Photo: Jeremy Morton
BITMO (Belle Isle Tenant Management Organisation) has recently taken the old Belle Isle library and turned it into a community facility. Last Thursday, 26 September, was its first booking as it hosted the organisation’s Annual General Meeting.
The guest speaker was Pat McGeever, Chief Executive at local charity Health For All. She talked about how BITMO’s investment in the new building made a statement:
“It says to the residents of Belle Isle – you’re worth it.”
She went on to describe the “tough times” we are living in and how they stop people living happy, healthy and fulfilled lives. She said people should be the first consideration when decisions were being taken. She finished by congratulating all the volunteers in the room who help to run BITMO
“Volunteering is good for you. It helps your social life and your mental health. New research shows it even makes you live longer!”
The meeting dealt with the formal business of the annual accounts and report. BITMO is a tenant-managed landlord with a £3m turnover and looking over 2,000 properties. Amongst the statistics in the last year they relayed 1 km of unsafe pavements, opened two sheltered housing community rooms, completed 37 major adaptations for tenants with disabilities … and 82 tenants cleared up their untidy garden after a chat with BITMO staff.
In concluding her report, Chair Christine Shepherd said she was proud to be involved with BITMO and she looked forward to a challenging year ahead. 2014 will be the 10th anniversary of BITMO in its current form and tenants will be balloted on whether they should continue, or revert to Leeds City Council.
Great to hear of BITMO’s continued work with housing being managed by local people.
It would be great to hear more as to how BITMO staff persuaded 82 tenants to tidy up their gardens and see if there are things we can do in other parts of south Leeds.