The Otago Regional Council is set to get a new chair today after Andrew Noone said he was no longer the best person for the job.
The council is expected to vote on a new chair and deputy at the inaugural meeting this morning in Dunedin.
"No, I won"t be putting my name forward again.
"I don"t think I"ll be the best person for the job,"" he said.
Instead, he would support two returning councillors.
Cr Noone said it had been a difficult term for the council, and he believed an array of central government reform and rising expectations would not ease pressure on the future chair.
Over the past three years council had undergone a series of investigations, departures, setbacks and scrutiny.
One challenge new councillors would face was the results of a much-awaited report set to inform a decision on water take limits for the Manuherikia River.
The new council would need to stay focused on the core elements of policy planning, public transport and environmental outcomes, Cr Noone said.
"With a new triennium, and a new council, I think having a different person at the helm with a fresh perspective will be good.""
He believed Cr Malcolm had an understanding of how the organisation operated, and would know where the council"s focus would need to be in the future.
Similarly, Cr Robertson would bring a wealth of knowledge and had a greater understanding of science, he said
Returning councillor Michael Laws said he would also be backing Crs Robertson and Malcolm.
However, Cr Laws said the council should consider a different approach to the chair"s role.
The council should explore the possibility of two candidates becoming co-chairs — but he would also like to see the same faces in the top job.
"The two people who most merit consideration would be Kevin Malcolm and Gretchen Robertson,"" Cr Laws said.
Cr Robertson and Cr Malcolm could not be reached for comment.
