43.—(1) This rule applies where the referendum area comprises any part of the area of more than one relevant council.
(2) When the Chief Counting Officer is satisfied the result of the poll has been ascertained, the Chief Counting Officer must direct the counting officers to draw up a final statement of the matters referred to in rule 38(3) and to provide final versions of their statements of rejected ballot papers.
(3) The counting officer, having drawn up the final statement, must—
(a)forthwith inform the Chief Counting Officer of its contents; and
(b)as soon as reasonably practicable give the Chief Counting Officer notice of the number of rejected ballot papers under each head shown in the final statement of rejected ballot papers.
(4) When authorised by the Chief Counting Officer to do so, each counting officer must—
(a)make a declaration of the matters referred to in the final statement; and
(b)give public notice of those matters together with the number of rejected ballot papers under each head shown in the final statement of rejected ballot papers.
(5) The Chief Counting Officer, having received notification of the final statement from each counting officer referred to in paragraph (2) must—
(a)draw up a statement of—
(i)the total number of ballot papers counted, and
(ii)the total number of votes cast in favour of each answer to the question asked,
in respect of the referendum;
(b)declare the result of the referendum;
(c)inform the proper officer of each relevant council of the result of the referendum;
(d)give public notice of—
(i)the result of the referendum;
(ii)the number of ballot papers counted;
(iii)the total number of votes cast for each answer; and
(iv)the number of rejected ballot papers under each head shown in the statement of rejected ballot papers.