urban Redevelopment Authority Bill
The full official text, structured for quick navigation. Copy any provision or jump straight to a section.
- Type
- Bill
- Status
- In force
- Enacted
- 1989
- Sections
- 58
Quick answer
About this bill
Urban Redevelopment Authority Bill is Singapore Bill, cited as Bill 33 1989, currently marked in force and first recorded in 1989.
Part I
PRELIMINARY
Clause 2
Interpretation
In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires —“appointed day” means the date of commencement of this Act;“Authority” means the Urban Redevelopment Authority established under section 3;“building” includes any house, flat, hut, shed, roofed enclosure or other accommodation, whether used for the purpose of human habitation or otherwise, and also any wall, fence, platform, staging gate, post, pillar, paling, frame, hoarding, slip, dock, wharf, pier, jetty, landing stage or bridge, or any structure or foundation connected to the foregoing;“Chairman” means the Chairman of the Authority and includes any temporary Chairman of the Authority;“chief executive” means the chief executive of the Authority appointed under section 18 and includes any temporary chief executive of the Authority;“develop” has the same meaning as in section 10 of the Planning Act [Cap. 232];“developed land” means land of the Authority upon which a building has been erected;“flat” means a horizontal stratum of a building or part thereof, whether such stratum or part is on one or more levels or is partially or wholly below the surface of the ground;“former Authority” means the Urban Redevelopment Authority established under the repealed Act;“land” includes benefits to rise out of land and things attached to the earth or permanently fastened to anything attached to the earth;“member” means a member of the Authority;“monument” has the same meaning as in the Preservation of Monuments Act [Cap. 239];“Municipal Provident Fund” means the Municipal Provident Fund established by the City Council under the provisions of the repealed Municipal Ordinance [1936 Ed., Cap. 133] and continued and deemed to have been established under section 11 of the Local Government Integration Act [Cap. 166];“Planning Department” means the Planning Department of the Ministry of National Development;“property” includes houses, buildings, lands and tenements;“repealed Act” means the Urban Redevelopment Authority Act repealed by this Act [Cap. 340];“Research and Statistics Unit” means the Research and Statistics Unit of the Ministry of National Development;“unit” includes a flat, a shop, an office or other tenement within an urban redevelopment area;“urban redevelopment” includes the construction, reconstruction, extension, repair, alteration, change of use, aggregation and sub-division of a building and change of use, aggregation and sub-division of land;“urban redevelopment area” means an area with or without any building therein declared by notification in the Gazette under section 8(1) to be an urban redevelopment area for the purposes of this Act.
Definition
“Authority” means the Urban Redevelopment Authority established under section 3;
Definition
“building” includes any house, flat, hut, shed, roofed enclosure or other accommodation, whether used for the purpose of human habitation or otherwise, and also any wall, fence, platform, staging gate, post, pillar, paling, frame, hoarding, slip, dock, wharf, pier, jetty, landing stage or bridge, or any structure or foundation connected to the foregoing;
Definition
“Chairman” means the Chairman of the Authority and includes any temporary Chairman of the Authority;
Definition
“chief executive” means the chief executive of the Authority appointed under section 18 and includes any temporary chief executive of the Authority;
Definition
“develop” has the same meaning as in section 10 of the Planning Act [Cap. 232];
Definition
“developed land” means land of the Authority upon which a building has been erected;
Definition
“flat” means a horizontal stratum of a building or part thereof, whether such stratum or part is on one or more levels or is partially or wholly below the surface of the ground;
Definition
“former Authority” means the Urban Redevelopment Authority established under the repealed Act;
Definition
“land” includes benefits to rise out of land and things attached to the earth or permanently fastened to anything attached to the earth;
Definition
“monument” has the same meaning as in the Preservation of Monuments Act [Cap. 239];
Definition
“Municipal Provident Fund” means the Municipal Provident Fund established by the City Council under the provisions of the repealed Municipal Ordinance [1936 Ed., Cap. 133] and continued and deemed to have been established under section 11 of the Local Government Integration Act [Cap. 166];
Definition
“Planning Department” means the Planning Department of the Ministry of National Development;
Definition
“repealed Act” means the Urban Redevelopment Authority Act repealed by this Act [Cap. 340];
Definition
“Research and Statistics Unit” means the Research and Statistics Unit of the Ministry of National Development;
Definition
“unit” includes a flat, a shop, an office or other tenement within an urban redevelopment area;
Definition
“urban redevelopment” includes the construction, reconstruction, extension, repair, alteration, change of use, aggregation and sub-division of a building and change of use, aggregation and sub-division of land;
Definition
“urban redevelopment area” means an area with or without any building therein declared by notification in the Gazette under section 8(1) to be an urban redevelopment area for the purposes of this Act.
Part V
FINANCIAL PROVISIONS
Clause 22
Borrowing powers
(1)
The Authority may, from time to time, for the purposes of this Act, raise loans from the Government or, with the approval of the Minister, from any other source, either by creation and issue of debentures, stocks or bonds, or otherwise, as the Minister may direct.
(2)
The Authority shall pay interest on such loans at such rates and at such times, and shall make such provision for the mode and time or times of repayment of principal, as may be approved by the Minister.
(3)
The Authority may, with the consent of the Minister, from time to time borrow by way of a temporary loan or overdraft from a bank or otherwise, any sum which it may temporarily require —
(a)
for the purpose of defraying expenses pending the receipt of revenues receivable by it in respect of the period of account in which those expenses are chargeable; or
(b)
for the purpose of defraying, pending the receipt of money due in respect of a loan authorised to be raised under subsection (1), expenses intended to be defrayed by such loan.
Clause 23
Loans charged upon revenues of Authority
All loans raised by the Authority under section 22, together with all interest and other sums payable in respect thereof, shall be charged indifferently upon all the revenues of the Authority and shall rank equally with one another, with priority over any other charge on the revenues of the Authority.
