#ASB12 – Matt Baird returns as Chair – Super Early Bird now live and Summer School Now Open For Enrolment!
In this week’s edition:
- Matt Baird returns as Conference Chair for #ASB12
- Summer School sessions open for August
- Crime and Policing Bill reaches third reading
- Increased financial penalties for housing offences from May 2026
- Weekly round up
#ASB12 A New Dawn Conference Update: Chair Announcement
We are pleased to confirm that Matt Baird will be returning as Chair for this year’s conference.
Those who have attended previous events will know the role Matt plays in shaping the day. He brings a depth of sector insight, keeps conversations grounded in real practice and creates the space for honest, sometimes challenging, discussion.
At a time when the landscape around ASB continues to shift, this will be the ideal time to come together as a sector. This is not a conference built around theory. It is about what is actually happening in practice, and what that means for the decisions being made day to day.
Super Early Bird tickets for #ASB12 A New Dawn are now available, and we have already sold over 20% of spaces. Book early to avoid disappointment.
Summer School Now Open For Bookings
We are trialling something slightly different this summer! Across August, we will be running a series of bite size sessions focused on the core elements of ASB case management. Each session is 90 minutes, delivered online, and designed to be practical and easy to access during a busy period.
Dates: Wednesdays in August
5th, 12th, 19th and 26th
Time: 10:00 to 11:30
Cost: £50 plus VAT per session
The sessions will cover:
Triage and assessment – Understanding what is ASB and how to assess incoming reports to determine the nature and seriousness of the issue.
Managing expectations – Communicating clearly, setting realistic expectations and using tools such as action plans to provide clarity on what will happen and when.
Risk assessments – Taking a harm centred approach, identifying vulnerability and understanding how this should inform your response.
Investigations – Gathering information, conducting interviews and maintaining an impartial, unbiased approach.
These sessions are designed to give practitioners space to step back and focus on the fundamentals that underpin effective case management in a bitesize format perfect for for busy teams who need practical, focused input without committing to full day training.
Crime and Policing Bill reaches third reading
The Crime and Policing Bill reaches its third reading in the House of Lords on Wednesday 25 March.
This stage provides an opportunity for final scrutiny, allowing members to make small changes to ensure the legislation is effective, workable and free from unintended gaps.
The Bill itself is wide ranging. Alongside provisions relating to anti-social behaviour, it also covers areas including knife crime, violence against women and girls, theft, sexual offences and youth radicalisation.
At this stage, no further amendments have been tabled, but the debate provides an opportunity to reflect on how the Bill has evolved through its earlier stages and whether it is ready to move forward in its current form. We will continue to follow this closely as it moves towards implementation – follow us on our LinkedIn page for the hot off the press reaction to anything that gets announced.
The Financial Penalties (Housing Offences and Breach of Banning Orders) Regulations 2026 – Changes Announced From May
A change that will be relevant for those working in housing enforcement comes into force on 1 May 2026.
The Financial Penalties (Housing Offences and Breach of Banning Orders) Regulations 2026 increase the maximum penalty for certain housing offences and breaches of banning orders from £30,000 to £40,000.
This applies to enforcement action taken under:
- Housing Act 2004
- Housing and Planning Act 2016
While not directly linked to ASB, it sits within the wider enforcement landscape many teams are operating in, particularly where tenancy breaches, rogue landlord activity or wider housing management issues intersect with ASB.
The increase reflects a continued move towards stronger financial sanctions and reinforces expectations around robust, proportionate and well evidenced enforcement activity.
Find out more here.
Weekly round up
Work is continuing behind the scenes to shape this year’s conference, and much of what we are seeing across the sector is feeding directly into how the programme is developing.
The aim is to ensure the day reflects the realities of practice. That includes how legislative changes are being interpreted, how expectations are shifting and how decisions are being made and evidenced in increasingly complex environments.
As always, the focus is on creating space for informed, practical discussion rather than theory, bringing together perspectives from across housing, community safety and policing.
It has been great to see such a positive response to ticket sales already. If you are planning to attend, now is a good time to secure your place while Super Early Bird tickets are still available.
Have a great week,
Team G&B