THERE are two vacancies on a parish council in north west Herefordshire after two councillors failed to sign an acceptance of office.

There are now vacancies for Brampton Bryan and Willey on the Border Group Parish Council.

Colette Maund, Herefordshire Council’s electoral services manager, said parish councillors are required to sign their declaration of acceptance of office at their first parish council meeting following the election in May.

Ms Maund added: "As parish councils are able to extend the deadline at their discretion, Herefordshire Council has no means of knowing if a parish councillor has failed or refused to sign their acceptance of office until we are informed by the parish council.

"Furthermore, Herefordshire Council does not have the legal authority to declare that a parish councillor has failed or refused to sign their acceptance of office without first being informed by the parish clerk.

"Herefordshire Council was only recently informed that two councillors for Border Group Parish Council have failed to sign their acceptance of office, so action has been taken at the earliest opportunity."

The two vacant seats were advertised as casual vacancies on July 17 and electors within the parish have until August 6 to request an election takes place.

If local electors do not request an election, the parish council is free to co-opt councillors.