Upcoming elections and referendums

Herefordshire Council casual vacancies

A Herefordshire Council vacancy may arise for a number of reasons, such as a councillor's resignation or extended non-attendance at meetings.

When a vacancy occurs, and we are notified of the vacancy, we arrange to advertise the vacancy until an election is requested.

The table below lists all current casual vacancies on Herefordshire Council, with the most recent at the top. A copy of the Notice of vacancy will be on display in the local area.

Parish councils casual vacancies

The table below lists all current casual vacancies on parish councils, with the most recent at the top. A copy of the Notice of vacancy will be on display in the local area.

There may be older vacancies not listed above that have been referred back to the parish or town council for co-option. For more information, please email elections@herefordshire.gov.uk

Why casual vacancies arise

A vacancy arises if the councillor:

• Resigns
• Dies
• Does not attend a parish council meeting for six months
• Does not sign their declaration of acceptance of office
• Ceases to be qualified or
• Is disqualified

The council or clerk of the parish or town council must tell Electoral Services as soon as possible if a vacancy occurs.

Each ward in Herefordshire has one seat. To find out the number of seats on each parish council see our parish council's directory.

How a ward vacancy is advertised

When any ward vacancy occurs, Electoral Services will be notified by Herefordshire Council.

Electoral Services will then publish a Notice of Vacancy which will be advertised in the local area.

Ward vacancies must be filled via an election and the vacancy will remain open until an election is requested.

How a parish vacancy is advertised

When any vacancy occurs, the parish clerk must notify Electoral Services at Herefordshire Council by completing our short online form:

Notify us of a casual vacancy

Electoral Services will check the information provided and send a Notice of Vacancy template to the parish clerk for completion. The parish or town council must then advertise this notice on parish noticeboards and their parish website (if they have one) for 14 working days. That period excludes bank holidays and weekends.

During that 14 working day period, electors can request an election.

How to request an election

Requests can either be recorded on the same document or can come separately. They can be made in writing, by phone or sent by email to elections@herefordshire.gov.uk

Written requests should be sent to Electoral Services, Town Hall, St Owen Street, Hereford, HR1 2PJ or emailed to elections@herefordshire.gov.uk

You must include the full name and address of the elector making the request so that their registration can be checked. If you request an election by phone or email please provide your full name and address. Only those people who are registered as local government electors within the relevant electoral area can request an election.

All requests are open to inspection by the public.

Requests cannot be submitted during the six month ruling.

Requesting a ward election

TWO registered electors must request a ward election. For convenience, electors can download and print the request for an election form to request an election for any ward casual vacancy listed in the table above.

If a request is submitted an election will be held within 35 days. The process will begin when the notice of election is published.

For more information on elections see the forthcoming elections page.

Requesting a parish election

TEN registered electors must request a parish election, and electors must contact the electoral services office within 14 working days of the date of the notice of vacancy. For convenience, electors can download and print the request for an election form to request an election for any parish casual vacancy listed in the table above.

If a request is submitted we will notify the parish clerk of the election date and the process will begin when the notice of election is published.

What happens if a parish election is not requested?

A parish election is only held if 10 people who are registered as local government electors in the relevant parish (or parish ward if applicable) ask for an election to be held.

If there are fewer than 10 electors or no one asks for an election then the council must co-opt a new member as soon as practicable.

There is no set way that a parish council must choose (co-opt) a new member but it is advisable for it to advertise for, interview and then vote a new member on to the council. Whatever the parish council does, it must use an open and transparent process.

Become a parish or town councillor

To become a parish or town councillor you will need to meet certain criteria, whether you are standing for election or putting yourself forward for co-option.

If you meet the criteria and a vacancy is available for co-option, please contact your parish or town clerk to express your interest. Details of these can be found on our parish council's directory.

If you meet the criteria and a vacancy is up for election, you can find all information, including how to request a nomination pack, on our forthcoming elections page.

Co-option paperwork (for parish clerks and parish councillors' use)

• Declaration of acceptance of office form
• Declaration of interest forms - 2023 version

The six month ruling

If a casual vacancy arises in the six months before the date existing councillors retire (four days after polling day for the next scheduled Local Government Elections), there will not be a separate election and the election for the vacancy is combined with the scheduled election. The council may co-opt someone to fill the seat for the months before the scheduled elections.

Herefordshire's next scheduled Local Government Elections will be held on Thursday 6 May 2027.