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District, Town and Parish Councillor Vacancies

A vacancy may arise on a District, Parish or Town Council for the following reasons:

  • Death
  • Disqualification
  • Resignation
  • Failure to take up office
  • Failure to attend meetings

Notice advertising a Parish Council vacancy

A public notice advertising the vacancy is displayed by the Parish Clerk for fourteen days excluding Saturdays, Sundays, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Good Friday, a bank Holiday or a day appointed for public thanksgiving or mourning.

If a request in writing is received from ten local government electors, included on the register at the time of the request for the said Parish, an election to fill the vacancy will be held within sixty days (excluding dies non) from the date the notice was published. If no such request is made, the vacancy will be filled through co-option by the Parish Council. For details of any vacancies available for co-option, contact the relevant Town or Parish Council.

If a vacancy occurs within six months of the scheduled Parish elections (held every four years) then an election would not be held unless the total number of unfilled vacancies exceeds one third of the total membership of the Parish Council

Current vacancy notices are shown in the Related Content. If an election is called further information is shown on the Upcoming Elections page in the 'In this section' menu