Following the resignation of Sara Badger, a “Notice of vacancy in office of Parish Councillor” has been issued. This notice advises that if ten electors give write The Proper Officer in Guildford. A by-election will be held to elect the vacancy. If no notice is given, Ash Parish Council will be entitled to invite applicants to apply directly to the Council, where the existing Councillors can co-opt a new member.
The Notice by the proper officer reads
NOTICE OF VACANCY
IN THE OFFICE OF COUNCILLOR
The Ash South Ward of
ASH PARISH COUNCIL
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT
ONE casual vacancy exists in the Office of Councillor for the Ash South Ward
of Ash Parish Council, following the resignation of Sara Badger.
A by-election to fill the vacancy shall be held if, within 14 days (excluding
Saturdays, Sundays, and Public Holidays), TEN electors of the electoral area
give notice in writing claiming such an election to the Proper Officer.
The Proper Officer is:
Susan Sale, Returning Officer
Guildford Borough Council, Millmead House,
Millmead, Guildford, Surrey, GU2 4BB
Email: electoralservices@guildford.gov.uk
If no such notice is given by 5pm on 02 April 2025, the Parish Council shall be
entitled to fill the vacancy by co-option.
Dated: 13 March 2025
What happens when a vacancy opens on a Parish Council?
- the parish council will notify the proper officer of the vacancy
- the proper officer will send the parish council a notice to tell residents about the vacancy
- the parish council have a duty to display the notice for 14 working days
Can I become a councillor?
To qualify for election and to be a councillor, an applicant must be:
- a British, Irish or qualifying Commonwealth citizen
- a citizen of any other member state of the European Union
- 18 years of age by the day of nomination or election (the ‘relevant day’)
They must also be one of the following:
- on the relevant day and afterwards, are on the electoral register for the parish
- for 12 months before that day, they have owned or tenanted land or premises in the parish
- for 12 months before that day, their main or only place of work has been in the parish
- for 12 months before that day, they have lived in the parish or within 4.8km (3 miles) of the parish boundary