Report expresses concern over rising levels of annual sick leave in NI councils - with an average of 17 days off per employee

Concerns have been expressed about rising staff absences in local councils – with sickness levels “notably higher” than in central government, according to a report by the Audit Office.

However, local authorities in Northern Ireland are operating a £39m surplus – with money raised around 3.5 per cent greater than their expenditure.

placeholder image — Belfast City Council matches the NI average for days lost to sick leave - at 17 per employee - an Audit Office report has said.

The report by Local Government Auditor Collette Kane has said overall absence levels have continued to rise in 2023-24. It says it is “a concern that there is a continuing pattern” of local government sick leave being higher than in central government.

The report notes: “Prior to the pandemic the average number of days lost per employee to sickness absence (in 2018-19) was 9 per cent higher in local government in comparison to central government.

“Over the last three years, absence levels have increased in each year, having fallen during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2023-24, an average of 17.1 days absence per council staff member was reported. The average number of absence days of per staff member are much higher in local government than in central government.

“In 2023-24 the gap between local and central government was 24 per cent”.

Commenting on the financial position of councils, Colette Kane said “While it is welcome to see higher levels of income reported, this is only the second year that income has exceeded expenditure since councils were restructured back in 2015.

“Indeed, my report last year noted the largest shortfall between total income and expenditure since 2015. This is reflective of a volatility in councils’ financial position over recent years. Therefore, councils should consider exercising caution in allocating 2023-24 surpluses and prioritise long-term financial resilience over short-term spending.”

The report also said that the processing of planning applications by councils continues to exceed targeted timescales, with 63% of decisions on major planning applications not met within the statutory 30-week target. Around 62% per cent of decisions on local planning applications were not processed within the statutory 15-week target.