ELECTIONS AND VACANCIES

If a Community Councillor leaves their seat during the course of their term, a casual vacancy occurs.  This could be as a result of a resignation of a Councillor, this disqualification (or ceasing to be qualified) of a Councillor, the passing away of a Councillor, or a failure of a Councillor to take up office.

When a Community Councillor's seat becomes vacant, the Clerk will notify the Elections Unit at the Pembrokeshire County Council.  The Clerk will display a Notice of Vacancy in the community.  The Notice explains that an election can be called by a request made in writing to the Returning Officer at the Pembrokeshire County Council by 10 electors from the area where there is a vacancy.  If an election is called, it must be held within 60 days of the notice.

If no request is received to call an election, the Community Council may then co-opt someone into the vacant seat.  This means that the Council can choose who they wish to appoint themselves, rather than holding an election.  The Notice of Vacancy must run its course before the Council has an opportunity to co-opt a new Councillor, and this gives electors in the area the chance to call an election if they wish.

Amroth Community Council will always advertise a Notice of Casual Vacancy to encourage interest from as many Qualified candidates as possible. Interviews will be conducted to select a new co-opted member to join the Council.

If this vacancy occurs within 6 months of the date of the next scheduled Council elections then no election is held, and the seat may remain vacant until it is filled at the next elections, or the Council may choose to co-opt into the vacant seat.

The next scheduled election for Amroth Community Council is May 2027.

Am I Qualified?

You must be a British subject, or a citizen of the Commonwealth or the European Union; and on the “relevant date” (i.e. the day on which you are nominated/apply or if there is a poll the day of the election) 18 years of age or over;

And additionally: on the “relevant day” a local government elector for the council area for which you want to stand;

or have during the whole of the 12 months preceding that day occupied as owner or tenant any land or other premises in the council area;

or have during that same period had your principal or only place of work in the council area;

or during that 12 month period resided in the council area (or within three miles of it)

You cannot stand for election if:

you are the subject of a bankruptcy restriction order or interim order. 

have, within five years before the day of the election, been convicted in the United Kingdom of any offence and have had a sentence of imprisonment (whether suspended or not) for a period of over three months without the option of a fine.

you work for the council you want to become a councillor for (but you can work for other local authorities, including the principal authorities that represent the same area).