Clause 24
Provision of working capital
For the purpose of enabling the Authority to carry out its objects and to defray expenditure properly chargeable to capital account, including defraying initial expenses, and for the provision of working capital, the Minister may authorise payment to the Authority of such sums as he may determine.
Clause 25
Annual estimates
(1)
The Authority shall every year cause to be prepared and shall adopt annual estimates of income and expenditure of the Authority for the ensuing year.
(2)
Supplementary estimates may be adopted by the Authority at any of its meetings.
(3)
A copy of all annual and supplementary estimates shall, upon their adoption by the Authority, be sent forthwith to the Minister for approval.
(4)
The Authority may transfer all moneys or part thereof assigned to one item of expenditure to another under the same head of expenditure in supplementary estimates approved by the Minister.
(5)
A summary of the annual estimates and supplementary estimates adopted by the Authority and approved by the Minister shall be published in the Gazette.
Clause 26
Annual report
(1)
The Authority shall as soon as practicable after the end of each accounting year but not later than 31st October in each year furnish to the Minister a report of its functions during the preceding year.
(2)
The Minister shall cause a copy of every such report to be presented to Parliament.
Clause 27
Investment
Moneys belonging to the Authority may from time to time, subject to the approval of the Minister, be invested in any of the securities in which trust funds may, by any written law for the time being in force relating to trustees, be invested.
Clause 28
Application of profits of Authority
The Minister may, after consultation with the Authority, give directions to the Authority as to the manner in which its profits shall be applied.
Clause 29
Financial provisions
The financial provisions set out in the Third Schedule shall have effect with respect to the Authority.
Clause 3
Establishment of Authority
There is hereby established in accordance with the provisions of this Act a body to be called the Urban Redevelopment Authority which shall be a body corporate with perpetual succession and with power to sue and be sued in its corporate name, and to acquire and dispose of property, both movable and immovable, and to perform such other acts as bodies corporate may by law perform, and to exercise such other powers as are conferred under or by virtue of this Act.
Clause 4
Constitution of Authority
(1)
The Authority shall consist of —
(a)
a Chairman; and
(b)
not less than 4 nor more than 8 other members.
(2)
The First Schedule shall have effect with respect to the Authority, its members and proceedings.
Clause 5
Common seal and execution of documents
(1)
The Authority shall have a common seal and such seal may from time to time be broken, changed, altered and made anew as the Authority thinks fit.
(2)
All deeds, documents and other instruments requiring the seal of the Authority shall be sealed with the common seal of the Authority and every instrument to which the common seal is affixed shall be signed by an officer of the Authority and shall be countersigned by a member of the Authority or by some other person duly authorised in writing by the Authority for that purpose, and such signing shall be sufficient evidence that such seal was duly and properly affixed and that the seal is the lawful seal of the Authority.
(3)
The Authority may by resolution or otherwise in writing appoint an officer of the Authority or any other agent either generally or in a particular case to execute or sign on behalf of the Authority an agreement or other instrument not under seal in relation to any matter coming within the powers of the Authority.
(4)
Section 12 of the Registration of Deeds Act [Cap. 269] shall not apply to an instrument purporting to have been executed under subsection (2).
Clause 6
Functions and duties of Authority
It shall be the function and duty of the Authority —
(a)
to prepare or execute or prepare and execute proposals, plans and projects for —
(i)
the clearance, development and redevelopment of such land as the Authority may think fit for the purpose of resettling persons displaced by operations of the Authority and other resettlement projects approved by the Minister or for any other purpose;
(ii)
the erection, conversion, improvement and extension of any building for sale, lease, rental or other purpose; and
(iii)
the provision and improvement of services and facilities for —
(A)
the promotion of public safety, recreation and welfare; and
(B)
the parking of vehicles;
(b)
to superintend parking places;
(c)
to sell, lease or grant licences to use or occupy such land belonging to the Authority for the purposes of the development and redevelopment of the land as the Authority may think fit;
(d)
to manage such lands, buildings or other property as the Authority may think fit;
(e)
to submit or make recommendations or proposals to the Government or any person or statutory body for the preservation and protection of any monument and land of historic, traditional, archaeological, architectural or aesthetic interest;
(f)
to provide information and advice to and act as agent and consultant for such Government department, person, company and corporation carrying on or intending to carry on a building project or scheme or urban redevelopment in Singapore or elsewhere as the Authority may think fit;
(g)
to inform and advise the Government on all matters relating to urban redevelopment;
(h)
to secure and promote publicity in any form in Singapore or elsewhere of the functions and activities of the Authority;
(i)
to collect, compile and analyse information of a statistical nature relating to building, construction, land use, recreation or such other subject-matter necessary for the performance of the functions and duties imposed upon the Authority by or under this Act or any other written law, and to publish and disseminate the results of any such compilation and analysis or abstracts of those results;
(j)
to provide advisory and information services;
(k)
to conduct, promote and encourage research in matters connected with one or more of the Authority’s purposes and functions; and
(l)
to carry out such other functions and duties as are imposed upon the Authority by or under this Act or any other written law.
Clause 7
Powers of Authority
(1)
Subject to the provisions of this Act, the Authority may carry on such activities as appear to the Authority to be advantageous, necessary or convenient for it to carry on for or in connection with the discharge of its duties and functions under this Act and, in particular, the Authority may exercise one or more of the powers specified in the Second Schedule.
(2)
The Authority may, in addition to the powers vested in it by subsection (1), exercise such other powers as the Minister may authorise the Authority in writing to exercise.
(3)
The Authority shall, when it is exercising powers authorised by the Minister under subsection (2), be deemed to be exercising powers vested in it by subsection (1).
(4)
This section shall not be construed as limiting any power of the Authority conferred by or under any other written law.
Clause 8
Declaration of urban redevelopment areas
(1)
The Authority may from time to time, with the approval of the Minister, by notification in the Gazette declare an area, with or without any building therein, to be an urban redevelopment area for the purposes of this Act.
