Welcome to my first RIAMS Unpacked where I’ll give you a quick update on what’s new, what’s been reviewed and anything significant that has come across my desk in the world of environmental health. 

This year has seen several new local authorities join RIAMS, taking us to over 200 that make use of our library resources. And we’ve launched our first Renters’ Rights Bill documents and guidance (see links below), the first of many more to come. 

Communities has also welcomed a further 200 users to our discussion boards since December as networking and peer-to-peer support grows and grows. We’ve listened to you, our users, and over the coming months we will be making some refinements to RIAMS to optimise performance and ensure the platform better meets your needs.

Legal and regulatory insights

• The Renters’ Rights Bill has been scheduled for the next stage of the parliamentary process, on 22 April, when it will go to the committee stage in the House of Lords. Expect a lot of chatter and proposed amendments. 

• The Animal Welfare (Primate Licences) (England) Regulations 2024 introduces the requirement to have a licence from 6 April 2026, when enforcement provisions come in.  

• The Crime and Policing Bill is at the committee stage in the House of Commons 

• Government consultation is live on implementation of the licensing regime and specified standards for supported accommodation in England through the Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Act 2023. 

• The Special Procedures Licensing Scheme for Wales came into force on 29 November 2024, and the transition period for applications to be submitted ended on 28 February 2025. The public register is live and starting to be populated.   

What’s New on RIAMS Libraries?  

One hundred and sixteen procedures have been reviewed during March, as well as some of our notices, forms and national guidance documents across England, Northern Ireland and Wales. We’ve added a new procedure on the Renters’ Rights Act 2025, a new notice template for the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regs, a whistleblowing procedure for Northern Ireland and new national guidance for pavement licensing and bracken management. 

New e-learning has been published on the Renters’ Rights Bill. As with the procedure, our intention is to keep a close eye on any developments and evolve this information as necessary. Another course, pavement licensing in England, is in the pipeline and set to follow shortly.  

I have just sent out the next batch of reviews to our team of specialist authors for the coming quarter across all subject areas, for updating and checking for accuracy, in line with best practice. Of note to our Northern Ireland subscribers is that we are busy making progress on consumer protection and health and safety updates.  

What’s New on RIAMS Communities? 

We have seen healthy peer-to-peer discussions around private water supplies, housing, environmental protection, noise and enforcement over the last few weeks. 

Our feature – Question of the Month, by Tim Everett – launched this year, tackling some of our more challenging yet common queries. Please continue to send me your questions for Tim ([email protected]). 

I have just heard the fantastic news that Operation Jigsaw is going to be funded for a further 12 months to continue to support local authorities and housing professionals across England. RIAMS Communities stays committed to supporting professionals and all groups that have been set up to facilitate regional forums will carry on enabling collaboration and networking. 

Stay engaged, stay informed – upcoming events and training

• 22 April – Housing Roundtable with Al Mcclenahan from Justice for Tenants

• 29/30 April – Environmental Noise Control and Sound Management at Outdoor Music Events 13 May – Public Health Act Funerals 

• 13 May – Effective Management and Case Resolution Using The Noise App  

RHE Global supports environmental health practitioners across all specialisms to work smarter, network and share good practice. Visit RIAMS to keep up to date with the latest environmental health developments and discussions.