Parish Council Vacancies

BENENDEN PARISH COUNCIL

Notice of Casual Vacancies

LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT, 1972 (SEC. 87(2))

Following the death of Councillor Peter Driver and the resignation of Councillor Guy Hagan rule 8(1) of The Local Elections (Parishes and Communities) (Amendment) Rules, 1986, required that an election to fill the vacancy shall be held within 60 days if, within fourteen days after public notice of the vacancy was given in accordance with Section 87(2) of the Local Government Act, 1972, notice in writing of a request for such an election was given by TEN electors of the parish.

No election requests were received and the Parish Council can fill the vacancy by co-option.

The council may co-opt any person who is legally qualified to hold such office, and who is willing to serve provided they are a British citizen, or a citizen of the Commonwealth or the European Union, and are neither the subject of a bankruptcy restriction order or interim order or have, within five years before the day of the election, been convicted in the United Kingdom of any offence and have had a prison sentence (whether suspended or not) for a period of over three months without the option of a fine.

Provided the person also satisfies at least ONE of the following they may be apply.

• They are registered as a local government elector for the parish
• They have during the whole of the preceding twelve months occupied as owner or tenant, any land or premises in the parish
• Their principal or only place of work during the preceding twelve months has been in the parish
• They have during the whole of the preceding twelve months resided in the parish or within 4.8 km of it

They must also be 18 years or older on the day they become nominated for election.

Written expressions of interest from persons wishing to serve as a parish councillor need to be submitted to the Parish Clerk by 12th January 2025. The Parish Council will then consider the applications and fill the casual vacancies by co-option.

Written submissions can be sent via email to the clerk, clerk@benendenparishcouncil.gov.uk, or posted to the Community Office, Benenden Village Hall, Benenden, Cranbrook, Kent, TN17 4DE.