A COUNCILLOR for Newton Mearns claims using Band D to emphasise the latest council tax freeze in East Renfrewshire is irrelevant.

Opposition leader Jim Swift believes using the average rate of band D at 2009/10's price of £1,126 does not matter to most of his constituents as they are on a higher rate.

Although he welcomed the rate freeze he was keen to point out the band D rate does not reflect what the majority of people in East Renfrewshire pay.

Speaking after the budget was passed, Councillor Swift said:
“The Band D average doesn’t reflect the whole story, we have very few band D homes.

“It is true East Renfrewshire has a lower base rate but it is not relevant.”