The Audit Commission has undertaken a review of council services, and given the county council three out of a maximum of four stars.

The commission also rated the council four stars out of four in the use of resources and environment categories, and said that its children's services are consistently above average with their capacity to improve further assessed as 'outstanding'.

Council Leader Peter Jones said: "Our primary concern is to provide our residents with high-quality services and keep council tax rises as low as possible.

"The Audit Commission has confirmed that we have the highest rating possible when it comes to managing our finances and offering our residents value for money. It says we are providing good services and that we are improving well.

"Credit for this result must go to all Councillors, but particularly my colleagues in the Council's Cabinet, and to our management team and staff who are delivering quality services and caring for people every single day of the year."