2026

SL0327 - Public Swimming Provision - 240726

A local authority is seeking information on how local authorities provide public swimming facilities and the value they bring to residents and communities.

• Does the authority directly provide public swimming facilities? If not, how is provision delivered (e.g. leisure trust, private operator, community organisation, school partnership, etc.)?
• Where provision is delivered by a third party, does the authority provide any subsidy or financial support? If possible, please provide the approximate annual cost.
• Would the authority consider not offering any form of public swimming provision within its area? If not, what are the key reasons for maintaining the service?
• What benefits does the authority believe public swimming provision delivers (e.g. health and wellbeing, water safety, sport and physical activity, social value, community cohesion, reducing inequalities, etc.)?
• Are there any examples of alternative delivery models, good practice or lessons learned that could be shared?

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

SL0326 - Staff Behaviour Change to Reduce Energy Use in Council Buildings - 040626

A local authority is seeking examples of effective staff behaviour change initiatives to reduce energy use across council-owned buildings, particularly where staff have no direct financial incentive to save energy.

They would welcome brief examples of low-cost engagement approaches (e.g. campaigns, prompts, feedback, or recognition schemes) that have successfully improved behaviours such as switching off equipment, along with any key lessons learned.

SL0325 - Fitness Instructor Pay Rates – Request for Benchmarking Information - 280526

A member authority is undertaking a market appraisal to assess whether their Council’s fitness instructor pay rates are competitive.

They would welcome input on current rates of pay for fitness instructors within local authority settings, along with any relevant benchmarking data or approaches used.

Any insights or shared information would be greatly appreciated.

SL0324 - Hypochlorous Acid in Swimming Pools - 280526

A member authority is exploring the potential transition to a salt dosing system for swimming pools that produces hypochlorous acid (HOCL) as an alternative to sodium hypochlorite, with anticipated cost savings from removing HTH dosing.

They would welcome input from others using HOCL in swimming pool operations, including insights on implementation, performance, and overall benefits.

Any experiences or advice would be greatly appreciated.