Council apologise as staff won’t get wages until Monday due ‘payment difficulties’

Update: We have spoken with a range of Wrexham Council employees, with it appearing that all Council staff have been affected by this issue. Councillors are also paid via the same payroll system and the handful we have heard from have confirmed they also have not been paid.

Original information below…

Many Council staff have been in touch to say that they had been contacted by Wrexham Council to let them know that due to a payment problem wages could take three or four days extra to turn up in their bank accounts.

We have been told by staff that with the normal payment run they would have expected to have had their wages show in some bank accounts yesterday, through to today, depending on the bank used.

Yesterday afternoon staff were informed via email that a payment issue had occurred and therefore wages could be delayed until Monday. Some staff members unable to check email, or who do not use email, were unaware of any issues and say they were not informed.

Some staff have said that the payment error has created various problems for planned and unplanned outgoings today and over the weekend.

Mark Owen, Head of Finance at Wrexham Council, told us this afternoon: “The Council had difficulties with its payroll processing on Wednesday, which resulted in it not being completed until early Thursday morning. Pay then takes two days to reach individuals accounts.

“Staff are paid on the 15th of the month but given this month the 15th is Sunday, then the consequence of this problem is that payments may not reach all staff accounts until Monday, October 16th.

“Notice of the delay in payment and an apology was provided to staff on Thursday by email, and managers were advised to contact staff who do not use e-mail to convey that message.

“Staff who incur any bank charges as a result of the delay should notify Payroll as soon as possible and provide their bank statements.”

“I apologise again to any staff who may be affected.”

We asked Wrexham Council how many staff have been affected by the issue, however no numbers have been given.