THE spending review means a 60 per cent cut will be made in funding for new social housing, the council says.

Staff in the housing department are still assessing the outcome of the review from October.

The cuts have affected several housing programmes across Barnsley, including housing grants and loans, the Green Corridor in Royston, Carlton and Cudworth and the Housing Market Renewal Programme in the Dearne Valley.

A council spokesman said there could be further reductions in spending.

“Over the past ten years record levels of investment have been brought into Barnsley that have seen the substantial regeneration of communities.

“New social housing has been delivered in record numbers in partnership with our housing association partners and for the first time in a generation Barnsley has been given the funding to build new council housing.”

The council will consult with communities affected by the cuts to discuss the implications.

The spokesman added: “Residents who are on waiting lists for grants or loans that have no certainty of funding will be contacted directly and may be held on waiting lists in the event that new funding opportunities emerge.

“At the same time the council is looking at the new funding routes and opportunities proposed in the government’s CSR statement and will be working to maximise the opportunities for continued investment.”