Casual vacancies within the Borough

Casual vacancies

If a councillor leaves their seat during the course of their term, a casual vacancy will occur. This may happen because a councillor has resigned, become disqualified (or ceased to be qualified), due to a failure to take up office, or passed away.

The rules for casual vacancies are different depending on whether the seat is for a district or county council, or for a parish council, however, a Notice of Vacancy will be displayed to advertise the vacancy.

There are currently no vacancies within the borough.

By-elections

If an election is called following a vacancy notice being displayed, a by-election will be held. The date of the by-election will be set within the required timescales, and will be advertised via an election notice - which marks the start of the election process.

How to request an election

District and county council

When a Councillor's seat becomes vacant, a vacancy notice will be displayed to advertise that vacancy.

The notice will explain that an election can be called by written request. This request needs to be made by two electors from the authority's area, and addressed to the Council's Proper Officer.

If an election is then called, it must be held within 35 days of that request. However - as an exception - when a vacancy is created within six months of the next scheduled elections date, the vacancy will be carried over to these elections. The seat will remain vacant during that time and no by-election will be held.

Parish council

When a Councillor's seat becomes vacant, the town or parish clerk will display a vacancy notice, in the parish's area, to advertise that vacancy.

The notice will explain that an election can be called by written request. This request needs to be made by ten electors from the parish area and within 14 working days of the date of the notice, and addressed to the Returning Officer.

If an election is then called, it must be held within 60 days of the notice. If no request is received, then the parish council may choose to appoint someone by co-option into the vacant seat.

The vacancy notice must run its course before the town or parish council has the opportunity to co-opt a new Councillor. This gives the parish electors a chance to call an election, should they want to.

When a vacancy is created within six months of the next scheduled elections date, the vacancy will be carried over to these elections and no election will be held. The seat may remain vacant until it is filled at the next scheduled elections, or the Council may appoint someone by co-option.

Make a written request

If you would like to request that an election be held to fill a vacancy, please email the Returning Officer at [email protected] by the specified deadline.

Please be aware that - under Section 228 of the Local Government Act 1972 - the names of those who have called for an election are subject to public inspection. If you are canvassing for people to call for an election, please make them aware that - if they do support the election request - their name will be subject to public inspection.