COUNCIL bosses have given themselves a pat on the back - after judging that they provide good value for money.

The self-assessment by Darlington Borough Council will be audited externally before it is submitted to the Audit Commission.

A draft of the self-assessment shows that only five out of the 45 unitary authorities in the country charges less council tax per property than Darlington.

Darlington has the lowest spend of the five Tees Valley unitary authorities - which includes Hartlepool, Redcar and Cleveland, Middlesbrough and Stockton.

And the report says, that according to customer satisfaction ratings, no other unitary authority in the country provides better services for less cost.

The report is part of a council performance assessment.

It says that the council performance has improved over recent years compared to other councils.

Most services in the town were judged to be performing above average for below average costs and only in parks and open spaces was the council found to be providing below average value for money.

The council said this situation was being addressed.

The council spends more than average on culture, but that is because the town has a rich cultural heritage, said a council spokesman.

No unitary authority in the country has higher levels of satisfaction for libraries for the same or less cost, only seven local authorities have the same or better satisfaction for sport and leisure and only three have higher ratings for theatres and concert halls.

Council leader John Williams said: "This self-assessment shows Darlington is a good place to live with great services delivered in the best possible way."