Compared to quarterly figures from last year, the cost of sick pay between July and September 2014 rose by more than £140,000 — from £616,191, in 2013, to £756,217.

A council report revealed this equates to a loss of almost two and a half days over the period per employee – a slight increase over the respective periods.

However, the figures also show there had been a slight improvement in attendance figures from the quarter between April and June.

The two services with the highest cost in pounds and the cost per FTE were Adult Care – with £200,614 and £526 respectively, and teachers, with £199,612, £222, respectively.

Helensburgh Lomond MSP Jackie Baillie said she was concerned by the high rise in sick pay, and called on the council to do more to offer better value for money for the public. She told the Advertiser: “Argyll and Bute Council need to look at how they can reduce this figure to maximise the amount of taxpayers’ money spent on public services. This latest rise in sick pay is concerning, particularly in light of the massive cuts to local government funding.” However, Councillor Dick Walsh, leader of Argyll and Bute Council, defended the report, saying the figures have ‘improved overall’ since last year.

He added: “Whilst there has indeed been an increase in sickness days recorded in this quarter compared to the same quarter last year, our overall figures for the last complete year (2013/14) have improved on the previous year, and we saw an improvement between the first and second quarters this year.

“We have robust plans in place to support our workforce, who do a fantastic job in delivering a huge range of public services for the people of Argyll and Bute. We have recently launched a new healthy working lives initiative which will drive forward our wellbeing agenda, giving our staff useful information and advice on better living.” He added that this work has been recognised externally with a bronze award from the Scottish Centre for Healthy Working Lives.

Cllr Walsh added: “We have also recently carried out and reported on an employee survey and a stress audit, the results of which will inform our future actions to support our employees.

“As an employer, Argyll and Bute Council is committed to ensuring that the work undertaken by our employees does not adversely affect their health and indeed we understand how we can work together to help protect and improve the mental, physical and social health of our staff.

“Our employees are our biggest asset and we are always listening to them and working hard to maintain our reputation as considerate and compassionate organisation.” In addition, the percentage of return to work interviews completed in each month in the reporting period was 79 per cent in July, 87 per cent in August, and 76 per cent in September.

The report states: “The council target of 100 per cent completion of return to work interviews is not being met nor is the three day target for average number of days taken with the average number of calendar days showing as 4.90 in July, 4.80 in August and 4.80 in September.” The Performance and Scrutiny Committee the elected members noted the contents of the report and registered their concern at the ‘lack of progress’ in maximising attendance despite the excellent effort in systems and support.