Bob Smytherman has been a committee member of the FPRA for five years and become Chairman during 2008 following the resignation of Muriel Guest-Smith after many years at the helm.

Bob is currently a director of his own residents’ association and has been since 1992, taking over as chairman in 1995.

Bob was instrumental in removing a number of ineffective managing agents and now self- manages the estate as a committee, saving on agent’s fees, which has enabled them to spend more on the estate itself.

He was also responsible for challenging the RMC lease with the freeholder on insurance and as a result they are now free to purchase their own policy. Their residents’ association has become formally recognised in recent years by the local authorities for consultations by West Sussex County Council and the Borough council as well as other public organisations and includes being a statutory consultee for Licensing and Planning applications.

Most recently representing the residents association on the new neighbourhood policing panel.

In addition Bob has been a Worthing Borough Councillor since being elected in 2002 and served as the Cabinet Member with responsibility for Planning and Economic Development during 2003/4. He brings with him experience of a medium-sized block adding to the diversity of the committee’s experience and advises members on Local Government issues as well as Health and Safety and the new fire safety laws.

Bob represents the FPRA on the Housing expert group advising Digital UK on the issues faced by members during the role out of 'digital switchover'.

Bob can be contacted personally by e-mail at Bob@fpra.org.uk