Council housing is Belle Isle is a bit different to rest of the city. Since the late 1980s it’s been managed by the tenants, first through the Belle Isle Estate Management Board and since 2004 by Belle Isle Tenant Management Organisation (BITMO).
The decision to be managed by BITMO rather the Council rests with the tenants. This month tenants will be asked once again to vote in a ballot, whether they want BITMO to continue managing their housing.
If tenants vote Yes, arrangements will carry on as at present. If tenants vote No, the housing will revert to Leeds City Council and be managed by Housing Leeds.
BITMO performs as high as any Leeds City Council team when it comes to repairs and rent collection, but it does that whilst putting the tenants first.
Being managed by BITMO means there is an office at the heart of the estate with staff you know; it means estate caretakers who carry out minor repairs and look after the estate; it means Financial Inclusion Officers who put £347,000 into the pockets of tenants last year.
The impact of the tenant led board is a greater focus on providing community services to the people of Belle Isle. That means free family activities every holidays and free food three days a week at the GATE centre; it means free help for children with English and Maths; it means a Community Fund that can help tenants who are struggling to buy household essentials.
Every BITMO tenant has a vote. Tenants have been sent voting papers and are urged to use their vote. Votes can be returned by post, at BITMO’s office on Aberfield Gate, LS10 3QH. Tenants can also use the security code on their ballot papers to vote by phone or online. The ballot closes at 5pm on Monday 23 September.
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