Highland Council Addressing Overpayments to Former Employees

Highland Council has stated it is addressing a situation involving the overpayment of nearly 600 former employees. The local authority reported in February that an annual audit for the 2022-23 period identified total payments of £863,000 made to former staff members. According to auditors, the error stemmed from problems with the method of recording departing employees within the council’s systems. A recent report from council officials indicated that the precise sum requiring recovery amounted to £614,092, of which 25% has been successfully reclaimed to date. The report also stated that Highland Council has implemented preventative measures to prevent further financial losses through similar means. These measures encompass more regular payroll verifications. Councillors are scheduled to review this report during a meeting next week.