(2)
A declaration made under subsection (1) shall contain the following particulars:
(a)
the town subdivision or mukim in which the area is situated;
(b)
the lot number of the area, its approximate area and all other particulars necessary for identifying it; and
(c)
if a plan of the area has been made, the place and time where and when such plan may be inspected.
(3)
The declaration shall state that such area may be acquired by the Government within 3 years from the date of the notification in the Gazette or within such extended period as the President may think fit.
(4)
Upon publication of the notification in the Gazette, such area shall be deemed to be an urban redevelopment area for the purposes of this Act.
Clause 9
Incorporated companies may be formed
The Authority may, with the written approval of the Minister, form or participate in the formation of a company.
Clause 10
Gifts
The Authority may accept gifts, legacies or donations and apply them for one or more of its functions or duties.
Clause 11
Authority may make ex-gratia payments
The Authority may, with the approval of the Minister, make an ex-gratia payment to a person sustaining damage by reason of the exercise of one or more of the powers vested in the Authority or its employees under and by virtue of this Act.
Clause 12
Powers of Minister in relation to Authority
(1)
The Minister may, after consultation with the Authority or otherwise, give to the Authority such directions, not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, as he thinks fit, as to the exercise of the functions of the Authority under this Act, and the Authority shall give effect to all such directions.
(2)
The Authority shall furnish the Minister with such information or facilities for obtaining information with respect to its property and the exercise of its functions in such manner and at such times as the Minister may reasonably require.
Clause 13
Submission of projects by Authority
(1)
The Authority shall, from time to time, prepare and submit to the Minister proposals, plans and projects showing the nature of the work proposed to be executed and other steps proposed to be undertaken by the Authority under sections 6, 7 and 12, and the Minister may reject or approve any such proposal, plan or project or any part thereof either without modification or subject to such modification as he may think fit.
(2)
Every such proposal, plan or project submitted by the Authority under this section shall be in such form and contain such particulars as the Minister may direct.
Clause 14
Appointment of committees and delegation of powers
(1)
The Authority may, in its discretion, appoint from among its own members or other persons who are not members such number of committees consisting of members or other persons or members and other persons for purposes which, in the opinion of the Authority, would be better regulated and managed by means of such committees.
(2)
The Authority may, subject to such conditions or restrictions as it may impose, delegate to any such committee or the Chairman or the chief executive one or more of the functions, duties and powers vested in the Authority by or under this Act or any other written law, except the power to borrow money; and any power, function or duty so delegated may be exercised or performed by such committee or the Chairman or the chief executive, as the case may be, in the name and on behalf of the Authority.
(3)
The Authority may, subject to such conditions or restrictions as it may impose, delegate to an employee thereof one or more of the Authority’s functions and duties vested in the Authority by or under this Act or any other written law, except the power to borrow money or to raise or grant loans or advances to or subscribe to stocks, shares, bonds or debentures of a company or corporation, and any power, function or duty so delegated may be exercised or performed by such employee in the name and on behalf of the Authority.
(4)
The Authority may exercise any power conferred or perform any function or duty imposed upon it by or under this Act or any other written law, notwithstanding the delegation of such power, function or duty under this section.
Clause 15
Power to make standing orders
The Authority may, with the approval of the Minister, make standing orders providing for every matter in regard to which standing orders may be made under this Act and, in particular, for the following:
(a)
the method of entering into contracts by or on behalf of the Authority;
(b)
the delegation of powers to officers of the Authority;
(c)
the opening, keeping, closing and internal audit of accounts of the Authority;
(d)
loans and allowances to officers of the Authority;
(e)
housing accommodation for officers of the Authority; and
(f)
the professional and technical training of officers of the Authority.
Clause 16
Power to enter upon lands
(1)
The Authority may, for the purposes of this Act, by its employees, agents or contractors, enter at all reasonable hours in the day into and upon a building or land for the purpose of making any survey or inspection and for the purpose of executing work authorised by this Act to be executed by them without being liable to any legal proceedings or molestation whatsoever on account of such entry or of anything done in a part of such building or land in pursuance of this Act.
(2)
An employee or agent or a contractor of or a person acting on behalf of the Authority shall not enter into a building in actual occupation without the consent of the occupier thereof or without 6 hours’ previous notice to such occupier.
Clause 17
Regulations
(1)
The Authority may, with the approval of the Minister, make such regulations as are necessary for carrying into effect the provisions of this Act.
(2)
Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1), the Authority may make regulations for one or more of the following purposes:
(a)
the control and management of lands and buildings acquired by, vested in or belonging to, the Authority;
(b)
the use and enjoyment of those lands, buildings and other property; and
(c)
the prevention of trespass upon or on any of those lands and buildings and the removal of trespassers or other persons causing annoyance or inconvenience upon or in those lands and buildings.
(3)
The Authority may, in making any regulations under this section, provide that a contravention of or failure to comply with the regulations shall be an offence and may prescribe as a penalty in respect of such offence a fine not exceeding the sum of $2,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 months or both and, in the case of a continuing offence, a fine not exceeding $500 for every day or part thereof during which such offence continues after conviction.
(4)
All regulations made under this section shall be presented to Parliament as soon as possible after publication in the Gazette.
Clause 18
Chief executive of Authority
(1)
The Authority shall, with the approval of the Minister, appoint a chief executive of the Authority on such terms and conditions as the Authority may think fit.
(2)
The chief executive shall —
(a)
be known by such designation as the Authority may determine;
(b)
be responsible to the Authority for the proper administration and management of the functions and affairs of the Authority in accordance with the policy laid down by the Authority; and
(c)
not be removed from office without the consent of the Minister.
(2)
If the chief executive is temporarily absent from Singapore or temporarily incapacitated by illness or for any other reason temporarily unable to perform his duties, another person may be appointed by the Authority with the approval of the Minister to act in the place of the chief executive during such period of absence from duty.
