Current casual vacancies

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.

Ward Name of
outgoing councillor
Casual vacancy
reason
NOV published Outcome
Golden Valley South Peter Charles Jinman Death 20 June 2023 Election taking place on Thursday 26 October 2023

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.

Parish/parish ward & council Name of
outgoing councillor
Casual vacancy
reason
NOV
published
Last date to
request an election
Last date to hold
an election
Outcome

Hope Mansell Parish/Hope Mansell Parish Council

Richard Hibbard Resignation 24 November 2023 14 December 2023 20 February 2024  
Kilpeck Parish/Kilpeck Parish Council Beth Wood Resignation 23 November 2023 13 December 2023 19 February 2024  
Peterchurch Parish of Peterchurch Parish Council Estelle Louise Smith Resignation 20 November 2023 8 December 2023 21 February 2024  
Blakemere parish/Wyeside Group Parish Council Carol Chu Resignation 13 November 2023 1 December 2023 14 February 2024  
Bromyard & Winslow Parish / Bromyard & Winslow Town Council

Edward Brazier

Death 10 November 2023 30 November 2023 6 February 2024  
Eardisland Parish of Eardisland Parish Council Meredith Ellen Allbright Resignation 10 November 2023 30 November 2023 6 February 2024  

Belmont Rural Parish Council

Rachael Percival

Resignation 9 November 2023 29 November 2023 5 February 2024  

Allensmore Parish Council

Tracy Morriss

Death 8 November 2023 28 November 2023 2 February 2024  
Colwall Parish of Colwall Parish Council Roderick Edmund Lane Resignation 2 November 2023 22 November 2023 29 January 2024 Election on 11 January 2024
Staunton-on-Arrow Parish of Titley and District Group Parish Council Robert Francis Bennett Resignation 17 October 2023 6 November 2023 11 January 2024 Co-option
Aston Ingham Parish Council Julia Ann Askew Resignation 13 October 2023 2 November 2023 9 January 2024 Co-option
Abbeydore Parish of Abbeydore and Bacton Group Parish Council Toby Howard Latutin Murcott Death 9 October 2023 27 October 2023 3 January 2024 Co-option
Hope Mansell Parish of Hope Mansell Parish Council Ian Lewis Resignation 9 October 2023 27 October 2023 3 January 2024 Co-option
Madley Parish Council Marcia Joyce Hearne Resignation 9 October 2023 27 October 2023 3 January 2024 Co-option
Madley Parish Council Paul Brian Rigglesford Resignation 9 October 2023 27 October 2023 3 January 2024 Co-option
Moreton-on-Lugg Parish of Moreton-on-Lugg Parish Council Valerie Ann Javens Resignation 6 October 2023 26 October 2023 2 January 2024 Co-option
Kington Parish of Kington Town Council Philip Hawkins Resignation 2 October 2023 20 October 2023 22 December 2023 Co-option
Monkland Parish of Monkland and Stretford Parish Council Heather Amanda-Jane Rollo-Jones Resignation 20 September 2023 10 October 2023 12 December 2023 Co-option
Dilwyn Parish of Dilwyn Parish Council James Booth Resignation 20 September 2023 10 October 2023 12 December 2023 Co-option
Leintwardine Parish of Leintwardine Group Parish Council Michael Patrick Anthony Guest Resignation 19 September 2023 9 October 2023 11 December 2023 Co-option
Leintwardine Parish of Leintwardine Group Parish Council Teresa Guest Resignation 19 September 2023 9 October 2023 11 December 2023 Co-option
Bridge Sollars Parish of Bishopstone Group Parish Council Sharon Lesley Knights Resignation 18 September 2023 6 October 2023 8 December 2023 Co-option
Cradley Parish of Cradley and Storridge Parish Council Geoffrey Edward Fielding Resignation 18 September 2023 6 October 2023 8 December 2023 Co-option
Dorstone Parish of Dorstone Parish Council Lisa Ann Aubrey-Cosslett Resignation 12 September 2023 2 October 2023 4 December 2023 Co-option
Pencombe with Grendon Warren, Parish of Pencombe Group Parish Council Stuart John Barrett Resignation 1 September 2023 21 September 2023 23 November 2023 Co-option
Walford, Parish of Walford Parish Council Peter Barley Resignation 23 August 2023 13 September 2023 15 November 2023 Election on 9 November 2023

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)

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.