Penkridge Parish Council
NOTICE UNDER LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT, 1972 (Section 87(2))
VACANCY FOR A COUNCILLOR
PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a casual vacancy has occurred in the office of Councillor for the North East of Penkridge Parish Council following the death on 16th January 2021 of Councillor Bevan Craddock.
Rule 5(2) of The Local Elections (Parishes and Communities) (England and Wales) Rules, 2006 now applies.
The rule allows TEN ELECTORS for the parish [ward] in which the casual vacancy has arisen to request the Returning Officer to hold an election to fill the vacancy.* That request must be made within FOURTEEN DAYS, calculated in accordance with the rules,** of the date of this notice. The fourteen-day period ends on 11th March 2021.
[NB: If an election is requested, a poll cannot currently take place until 6th May 2021 as a result of the Coronavirus Act 2020 and the 2020 regulations]
What if a request to hold an election is not received during the permitted time?
Rule 5(5) of the above Rules will apply. The Parish Council must, as soon as practicable after the expiry of the fourteen-day period, co-opt a person to fill the vacancy.
The Returning Officer’s address is:
Electoral Services, South Staffordshire District Council,
Council Offices, Codsall, WV8 1PX
The telephone number for further guidance is 01902 696121.
This notice is dated 19th February 2021
Lesley Hough [Parish Administrator]
Tel: 01785 714157 Email clerk@penkpc.co.uk
* There is no form of words for this request, which might simply be a letter headed with such words as “We the undersigned being electors for the [Ward of] … Parish, call for an election to fill the vacancy arising from the [death] [resignation] of …”. A template entitled “Request for an Election” is available from the Parish Clerk. It is helpful if the ten signatures are accompanied by printed names and addresses.
** In calculating the notice period, day one is the day following the date of this notice; a Saturday, Sunday, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Good Friday or a Bank Holiday or day appointed for public thanksgiving or mourning shall be disregarded, and the period closes at midnight on the fourteenth day after the date of this notice. Rule 5(2) of The Local Elections (Parishes and Communities) (England and Wales) Rules, 2006 now applies.