Clause 19
Appointment of staff
(1)
The Authority may —
(a)
appoint such number of employees on such terms as to remuneration or otherwise as the Authority may determine; and
(b)
engage and remunerate for their services such persons or agents as the Authority considers necessary for carrying out its functions and duties.
(2)
The termination of appointment, dismissal and disciplinary control of the employees of the Authority shall be vested in the Authority.
(3)
The Authority may make rules, not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act or of any other written law, for the appointment, promotion, dismissal, termination of service, disciplinary control and terms and conditions of service of all persons employed by the Authority.
Clause 20
Protective provisions
No matter or thing done and no contract of any kind entered into by the Authority and no matter or thing done by a member or employee of the Authority or by any other person whomsoever acting under the direction of the Authority shall, if the matter or thing was done or the contract was entered into bona fide for the purpose of executing the provisions of this Act, subject such member, employee or person acting under the direction of the Authority personally to any action, liability, claim or demand whatsoever in respect thereof.
Clause 21
Public servants
The members and employees of the Authority shall be deemed to be public servants within the meaning of the Penal Code [Cap. 224].
Clause 30
Dissolution of Planning Department and former Authority, etc.
As from the appointed day, the Planning Department, the Research and Statistics Unit and the former Authority shall cease to exist.
Clause 31
Transfer of assets and liabilities
(1)
Subject to subsection (2), as from the appointed day —
(a)
all movable property vested in the Government immediately before the appointed day for the purposes of the Planning Department and the Research and Statistics Unit, and all assets, rights or interests vested in, and all outstanding debts, liabilities and obligations incurred by, the Government in connection therewith; and
(b)
all the lands, buildings and other property, movable and immovable, vested in the former authority immediately before the appointed day, and all assets, rights and interests vested in, and all outstanding debts, liabilities and obligations incurred by, the former Authority in connection therewith,shall be transferred to and shall vest in the Authority without further assurance.
(2)
Subsection (1) shall not apply to any rights and interests vested in, and any outstanding liabilities and obligations incurred by, the former Authority immediately before the appointed day in connection with all sums of moneys paid or payable by way of instalments to the former Authority, or the payment of which is secured to the satisfaction of the former Authority, pursuant to section 49(3)(b) of the repealed Act.
(3)
If any question arises as to whether any particular movable property vested in the Government, or whether any particular asset, right, interest, liability or obligation of the Government has been transferred to or vested in the Authority under subsection (1), a certificate under the hand of the Minister for Finance shall be conclusive evidence that the property, asset, right, interest, liability or obligation was or was not so transferred or vested.
(4)
No disclosure to the Authority under this section of information collected by the Research and Statistics Unit before the appointed day shall be called in question on the ground that such disclosure is contrary to section 5 of the Statistics Act [Cap. 317] or in breach of confidence.
Clause 32
Existing agreements, etc.
All deeds, bonds, agreements, instruments and working arrangements, subsisting immediately before the appointed day, affecting any of the property, rights, interests, liabilities and obligations transferred to or vested in the Authority under section 31(1) shall continue in force on and after that day and shall be enforceable by or against the Authority as if, instead of the Government or the former Authority or a person acting on behalf of either the Government or the former Authority, the Authority had been named therein or had been a party thereto.
Clause 33
Pending legal proceedings
(1)
Any proceedings or cause of action pending or existing immediately before the appointed day by or against the Government in respect of the Planning Department or the Research and Statistics Unit, or by or against the former Authority or any person acting on its behalf, may be continued and shall be enforced by or against the Authority.
(2)
Subsection (1) shall not apply to any proceedings or cause of action relating to any sums of money paid, or payable by way of instalments, to the former Authority, or the payment of which is secured to the satisfaction of the former Authority, pursuant to section 49(3)(b) of the repealed Act.
Clause 34
Transfer of employees
(1)
As from the appointed day, every person who immediately before that day is employed by the Government in the Planning Department or the Research and Statistics Unit, or by the former Authority, shall be transferred to the service of the Authority on terms not less favourable than those enjoyed by him immediately prior to his transfer.
(2)
Notwithstanding subsection (1), persons holding such grades in the Planning Department or the Research and Statistics Unit as the Minister may determine shall as soon as practicable be given the option of remaining in the service of the Government.
(3)
Nothing in this section shall preclude the secondment to the Authority of officers in the employment of the Government on such terms as may be agreed upon by the Government and the Authority.
Clause 35
Conditions of service
(1)
Until such time as terms and conditions of service are drawn up by the Authority, the schemes and terms and conditions of service in the Government or the former Authority shall continue to apply to every person transferred to the service of the Authority under section 34 as if he were still in the service of the Government or the former Authority, as the case may be.
(2)
The terms and conditions to be drawn up by the Authority shall take into account the salaries and terms and conditions of service, including any accrued rights to leave, enjoyed by the persons transferred to the service of the Authority under section 34 while in the employment of the Government or former Authority and any such term or condition relating to the length of service with the Authority shall provide for the recognition of service under the Government or former Authority by the person so transferred to be service by them under the Authority.
Clause 36
Pension benefits
(1)
Nothing in the terms and conditions to be drawn up by the Authority shall adversely affect the conditions that would have been applicable to persons transferred to the service of the Authority as regards any pension, gratuity or allowance payable under the Pensions Act [Cap. 225].
(2)
In every case where a person employed by the Government in the Planning Department or the Research and Statistics Unit has been transferred to the service of the Authority under section 34, the Government shall be liable to pay to the Authority such portion of any gratuity, pension or allowance payable to such person on his retirement or otherwise leaving the service of the Authority as the same shall bear to the proportion which the aggregate amount of his pensionable emoluments during his service with the Government bears to the aggregate amount of his pensionable emoluments during his service under both the Government and the Authority.
(3)
Where any person in the service of the Authority whose case does not come within the scope and effect of any pension or other schemes referred to under this section, retires or dies in the service of the Authority or is discharged from such service, the Authority may grant to him or to such other person or persons wholly or partly dependent on him, as the Authority may think fit, such allowance or gratuity as the Authority may determine.
