A CITY spearheading the UK's green energy revolution, our heritage promoted on the world stage, a city farm, community food-sharing to alleviate poverty and a place where every person has the chance to achieve their best.
Today, the Mail unveils the radical and innovative City Plan to shape Hull's future.
A City Leadership Board has been appointed to shape and direct Hull's emerging City Plan, which aims to create 7,500 jobs over the next ten years.
Councillor Steve Brady, leader of Hull City Council, said: "Hull is a great city – and we now have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to make sure it has a great future.
"It's an opportunity that the council is determined to grasp, but we can't do it alone.
"And by getting together behind one single plan, it means the whole city will be moving in one direction, towards one goal.
"Just think about how much will be achieved if we can create 7,500 jobs for local job-seekers over the next ten years.
The impact on the economy and the improvements to people's lives will be huge.
"We have to make it happen and, working together, we will make it happen."
Chosen for their experience, interest or knowledge in specific areas of the City Plan, board members are now leading the work to identify and prioritise the projects that will help the city deliver its five key ambitions.
1: Harness all Hull's assets to become the leading UK Energy City
Hull's location and its skilled workforce will see it become the UK hub for renewable energy industries and investment. Local businesses, agencies and communities will be trailblazers for producing and saving energy – creating jobs, cutting the city's carbon footprint and making Hull a sustainable city.
Projects and proposals include:
• Vivergo Fuels' £350m world-scale biofuels plant – set to open later this year
• Potential £200m development for the manufacture of off-shore wind turbines at Alexandra Dock, part of the Green Port Hull initiative
• More investment linked to enterprise zones, supported by a £25m Regional Growth Fund skills and business support programme
• Green Deal improvements to make existing homes warmer and cheaper to run
• District heating schemes linked to new homes in renewal areas to help cut carbon and fuel costs
• Low-energy street lighting across the city
• Green transport schemes – including an upgraded cycle network and smart cards allowing passengers to travel on any city bus.
2: Make Hull a world-class visitor destination
Hull will be known across the UK and beyond for its unique heritage and culture – a city with fascinating, world-class places to visit and great things to do. Visitor numbers will treble and more residents will take part in Hull's rich and varied culture, leisure and sporting activities.
Projects and proposals to achieve this ambition include:
• Regeneration of the Fruit Market, including the development of an iconic new gallery and visual arts centre
• Development of a cruise terminal close to city centre visitor attractions
• Investment in Hull's Old Town including a revamp of Trinity Square to make the most of its distinctive character and its potential as a place to hold events and other activities
• HMS Illustrious – a University of Hull idea to acquire the Royal aircraft carrier when it is decommissioned to create a major new visitor attraction, conference centre and education facility
• A new drive to promote Hull's heritage and culture brands – including Wilberforce, Larkin and the Siege of Hull – across the UK and beyond.
3: Help residents to make their money go further
Hull will be a place where people and organisations come together in imaginative ways to cut the cost of living and help families manage their finances so they are better able to cope during tough times.
Projects and proposals include:
• A range of measures to help alleviate poverty including the introduction of a telephone hotline for welfare benefits and the opening of a one-stop advice shop (Hull Advice)
• Development of a city centre farm to provide an educational facility, visitor attraction and fresh produce
• Community cooking, growing and bulk-buying of food
• Care and share time banking – a way for local people to help each other by exchanging their time and skills
• Community education advice
• Jam Jar accounts – a novel way of helping people to manage their money by setting up jars for the things they need to pay for each month
• Credit union loan scheme
• Smart meters in every home to help residents monitor how much fuel they are using, which could help to cut their fuel bills by up to 30 per cent
4: Prevention and early intervention
Hull will be a place where everyone matters, and where everyone has the opportunity to be the best they can be. We will provide the right support to the families that most need it – when they most need it. This will strengthen families, helping them to play a fuller and more rewarding role in the community and the life of the city.
Projects and proposals include:
• Proud Parents – a campaign to encourage more parents and carers to get involved in their children's school life
• Health Literacy in schools
• Extra Care PFI – an £84m investment to provide new, self-contained homes with on-site, 24-hour support services that will allow those who are in need of care to lead a more fulfilling, independent life;
• Expanded A&E facility at Hull Royal Infirmary with support services located on-site to reduce the need for critical and acute care
• Connect to Support – an online marketplace giving residents information and the opportunity to buy social care products and services to meet their individual needs
• Priority Families programme – a three-year scheme to help families with children whose school attendance is low
• Community safety initiatives – including a bid to make Hull the UK's first restorative city, drugs and alcohol support services and a new focus on tackling business and commercial crime.
• Minerva project – continuation of this award-winning initiative project to help ex-offenders into employment, enabling them to rebuild their lives
5: Safeguarding the most vulnerable residents
Hull will be a place where vulnerable residents are supported to stay as independent as possible – for as long as possible. When extra support is needed, it will be provided in such a way that enables residents to keep as much control over their lives as possible. Projects and proposals include:
• Tele-health and Tele-care – with improved digital connectivity the opportunities to provide support and advice into people's homes will increase, so helping them to live independently for longer
• New east Hull health facility
• Reclaiming Social Work – a project designed to reduce paperwork, allowing social workers to spend more time supporting families
• Adults and Young People's Triage to help reduce re-offending.
The detailed plan will be launched at an event at the University of Hull in June.
The interactive, online plan will continue to evolve as residents – and anyone with a stake in Hull's future – contribute their own ideas and projects.
Those who do not have access to the web at home, work or school, will be able to view the plan at public and community buildings across the city and at City Plan events.
Tim Rix, managing director of JR Rix & Sons, has been appointed chairman of the City Leadership Board. He said: "This is an exciting time. We know that Hull needs to create and sustain jobs to ensure its future success and that there is now a real opportunity to accelerate positive change in the city.
"With my fellow board members, I'm absolutely committed to playing a part in that by identifying and driving the projects that will help Hull to achieve its ambitions."
• To find out more about the City Plan visit www.hullcc.gov.uk/cityplan or follow the plan's progress on Twitter @energycityhull
