The use of a chauffeur-driven council car has been branded “an embarrassment”.

That’s despite East Renfrewshire’s elected members agreeing last month to restrict its use.

Independent councillors David Macdonald and Paul Aitken have called on the council to scrap its £214 a month rental agreement with BMW.

It comes two weeks after the Civic Hospitality Committee agreed to restrict usage to Provost Jim Fletcher, Deputy Provost Betty Cunningham and the Lord Lieutenant Guy Clark.

Mr Macdonald said: “I want it scrapped because I think a chauffeur-driven vehicle provided for a councillor to be ferried about in for civic duties not only reeks of elitism, it’s completely out of touch.

“How is it fair to be raising band E and above council tax bands and stripping back services like bin collection, music tuition and roads and, at the same time, the very councillor who oversees these decisions in the chamber being transported from place to place as if they are a high-ranking head of state?

“I find it an embarrassment.”

A council spokesman said: “The provision of a car for use by the provost and deputy provost is considered to be the appropriate level of support to recognise the important civic function being carried out on behalf of the council.

“In addition, when representing the council as its civic head, the official chains are always worn and it is a requirement these are accompanied by a council officer for security reasons.”