(4)
Where any person who is transferred to the service of the Authority under section 34 is a contributor under the Widows’ and Orphans’ Pension Act [Cap. 350], he shall for the purposes of that Act continue to make contributions under that Act as if he had not been transferred to the service of the Authority, and for the purposes of that Act his service with the Authority shall be deemed to be service with the Government.
Clause 37
No benefits in respect of abolition or reorganisation of office
Notwithstanding the provisions of the Pensions Act [Cap. 225], no person who is transferred to the service of the Authority under section 34 shall be entitled to claim any benefit under the Pensions Act on the ground that he has been retired from the service of the Government on account of abolition or reorganisation of office in consequence of the establishment and incorporation of the Authority.
Clause 38
Safeguarding of Municipal Provident Fund benefits
(1)
Rules for the maintenance of the Municipal Provident Fund made under section 12 of the Local Government Integration Act [Cap. 166] shall be binding upon the Authority and its employees who were members of the Municipal Provident Fund immediately before the appointed day.
(2)
Until other provision is made, the Municipal (Provident Fund) Rules 1956 [G.N. No. S 179/56] shall continue to apply to every person transferred to the service of the Authority who, immediately before the appointed day was a member of the Municipal Provident Fund, in the like manner as those Rules applied to such person immediately before the appointed day, and every reference to service or employment with the City Council in those Rules shall be construed as a reference to service or employment with the Authority in respect of such person.
(3)
Until other provision is made, the provisions of the Municipal (Provident Fund) Rules 1956 [G.N. No. S 179/56] requiring the City Council to make payments into the Municipal Provident Fund shall apply to the Authority and be construed as provisions requiring the Authority to make payments into that Fund in respect of every person transferred to the service of the Authority who is a member of the Fund.
(4)
Persons who have been transferred to the service of the Authority may count their previous service in the Singapore Improvement Trust, the Housing and Development Board, the former Authority, the Planning Department or the Research and Statistics Unit and their previous membership of the Municipal Provident Fund and their contributions to that Fund for the purpose of determining the benefits to which they become entitled under this section.
Clause 39
Continuation and completion of disciplinary proceedings
(1)
Where on the appointed day any disciplinary proceedings were pending against any employee of the Government or the former Authority who has been transferred to the service of the Authority under section 34, the proceedings shall be carried on and completed by the Authority under and in conformity with this Act as far as practicable; but where on that day any matter was in the course of being heard or investigated or had been heard or investigated by the Government, the former Authority or a committee acting under due authority and no order or decision had been rendered thereon, the Government, the former Authority or committee shall continue to exist, notwithstanding this Act, for the purpose of completing the hearing or investigation and the making of an order or rendering a decision, as the case may be.
(2)
For the purposes of completing a hearing or investigation before it, or making an order or rendering a decision on a matter heard or investigated before the appointed day, the Government, the former Authority or committee shall complete the hearing or investigation in accordance with the authority vested in the Government, the former Authority or committee immediately before that day and make such order, rule or direction as the Government, the former Authority or committee could have made under the authority vested in it immediately before that day.
(3)
Any order, rule or direction made or given by the Government, the former Authority or committee pursuant to this section shall be treated as an order, rule or direction of the Authority and have the same force or effect as if it had been made or given by the Authority pursuant to the authority vested in the Authority under this Act.
Clause 40
Misconduct or neglect of duty by employee before transfer
The Authority may reprimand, reduce in rank, retire, dismiss or punish in some other manner a person who had, whilst he was in the employment of the Planning Department, the Research and Statistics Unit or the former Authority, been guilty of any misconduct or neglect of duty which would have rendered him liable to be reprimanded, reduced in rank, retired, dismissed or punished in some other manner by the Government or the former Authority or any other person acting under its authority or direction or otherwise, as if this Act had not been enacted.
Clause 41
Power to sell
The Authority may, with the approval of the Minister, sell any developed land or part thereof.
Clause 42
Special provisions
For the purposes of the registration of an assurance pertaining to the sale by the Authority of any unit, the mortgage of such unit in favour of the Authority or the reconveyance or discharge of such mortgage —
(a)
in the case of land registered under the provisions of the Registration of Deeds Act [Cap. 269], section 12 of that Act shall not apply; and
(b)
in the case of land registered under the provisions of the Land Titles Act [Cap. 157], where a solicitor is not employed by the party acquiring title under an instrument relating to the transactions referred to in this section, a certificate of an officer authorised in writing in that behalf by the Authority, shall be sufficient for the purposes of section 54(4) of that Act.
Clause 43
Authority’s symbol
(1)
The Authority shall have the exclusive right to the use of such symbol or representation as it may select or devise (referred to in this section as the Authority’s symbol) and thereafter display or exhibit in connection with its activities or affairs.
(2)
A person who without the permission of the Authority uses a symbol or representation identical with that of the Authority’s symbol, or which so resembles the Authority’s symbol as to or be likely to deceive or cause confusion shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $2,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or to both.
Clause 44
Furnishing of information
(1)
The Authority or any employee thereof authorised by the Authority in that behalf may, for the purpose of obtaining statistical information, by notice require any person to furnish to the Authority or the employee so authorised, within such period as shall be specified in the notice, all such particulars or information relating to all such matters as may be required by the Authority and as are within the knowledge of that person or in his custody or under his control.
