Advertising of vacancies
Vacancies will be advertised by Shropshire Council as soon as the notice is received from the relevant clerk.
If no election is called, information regarding the vacancy will remain accessible for approximately two months from the date of the original notice to advise of the current situation.
If however a by-election is called, the subsequent notices (Notice of Election, Statement of Persons Nominated and Notice of Poll) will be published on a specific webpage created especially for that by-election. These special pages can be accessed from the parish council, town council or Shropshire Council vacancies links, or by typing the name of the area plus "by-election" into the search facility on this site.
In the event of a by-election being held, when both the Notice of Election has expired and the deadline for withdrawals has passed, a poll will only be held if there are more candidates than seats available. For town and parish vacancies, if there is to be a poll, it must take place within 60 "computed days" from the date of the Notice of Vacancy. That means that Saturdays, Sundays and any other non-working days are not included in the 60 day period.
All election results will be published on those pages as soon as practicable after the announcement of the result, or after the deadline for withdrawal of candidature, in the case of an uncontested election.
Town and Parish Council Vacancies
By-elections to fill Town and Parish Councillor vacancies will be held if, within 14 days (not counting Saturdays, Sundays, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Good Friday or a Bank Holiday) from the date of the Notice of Vacancy, 10 electors for the town ward or parish ward give notice in writing claiming an Election to the Returning Officer. A template to make a written request is attached on this page.
The address of the Returning Officer is Shropshire Council, The Shirehall, Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury, SY2 6ND.
If no such notice is given, the relevant council may fill the vacancy by co-option as soon as practicable thereafter. For town or parish councils, anyone who is interested in being co-opted should contact the clerk.
Unitary Council Vacancies
For Unitary Council vacancies, an election must be held within 35 "computed" days, rather than 60 and only needs 2 electors to call the election, rather than 10 (as is the case of Town or Parish Councils).
Further information/guidance for candidates
If a request is received for an election to be held, the "Notice of Election" will be published on this website - simply follow the parish council, town council or Shropshire Council vacancies links on this page, which will take you through to the specific webpage for that vacancy. It provides key events throughout the process, including deadlines for receipt of:
- Candidates' nomination papers;
- Written applications to vote by post;
- Written applications to vote by proxy.
Shropshire Council's document "Guidance to Election Procedures for Town & Parish Elections" is available to download on this webpage and a copy is also included as part of the Candidates Nomination Pack. Nomination packs can be obtained from either the local Parish or Town Clerk, or else direct from the Returning Officer at Shropshire Council.
A document entitled "All About Local Councils" produced by the Association of Local Councils can also be accessed from this webpage.
We would recommend that if you have any other queries, further independent advice can also be obtained from the Electoral Commission - Tel. 020 727 10500.