Harry Harrison
@hharrisonjourno.bsky.social
Local Democracy Reporter for Doncaster
Views my own/RTs ≠ endorsements | DMs are open
Email: harry.harrison@iconicmediagroup.co.uk
Views my own/RTs ≠ endorsements | DMs are open
Email: harry.harrison@iconicmediagroup.co.uk
Don’t you just hate it when you wildcard in #FPL and have an absolutely stinker 😬
Need some huge scores from my Arsenal triple-up to redeem this…
Need some huge scores from my Arsenal triple-up to redeem this…
February 12, 2026 at 10:37 AM
Don’t you just hate it when you wildcard in #FPL and have an absolutely stinker 😬
Need some huge scores from my Arsenal triple-up to redeem this…
Need some huge scores from my Arsenal triple-up to redeem this…
NEW: 90% write-off of SEND spending is "welcome news", Mayor Jones says
In cabinet, Mayor also announces an additional £10m in grant funding over the next 3 years which will be used to cover the vast majority of the 10% deficit the council will need to cover
In cabinet, Mayor also announces an additional £10m in grant funding over the next 3 years which will be used to cover the vast majority of the 10% deficit the council will need to cover
Government write-off of SEND deficit is 'welcome news', Mayor of Doncaster says
The Government announcement that it will cover 90 per cent of local authorities’ growing SEND bills is “welcome news”, the Mayor of Doncaster has said.
www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk
February 12, 2026 at 10:00 AM
NEW: 90% write-off of SEND spending is "welcome news", Mayor Jones says
In cabinet, Mayor also announces an additional £10m in grant funding over the next 3 years which will be used to cover the vast majority of the 10% deficit the council will need to cover
In cabinet, Mayor also announces an additional £10m in grant funding over the next 3 years which will be used to cover the vast majority of the 10% deficit the council will need to cover
Doncaster's Labour cabinet have approved Mayor Ros Jones' 2026/27 budget - including 4.99% council tax hike, £250m capital spending plan and full pay restoration for staff
Sign-off now rests with Reform UK at full council on February 26
Sign-off now rests with Reform UK at full council on February 26
Mayor's cabinet approves 2026/27 budget proposals now needing full council sign-off
Cabinet members on the City of Doncaster Council have approved the Mayor of Doncaster’s budget proposals, which will now go to full council where it requires Reform UK’s backing.
www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk
February 11, 2026 at 2:56 PM
Doncaster's Labour cabinet have approved Mayor Ros Jones' 2026/27 budget - including 4.99% council tax hike, £250m capital spending plan and full pay restoration for staff
Sign-off now rests with Reform UK at full council on February 26
Sign-off now rests with Reform UK at full council on February 26
REPORT: Plans for an 'elite' football facility in Doncaster have been refused planning permission
Plans for elite football training centre near Bawtry rejected
Councillors in Doncaster have rejected plans for an elite-level football training centre, despite planning officers’ recommendations to approve it.
www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk
February 11, 2026 at 2:38 PM
REPORT: Plans for an 'elite' football facility in Doncaster have been refused planning permission
NEW: Mayor Ros Jones’ cabinet approves her 2026/26 budget as expected
It goes to full council for final approvals on February 26, 2026.
It goes to full council for final approvals on February 26, 2026.
February 11, 2026 at 11:51 AM
NEW: Mayor Ros Jones’ cabinet approves her 2026/26 budget as expected
It goes to full council for final approvals on February 26, 2026.
It goes to full council for final approvals on February 26, 2026.