(2)
A notice issued under subsection (1) may be served in the following manner:
(a)
if the person on whom service is to be effected is in Singapore, the notice may be delivered to him or left with some adult member of his family (other than a servant) residing with him;
(b)
if the person on whom service is to be effected has an agent in Singapore, the notice may be delivered to the agent;
(c)
if service cannot be effected in accordance with paragraph (a) or (b), the notice may be sent by registered post addressed to the person on whom service is to be effected at his residence;
(d)
where service is to be effected on a firm, the notice may be served —
(i)
upon any one or more of the partners; or
(ii)
at the principal place of business in Singapore of the person having at the time of service the control or management of the partnership business; and
(e)
where service is to be effected on a company or corporation, the notice may be —
(i)
left at the registered office, if any, of the company or corporation in Singapore;
(ii)
delivered to any director, manager or secretary of the company or corporation in Singapore or to any person having, on behalf of the company or corporation, powers of control or management over the business, occupation, work or matter to which the notice relates; or
(iii)
sent by registered post addressed to the company or corporation at its principal office, wherever situated.
(3)
Any person who on being required by notice under this section to furnish any particulars or information —
(a)
wilfully refuses or without lawful excuse (the proof of which lies on him) neglects to furnish the particulars or information within the time specified in the notice; or
(b)
wilfully furnishes or causes to be furnished any false particulars or information in respect of any matter specified in the notice requiring particulars or information to be furnished,shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $2,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or to both.
Clause 45
Preservation of secrecy
(1)
No member, officer or employee of the Authority shall disclose any particulars or information furnished under section 44 which has been obtained by the member, officer or employee of the Authority in the performance of his duties or the exercise of his function except —
(a)
with the previous consent in writing of the person who furnished the particulars or information;
(b)
where the disclosure can be made without identifying that individual person;
(c)
information of a general nature which could be obtained from other sources; or
(d)
for the purposes of any proceedings for an offence under section 44(3) or this section.
(2)
Any person who contravenes subsection (1) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $2,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year or to both.
Clause 46
Obstructing officers of Authority
Any person who obstructs or hinders an officer or agent of the Authority acting in the discharge of his duty under this Act or any regulations made thereunder shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $2,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 months or to both.
Clause 47
Proceedings conducted by officers of Authority
Any proceedings in respect of an offence under this Act or any regulations made thereunder may be conducted by an officer of the Authority or an officer of the Government authorised in writing in that behalf by the chief executive.
Clause 48
Sanction of Public Prosecutor
No court shall take cognizance of an offence under this Act or any regulations made thereunder except with the sanction of the Public Prosecutor.
Clause 49
Exclusion of liability for errors or omissions in information supplied
Where the Authority provides a service to the public whereby information is supplied to the public on payment of a prescribed fee, neither the Authority nor any of its employees involved in the supply of such information shall be liable for any loss or damage suffered by members of the public by reason of any error or omission of whatever nature appearing therein or however caused if made in good faith and in the ordinary course of the discharge of the duties of such employees.
Clause 50
Offence by body corporate
Where an offence under this Act or any regulations made thereunder is committed by a body corporate and it is proved to have been committed with the consent or connivance of or to be attributable to an act or default on the part of a director, manager, secretary or other similar officer of the body corporate, or a person who was purporting to act in any such capacity, he, as well as the body corporate, shall be guilty of that offence and shall be liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly.
Clause 51
Fines to be paid to Authority
All fines imposed for an offence under this Act or any regulations made thereunder shall be paid into the funds of the Authority.
Clause 52
Exemption
(1)
Notwithstanding the provisions of this Act, the Minister may by order exempt any person or class of persons from all or any of the provisions of this Act.
(2)
Any order made under this section shall be presented to Parliament as soon as possible after publication in the Gazette.
Clause 53
Repeal
The Urban Redevelopment Authority Act [Cap. 340] is repealed.
Clause 54
Transitional and savings provisions
(1)
The transitional and savings provisions in the Fourth Schedule shall have effect.
(2)
Except as provided in the Fourth Schedule, nothing in that Schedule shall affect any saving provided by the Interpretation Act [Cap. 1].
Schedule 1
Constitution and Proceedings of the Authority
FIRST SCHEDULESection 4(2)Constitution and Proceedings of the AuthorityAppointment of Chairman, Deputy Chairman and other members1.—
(1)
The Chairman and other members shall be appointed by the Minister.(2) The Minister may appoint one of the members to be the Deputy Chairman; and the Deputy Chairman may, subject to such directions as may be given by the Chairman, exercise all or any of the powers exercisable by the Chairman under this Act.(3) The Minister may appoint the chief executive to be a member.Tenure of office of members
2. The Chairman and every other member shall, unless their appointment is revoked under paragraph 5 or they resign during their term of office, hold office for a term of 3 years or such shorter period as the Minister may determine.Temporary Chairman or Deputy Chairman
3. The Minister may appoint any member to be a temporary Chairman or temporary Deputy Chairman during the temporary incapacity from illness or otherwise, or during the temporary absence from Singapore of the Chairman or the Deputy Chairman, as the case may be.Temporary members
4. The Minister may appoint any person to be a temporary member during the temporary incapacity from illness or otherwise, or during the temporary absence from Singapore, of any member.Revocation of appointment
5. The Minister may, at any time, revoke the appointment of the Chairman or the Deputy Chairman or any member; and in exercising his power under this paragraph, the Minister shall not be required to assign any reason for such revocation.Resignation
6. Any member may resign from his appointment at any time by giving notice in writing to the Minister.Vacation of office of member
7. The office of a member shall be vacated if the member —
(a)
becomes in any manner disqualified for membership of the Authority;
(b)
has been absent, without leave of the Authority, from 3 consecutive meetings of the Authority; or
(c)
resigns from his office.Filling of vacancy in the office of a member
8. If a member dies or has his appointment revoked or otherwise vacates his office before the expiry of the term for which he has been appointed, another person may be appointed by the Minister for the unexpired period of the term of office of the member in whose place he is appointed.Disqualification from membership
