Hello!
We hope you are keeping safe and well during this cold weather. You can listen to this email by clicking here.
Inside this email:
- What to do during colder weather
- Need tools to look after your garden?
- Belle Isle Fruit Tree Proposal – visit the site on 18 January
- Thinking about going to university as an adult?
- Condensation in your home
- Does tenant management matter to you?
What to do during colder weather
Freezing temperatures often lead to a spike in our emergency repairs service and longer times for us to respond. It’s important that you report repairs to us straight away so we can fix the issue before it gets worse. Extreme weather does cause some limitations to our emergency repairs service; understanding this can help you prepare better and avoid unnecessary damage to your home or possessions.
- Our roofers can’t go on roofs in the dark, when it’s raining or snowing, or when it’s windy. If you have a roof leak in these conditions, please move any items that might get damaged straight away and place a container underneath to catch the water.
- You still need to report the roof leak to us straight away, but we will raise an urgent repair order and not an emergency.
- Telephone us immediately to report an emergency repair if a leak is affecting your electrics. Don’t use the fitting until it has been checked and confirmed safe.
- We don’t attend emergency repairs for leaking windows or doors when it’s raining. Place towels down to control the leak, or a container if possible. We will raise an urgent order to inspect and repair the issue. You can report this to us by phone, during normal office hours, or via our website.
Please prepare well in case of any emergency, such as a leak, no power, or no heating:
• Know where your water stop tap is and check that you can close it, so that you can cut off the water if there’s a leak. If you don't know where it is, or if it doesn't close call BITMO on 0113 378 2188.
• Have some essentials to hand, to help stay comfortable in the event of an emergency, like a bucket (in case of any leak), blankets, a hot water bottle and torch
Visit the Northern Powergrid website for important advice on what to do before, during and after a power cut.
BITMO’s Board has opened a Winter Warmth Fund again this winter. The Board understand the cost of living crisis that is affecting many people and have allocated money from their budget to pay for goods that can help you and your family keep warm this winter. If you have not had any support yet this winter or in 2023, please apply using this link and tell your neighbours about it if you think they could benefit.
You can borrow gardening and some other tools from BITMO. We have got tools to cut the grass, bushes and hedges and to dig your garden. We have also got step ladders and …
You can borrow the tools for 1 or 2 weeks. Come and see all the tools we have and talk about borrowing them at BITMO’s GATE on Saturday 18 January from 1-4pm or call Tracey on 07891 270094. You can see a full list of the tools here.
If you want to learn more about gardening, you can join the groups at the West Grange Community Garden or the Belle Isle Community Orchard. You can find out more about these groups at the GATE on Saturday 18 January 1-4pm or call Jo on 07891 271692.
BITMO is working on a proposal from a small fruit tree growing co-op called Fruit Works to plant a fruit tree nursery on the unused site behind the shops on Belle Isle Parade. We are talking to residents in the surrounding streets and shopkeepers and there is big support for the plan. The site would be secure and the trees would never grow large as they will be dug up and sold or possibly given away free when they are 1-2 years old. You can read more about the project here.
Or visit the site to see it yourself and talk to BITMO and Fruit Works on Saturday 18 January between 11am and 12pm. The entrance is between the post office and Andy’s barber’s.
Have you ever thought about studying at university as an adult? The University of Leeds have a team that give advice and run short starter courses where you can find out more or get ready to study. You can read more about it here.
During the colder months it’s normal to come across condensation in your home, but if left it can become a problem. You can help prevent damp and mould by ensuring your home is properly heated, keeping it well ventilated, (if you’re cooking or washing) and wiping away condensation from surfaces and windows.
Follow this three-step approach from Leeds City Council to reduce further issues arising from damp and mould.
At the last tenant ballot in September 2024 over half of the people who live in Belle Isle didn’t vote. We want to understand why, and what we can do to encourage more people to vote in the next ballot in 2029. We believe that tenant management delivers a much better service for the community of Belle Isle and we want to make sure as many people as possible are aware of the difference tenant management makes.
If you didn’t vote, you will be getting a recorded call from us. We would be grateful if you could listen to the questions and respond using the numbers on your phone. We need your input to help us to encourage more people to vote because if people don’t vote for BITMO in 2029, Leeds City Council will take over the management of the estate.
Keep up-to-date with BITMO services and local news by visiting the BITMO Facebook Page and the BITMO website.
Belle Isle TMO works in partnership with Leeds City Council to serve the residents of Belle Isle estate.
Belle Isle Tenant Management Organisation Limited Registered under the Co-operative and Communities Benefit Societies Act No.29817R. Registered Office: Aberfield Gate, Belle Isle, Leeds, LS10 3QH
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