STRATHBOGIE Shire Council interim CEO Tim Tamlin says it is still too early to decide whether he will apply to stay on as a longer-term CEO, as he turns his focus to delivering a transition program to induct the new councillors.

“People in the community ask me all the time, ‘come on, are you going to put in, Tim?’ I say it's a bit early to tell,” he said.

“Honestly, I wouldn't put in if the councillor group wanted a different skillset.

“They might have a certain view of where they want to take this community, and they might need a specific type of skillset to do that, which might not be [the one] I have.

“There's lots of consideration to do; I've got my own family stuff to consider.

“They say that the selection of the CEO is the most important thing a council does.”

The interim CEO has proved popular with community members since beginning the role in July.

Mr Tamlin said he would need to excuse himself from assisting councillors with the CEO recruitment process if he decides to apply, because that would present a conflict of interest.

But he reiterated he is not ready to commit to a decision.

“The idea is to have somebody available to step into the role around about June, July… before my contract ends,” he said.

The recruitment of a CEO, a significant early task for the new team of councillors, is one of the topics to be discussed in what Mr Tamlin has described as a “comprehensive transition program” for the councillors.

The program includes full-day mandatory training sessions to be delivered by the Victorian Local Governance Association in November and December, which will cover topics such as the role of the mayor and deputy mayor, and building an effective council team.

Mr Tamlin has also set aside days for more general discussions with the team.

“I’ll be asking the councillors, ‘Are you happy with the program we've put together? Is there anything you want to tweak? Make it your own’,” he said

“It’s their program.

“I want them to have buy-in to … the transition program.”

Councillors will be sworn in on Tuesday, November 12 and will elect a mayor and deputy mayor on Tuesday, November 17.

“My role is to support the mayor and the councilors,” Mr Tamlin said.

“That's the first thing and that's what I'm here to do.

“Having a really comprehensive program is very important to make sure that they feel supported and that they have a say in this.”