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 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Bishops Frome and Cradley Ward | Eleanor Elizabeth Chowns | Resignation | 12 September 2024 | Election on 7 November 2024 |
Credenhill Ward | Robert I Matthews | Death | 17 July 2024 | Election on 26 September 2024 |
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 and council | Name of outgoing councillor |
Casual vacancy reason |
NOV published |
Last date to request an election |
Last date to hold an election |
Outcome |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Garway Parish council | Rosemary Sparey | Resignation | 7 October 2024 | 25 October 2024 | 2 January 2025 | |
Aymestrey Parish Council |
Dan Hurcomb |
Resignation |
27 September 2024 |
17 October 2024 |
19 December 2024 |
|
Orleton Parish of Orleton Parish Council | Colin Mitchell | Resignation | 25 September 2024 | 15 October 2024 | 17 December 2024 | |
Dinedor Parish / Dinedor Parish Council | Joe Davey | Resignation | 23 September 2024 | 11 October 2024 | 13 December 2024 | |
Leintwardine Parish of Leintwardine Parish Council | Lucy Anne Gimlik | Resignation | 23 September 2024 | 11 October 2024 | 13 December 2024 | |
Cusop Parish / Cusop Parish Council | Paul Bennett Elkington | Resignation | 20 September 2024 | 10 October 2024 | 12 December 2024 | |
Stretton Sugwas Parish of Stretton Sugwas Parish Council | Corinthia Rose Smissen | Non-attendance | 19 September 2024 | 9 October 2024 | 11 December 2024 | |
St Weonards Parish of St Weonards Parish Council | Eloisa McCarthy | Resignation | 18 September 2024 | 8 October 2024 | 10 December 2024 | |
Cradley Parish |
David Harries |
Resignation |
13 September 2024 |
3 October 2024 |
6 December 2024 |
Co-option |
Goodrich Parish of Goodrich & Welsh Bicknor GPC |
Samuel Davies |
Resigned |
13 September 2024 |
03 October 2024 |
6 December 2024 |
Co-option |
Much Birch Parish of Much Birch Parish Council | Andrew Desmond Crum | Resignation | 13 September 2024 | 3 October 2024 | 6 December 2024 | Co-option |
Bredwardine Parish of Wyeside Group Parish Council | Hamnish Light | Resignation | 12 September 2024 | 2 October 2024 | 5 December 2024 |
Co-option |
Moreton-on-Lugg Parish / Moreton-on-Lugg Parish Council | Janine Carol Tyler | Resignation | 9 September 2024 | 27 September 2024 | 29 November 2024 | |
Moreton-on-Lugg Parish / Moreton-on-Lugg Parish Council | Thomas Morrell | Resignation | 9 September 2024 | 27 September 2024 | 29 November 2024 | |
Ross North Parish Ward / Ross-on-Wye Parish Council | Shelley Ann Foreman | Resignation | 29 August 2024 | 18 September 2024 | 20 November 2024 | Election on 7 November 2024 |
Hampton Bishop Parish / Hampton Bishop Parish Council | James Edward Latham White | Failure to attend meetings | 19 August 2024 | 9 September 2024 | 11 November 2024 | Co-option |
Wigmore Parish / Wigmore Group Parish Council | David Jones | Resignation | 16 August 2024 | 6 September 2024 | 8 November 2024 | Co-option |
Kington Town Parish / Kington Town Council | Ruth Margaret Warne | Resignation | 12 August 2024 | 2 September 2024 | 4 November 2024 | Co-option |
Llangarron Parish / Llangarron Parish Council | Barbara Ann Fisher | Resignation | 12 August 2024 | 2 September 2024 | 4 November 2024 | Co-option |
Colwall Parish / Colwall Parish Council | Andrew John Boughton | Resignation | 6 August 2024 | 27 August 2024 | 29 October 2024 | Co-option |
Colwall Parish / Colwall Parish Council | Marc Francis Lazarus | Resignation | 6 August 2024 | 27 August 2024 | 29 October 2024 | Co-option |
Colwall Parish / Colwall Parish Council | Christopher Stephens | Resignation | 6 August 2024 | 27 August 2024 | 29 October 2024 | Co-option |
Longtown Parish / Longtown Group Parish Council | Robert Ian Arthur | Resignation | 6 August 2024 | 27 August 2024 | 29 October 2024 | Co-option |
Hope Mansell Parish / Hope Mansell Parish Council | Jonathan Charles Billings | Resignation | 7 August 2024 | 28 August 2024 | 30 October 2024 | Co-option |
Withington Parish / Withington Group Parish Council | John Bennett | Resignation | 1 August 2024 | 21 August 2024 | 24 October 2024 | Co-option |
Pembridge Parish / Pembridge Parish Council | Andrew John Faviell Pace | Death | 30 July 2024 | 19 August 2024 | 22 October 2024 | Co-option |
Kentchurch Parish / Kentchurch Parish Council | Heather Jayne Adams | Resignation | 29 July 2024 | 16 August 2024 | 21 October 2024 | Co-option |
Brimfield Parish / Brimfield and Little Hereford Group Parish Council | Duncan Pound | Failure to attend meetings | 26 July 2024 | 15 August 2024 | 18 October 2024 | Co-option |
Orcop Parish / Orcop Parish Council | Sarah Read | Resignation | 25 July 2024 | 14 August 2024 | 17 October 2024 | Co-option |
Brampton Abbotts Parish / Brampton Abbotts with Foy Group | George Edward Watts | Resignation | 22 July 2024 | 9 August 2024 | 14 October 2024 | Co-option |
Leintwardine Parish / Leintwardine Group Parish Council | Vincent Griffin | Non-attendance | 19 Jul 2024 2024 | 8 August 2024 | 11 October 2024 | Co-option |
Shobdon Parish / Shobdon Parish Council | Anne Walker | Resignation | 19 July 2024 | 8 August 2024 | 11 October 2024 | Co-option |
Humber Parish / Humber, Ford and Stoke Group Parish Council | Richard Edward Collins | Resignation | 18 July 2024 | 7 August 2024 | 10 October 2024 | Co-option |
Moreton-on-Lugg Parish / Moreton-on-Lugg Parish Council | Sandra Derry | Resignation | 15 July 2024 | 2 August 2024 | 7 October 2024 | Co-option |
Moreton-on-Lugg Parish / Moreton-on-Lugg Parish Council | Richard Derry | Resignation | 15 July 2024 | 2 August 2024 | 7 October 2024 | Co-option |
Aston Ingham Parish / Aston Ingham Parish Council | Stephen Paul Smith | Resignation | 10 July 2024 | 30 July 2024 | 2 October 2024 | 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 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 Office, Blueschool House, Blueschool Street, Hereford, HR1 2LX 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.