The East of England regional growth strategy expects Peterborough to build 25,000 new homes and create 20,000 additional jobs in the 20-year period from 2001 to 2021. In line with that target, the city council has an over-arching mission to manage Peterborough's growth in a way that delivers a bigger and better city.

The city council, along with urban regeneration company Opportunity Peterborough and its other partners, is determined that this growth should be employment-led. It wants to see new, high-salaried jobs created for the growing population.

"We believe local businesses are important partners in our vision for a bigger, better Peterborough," said council leader, Councillor John Peach. "We want to foster an environment where businesses can succeed. In co-operation with Opportunity Peterborough, we want to attract new, high-performing companies that will offer rewarding careers and bright futures to local people and those who we hope will relocate to the city.

"We also want the up-coming generations to recognise that Peterborough offers fantastic potential for rewarding careers with local companies. That's why we are enthusiastic supporters of the business awards and especially the category for contributions to the community."

The city council's desire to promote Peterborough's benefits as an ideal location for business success and a fulfilling lifestyle is demonstrated by its four strategic priorities:

Plan and deliver a safe, attractive and environmentally friendly city.

Achieve the best possible health and well being.

Make Peterborough a better place in which to live and work.

Provide high quality opportunities for learning and ensure children are healthy and safe.

To support the delivery of these important targets, the city council is undertaking a wide-ranging internal business transformation project that is streamlining its own processes and improving the quality of its services to local residents and businesses.

City council chief executive Gillian Beasley said: "Transforming our internal operational processes so that we perform our tasks better, quicker and more simply will mean that we can concentrate more resources on our frontline services. It will permit us to deliver higher standards of services while keeping council tax increases to a minimum.

"We are inviting all our people to become involved in our business transformation by identifying opportunities to introduce more efficient working practices."

While most companies are answerable to their shareholders and customers, local authorities such as the city council are judged on their performance by their citizens, their partners and other stakeholders and by the government's comprehensive evaluation inspections.

Under last year's Audit Commission inspection, which set new, higher standards of performance, the city council was awarded three stars out of a possible four and judged to be "improving adequately". Now the city council is working towards the achievement of the four-star standard.