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BRUM COUNCIL SICKIE FIGURES – BOOKS WERE COOKED

22-05-2008

Birmingham City Council has launched an investigation into the accuracy of its sick leave figures after being accused of “cooking the books” – an allegation first raised on The Stirrer.

The local authority’s HR boss Alan Rudge recently trumpeted the fact that absenteeism was down year on year – but as we pointed out, it’s still higher now than when the Conservative/Lib Dem partnership assumed control three years ago (see link here).

Council workers take, on average, almost a fortnight off every year in addition to their official leave.

Following our revelations, the city’s opposition Labour leader Sir Albert Bore claimed that Rudge and his colleagues had manipulated the figures to make them seem more favourable than they really are (see link here).

Bore’s detailed breakdown of the Council’s published statistics suggested, at the very least, a mathematical error – and now he’s been vindicated.

Responding to a written question at this week’s City Council, Alan Rudge revealed that he’d already requested one recount – and is now demanding another.

"On receipt of the March figures I was concerned at their accuracy for reasons similar to those expressed in the question" Rudge said.

"Accordingly, I delayed their publication and asked officers to verify the calculation.  Verification was received by me and the figures for March were released.

"Internal Audit have been asked to investigate whether any errors occurred in the production and publication of the March figures, including system and process issues which may have contributed.

"Internal Audit have also been asked to identify any group of officers, or individual officer, who may have been at fault.

"I have instructed that on completion of the investigation the appropriate officer writes to me with a full explanation, which I will copy to you."

We await publication of the revised revised figures with interest, but in the meantime Albert isn’t happy that Rudge seems to be laying the blame at the door of his officials.

"I don't want to see the scapegoating of officers" Bore said. 

"The responsibility should rest with the Cabinet member".