NEW: A Doncaster city councillor suspended by Reform UK over 'islamophobic' social media posts - following reporting from the LDRS - has visited a local mosque
Cllr Paul Cutts said the educational visit was "informative", "enlightening" and said his posts had been "thoughtless"
Cllr Paul Cutts said the educational visit was "informative", "enlightening" and said his posts had been "thoughtless"
Councillor under investigation by Reform over FB posts visits local mosque
A Doncaster city councillor suspended by Reform UK over “islamophobic” social media posts has said he had been “thoughtless”, following an educational visit to a local Mosque.
www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk
February 9, 2026 at 10:58 AM
NEW: A Doncaster city councillor suspended by Reform UK over 'islamophobic' social media posts - following reporting from the LDRS - has visited a local mosque
Cllr Paul Cutts said the educational visit was "informative", "enlightening" and said his posts had been "thoughtless"
Cllr Paul Cutts said the educational visit was "informative", "enlightening" and said his posts had been "thoughtless"
Sheffield Coffee diaries returns!!! ☕️
Been wanting to try 2323 Coffee on Norfolk Row for AGES
They give you a rotating menu of espresso options
I had cappuccino with a Kenyan coffee by Dak coffee roasters in Amsterdam
10/10. Elite stuff. Right up there with the city’s best
Been wanting to try 2323 Coffee on Norfolk Row for AGES
They give you a rotating menu of espresso options
I had cappuccino with a Kenyan coffee by Dak coffee roasters in Amsterdam
10/10. Elite stuff. Right up there with the city’s best
February 7, 2026 at 1:14 PM
Sheffield Coffee diaries returns!!! ☕️
Been wanting to try 2323 Coffee on Norfolk Row for AGES
They give you a rotating menu of espresso options
I had cappuccino with a Kenyan coffee by Dak coffee roasters in Amsterdam
10/10. Elite stuff. Right up there with the city’s best
Been wanting to try 2323 Coffee on Norfolk Row for AGES
They give you a rotating menu of espresso options
I had cappuccino with a Kenyan coffee by Dak coffee roasters in Amsterdam
10/10. Elite stuff. Right up there with the city’s best
Starmer: leadership in crisis, No10 in crisis, Labour MPs say he needs a “miracle” to stay as PM
Ed Miliband:
Ed Miliband:
February 6, 2026 at 12:09 PM
Starmer: leadership in crisis, No10 in crisis, Labour MPs say he needs a “miracle” to stay as PM
Ed Miliband:
Ed Miliband:
The Mayor of Doncaster's budget proposes a 4.8% rent hike for council tenants from April 2026
Mayor's draft budget proposes maximum rent hike for council tenants
The Mayor of Doncaster’s draft budget suggests increasing council housing rents by 4.8 per cent, the maximum allowed for 2026/27.
www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk
February 5, 2026 at 12:04 PM
The Mayor of Doncaster's budget proposes a 4.8% rent hike for council tenants from April 2026
REPORT: Mayor Ros Jones' budget proposals include a 4.99% hike in council tax - the maximum she can impose
Also included:
- £248m capital investment in 2026/27
- £87m in capital borrowing in 2026/27
- £60m in road maintainance through 2029/30
*Subject to Reform approval at full council on Feb 26
Also included:
- £248m capital investment in 2026/27
- £87m in capital borrowing in 2026/27
- £60m in road maintainance through 2029/30
*Subject to Reform approval at full council on Feb 26
Mayor Ros Jones' budget proposes maximum tax hike and £250m in capital investment
Council tax in Doncaster will increase by the maximum, if Mayor Ros Jones proposals are approved by full council.
