Community groups in Moray have been blocked from accessing a £443,000 funding pot to support town centre projects.
Moray Council has been awarded the cash by the Scottish Government as part of a national scheme.
Yesterday senior officials tabled proposals to use the money to help convert empty shops into residential units and divide larger properties into smaller ones to make them easier to fill.
Meanwhile, a further £30,000 has been allocated to restore the Market Cross in Forres as part of a project that was only expected to cost £11,850.
However, concerns were raised by Conservative councillors that community groups were not being given the same access to the fund that was also run last year.
Senior management warned opening the fund up to applications would risk significant time delays in spending the money.
Council leader Graham Leadbitter added: “I would rather we got the money out of the door instead of losing it.”
Councillors voted 14 to 11 to advance the original proposals.
Community groups blocked from town centre support fund in Moray
