STAFF sickness has cost Wrexham Council more than £4.1m in the last year, new figures have revealed.

In total council employees took 48,918 sick days during 2017/18 with the resulting costs divided between £2.3m for normal departments and £1.8m for schools.

Stress, anxiety and depression were the most common reasons for absence, accounting for 28.4 per cent of days off, with mental health related sick days rising by more than eight per cent annually.

However, the overall number of absences taken by employees reduced by four per cent year-on-year.

The authority said it supports staff with mental health issues through a number of initiatives, including counselling services, as well as training courses provided by the Mind charity.

In a report, lead member for organisation -  planning and corporate services, Councillor David Kelly, said: "To support awareness and ensure support to improve mental health wellbeing within the workplace, over 40 employees and trade union stewards were trained on mental health first aid by Mind in early 2017. This was a joint initiative with the trade unions, and they funded this provision.

"In July, the council recommissioned the occupational health service and this introduced a new employee assistance programme which enables employees to access counselling support seven days a week.

"This also enables access to a website which provides self-help information, guidance and advice on a range of subjects that impact on employee health and wellbeing."

The other main reasons for absence included general illnesses at 21.1 per cent, musculo-skeletal conditions at 11.4 per cent and infections at 11.2 per cent.

Non-teaching school staff took the highest amount of sick days, with 12,446 in the last 12 months, followed by teachers with 8,747.

However, the total number for schools showed an overall reduction of 11 per cent compared to the previous year.

The third highest amount of absences was in the adult social care department (7,288), where serious health conditions and mental health issues led to several long term absences.

Cllr Kelly said: "Sadly there are a high number of staff with serious long term health conditions some of which have now resulted in early ill health retirement, however this is a long slow process and can result in staff being on sick leave for extended periods whilst this is being worked through.

"There has also been an increase in stress, anxiety and depression as a cause for absence. Staff are supported through their team managers, Caer Health and the use of stress risk assessments, the department also makes full use of flexible working arrangements to support staff to remain in work. However this is still a significant challenge."

The figures will be discussed by members of Wrexham Council's customers, performance, resources and governance scrutiny committee next Wednesday.