Councillors have voiced their frustration after claiming they were unable to influence a report into a controversial quarry.
Members of the Glenrothes area committee expressed dissatisfaction during a discussion of an independent review into the effects of blasting at the Lomond Quarry, near Leslie.
Some councillors were unhappy that Fife Council’s response had been decided by the local authority’s executive committee before local representatives had been allowed input.
SNP councillor Peter Grant said: “That report should have been brought back here before the council adopted its final position.
“There are some recommendations in the report that will be hard for local people to accept. It should have come before this committee. The executive committee has decided and now we cannot amend this to make the recommendations more achievable.”
Mr Grant’s concerns were shared by fellow councillor John Beare, with the executive committee having already agreed to recommendations made in the independent review to assist the Leslie community following concerns about blasting at the quarry site.
Residents have been vocal in their disapproval of the noise and potential repercussions of such blasts, although the report stated quarry operator Skene Group is operating within planning consent granted by Fife Council.
The company, although critical of the report, has repeatedly maintained its desire to work with residents and allay their concerns.
Though acknowledging the deep division between local campaigners and Skene Group, councillors remain hopeful that a new chapter in relations between the two sides can commence.
Committee chairman Altany Craik added: “If we get things right it will be a chance to ameliorate things as much as possible. The lines are entrenched but I hope that we can make progress.”
Meanwhile, councillor Fiona Grant has requested that a copy of the report be made available at Leslie library.