9. No person shall be appointed or shall continue to hold office as a member if he —
(a)
is of unsound mind;
(b)
is an undischarged bankrupt or has made any arrangement or composition with his creditors; or
(c)
is convicted of an offence involving dishonesty, fraud or moral turpitude and has not received a free pardon.Member’s interest to be made known10.—
(1)
A member who is in any way, directly or indirectly, interested in a transaction or project of the Authority shall disclose the nature of his interest at the first meeting of the Authority at which he is present after the relevant facts have come to his knowledge.(2) A disclosure under subsection (1) shall be recorded in the minutes of the meeting of the Authority and, after the disclosure, that member —
(a)
shall not take part in any deliberation or decision of the Authority with respect to that transaction or project; and
(b)
shall be disregarded for the purpose of constituting a quorum of the Authority for such deliberation or decision.(3) No act or proceedings of the Authority shall be questioned on the ground that a member has contravened this section.Salaries, fees and allowances payable to members
11. There shall be paid to the Chairman, Deputy Chairman and other members out of the funds of the Authority such salaries, fees and allowances as the Minister may, from time to time, determine.Meetings of Authority12.—
(1)
The Chairman shall summon meetings as often as may be required but not less than once in 3 months.(2) At every meeting of the Authority, a quroum shall consist of 3 members.(3) Decisions at meetings of the Authority shall be adopted by a simple majority of the votes of the members present and voting; and in the case of an equality of votes, the Chairman or in his absence the Deputy Chairman or the member presiding shall have a casting vote.(4) The Chairman or in his absence the Deputy Chairman shall preside at meetings of the Authority.(5) Where both the Chairman and the Deputy Chairman are absent at a meeting, such member as the members present may elect shall preside at the meeting.(6) The Authority may act notwithstanding any vacancy in its membership.(7) Subject to the provisions of this Act, the Authority may make standing orders to regulate its own procedure, and, in particular, the holding of meetings, the notice to be given of such meetings, the proceedings thereat, the keeping of minutes and the custody, production and inspection of such minutes.Validity of acts of members
13. The acts of a member shall be valid notwithstanding any defect that may afterwards be discovered in his appointment or qualifications.
Schedule 2
Powers of the Authority
SECOND SCHEDULESection 6Powers of the Authority
1. With the approval of the Minister, to carry out or assist in carrying out any project in connection with urban redevelopment.
2. With the written approval of the Minister, to grant loans or advances to a company or corporation carrying on or intending to carry on urban redevelopment in Singapore or having one or more of its objects connected with or related to one or more of the functions or duties imposed on the Authority under this Act.
3. To manage, control or supervise such company or corporation by nominating directors or advisers or otherwise collaborating with them or entering into partnerships or any other arrangement for jointly working with them.
4. With the written approval of the Minister, to establish and manage such company or corporation.
5. To enter into any joint venture or arrangement with the Government for the sharing of profits or otherwise for the purposes of this Act.
6. With the written approval of the Minister, to subscribe to stocks, shares, bonds or debentures of a company or corporation.
7. To acquire, hire, procure, construct, erect, manufacture, provide, operate, maintain or repair anything, whether movable or immovable, required by the Authority for the purposes of this Act.
8. To enter into contracts, covenants, bonds, deeds or agreements or prepare documents of every kind for the purposes of this Act.
9. Subject to rules which may be made by the Minister under this Act, to impose such charges or fees as the Authority may determine for the provision of accommodation, services or works, or the use of buildings, recreational grounds, equipment, amenities or facilities provided, maintained, controlled or operated by the Authority.
10. To do anything for the purpose of advancing the skill of persons employed by the Authority, or of the efficiency of the equipment of the Authority, or of the manner in which that equipment is operated, including the provision by the Authority and the assistance of the provision by orders or facilities for training, education and research.
11. To provide houses, hostels and other like accommodation, including convalescent or holiday houses, club houses and playing fields, for persons employed by the Authority.
12. To make or guarantee loans to any person employed by the Authority for the purpose of purchasing a vehicle, building a house, purchasing a plot of land on which to build a house or purchasing a house for the use of that person or for the residential use of his family.
13. To award scholarships or to give loans to any employee of the Authority or any member of his family for purposes specifically approved by the Authority.
Schedule 3
Financial Provisions
THIRD SCHEDULESection 29Financial Provisions
1. The financial year of the Authority shall begin on 1st April of each year and end on 31st March of the succeeding year, except that the first financial year of the Authority shall begin on the appointed day and shall end on 31st March 1990.
2. The Authority shall keep proper accounts and records of its transactions and affairs and shall do all things necessary to ensure that all payments out of its moneys are correctly made and properly authorised and that adequate control is maintained over the assets of, or in the custody of, the Authority and over the expenditure incurred by the Authority.3.—
(1)
The accounts of the Authority shall be audited by the Auditor-General or such other auditor as may be appointed annually by the Minister in consultation with the Auditor-General.(2) A person shall not be qualified for appointment as an auditor under sub-paragraph (1) unless he is an approved company auditor under the Companies Act [Cap. 50].
4. The renumeration of the auditor shall be paid out of the funds of the Authority.
5. The Authority shall, as soon as practicable but not later than 31st July in every year, prepare and submit the financial statements in respect of the preceding financial year to the auditor who shall audit and report on them.6.—
(1)
The auditor shall in his report state —
(a)
whether the financial statements show fairly the financial transactions and the state of affairs of the Authority;
(b)
whether proper accounting and other records have been kept, including records of all assets of the Authority whether purchased, donated or otherwise;
(c)
whether the financial statements are prepared on a basis similar to that adopted for the preceding year;
(d)
whether the financial statements are in agreement with the accounting and other records;
(e)
whether the receipts, expenditure, investment of moneys, and the acquisition and disposal of assets by the Authority during the financial year have been in accordance with this Act; and
(f)
such other matters arising from the audit as he considers should be reported.(2) The auditor shall send an annual report of his audit to the Authority not later than 30th September in each year.
7. The auditor may at any other time report to the Minister through the Authority upon any matter arising out of the performance of his audit.
8. The auditor or any person authorised by him is entitled at all reasonable times to full and free access to all accounting and other records relating, directly or indirectly, to the financial transactions of the Authority.
