The chairman of community discussion group the Bushey Forum has announced he is stepping down from its committee after 12 years.

Former local councillor Robert Gamble joined the forum in 1999 and has been involved in heading debates on local affairs and residents’ issues around the village ever since.

The 77-year-old Liberal Democrat says he will step down at this month’s meeting in the hope that the forum can take a new direction, attracting new members along the way.

He said: “There are various reasons for stepping aside but I feel now is the time to pass it on to someone else. It is time to bring in new faces. We really want local people to get involved and anything that can make that happen is a good thing.”

Along with his wife, fellow former councillor Anita, Mr Gamble says he will still attend the quarterly meetings, where residents can raise local issues.

One aspect Mr Gamble says he would like to see improved is the attendance of incumbent councillors.

He said: “More should be done to make sure they attend to listen to residents’ concerns and give them answers to their problems. I strongly believe the forum exists because there is no parish council and we scrutinise many areas where a parish council would otherwise get involved.

“It is somewhere where people can bring their worries and issues and share them to find a solution. I may be stepping down from the committee but I will still interfere from time to time”