www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk
February 4, 2026 at 12:06 PM
REPORT: Mayor Ros Jones' budget proposals include a 4.99% hike in council tax - the maximum she can impose
Also included:
- £248m capital investment in 2026/27
- £87m in capital borrowing in 2026/27
- £60m in road maintainance through 2029/30
*Subject to Reform approval at full council on Feb 26
Also included:
- £248m capital investment in 2026/27
- £87m in capital borrowing in 2026/27
- £60m in road maintainance through 2029/30
*Subject to Reform approval at full council on Feb 26
NEW: Rents for tenants of St Leger Homes (Doncaster Council's social housing provider) proposed to increase 4.8%
Council expects their rents to remain the lowest in South Yorkshire, despite increase
Council expects their rents to remain the lowest in South Yorkshire, despite increase
February 3, 2026 at 5:29 PM
NEW: Rents for tenants of St Leger Homes (Doncaster Council's social housing provider) proposed to increase 4.8%
Council expects their rents to remain the lowest in South Yorkshire, despite increase
Council expects their rents to remain the lowest in South Yorkshire, despite increase
£60m investment in road maintenance announced earlier in January 2026 remains in the budget
Will be £15m per year for the next four years
Will be £15m per year for the next four years
February 3, 2026 at 5:15 PM
£60m investment in road maintenance announced earlier in January 2026 remains in the budget
Will be £15m per year for the next four years
Will be £15m per year for the next four years
£250m capital budget for 2026/27 (doing things money - building, buying, regenerating etc)
£550m over the next four years
£550m over the next four years
February 3, 2026 at 5:05 PM
£250m capital budget for 2026/27 (doing things money - building, buying, regenerating etc)
£550m over the next four years
£550m over the next four years
Bullet skim through of council tax and savings (cuts) proposals done (a more in-depth look to come over the course of the week)
Now we move to the capital spending plan
Now we move to the capital spending plan
February 3, 2026 at 4:56 PM
Bullet skim through of council tax and savings (cuts) proposals done (a more in-depth look to come over the course of the week)
Now we move to the capital spending plan
Now we move to the capital spending plan
Budget proposes charges for previously free services:
The Cantley Pitch and Putt course could have a charge for use
Private businesses could be charged for graffiti removal (previously free)
The Cantley Pitch and Putt course could have a charge for use
Private businesses could be charged for graffiti removal (previously free)
February 3, 2026 at 4:51 PM
Budget proposes charges for previously free services:
The Cantley Pitch and Putt course could have a charge for use
Private businesses could be charged for graffiti removal (previously free)
The Cantley Pitch and Putt course could have a charge for use
Private businesses could be charged for graffiti removal (previously free)
Budget includes proposal to increase weekend and evening rates at Markets car park from £1 to £1.20
February 3, 2026 at 4:49 PM
Budget includes proposal to increase weekend and evening rates at Markets car park from £1 to £1.20
NEW 🚨: Mayor Jones’ budget proposals includes four FTE jobs being cut
To be achieved through “deletion of vacant posts, redeployment and then voluntary redundancies”
The “savings” appendix (cuts) details reductions in FTE roles at libraries and increasing “volunteering-levels”
To be achieved through “deletion of vacant posts, redeployment and then voluntary redundancies”
The “savings” appendix (cuts) details reductions in FTE roles at libraries and increasing “volunteering-levels”
February 3, 2026 at 4:48 PM
NEW 🚨: Mayor Jones’ budget proposals includes four FTE jobs being cut
To be achieved through “deletion of vacant posts, redeployment and then voluntary redundancies”
The “savings” appendix (cuts) details reductions in FTE roles at libraries and increasing “volunteering-levels”
To be achieved through “deletion of vacant posts, redeployment and then voluntary redundancies”
The “savings” appendix (cuts) details reductions in FTE roles at libraries and increasing “volunteering-levels”
Equal to a £1.10 increase per week in a Band A property (which is most in Doncaster)
Equal to £1.65pw in Band D.
Or
£57.07 per year in Band A
£85.60 per year in Band D
Equal to £1.65pw in Band D.
Or
£57.07 per year in Band A
£85.60 per year in Band D
NEW 🚨: Mayor Ros Jones has proposed a maximum increase in council tax in her 2026/27 budget
The proposals, published in the last few minutes, suggest an increase of 4.99% (the maximum allowed without a referendum)
The proposals, published in the last few minutes, suggest an increase of 4.99% (the maximum allowed without a referendum)
February 3, 2026 at 4:37 PM
Equal to a £1.10 increase per week in a Band A property (which is most in Doncaster)
Equal to £1.65pw in Band D.
Or
£57.07 per year in Band A
£85.60 per year in Band D
Equal to £1.65pw in Band D.
Or
£57.07 per year in Band A
£85.60 per year in Band D
Working through the budget proposals now.
Will bring you news lines as I get them
Will bring you news lines as I get them
February 3, 2026 at 4:30 PM
Working through the budget proposals now.
