Councillor Graham Turnwell Resigns from Southwater Parish Council

Southwater Parish Council has received the resignation of Councillor Graham Turnwell.

Graham has lived in Southwater for over 30 years and joined the Parish Council in 2022 to take a more active role in local matters. During his time on the Council, he served on the Finance & General Purposes Committee and the Planning Committee, drawing on his professional background as a financial advisor. He was also a member of the Neighbourhood Plan Consultation Group, with an interest in development and planning issues affecting the parish.

On behalf of Southwater Parish Council, we thank Graham for his time and contribution during his service and wish him well for the future. There is now a vacancy at Southwater Parish Council to be filled.

What happens next?

By-election and co-option

When a councillor vacancy occurs, Horsham District Council (as the elections authority) publishes a Notice of Vacancy (assisted by the Parish or Town Council) and sets out the legal process and deadline for requesting an election.

By-election is for this single vacancy only

A parish council by-election is not a full Council election. It is held only to fill the one councillor seat that has become vacant, for the remainder of the current term i.e. until May 2027. All other councillors remain in office, and the Council continues its work as normal.

Requesting a By-election (electors’ right)

A by-election for the vacancy will only be held if ten eligible and registered local government electors make a request within 14 working days of the Notice of Vacancy being published. The Notice explains exactly how to make a request and the deadline date.

If a by-election is called, it is administered by Horsham District Council and the cost is charged to Southwater Parish Council. Based on indicative estimates provided by Horsham District Council, the cost is expected to be in excess of £18,000. This is funded from by SPC and would need to be met from the Council’s budgets or reserves, or provided for in a future budget which could affect the parish precept (council tax) if additional funding is required.

If no by-election is requested, Co-option happens

If no valid request is received by the deadline, the Parish Council may fill the vacancy by co-option. This means the Council may invite expressions of interest from eligible residents and then vote on an appointment at a Council meeting open to the public.

A councillor elected at a by-election, or appointed by co-option, would serve until the next ordinary elections.

Next Ordinary Parish Elections

The next ordinary parish elections in Horsham District are currently scheduled for May 2027. At that point, all councillor seats are open for election and anyone wishing to continue as a councillor must stand for election again. No-one is automatically re-elected.