A BURNLEY councillor who caused uproar by accusing town hall staff of skiving, today claimed victory after council chiefs announced sweeping changes in absence procedures.

Independent Group leader Harry Brooks was condemned for "outrageous and degrading" remarks after he accused workers of taking sickies and claimed half the staff who took time off were "swinging the lead".

But today Coun Brooks said a proposed major tightening up on town hall absence fully justified his stand - claiming it had been brought about by his criticism.

Members of the personnel committee last night agreed to a new sickness absence policy which rules for the first time that all employees will have to have a return-to-work discussion with their boss after every absence.

In addition staff will be subject to a formal Sickness Absence Review by their manager after six self-certified absences or 11 uncertified days absence over a 12 months period.

Coun Brooks, who said a national survey showed Burnley had one of the worst sickness absence records in local government, claimed the town hall's reason for the absence review was to gain "Best Value" was a smokescreen.

"Obviously the stand I have made has produced results," said Coun Brooks, who added it remained to be seen whether the new measures would quickly change the "sickies" culture in the town hall.

But today council leader Stuart Caddy described the Independent leader's claims as nonsense.

"We have been reviewing the situation, in line with government guidelines, for 18 months and it was a report on the review which prompted Coun Brooks' outrageous comments in the first place." The officers' report to the personnel committee says the review followed the best practice guideline put forward by the Government which had called for a 30 per cent reduction in absence levels throughout the public sector by 2003.

In October Coun Brooks' rejected calls for him to apologise to staff following remarks in the council chamber.

He had angered staff when he attacked some stress-related time off, mainly by women workers, as "taking sickies".

Coun Brooks' comments drew strong criticism from unions and from Burnley's Labour council leader Stuart Caddy and chief executive Roger Ellis, who distanced themselves from his remarks, and apologised to staff.

But despite a council motion against him, Coun Brooks remained defiant, adding to his earlier criticism.

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