UNION bosses have revealed they are dealing with two “significant” salary overpayments relating to staff at Flintshire Council.

Unison branch secretary Sarah Taylor said the union was helping two members who had been overpaid by a large amount following a series of payroll blunders.

Last week the Leader revealed thousands of pounds had been overpaid to staff.

Miss Taylor said said: “There is a significant problems following the implementation of a new payroll system.

“We are aware that there have been some issues and we are providing support to members of Unison who have contacted us directly.

“Unison is currently dealing with two significant overpayments.”

It has emerged that between April 2009 and June 2010 Flintshire Council overpaid its staff by £175,248 and is now attempting to claw back the money.

Miss Taylor has raised concerns over the effect on people receiving benefits, which cannot be reclaimed or backdated.

She added: “Where people are in receipt of benefits as well as wages this will affect the amount to which they are entitled. This could potentially put people in financial difficulty.”

There are also fears that some staff members could have been underpaid.

Miss Taylor added: “They have cleansed the data and identified overpayments, but how many people have been underpaid?

“I will be asking that question of the HR department. I want to know have steps been taken to address these issues?”

Helen Stappleton, Flintshire Council’s head of human resources, said: “We are currently conducting an audit of our human resources and payroll system. Inevitably this will result in the identification of overpayments and underpayments of salary.

“There have been a small number of underpayments and where these have occurred immediate action has been taken to rectify salary payments.

“The completion of the audit will result in an improvement of procedures and controls and a reduction in the number of errors occurring.”