Chairman of Romsey District Scout Council, John Stevens, has announced that he will be standing down next year.

“I had planned to make this announcement at our AGM on June 29, 2013, but because of future planning and other issues, I think it better if I share my future plans with you all now,” he said in an email to Scout leaders “I have agreed to remain as chairman for 2013-14, but on June 28 2014, at the AGM, I will be standing down as chairman of Romsey District Scout Council.”

No successor has been announced, but Mr Stevens, who has been in the post since 2007, said it was hoped to identify a new chairman by the end of 2013 to ensure a smooth handover.

Mr Stevens, who will be 60 next month, commented: “Personally, I think that it should be a younger person, as we have a young president and district commissioner (DC).

“In over 100 years there have been two female DCs, but there has never been a female chair and I think it is time that changed.”