MSB sponsors CIH Housing Conference 2022

I am delighted as Head of Social Housing & Regeneration at MSB Solicitors that we will be sponsoring and chairing two fantastic sessions on the Knowledge Stage at Housing 2022. Responding to climate change is everyone’s responsibility and housing providers have stewardship of redeveloping and building the sustainable communities of the future.

We understand that for our clients as well as the amazing opportunities ahead, there are going to be challenges to navigate in achieving their Net Zero goals. In addition, the charter for social housing residents: social housing white paper, outlines that all residents have the right to have a good quality home and neighbourhood to live in.

Every customer, home and estate is different and a one-size fits all approach simply will not work. Our sessions are designed to stimulate discussion amongst the sector as to the sound management in achieving.

Our first session chaired by Partner Andy Moore and will discuss the important role that Green Spaces play in both building better communities and how to best approach the issues with anti-social behaviour that they can create. Andy is joined by Rebecca Bryant OBE Chief Executive of Resolve Anti-Social Behaviour and Inspector Andy Baker the Deputy Anti-Social Behaviour Lead at Cheshire Constabulary.

There are obvious benefits to communities and the environment owing to decarbonisation and the physical and mental health benefits to those in the local area. Green spaces also represent an opportunity for local and cost-effective restorative justice and community payback programmes and diversionary activities that are created with spaces to prevent people, particular younger people, from becoming involved in crime and anti-social behaviour in the first place.

Green spaces do however present unique challenges. Aside from the anticipated anti-social behaviour arising out of littering, dog fouling, drinking and taking drugs etc, green spaces have been the location of choice for more serious organised crime and the tragic recent high-profile murders of Sabina Nessa, Bibaa Henry and Nicole Smallman.

We will consider the good management of green spaces from design and maintenance, policies and procedures and partnership working. We will also look at some of the legal remedies available to stakeholders under the Anti-Social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014 including Public Spaces Protection Orders and Injunctions.

Our second session chaired by Senior Associate Andrew Fairman aims to approach and discuss the important role of tenants in the Net Zero Challenge. Andrew is joined by Steve Ellard, Director of Assets and Sustainability at Yorkshire Housing and Sarah Davies of Professional Service Director at Pennington Choices & a Board Member of an RP.

Even with the best laid plans, no Housing Association can be successful in moving towards a net zero target without taking their tenants on the journey with them. Getting this approach right and achieving a collective buy in as a whole organisation including tenants is an absolute must.

We will discuss the most important elements of this, considering education on decarbonisation, technical difficulties of implementation and the legal hurdles in achieving this. We will look to provide some answers to assist those looking to set strong foundations now.

I look forward to collaborating with as many of you as possible before Housing 2022 and sharing in the insightful conversations.

Louise Murphy

Head Social Housing MSB