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Northern Ireland’s councils have been urged address sickness absence rates which are higher than those in the region’s Civil Service.

There were an average of 16.8 days lost to sickness across the 11 councils in 2024/25, higher than the 13.4 average in the Civil Service.

Newry, Mourne and Down had the highest average at 21.5 followed by Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon at 20.4 and Fermanagh and Omagh at 18.6.

Antrim and Newtownabbey had the lowest average at 14.3 days lost to sickness, slightly lower than Belfast on 14.6 and Ards and North Down on 14.7.

The figures came in the Local Government Auditor’s Annual Report 2026.

It found that while the average number across the councils had reduced slightly from the previous year (17.1 in 2023/24), it is a “concern that there is a continuing pattern of local government having notably higher sickness absence levels compared to central government”.

The report found that prior to the pandemic the average number of days lost per employee to sickness absence (in 2018-19) was 9% higher in local government compared to central government. But this increased to 24% in 2023-24 and again to 25% in 2024-25.

Local Government Auditor Brian O’Neill emphasised the importance of closely monitoring and actively managing sickness absence levels to achieve improved operational efficiency and reduce the considerable productivity losses.

He recommended that all councils review their sickness absence levels and implement an action plan to reduce these in order to achieve better value for money for the ratepayer, and to collaborate and share good practice for reducing sickness absence levels.

Mr O’Neill’s report also found that 2024-25 is the second successive year that council income has exceeded expenditure, and that financial reserves have reached their highest level ever (£566 million).

It notes that income across the 11 councils totalled £1.3 billion for the year, an increase of around 8% from 2023-24, which was attributed to a 3% increase in District Rates, which account for more than 60% (£818 million) of councils’ total income.

Meanwhile, expenditure for the year totalled £1.23 billion, of which more than 40% (around £500 million) related to staff costs.

The report also found that councils held more than £2.5 billion of land and buildings.

Mr O’Neill said while the strengthening of financial resilience is to be welcomed, it “emphasises the need for councils to ensure they have clear and robust plans in place so that ratepayers are assured that funds will be managed and used to deliver maximum value and benefit”.

“My report therefore highlights the need for clear capital asset plans, particularly to ensure the effective and efficient management of any surplus assets,” he said.

Mr O’Neill added that he was encouraged to note that all 11 councils received an unqualified audit opinion on their financial statements for 2024-25.

“This means that the accounts give a true and fair view and were properly prepared. I am grateful to councils for the quality of their reporting, and to Northern Ireland Audit Office staff for their thorough and professional audit work,” he said.

“The local government sector has a vital role to play in supporting local people, local economies and local services to develop and prosper. My report recognises the ongoing progress made by councils and the economic pressures facing them.

“There remains notable room for improvement, particularly around longstanding issues such as sickness absence and local planning applications.

“I welcome the ongoing collaboration between councils in tackling some of these issues. Sustaining and building on this collaboration will be vital for sharing good practice and ensuring better and more consistent performance.”