Council leader Derek Osbourne has denied the £600,000 of council taxpayers money is a subsidy to the theatre.

Last month he said: "Should we decide to enter into the partnership, the funding will not be a subsidy, but rather in exchange for tangible activities and services which will benefit the community, particularly young people and those normally suffering social exclusion."

"Rigorous procedures" will monitor whether the theatre is living up to its side of the bargain.

David Fletcher, chief executive of the Rose, said: "We will deliver what we say we will deliver in exchange for this [money]".

EDUCATION:

- Children at secondary and primary schools will be invited to shows specifically targeted at them and then given free tickets if accompanied by an adult to subsequent matinee performances.

- Theatre will host an International Festival of Youth Theatre in July

- Six days a year of educational activities co-ordinated by the Kingston Readers Festival

- Host the Kingston Readers Festival

- Host a summer youth cultural activities programme ending in a show

- Preparations for Kingston Carnival

- Provide space for children with disabilities at Bedelsford, Dysart and St Philips schools as part of the Bespoke programme

- Kingston University will hold its first MA in theatre production based in the Rose.

COMMUNITY:

- Once a month Sunday subsidised "break through" music/performance themed events. Regular cultural cafe sessions for day care centre users/community library users event.

- Reduced group rate prices for community groups to matinee and weekday evening performances

- Three-day conference in March in partnership with the police, Kingston Racial Equality Council, MeWe and the Youth Service to deliver the Home Office Prevent programme, designed to tackle inequalities and discrimination through drama to counter terrorism and extremism.

- Allow Kingston Voluntary Action the main auditorium and cafe for an annual voluntary sector event

- Open up for a Community Play similar to the Don Juan event

- Four further full days yet to be announced

What do you think? Are the community and education activities value for money?

For more on the Rose Theatre see http://www.surreycomet.co.uk/rosetheatre/