From now on, we will be changing the way we deliver business updates, industry information, important legislative updates and so on.
After this issue, we will be sharing more frequent alerts and information briefs throughout the month, and issuing shorter quarterly newsletters regarding
This is so that we can improve the visibility of our content, you can read what’s relevant to you, and follow a smoother process where content is easier to digest and topics are split up into relevance.
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NEWS
Mytime Active is one of the first leisure operators in the country to be awarded The Active Standard, demonstrating its commitment to ensuring quality, safety and inclusivity for customers and staff at its facilities across Birmingham!
Read the full story HERE
SPSF Update
Our SPSF (Sport England Support Fund) audits review the management, culture and awareness of the local authority, organisation, management and frontline staff. It reviews the commitment and understanding to work towards a carbon-neutral sector.
The audit is scored and is completed over one day per centre. The report is sent to you as a pdf and results are available on our RD Dash (portal) where benchmarking can be made against over 250 Local Authorities.
We have been delivering SPSF audits since September 2024 and have carried out over 140 assessments at a huge variety of pools, from big wet and dry contractor managed to small community summer only outdoor pools.
WellNation has released its first issue of 2025, and we are pleased to have been featured!
Turn to page 28 for Longwell Green Active Lifestyle Centre’s ‘Long-term Success’ - talking about their success across Quest, particularly in the Customer Journey module, and their long-term commitment to improvement.
Average lowest scoring (below 50%): Pools not having discharge consent, not having waste management policies, in particular single use plastics and not sharing successes with stakeholders and lux levels not being monitored / managed
Average highest scoring (above 80%): Hazardous waste management processes are in place and adhered to and planned preventative maintenance schedules are well managed.
Key learning outcomes
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SPSF
audits
Environmental good practice can reduce utility consumption as well as help facilities to be more sustainable. Make sure you have environment on your agenda and that processes / training and reviewing are in place. If environmental management is kept at the forefront of staff’s minds, it will one of facilities biggest annual spend.
AFFF Foam Extinguishers
The use of AFFF foam extinguishers will be completely phased out this year (July 25) and whilst there is no need for any immediate action, here is what you need to know.
What are AFFF extinguishers?
AFFF stands for Aqueous Film
Forming Foam, a previously common type of foam fire extinguisher designed for use against class A fires (solid combustibles such as paper, wood and textiles) and certain class B fires (diesel, petrol and paint). They work by creating a foam barrier which extinguishes the fire by depriving it of oxygen; this can also help prevent re-ignition.
Why are they being phased out?
One of the chemicals that helps the foam spread and form a barrier is perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). This is one of a group of man-made chemicals known as PFAs, or perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, which are the subject of growing environmental and health concerns. They have been la-
belled ‘forever chemicals’ as they do not break down easily in the environment, and have been linked to some health issues.
What has replaced the AFFF extinguishers?
Most foam fire extinguishers now will use ‘C6’ film-forming fluoroprotein (FFFP). The main agents contain telomer-based foams which do not contain or break down into any chemicals currently listed as persistent organic pollutants (POPs).
How can you ensure you are compliant?
Your supplier may have already stopped sourcing AFFF extinguishers to supply you and already started swapping out AFFF extinguishers with other alternatives at the time of the AFFF extinguisher replacement date.
Contact your fire extinguisher servicing provider/engineers to check you have the correct extinguishers in place.
Simpler Recycling Policy
By 31st March 2025, all businesses and relevant non-domestic premises with 10 or more full-time employees must separate plastic, paper and card, glass, metals (cans, tins and foil) and food waste from general waste.
Simpler Recycling will help to end the confusion and “Postcode Lottery” of what can and can’t be recycled in different places and settings. The legislations will help businesses and households recycle more and achieve the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affair’s (DEFRA) recycling target of 65%.
Who Will This Affect
All businesses, households and non-domestics premises will be affected in time with a phased approach detailed in the table below.
Timeline
The implementation timelines for Simpler Recycling are as previously announced by the Government.
What Recycling Streams Do I Need?
As well as non-recyclable waste the following three key waste streams have been
Dry Recyclable Materials (plastic metal, glass) Paper & Card Food Waste (mixed with Garden Waste if appropriate)
Councils and other waste collectors will still have the flexibility to make the best choices to suit local needs.
How To Comply with the Regulations
What Waste are you Producing?
Carry Out a Waste Audit. Trial segregating your waste for a short period and track the volume of each waste stream you produce. You could do this through weighing each bag or taking photos.
You can then share this with your waste contractor to aid in ensuring you have the correct containers available.
