£84,347 is paid out to aggrieved council staff

There was a sharp rise in the amount awarded to employees over the past two years in Londonderry with 53,221 paid out in 2007/8 and 17,000 paid out in 2008/9.

In 2005/6 there were no compensation claims whilst in 2004/5 5,000 was paid out and in 2006/7 9,126 was claimed from the council by disgruntled staff.

The figures were revealed by Environment Minister Edwin Poots and show that despite seven grievances declared to have been dismissed, two withdrawn and just one upheld over the period compensation was paid out by the local authority in every year bar 2005/6.

The 53,221 in 2007/2008 was the highest amount paid out be any local council for staff grievances in Northern Ireland that year.