THINGS ARE DIFFERENT
IN BELLE ISLE
The Belle Isle Tenant Management Organisation, B.I.T.M.O. for short, is the largest Tenant Management Organisation outside London.
In Leeds, the management of most council houses is the responsibility of the Arms Length Management Organisations, ALMOs, with one exception, Belle Isle. In 2004, the estate was balloted to find out whether tenants wanted Belle Isle to be a Tenant Management Organisation, where tenants have the opportunity to have their say how their estate is managed. The answer was a very definite YES. In September 2009 tenant were again given the chnce to vote on the whether BITMO continued to manage the estate. 91% of those tenants who voted said YES again.
B.I.T.M.O. manages all the housing services like repairs, improvements to properties, environmental issues and anti social behaviour. Regular meetings are held or attended by staff and Board members to discuss issues, make decisions and communicate with other agencies such as the police, gas services and refuse collection. But there are certain things that B.I.T.M.O. have no control over, such as rent charges and how houses are allocated through the Choice Based Lettings system.
The Board is made up of eleven tenants, co-optees and lease holders, as well as two local councillors. Anyone living in a house managed by B.I.T.M.O, who is over 18 can become a shareholder of the company. This involves paying a one off fee of 10 pence and allows the shareholder to attend the Annual General Meetings, giving them the opportunity to vote or be voted onto the Board.
One of the major advantages for tenants here in Belle Isle is that they can come to the office in Aberfield Gate and actually speak face to face either with a member of staff or Board member regarding queries, complaints or advice. Board members hold surgeries for tenants so that issues can be raised with them at the Aberfield Gate Office on a regular basis.
Although BITMO fought hard to keep cash collection for rent payments, here at the local office, unfortunately it was not possible due to the high cost involved with the necessary upgrade of the system. A lot of work has been done to make tenants aware of the various other ways available to pay your rent and a major step forward was made with the opening of a Credit Union branch in March 07 at the refurbished former housing office on Broom Crescent. This is a great facility for people in Belle Isle, offering current accounts, savings accounts and loans, and also an opportunity to pay bills and your rent there.
If you would like to know more about B.I.T.M.O. or if you are interested in becoming a share holder or Board member, please ring Lynne in the Board and Community team on 0113 214 1833.