Current vacancies and elections

List of scheduled elections and when they will be held

Barrow cum Denham Neighbourhood Planning Referendum - Thursday 29 January 2026

• Barrow cum Denham Neighbourhood Planning Referendum - Thursday 29 January 2026 - Information Statement
• Barrow cum Denham Neighbourhood Planning Referendum - Thursday 29 January 2026 - Notice of Referendum
• Barrow cum Denham Neighbourhood Planning Referendum - Thursday 29 January 2026 -  Notice of Poll and Situation of Polling Stations
• Barrow cum Denham Neighbourhood Planning Referendum - Thursday 29 January 2026 -  Timetable of Key Events

Newmarket Town Council (Studlands Ward) by-election - Thursday 11 December 2025

An election to fill the vacancy on Newmarket Town Council (Studlands Ward) was held on Thursday 11 December 2025.

• Newmarket Town Council (Studlands Ward) – Thursday 11 December 2025 – Notice of Election
• Newmarket Town Council (Studlands Ward) – Thursday 11 December 2025 – Timetable of key events
• Newmarket Town Council (Studlands Ward) - Thursday 11 December 2025 - Declaration of Results

Election expenses

The campaign spending limit for the regulated period is £960, plus 8p per local government elector in the division. The total spending limit for this election is £1,253.36

All candidates at an election must submit a declaration and a return of expenses, to the Returning Officer, within a set timeframe. This is regardless of whether they were elected or not and even if no expenses were incurred. These documents are made available for inspection.

The deadline for receipt of candidate’s expenses is Thursday 8 January 2026.

Candidates are encouraged to read the supplementary electoral commission guidance with regards to providing expenses.

•    Candidate Spending at Parish council elections in England
•    Candidate spending return and declaration for parish elections in England

Please note: The Returning Officer and staff cannot provide guidance with regards to the campaign. Any concerns about the legality of a candidate's campaign should be reported to the police.
 

Current vacancies

• Barningham Parish Council - 5 January 2026 

To request that an election be held to fill one of the above vacancies, please print, fill in and sign the appropriate form below and email this to the Returning Officer at elections@westsuffolk.gov.uk by the specified deadline.

Please be aware that, under section 228 of the Local Government Act 1972, the names of those who have called for an election are subject to public inspection. If you are canvassing for people to call for an election, please ensure that individuals are made aware that, if they do support the request for an election, their name is subject to public inspection in accordance with section 228 of the Local Government Act 1972.

• Request for an election - parish or town council - 1 signatory per page
• Request for an election - parish or town council - 10 signatories per page
• Request for an election - local government - 1 signatory per page
• Request for an election - local government - 10 signatories per page

Casual vacancies

If a councillor leaves their seat during the course of their term, a casual vacancy will occur. This may happen because a councillor has resigned, passed away, become disqualified (or ceased to be qualified) or because of a failure to take up office.

The rules for casual vacancies are different depending on whether the seat is for a district or county council, or for a parish or town council, however, a notice of vacancy will be displayed to advertise the vacancy.

The list of current vacancies can be found above.

By-elections

If an election is called following a notice of vacancy being displayed, a by-election would be held. The date for the by-election will be set within required timescales and it would be advertised by the publication of a notice of election which marks the start of the election process.

Details of any by elections can be found above.

How to request an election

District and county councils

When a councillor's seat becomes vacant, a notice of vacancy will be displayed to advertise that vacancy.

The notice explains that an election can be called by a request, made in writing, to the council's proper officer by two electors from the authority’s area.

If an election is called, it must be held within 35 days of the notice. The exception to this is that if a vacancy occurs within six months of the date of the next scheduled elections, the vacancy is carried over to the next elections. The seat will remain vacant during that time and no by-election will be held.

Parish and town councils

The parish or town clerk will display a notice of vacancy in the parish area. The notice shall explain that an election can be called by a request, made in writing, to the district council's proper officer by 10 electors from the parish area, within 14 working days of the date of the notice.

If an election is called, it must be held within 60 days of the notice. If no request is received then the town or parish council may choose to appoint someone by co-option into the vacant seat.

The notice of vacancy must run its course before the town/parish council has the opportunity to co-opt a new councillor as this gives the electors of the parish a chance to call an election if they wish to.

If the vacancy occurs within six months of the date of the next scheduled elections for that council then no election will be held, and the seat may remain vacant until it is filled at the next elections, or the council may choose to appoint someone by co-option into the vacant seat.

Past election results

For details of past election results, visit our election results pages.