DETAILS of an ambitious plan aimed at creating 7,500 jobs in Hull over the next decade are to be announced today.
Due to be officially launched early next year, the plan will promote Hull as the UK's Energy City.
The hope is that a positive decision by Siemens over its proposed wind turbine assembly plant at Alexandra Dock will trigger a boom in renewable energy jobs.
The German engineering giant gave a cautious welcome to the Government's long-awaited Energy Bill, which was published yesterday.
In a Twitter statement, the company said: "We welcome the Bill's support for renewables, plans for Hull on track, discussions ongoing."
Interim city council chief executive Darryl Stephenson said: "The one thing that will take this city forward is jobs.
"Every indicator there is – on health, skills, education, the economy, you name it – starts going in the right direction if we get these new jobs."
Another focus in the City Plan will be on turning Hull into a major cultural destination, with projects including a new international art gallery and a new riverside terminal for cruise ships.
As the Mail exclusively revealed last month, council officials have held talks with renowned artist David Hockney over the possibility of building a new gallery in the city featuring his work .
The City Plan will also be web-based, allowing organisations and businesses to shape its direction through a range of interactive features.
Hull-based technology firms will be invited to help construct the site and develop new functions.
A new board of leading figures from all walks of life across the city is also being set up to oversee its delivery.
The overall aim is to transform Hull's struggling economy, which has been battered by 1,000 job losses in recent months.
Half of the 7,500 new jobs being targeted in the new plan are expected to involve people currently claiming Jobseeker's Allowance.
The council is currently putting together a series of ideas on how the City Plan will be structured.
Initial details were being shared with the Hull Bondholders group at a special meeting today.
But Mr Stephenson stressed: "This will not be another council plan. It's a citywide plan that aims to cover all of the work that is being done and needs to be done in public, private and voluntary sectors to create and sustain jobs.
"We don't want something that is immediately out-of-date, just gathering dust on a shelf.
"That's why it will be a website that can be constantly changed and updated."
Mr Stephenson said promoting Hull as the country's Energy City was aimed at raising its profile like never before.
"We need to improve the image of Hull so that we can attract more investment and people to the city," he said.
"Being the Energy City will establish our reputation for energy production, energy conservation and energy innovation thanks to some of the things going on at the University of Hull.
"Through the plan, we also want to harness the energy of people and businesses in Hull to get involved and help make things happen."
He said reviving the city's economy remained the key priority.
"Every councillor in Hull wants to see investment in the future of the city," he said.
"People outside the Guildhall in different sectors all want to see investment in the city.
"At the moment, nothing is really bringing all that together.
"This will provide the platform for a joint effort from all sides to take the city forward."
The Energy Bill's proposals to treble Government investment in low-carbon power generation have been welcomed.
Sam Pick, of the Hull-based Renewables Network, said it would stimulate vital growth in the green supply chain as well giving confidence to major investors.
"This Bill will, hopefully, be the solid foundation from which the Green Port Hull vision can develop," he said.
