Latest news with #SCC
BBC News
5 hours ago
- General
- BBC News
Extra school bus service launched in Surrey after parent petition
A cancelled school bus has been replaced by an extra trial service after parents put pressure on Surrey County Council (SCC). SCC advised children to "bring torches" to walk to school after announcing plans to axe a free school bus taking children from Molesey to Esher High School from September, said the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS).But parents started a petition to put on an extra 814 service to accommodate the children with part of the £12bn transport funding granted to SCC by the council said it had worked with Falcon buses on the issues raised by parents, and had agreed on an extra trial service at no cost to the council. 'A win for children' The extra bus will run for the first half-term of the 2025/26 academic year, according to the council. After that, demand will be analysed to see if the service will continue, says SCC. Matt Furniss, cabinet member for highways, transport and economic growth at Surrey County Council, said: "We're very aware of the challenges raised by parents and carers and have worked with Falcon to address these."As with all bus services, we need to ensure they are used to make them viable, so I encourage parents and carers to take up this new provision. "This additional bus is being provided by Falcon at no cost to Surrey County Council." The LDRS has previously reported that it understood cutting the bus route from September would save about £180,000 per year. Esher and Walton MP Monica Harding previously wrote to SCC council leader Tim Oliver about concerns over the walking route and said it was a shame families had to wait so long for the council to make a decision. She said: "This is a win for school children in Esher who were facing walks of up to three miles across unlit heathland with concerns about safety, after Surrey County Council decided to withdraw the Esher High School bus service.""I'm glad that this time local families have been heard. We now need to know that this much-needed bus provision will be sustained over the longer term."
Zawya
a day ago
- Business
- Zawya
SCC approves recommendations to support Sharjah Airport Authority
The Sharjah Consultative Council (SCC) held its seventeenth and final session for the second ordinary term of its eleventh legislative chapter, during which it approved a set of recommendations to support Sharjah International Airport Authority. The session, chaired by Dr. Abdullah Belhaif Al Nuaimi, focused on recommendations prepared by the Committee for Drafting Proposals concerning Sharjah International Airport. These recommendations followed discussions held in the Council's 14th session on 22nd May 2025, attended by the Authority's Chairman and Director along with department representatives. Council members emphasised the importance of supporting and developing the Airport Authority as a vital gateway for Sharjah and a key driver for economic and tourism growth. They called for enhancing infrastructure, expanding services, and improving operational efficiencies to meet the demands of increased global travel and trade. Jassim Al Hanaee Al Naqbi, Chairman of the Proposal Drafting Committee, stressed the comprehensive and future-focused nature of the recommendations. He highlighted the need to upgrade services and anticipate rising passenger numbers. The Council urged continuous development efforts aligned with growth plans. It also stressed the need to grant airport staff the same employment benefits offered to other entities operating within the airport environment. Recommendations included support for Emiratisation policies and encouraging Emirati graduates to work with companies affiliated with the Authority. It called for specialised training programs to open new career paths in aviation for local youth. The Council recommended issuing local legislation to manage idle equipment and vehicles within airport facilities, ensuring efficient space usage and minimising operational disruptions due to financially struggling companies. In future planning, the Council emphasised reviewing growth rates in air traffic and airline rights up to 2050. It suggested evaluating whether to continue expanding the current airport or to consider establishing a new international airport to meet long-term demands. The Council concluded its session with thanks extended to committee members, participating departments, and individuals who contributed to the recommendations and overall discussions. Vice President Halima Al Owais reviewed key Council achievements during the term. In his closing remarks, Dr. Abdullah Belhaif Al Nuaimi praised the Council's role as a model of consultative governance under the guidance of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah. He emphasised national loyalty, collective responsibility, and the importance of continuing progress in future terms. The session concluded with Secretary General Ahmed Saeed Al Jarwan reading Amiri Decree No. (20) of 2025, issued by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, ordering the end of the second ordinary term of the Council's eleventh legislative chapter, effective after the completion of the session on 19th June 2025.
