SICKNESS levels at Burnley Council need to be tackled more rigorously, according to a new report.

A Risk Management report set to be debated by councillors next week says the levels of absence are one of six 'High Priority' risks facing the council.

The report, which follows a pledge from senior councillor Peter Kenyon to cure the council's sickness blues, says a more rigorous approach to absence management is needed to address the problem.

The council's executive agreed to produce a risk management policy back in November 2001 and the report has just been completed by an independent group, Marsh Ltd. The report was produced after interviews with 30 key personnel in the council and a review of council paperwork.

A total of 77 areas of risk, ranging from very high to low, were found by the auditors who have suggested the council produce an action plan to tackle the areas of concern.

The three areas identified as very high risk are the budget process, project management systems and liability payments.

Areas of high risk are the community cohesion strategy, local taxation, levels of sickness absence, abuse and threats towards staff, debt levels and debt recovery and asset management and planning.

The report says the council must be aware of all the risks facing it or face possibly "catastrophic" consequences.

Last week Mr Kenyon, the council's executive member for best value and resources said more needed to be done to tackle sickness levels.

He said the problem was a serious issue which was a significant cost to council tax payers.

During 2002 staff took an average of 11 days off sick. Lancashire County Council has an average of 8.9 days a year and the private-sector seven.