The leader of Barnet Borough Council was described as a “Poundland Margaret Thatcher” by Liberal Democrat councillor Jack Cohen at the last full council meeting of the year.

Protesters dressed as Father Christmas had gathered to watch councillors approve budget plans that could see jobs outsourced in street cleaning, rubbish collection and other services.

The council is due to make £73.5m of cuts by 2020. The budget plans will go out to public consultation.

Labour councillor Alan Schneiderman, who asked for proposals from last month’s environment committee to be debated, said: “It’s clear a decision has already been taken to outsource these services. Barnet Tories seem to be on ideological drive where all services are outsourced. It shouldn't all be about ideology. We want to see well-run, efficient services that are accountable to residents."

Councillor Richard Cornelius, Conservative leader of the council, said all councils outsourced in some shape or form, and that many other Labour-run councils were going a “long way further than the opposition in Barnet would have us believe is possible.”

He added that the Labour Party “don’t take any account of their gross overspending when last in government.”

Councillor Alison Moore, leader of Barnet's Labour group, said: “The budget and forward plan before us this evening is built on massive cuts. Barnet’s Tory administration really does know the price of everything and value of nothing. Barnet’s public services are not safe in your hands, residents know it, and we will not support it.”

Discussing the budget, Councillor Jack Cohen described Cllr Cornelius as a "Poundland Margaret Thatcher", and accused the administration of "disempowering the people."

Plans to relocate the council’s waste and vehicle depot from Mill Hill to either Abbots Depot, in Oakleigh Road South, or Lupa House in Borehamwood were also approved – after the Mayor of Barnet, Councillor Hugh Rayner, used his casting vote after Brunswick Park Conservative councillor Lisa Rutter abstained, claiming the Abbots Depot would bring “chaos” to her ward.

Light relief was brought by Councillor Anthony Finn, who fell off his chair during the meeting and quipped that it proved there were “no safe seats in the borough”.