π Kingsley Parish Council Publishes Notice of Casual Vacancies π
Kingsley Parish Council has formally published a Notice of Casual Vacancies following the declaration of two vacancies on the Council. The notice was issued on 16 June 2026 in accordance with Section 87(2) of the Local Government Act 1972.
When a vacancy arises on a parish council, legislation provides an opportunity for local electors to request that the vacancy be filled through a by-election. If ten local government electors submit a written request to the Returning Officer within the statutory timescale, an election must be held. If no such request is received, the Parish Council may proceed to fill the vacancy by co-option.
Under Schedule 12 to the Local Government Act 1972, notices required to be given by a parish council must be displayed in a “conspicuous place” within the parish. Traditionally, this requirement has been satisfied through the use of parish noticeboards and other publicly accessible locations.
By making notices available online, the Council aims to ensure that as many residents as possible are aware of opportunities to become involved in local democracy and community decision-making.
Kingsley Parish Council play an important role in representing local communities, influencing planning matters, maintaining community assets, supporting local initiatives, and helping to shape the future of the village. Serving as a parish councillor can be a rewarding opportunity to make a positive contribution to the local area. Residents interested in learning more about becoming a parish councillor are encouraged to contact the Parish Clerk for further information.
The formal Notice of Casual Vacancies can be viewed here and the parish noticeboard.
It is also worth noting that the two newly declared vacancies are not the only vacancies currently on the Council. Prior to these resignations, Kingsley Parish Council already had three vacant seats. These three vacant seats may be filled by co-option at any time. The Council welcomes expressions of interest from residents who wish to play an active role in supporting the village and helping to shape the future of Kingsley. Application forms can be found here.
Should ten electors request a by-election for either of the two recently declared casual vacancies, the costs of administering that election would ultimately be met by the local community through the parish precept. By contrast, there is no equivalent electoral cost associated with filling vacancies through the co-option process where legislation permits.
