Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994

2 (1) Notwithstanding the provisions of section 41(1) (returning officer to be an officer of the council) of the [1983 c. 2.] Representation of the People Act 1983 (“the 1983 Act”), at the elections of councillors to be held on 6th April 1995, the returning officer shall be an officer appointed by such regional or district council as the Secretary of State may direct.

(2) Section 42(5) (expenses of election) of the 1983 Act shall not apply to any such election, but all expenditure properly incurred by a returning officer or other officer shall be paid in the first instance by the council by whom the returning officer was appointed and shall be defrayed by the existing authorities concerned in such proportions as may be agreed between them or, failing such agreement, by such of them, and in such proportions, as may be determined by the Secretary of State.

(3) In this paragraph “existing authorities” means the authorities all or part of whose area is included in the area of the new authority whose council is being elected.