Noisy anti-cuts protesters failed to stop councillors pushing through a budget that will see charges for home care users rise, the Rose Theatre subsidised and 200 posts slashed.

About 35 demonstrators from public sector unions and the Labour Party waved flags and chanted outside Kingston’s Guildhall before the council meeting on Tuesday, March 1.

Two policemen were stationed at the building’s entrance, but there was no repeat of the disorder seen in other London boroughs.

Nadine Houghton, organiser for the GMB union who was at the protest, said: “It’s not just redundancies but also terms and conditions.

“People will ask is it worth me still doing this job if their pay and conditions are cut.”

Inside the chamber, Liberal Democrats councillors unanimously voted for the package, which will see net cuts of £13.2m in 2011-12 and will freeze council tax for the first time in Kingston’s history.

Conservative councillors abstained.

Conservative councillors urged the administration to re-think plans to raise £800,000 a year from increased charges for disabled people who receive home care to help wash, dress and shower.

They also criticised the five-year, £2.5m deal to continue subsidising the Rose Theatre.

Councillor Priyen Patel, Conservative budget spokesman, said: “The council should now work on an exit strategy to remove the burden of the theatre and its constant arrive with cap in hand away from residents.”

The council’s government grant was cut by £8m.

Councillor Rolson Davies, executive member for finance, said: “This is the most difficult budget we have had since I have been a councillor.

“It is not a pleasant budget for us to put forward. It is not pleasant for our staff. It is not pleasant for the community.

“The work has just begun, and we have to find an estimated £30m over the next four years.

“This budget will put in place actions not just for next year, but future years which is estimated to produce £26m of that £30m.”