East Suffolk Council

Casual vacancy notices

Parish and town
Blundeston & Flixton	Expires 14 December 2023
Bungay	Expires 14 December 2023
Falkenham	Expires 21 December 2023
Grundisburgh and Culpho	Expires 14 December 2023
Otley	Expires 7 December 2023
Rendlesham	Expires 7 December 2023
Saxtead	Expires 7 December 2023

Casual vacancies

If a councillor leaves their seat during the course of their term, a casual vacancy will occur. This may happen because a councillor has resigned, become disqualified (or ceased to be qualified), due to a failure to take up office, or passed away.

The rules for casual vacancies are different depending on whether the seat is for a district or county council, or for a town or parish council, however, a Notice of Vacancy will be displayed to advertise the vacancy.

By-elections

If an election is called following a notice of vacancy being displayed, a by-election will be held. The date for the by-election will be set within required timescales and will be advertised by the publication of a Notice of Election which marks the start of the election process.

Details of any current by-elections

How to request an election

District and county council

When a councillor's seat becomes vacant, a Notice of Vacancy will be displayed to advertise that vacancy.

The notice explains that an election can be called by a request, made in writing, to the council's Proper Officer by two electors from the authority’s area.

If an election is called, it must be held within 35 days of the notice. The exception to this is that if a vacancy occurs within six months of the date of the next scheduled elections, the vacancy is carried over to the next elections. The seat will remain vacant during that time and no by-election will be held.

Town and parish council

The town or parish clerk will display a Notice of Vacancy in the parish area. The notice shall explain that an election can be called by a request, made in writing, to the district council's Proper Officer by 10 electors from the parish area, within 14 working days of the date of the notice.

If an election is called, it must be held within 60 days of the notice. If no request is received then the town or parish council may choose to appoint someone by co-option into the vacant seat.

The notice of vacancy must run its course before the town/parish council has the opportunity to co-opt a new councillor as this gives the electors of the parish a chance to call an election if they wish to.

If the vacancy occurs within six months of the date of the next scheduled elections for that council then no election will be held, and the seat may remain vacant until it is filled at the next elections, or the council may choose to appoint someone by co-option into the vacant seat.

Requests

To request that an election be held to fill one of the above vacancies please print, fill in and sign the appropriate form below and email this to the Returning Officer at elections@eastsuffolk.gov.uk by the specified deadline.

Please be aware that, under Section 228 of the Local Government Act 1972, the names of those who have called for an election are subject to public inspection. If you are canvassing for people to call for an election please ensure that individuals are made aware that if they do support the request for an election, their name is subject to public inspection in accordance with Section 228 of the Local Government Act 1972.

Local government vacancy
Request for a local government election (1 signatory)
Request for a local government election (2 signatories)

Town or parish council vacancy
Request for a town or parish election (1 signatory)
Request for a town or parish election (10 signatories)