Getting Set Up
Ensure you are ready for the change:
• Label containers correctly –ensure signage is bold and clear to help customers and staff easily identify the correct container to use.
• Ensure you align your containers inside the building with those outside which are collected.
• Consider where different types of waste are produced and locate bins strategically, e.g. ensure a recycling bin is available near a vending machine where the contents sold are recyclable.
Communicate the changes clearly to your team and get them on board, many hands make light work and if the whole team is working towards a single goal it will be much easier.
Train the Team
Ensure your team are up to date with Environmental Management and Awareness.
Right Directions CIMSPA Accredited On Demand Training Environmental Culture, Awareness and Management Course for either Frontline Staff or Managers is available via our website.
These guidance notes have been produced by Right Directions in partnership with CIMSPA.
For more information on Active and Reactive Monitoring, please email Right Directions: info@rightdirections.co.uk or give us a call for a chat: (01582) 840098
Key Changes Coming Into Force in 2025
• Increases to National Minimum Wage
• Increases to Statutory Sick Pay and Other Benefits
• The Neonatal Care (Leave and Pay) Act 2023 - will be a ‘day one’ right for employees whose babies are admitted into hospital for medical or palliative care of at least seven consecutive days, within the first 28 days of birth. Expected to come into effect April 2025.
Other changes to expect:
Draft Equality (Race and Disability) Bill
The Government, as highlighted in the King’s Speech in July 2024, has plans to introduce a draft Equality (Race and Disability) Bill. This proposed legislation aims to establish equal pay rights for ethnic minorities and disabled individuals, simplifying the process for bringing forward pay discrimination claims. Additionally, it will require employers with 250 or more staff to report on their ethnicity and disability pay gaps.
The draft Bill is anticipated to be published at some point in 2025. However, it is likely to undergo extensive consultation, meaning its progression will be slower compared to the Employment Rights Bill.
Right to Disconnect
As part of the Government’s “Plan to Make Work Pay,” a new “right to switch off” is being considered. This initiative would grant employees the right to disconnect from work-related communications outside of their working hours, except in
exceptional circumstances. This proposal has not been included in the Employment Rights Bill. Instead, the Government has announced plans to implement this right via a new Statutory Code of Practice. While the timeline remains unclear, a consultation on the new Code is expected to take place in 2025.
Martyn’s LawTerrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill – Second Reading Update
The Government is working on a new law to help protect public places from terrorism. On 7 January 2025, this law had its second big debate in the House of Lords. It’s been in the works for seven years and has undergone many changes and discussions to make it fairer and easier to follow.
During the debate, some key points were raised: Support for Venues:
• Smaller or less-equipped venues might struggle to follow the new rules. The Government needs to explain what financial and practical help they’ll provide.
Making the Rules Fair:
• It’s important to ensure the new rules are enforced equally across the country.
Cybersecurity Concerns:
• The law should consider how to handle both physical and online threats to public spaces.
Other topics discussed included:
• Costs to Businesses:
• The Government has reduced the number of places that must follow these rules to keep costs reasonable. For example, smaller venues would pay around £330 per year, while bigger ones (in the “enhanced tier”) would pay about £5,210 per year— much less than earlier estimates.
• Guidance and Training:
• The Government will release clear instructions to help venues understand what they need to do. They’ll also recommend affordable training programs for staff.
• Enforcing the Rules:
• The Security Industry Authority (SIA) will check that venues follow the rules. They’ll have pow ers to visit venues, gather information, and make sure everything is being done properly.
• Future Ideas:
• Some people suggested designing new buildings to make them safer from terrorism. This isn’t part of this law, but it’s something the Government will look at later.
In short, this law is about keeping public places safer from terrorism, but it still needs some work to make sure it’s fair, clear, and not too expensive for businesses to follow.
In-person First Aid Courses
We are really pleased to say that across all of our courses delivered in 2024 (54 in total), we scored 98.16% satisfaction in our feedback!
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3-day Paediatric First Aid & First Aid at Work course
Ideal for staff working with both adults and children, in a first aider role.
By combining both qualifications in one session, staff gain a deeper understanding of specific types of first aid in a streamlined, efficient way.
Achieve two qualifications in one hit!
Mental Health First Aid Training
Have you considered first aid in terms of mental health? If a team member is struggling and finds the courage to open up to you, would you treat it with the same level of urgency?
Our Mental Health First Aid Training helps prevent crises from escalating by encouraging early intervention and appropriate support. MHFA training provides practical guidance on how to listen, respond, and signpost individuals to professional help.
