Bob Smytherman has been a committee member of the FPRA for over 15 years and became Hon Chairman in 2008.
He is currently a director of his own residents’ association and has been since 1992, taking over as chairman in 1995 and was instrumental in removing a number of ineffective managing agents and along with his fellow RMC Directors has self-managed the Worthing estate since 2001 saving on agent’s fees, which has enabled them to spend more on the block itself.
Bob was also responsible for challenging the RMC lease with the freeholder on building insurance and as a result they are now free to purchase their own policy. Their residents’ association is formally recognised 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.
Bob was first elected to Worthing Borough Council in 2002, and served as the Cabinet Member with responsibility for Planning and Economic Development during 2003/4 and spent 12 years as a West Sussex County Councillor before retiring in 2021 to spend more time on Leasehold Reform.
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 is worked with the Home Office on the new regulations and changes to the fire safety legislation introduced in 2023.
Bob has represented the FPRA on various working groups such as Fire Safety & Building Safety in blocks of flats and gave evidence to the Leasehold & Freehold Bill committee.
Bob is a member of the Commonhold Council and acts as a sounding board for Civil Servants working on policies that affect resident -run management companies.
Bob can be contacted personally by e-mail at Bob@fpra.org.uk.