15.—(1) Where the relevant billing authority is—
(a)a district council,
(b)a county council,
(c)a London borough council, or
(d)the Council of the Isles of Scilly,
functions conferred by these Regulations on the counting officer are to be exercised by the person who is for the time being the returning officer at elections of councillors for the area of that authority by virtue of section 35(1) or (3) (returning officers: local elections) of the 1983 Act.
(2) Where the relevant billing authority is the Common Council, functions conferred by these Regulations on the counting officer are to be exercised by the person who is for the time being appointed by the Common Council to act as the counting officer at the referendum.
(3) This regulation is subject to regulation 18(2) (combination of polls).
(4) It is the counting officer's general duty at the referendum to do all such acts and things as may be necessary for effectually conducting the referendum in the manner provided by these Regulations.
(5) The counting officer must also appoint and pay any such persons as may be necessary for the purpose of the counting of the votes.