Daily Express
3 days ago
- Business
- Daily Express
Sabah Credit Corporation manages RM3.864 billion assets
Published on: Tuesday, June 17, 2025 Published on: Tue, Jun 17, 2025 By: Wu Vui Tek Text Size: Masidi, Yee, George (sixth to eighth from right) and guests with CSR project recipients in front. Kota Kinabalu: The Sabah Credit Corporation (SCC) is now managing assets of RM3.864 billion, growing from its initial RM1 million seven decades ago, thanks to unwavering support from all key stakeholders. Chief Executive Officer Datuk George Taitim Tulas said SCC's audited profit before tax last year stood at RM117.29 million. Advertisement 'With our continued success, we have contributed dividends totalling about RM369 million to the state government. 'We have also paid RM141.6 million in loan interest and RM1.3 million in zakat,' he said during SCC's 70th anniversary celebration at the Sabah International Convention Centre. He said SCC's corporate social responsibility programme has benefited communities with more than RM70 million worth of support, including infrastructure, medical equipment, donations and sponsorships. SCC has embraced digital transformation, including launching the YONO app and nearing completion of its risk management IT framework. George said its subsidiary, Manggaris IT, developed a digital parking system for local authorities that meets SAGA requirements and incorporates YONO. The system is currently in use in Putatan and will soon be extended to Keningau and Tawau. He added that SCC has partnered in state government programmes such as the Sabah People's Housing Scheme, the Sentuhan Kasih Rakyat Programme (SHUKUR), and the Dayang Programme to support affordable housing and financial assistance for the people. Finance Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun, who attended the event, said SCC's role in facilitating credit has led to tangible improvements in agriculture, light industries, rural development, urban housing and public utility projects. 'SCC has consistently improved asset quality, strengthened internal governance and upheld leadership accountability, which is commendable in any financial institution,' he said. At the event, SCC contributed RM1,277,793.45 to five recipients under its CSR projects. The recipients were SK Tempasak Togudon Penampang (RM349,980.65) to build a rural hostel, KK Lions Ambulance Service Society (RM243,800) to buy a vehicle, St John Ambulance Malaysia (RM235,012.80) also to buy a vehicle, Sabah Kidney Society (RM50,000) for pharmacy items for its haemodialysis machine, and SMK Limbanak Penampang (RM399,000) to build a rural hostel. SCC was founded on June 15, 1955, as the North Borneo Credit Corporation with a grant of one million dollars from the Japanese Compensation Fund. It was rebranded as Sabah Credit Corporation in 1972 to focus on financial inclusion and socio-economic development in Sabah. Also present were SCC Chairman Datuk Seri Dr Yee Moh Chai and Deputy Chairman Datuk Surinam Sadikum. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Gulf Today
4 days ago
- Politics
- Gulf Today
SCC approves draft law regulating court fees
The Sharjah Consultative Council (SCC) has approved the draft law regulating court fees in the emirate. The decision was made during its sixteenth session, held at the SCC headquarters as part of the second ordinary term of the eleventh legislative chapter. The session began with the approval of the minutes from the fifteenth session, followed by discussions on the draft law and the accompanying report submitted by the Legislative and Legal Affairs, Appeals, Suggestions and Complaints Committee, based on detailed studies and specialised meetings. In attendance were Sheikh Faisal Bin Ali Bin Abdullah Al Mualla, Secretary-General of the Judicial Council in Sharjah; Dr Issa Saif Bin Handal, Director of the Legal Department of the Government of Sharjah; Aisha Mohammed Hazeem Al Suwaidi, Director of Legislation; and Houria Mohammed Al Khayal, Director of Government Legal Services at the same department. Ahmed Saeed Al Jarwan, Secretary-General of the SCC, noted that the draft law was referred to the council on May 15 by the Executive Council's General Secretariat. In line with Article 71 of the SCC's internal regulations, it was assigned to the legal committee for study and input. Al Jarwan explained that each article of the draft law would be reviewed individually, with comments considered and amendments applied where necessary, guided by a comparative table. Addressing the council, Dr Issa Saif Bin Handal praised the council's engagement and underlined the law's role in supporting Sharjah's integrated judicial system. He stated that the draft complements the Judicial Authority Law, which came into effect on June 1, establishing an independent judicial authority alongside the emirate's existing executive and legislative bodies. This aligns with the vision of His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, to safeguard judicial independence and uphold the rule of law. Dr Handal added that the law regulates court fee structures, covering collection procedures, exemptions and financial mechanisms. It aims to balance judicial efficiency with social and economic considerations, ensuring access to high-quality services. Mohammed Saleh Al Ali, member of the committee, presented the report, which reviewed the legal provisions, assessed financial implications and affirmed the law's alignment with existing legislation. The report confirmed that the law would enhance transparency, streamline financial procedures and reinforce the relationship between litigants and the judiciary. Mohammed Ali Jaber Al Hammadi, Chairman of the committee, provided clarifications on the proposed amendments intended to enhance the draft law. Council members engaged in a detailed discussion, offering observations and suggestions on legal and procedural issues. Topics included linking fees to case types, developing efficient collection tools and ensuring mechanisms that minimise the burden on litigants. The council reviewed and approved the law's provisions covering all types of claims, documentation fees, electronic payment systems, and exemptions and refunds. At the close of the session, Al Jarwan announced that the next and final session of the term will be held on Thursday, June 19, 2025. The council will review its recommendations on the Sharjah International Airport Authority and discuss the dissolution decree for the current session. Recently, the SCC approved a draft law regulating the judicial authority in Sharjah, during its twelfth session held at its headquarters in Sharjah. The session took place as part of the Council's second ordinary session of the eleventh legislative term. Following approval of the minutes of the eleventh session, the Council proceeded to review the draft law and the accompanying report from the Legal and Legislative Affairs, Appeals, Suggestions, and Complaints Committee. Dr Mansour Mohammed Bin Nassar, Member of the Executive Council and Head of the Legal Department of the Government of Sharjah expressed appreciation for the Consultative Council's role in the legislative process. He praised members for their professional approach in reviewing the draft law, which aims to enhance the emirate's judicial framework. WAM
BBC News
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Library celebrates completion of 'extensive' refurbishment
A Surrey library is set to hold a week of events to celebrate completing an "extensive" refurbishment. Epsom Library will hold face painting and yoga sessions and author talks, alongside regular activities such as Rhymetime, Storytime, digital support and craft groups, from 16 to 21 County Council (SCC) said the "transformed" library now has "a fully flexible layout with space for events and performances, improved furniture, increased study space, and two flexible-use meeting rooms."New Super Access technology, enabling members to access the library during extended opening hours on top of existing hours, has also been introduced, the local authority added. Councillor Denise Turner Stewart, SCC deputy leader, said: "We know that our library hubs are the heart of our thriving and bustling communities.""Every effort has been made to ensure that this investment delivers the essential services, facilities, and event, work, study and socialising spaces that our local residents need and want." SCC said the refurbishment was part of the first phase of a programme to modernise the county's libraries.
