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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Parish/parish ward and council | Name of outgoing councillor | Casual vacancy reason |
NOV published | Last date to request an election | Last date to hold an election | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Croft and Yarpole Parish of Yarpole Group Parish Council |
Audrey Bott |
Resignation |
5 March 2026 |
25 March 2026 |
2 June 2026 |
|
|
Sutton St Nicholas Parish Council |
Sharron Wendy Haworth |
Resignation |
5 March 2026 |
25 March 2026 |
2 June 2026 |
|
|
Thruxton Parish of Kingstone and Thruxton Group Parish Council |
Alexis Richards-Powell |
Failure to attend meeting |
5 March 2026 |
25 March 2026 |
2 June 2026 |
|
|
Grendon Bishop Parish of Bredenbury and District Group Parish Council |
Rebecca Libby |
Deceased |
20 February 2026 |
12 March 2026 |
19 May 2026 |
|
|
Garway Parish Council |
Mark George |
Resignation |
19 February 2026 |
11 March 2026 |
18 May 2026 |
|
|
Lea Parish Council |
Michael Williams |
Resignation |
12 February 2026 |
4 March 2026 |
11 May 2026 |
|
|
Fownhope Parish Council |
Peter Neale |
Resignation |
11 February 2026 |
3 March 2026 |
8 May 2026 |
|
|
Linton Parish Council |
Helena Sheridan |
Resignation |
9 February 2026 |
27 February 2026 |
6 May 2026 |
Co-option |
|
Aymestrey Parish Council |
Helen Hamilton |
Resignation |
6 February 2026 |
26 February 2026 |
5 May 2026 |
Co-option |
|
Orleton Parish Council |
Veronica Bishop, Ronald Gittings and Barry Rogers |
Resignation |
26 January 2026 |
13 February 2026 |
21 April 2026 |
Election on 16 April 2026 |
|
Shobdon Parish of Shobdon Parish Council |
Richard E Bowen |
Resignation |
13 January 2026 |
2 February 2026 |
8 April 2026 |
Co-option |
|
Madley Parish Council |
Nicholas Hiscutt-Blackmore |
Disqualification for non attendance |
22 December 2025 |
15 January 2026 |
19 March 2026 |
Co-option |
|
Cusop Parish Council |
Cheryl Hyde |
Resignation |
19 December 2025 |
14 January 2026 |
18 March 2026 |
Co-option |
|
Norton Canon of Kinnersley and District Group Parish Council |
Patrick Wrixon |
Resignation |
15 December 2025 |
8 January 2026 |
12 March 2026 |
Co-option |
|
Croft and Yarpole Parish of Yarpole Group Parish Council |
Duncan Grant |
Resignation |
15 December 2025 |
8 January 2026 |
12 March 2026 |
Co-option |
|
Hope under Dinmore Parish of Hope under Dinmore Group Parish Council |
Jennifer Smith |
Resignation |
15 December 2025 |
8 January 2026 |
12 March 2026 |
Co-option |
|
Bosbury Parish of Bosbury and Coddington Parish Council |
Karena Faiers |
Resignation |
10 December 2025 |
5 January 2026 |
9 March 2026 |
Co-option |
|
Cradley Parish of Cradley & Storridge Parish Council |
Anne Carver |
Resignation |
3 December 2025 |
23 December 2025 |
2 March 2026 |
Co-option |
|
Lugwardine Parish of Bartestree & Lugwardine Group Parish Council |
David Evans |
Resignation |
3 December 2025 |
23 December 2025 |
2 March 2026 |
Co-option |
|
Wigmore Parish of Wigmore Group Parish Council |
Jane Brown |
Resignation |
3 December 2025 |
23 December 2025 |
2 March 2026 |
Co-option |
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:
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 be made:
- Using our online request form
- By sending an email to elections@herefordshire.gov.uk
- By phoning us on 01432 260107
- By writing to us at Electoral Services Office, Plough Lane, Hereford, HR4 0LE
When requesting an election by any method listed above, you must include your full name and address so that your registration on the electoral roll can be checked. You must also state the name of the outgoing councillor who caused the casual vacancy.
Only those 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 complete our online request form or 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 upcoming 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 complete our online request form or 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 upcoming elections page.
Co-option paperwork (for parish clerks and parish councillors' use)
Parish Clerks and Councillors can download the Declaration of acceptance of office form. If you require a Register of interests form please email GovernanceSupportTeam@herefordshire.gov.uk and they will be able to supply you with one.
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.