The Equalities and Corporate
Policy officer introduced the report which included the draft KPIs
for 2020-21 as shown in Appendix 1.
A motion was moved to request
an additional KPI concerning Job Seeker Allowance Claimant figures
to be reported to this Committee for information purposes only. The
aim of this was to provide an indicator on the impact of the
Covid-19 pandemic on the local economy. It was noted that
unemployment in Maidstone had risen to 5.7% due to the Covid-19
pandemic.
In response to questions, the
Head of Regeneration and Economic Development confirmed that the
draft KPIs would provide information that could be used to assess
the recovery of both the local and national economy, as the figures
would be viewed in comparison with the figures presented by other
areas of the country. Specific reference was made to the percentage
of vacant retail units and the footfall in the town
centre.
RESOLVED: That
1.
The draft Key Performance Indicators for 2020-21, as
attached in Appendix 1, be agreed; and
2.
The number of Job Seekers Allowance Claimants be
added as a quarterly Key Performance Indicator for information
purposes.