Bromley Council chiefs agreed £11.6m in cuts over the next two years in front of a packed audience of residents, last week.

Council bosses backed budget proposals at a meeting on Wednesday (February 11), including closing public toilets and scrapping an elderly care home.

The executive postponed a decision over the sale of Orpington Priory - home to the borough’s museum - for three months.

A 1.2 per cent rise in council tax was also agreed, equating to a £16 increase a year for a band D property.

Bromley Council leader Councillor Stephen Carr said: "We continue to struggle very hard to make the decisions we have to make between now and the full council meeting on February 23.

"The future doesn’t look bright on the horizon - there is still worse to come as we lose central government funding.

"Huge, huge pressure is being put on our budgets."

Councillors backed plans to replace public toilets in Beckenham, Bromley and West Wickham with facilities in businesses including Sainsbury’s, Café Nero and McDonalds.

Pam Nottcutt, aged 70, of The Knoll, who has been campaigning against the toilet closures, told News Shopper: "The council was determined on closure despite the fact that Beckenham is different in having no large business premises offering all day alternative toilet facilities."

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The executive also chose to begin consulting with staff on scrapping its extra care housing scheme, Lubbock House in Orpington, which it runs in partnership with Affinity Sutton.

Care services portfolio holder Councillor Robert Evans said: "There have been and continue to be a significant number of vacancies across the council’s extra care housing schemes."

But radiographer Lindsey Park, whose 85-year-old mother Jean Bannerman lives at Lubbock House, told councillors: "There are elderly people, who need these empty beds.

"I don’t believe there are not enough people to fill Lubbock House."

Campaigners against Orpington Priory’s sale were met with a victory of sorts when Councillor Peter Morgan announced the decision would be delayed for three months.

The renewal and recreation portfolio holder said a further consultation would take place to consider the best way to preserve the museum, alternative uses for Orpington Priory and the benefits it has on the town centre.

The executive also agreed plans to increase parking charges, create six community-managed libraries and cease funding for black and minority ethnic groups including The Pineapple Club.

Bromley Council will vote on the final budget on February 23 when protesters plan to lobby the meeting calling for cuts to be rejected.