Referendums (Scotland) Act 2020

11 Expenses of counting officers S

(1) The Chief Counting Officer is entitled to recover from the Scottish Ministers charges for, and any expenses incurred in connection with, the exercise by the Chief Counting Officer of functions under this Act.

(2) A counting officer is entitled to recover from the Scottish Ministers charges for, and any expenses incurred in connection with, the exercise by the counting officer of functions under this Act.

(3) The amount of charges and expenses recoverable under this section is not to exceed such maximum amount as is specified in, or determined under, regulations made by the Scottish Ministers.

(4) However the Scottish Ministers may pay an amount of charges or expenses that exceeds that maximum amount if they consider—

(a) that it was reasonable for the Chief Counting Officer or, as the case may be, the counting officer, to incur the charges or expenses, and

(b) that the amount of the charges or expenses is reasonable.

(5) Regulations under subsection (3) may include provision for the submission by the Chief Counting Officer and counting officers to the Scottish Ministers of accounts of charges and expenses before payments are made by the Scottish Ministers, including provision about—

(a) the time by which accounts are to be submitted,

(b) the form and manner in which they are to be submitted.

(6) Regulations under subsection (3)—

(a) may make different provision for different functions, cases or areas,

(b) may include incidental and supplementary provision.

(7) If the Chief Counting Officer or a counting officer requests from the Scottish Ministers an advance on account of any charges or expenses recoverable by the officer from the Scottish Ministers under this section, the Scottish Ministers may make such advance on such terms as they think fit.