HILLINGDON Council gave staff nearly £110,000 in bonuses last year, the Uxbridge Gazette has learned.

On one occasion, £84,685 was paid through a 'team bonus' scheme to 31 employees, earning them more than £2,000 each.

The figures were revealed after a request from the Gazette under the Freedom of Information Act - which took Hillingdon Council four months to respond to even though they are obliged to do so within 21 days.

Another £23,103 was paid out to 209 individuals, bringing the total spending up to £107,788.

The payouts were not as much as at many councils - earlier this year Westminster Council came under fire after it emerged they had paid out £5million in bonuses to their staff.

The bonuses aim to reward staff, and all staff have targets, which if reached, will put the team on the shortlist for selection to receive the bonus.

Hugh Dunnachie, Hillingdon Council chief executive, said: "In Hillingdon, we sit at the top of the table as the most efficient council in London and eighth best in the country.

"We haven't been able to get this far without the hard work of our staff, and it is important to recognise those that have been instrumental in driving forward the council's improvements.

"People who win these awards have shown exceptional dedication to providing excellent services for our residents.

"Recipients include staff who have helped to save lives, reunited families, supported children with special needs and even rescued animals from accidents.

"Residents often nominate these people themselves because of the positive difference they have made to their lives."