Bemerton residents vote to adopt new estate management responsibilities

With over 700 homes, the Bemerton estate's TMO is the largest in Islington

Over a hundred Bemerton residents turned out last night (September 27^th) for the AGM of the estate’s Tenant Management Organisation (“BVMO”).

They marked the tenth anniversary of the TMO’s establishment by voting unanimously to transfer a range of further service responsibilities to the TMO from the Council’s home management organisation, Homes for Islington (“HfI”). These include communal heating, lumber collection, estate parking and estate lighting.

The TMO already manages a wide range of estate services – like caretaking, refurbishing void properties and lift maintenance. In return, the Council (through HfI) provides an annual grant to the TMO. As the TMO takes-on new services, HfI increases the amount of grant given to the TMO. This way, more of the rents and service charges stay within the estate’s control.

Over the past 3 years, the local ward Councillors have encouraged and assisted the TMO to take-on new services from HfI. The TMO is the largest of its kind in Islington and has built-up a solid record of estate management.

But the TMO does more than simply manage the estate and its services. BVMO has adopted the strapline “improving the quality of life on the Bemerton” and this reflects residents’ desire to see their TMO deal with many aspects of life on the estate: anti-social behaviour, improving the general environment and helping young unemployed residents get into work.

The TMO is also the host body for the new Ward Partnership “Team Cally”. BVMO employs the Neighbourhood Coordinator for the area and played a big role in running the annual Cally Festival this year.

Cllr Paul Convery says “the residents have given the TMO a big vote of confidence this year. Last night’s AGM had an exceptionally upbeat atmosphere and was undoubtedly the most successful that I have attended. As local councillors we are doing whatever we can to support greater self management to the Bemerton.”