9. The auditor or a person authorised by him may make copies of or extracts from any such accounting and other records.
10. The auditor may require any person to furnish him with such information in the possession of that person or to which that person has access as the auditor considers necessary for the purposes of his functions under this Act.
11. Any person who fails without any reasonable cause to comply with any requirement of the auditor under paragraph 10 or who otherwise hinders, obstructs or delays the auditor in the performance of his functions under this Act shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $1,000 and in the case of a continuing offence to a further fine not exceeding $100 for every day during which the offence continues after conviction.
12. As soon as the accounts of the Authority and the financial statements have been audited in accordance with the provisions of this Act but not later than 31st October in each year, a copy of the audited financial statements signed by the Chairman and certified by the auditor, together with a copy of any report made by the auditor, shall be submitted to the Minister.
13. Where the Auditor-General is not the auditor of the Authority, a copy of the audited financial statements and any report made by the auditor shall be forwarded to the Auditor-General at the same time they are submitted to the Authority.
14. The Minister shall as soon as practicable cause a copy of the audited financial statements and of the report of the auditor to be presented to Parliament.
Schedule 4
Transitional and Savings Provisions
FOURTH SCHEDULESection 54Transitional and Savings ProvisionsContinuation of office of members of former Authority
1. Every person who, immediately before the appointed day, held office as a member of the former Authority shall, subject to the provisions of this Act, continue to be a member of the Authority as if the person had been appointed under this Act on the same terms and conditions for a term expiring on the day on which the appointment under the repealed Act would expire.First chief executive
2. The first chief executive of the Authority shall be the person who, immediately before the appointed day, is appointed to perform the duties of the General Manager of the former Authority and the person shall hold office on the same terms and conditions for a term expiring on the day on which his appointment under the repealed Act would expire.Saving of committees and delegations3.—
(1)
Every committee appointed by the former Authority under section 25(1) of the repealed Act shall continue as if appointed by the Authority under section 14(1) of this Act; and every person who, immediately before the appointed day, was a member of such committee shall continue as a member of the committee on the same terms and conditions for a term expiring on the day on which his appointment under the repealed Act would expire.(2) Any delegation made by the former Authority under section 25(2) or (3) of the repealed Act shall be deemed to be a delegation by the Authority made under section 14(2) or (3) of this Act, respectively.Projects of former Authority
4. Every proposal, plan and project submitted by the former Authority before the appointed day and which have neither been approved nor rejected by the Minister under section 24 of the repealed Act shall be deemed to have been submitted by the Authority under section 13 of this Act.Companies of former Authority
5. Every private company formed by the former Authority pursuant to section 20 of the repealed Act and existing immediately before the appointed day shall be deemed to have been formed under the provisions of this Act.Continuation of standing orders, etc.6.—
(1)
All standing orders made under section 26 of the repealed Act by the former Authority and in force immediately before the appointed day shall be deemed to have been made under section 15 of this Act by the Authority and may be amended, revoked or replaced by standing orders made under this Act.(2) Every authorisation and direction given or made by the Minister under the repealed Act with regard to the power, or exercise of the functions, of the former Authority and in force immediately before the appointed day shall be deemed to have been given or made by the Minister under the corresponding provisions of this Act.Annual report7.—
(1)
Notwithstanding the provisions of this Act, the former Authority shall, for the purposes of preparing and furnishing to the Minister a report of its functions under section 46 of the repealed Act (referred to in this paragraph as the annual report), continue in existence until it has furnished that report.(2) The former Authority shall, as soon as practicable after the appointed day, prepare and furnish to the Minister an annual report for the period that commenced on 1st April 1989 and ending immediately before the appointed day.(3) The Minister shall cause a copy of the annual report to be presented to Parliament as soon as practicable after receipt of the annual report.(4) The Authority shall provide the former Authority with such clerical and other assistance as is reasonably required for the preparation of the annual report.Pending appeals8.—
(1)
Any right of appeal subsisting immediately before the appointed day by virtue of section 51 of the repealed Act shall from that day be treated as subsisting by virtue of section 11 of the Planning Act [Cap. 232].(2) Any such appeal pending before the appointed day under the repealed Act may be prosecuted and disposed of in accordance with section 11 of the Planning Act [Cap. 232].Information collected by Research and Statistics Unit
9. All information collected by the Research and Statistics Unit before the appointed day and transferred to the Authority under section 31 shall be subject to the same safeguards as respect disclosure as are provided by the Statistics Act as if the information had been collected by the Authority under that Act [Cap. 317].Contracts, documents, etc.10.—
(1)
Any scheme, contract, document, licence, consent or resolution prepared, made, granted, approved or issued by or on behalf of the former Authority under any provision of the repealed Act, and any scheme, contract, document or licence made by or on behalf of the Government in respect of the Planning Department or the Research and Statistics Unit, shall, except as otherwise expressly provided in this Act or any other written law, continue and be deemed to have been prepared, made, granted or approved by the Authority.(2) Where anything has been commenced by or on behalf of the former Authority, the Planning Department or the Research and Statistics Unit before the appointed day, such thing may be carried on and completed by or under the authority of the Authority.(3) In any written law and in any document, unless the context otherwise requires, any reference to the former Authority shall be construed as a reference to the Authority.
Common questions
- What is Urban Redevelopment Authority Bill?
- Urban Redevelopment Authority Bill is Singapore Bill, cited as Bill 33 1989, currently marked in force and first recorded in 1989.
- Is Urban Redevelopment Authority Bill still in force?
- Yes — Urban Redevelopment Authority Bill is currently in force.
- When did Urban Redevelopment Authority Bill take effect?
- Urban Redevelopment Authority Bill was first recorded in 1989.
- How many clauses does Urban Redevelopment Authority Bill have?
- Urban Redevelopment Authority Bill contains 54 clauses.
- Where can I read the official version of Urban Redevelopment Authority Bill?
- The official text of Urban Redevelopment Authority Bill is published at sso.agc.gov.sg.