Will bring you news lines as I get them
Will bring you news lines as I get them
NEW 🚨: Mayor Ros Jones has proposed a maximum increase in council tax in her 2026/27 budget
The proposals, published in the last few minutes, suggest an increase of 4.99% (the maximum allowed without a referendum)
The proposals, published in the last few minutes, suggest an increase of 4.99% (the maximum allowed without a referendum)
February 3, 2026 at 4:29 PM
NEW 🚨: Mayor Ros Jones has proposed a maximum increase in council tax in her 2026/27 budget
The proposals, published in the last few minutes, suggest an increase of 4.99% (the maximum allowed without a referendum)
The proposals, published in the last few minutes, suggest an increase of 4.99% (the maximum allowed without a referendum)
Mayor Ros Jones' budget proposals are to be published today
Still no sign of them yet, but I'm told it will be released this afternoon
Watch this space...
Still no sign of them yet, but I'm told it will be released this afternoon
Watch this space...
February 3, 2026 at 2:28 PM
Mayor Ros Jones' budget proposals are to be published today
Still no sign of them yet, but I'm told it will be released this afternoon
Watch this space...
Still no sign of them yet, but I'm told it will be released this afternoon
Watch this space...
Reform UK Doncaster have ended the employment arrangement of their political assistant, Catherine Mullen, five months after hiring her
Mullen provided policy and political advice to the group
Political assistants are political hires decided by parties
Mullen provided policy and political advice to the group
Political assistants are political hires decided by parties
Reform UK Doncaster sack £45,000-a-year special advisor five months after hiring them
The Reform UK group on the City of Doncaster Council have ended the employment of their political assistant less than six months after their hiring.
www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk
February 3, 2026 at 12:06 PM
Reform UK Doncaster have ended the employment arrangement of their political assistant, Catherine Mullen, five months after hiring her
Mullen provided policy and political advice to the group
Political assistants are political hires decided by parties
Mullen provided policy and political advice to the group
Political assistants are political hires decided by parties
Reform UK Doncaster have issue another statement following the revelation the DSA lease included a cap on electricity use.
The group claim infrastructure upgrades to the site (mentioned by SYMCA in September 2025) could require additional public spending
The group claim infrastructure upgrades to the site (mentioned by SYMCA in September 2025) could require additional public spending
Reform UK slams DSA lease agreement after cap on electricity use revealed
Reform UK Doncaster has slammed the Doncaster Sheffield Airport lease as a “serious failure of judgment” after it was revealed power usage on the site had been subject to a cap.
www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk
February 2, 2026 at 3:14 PM
Reform UK Doncaster have issue another statement following the revelation the DSA lease included a cap on electricity use.
The group claim infrastructure upgrades to the site (mentioned by SYMCA in September 2025) could require additional public spending
The group claim infrastructure upgrades to the site (mentioned by SYMCA in September 2025) could require additional public spending
A local councillor has called for a 'noise insulation scheme', similar to projects at Manchester and Heathrow airports, to be made available to people within 500 metres of the Doncaster Sheffield Airport runway
Calls for funding to be available for DSA neighbours for 'noise insulation scheme'
A Doncaster councillor representing residents neighbouring the reopening Doncaster Sheffield Airport (DSA) has called for nearby properties to be upgraded with a “noise insulation scheme” if night fli...
www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk
February 2, 2026 at 1:45 PM
A local councillor has called for a 'noise insulation scheme', similar to projects at Manchester and Heathrow airports, to be made available to people within 500 metres of the Doncaster Sheffield Airport runway
Reposted by Harry Harrison
Doncaster Council's 2030 & 2040 climate targets "threatened" by lack of funds, skills and support, report reveals
Doncaster Sheffield Airport, a site which this authority is committing hundreds of millions of public funds to reopening in the near future, is not mentioned once in the report
Doncaster Sheffield Airport, a site which this authority is committing hundreds of millions of public funds to reopening in the near future, is not mentioned once in the report
Council 2030 & 2040 climate targets under threat, report reveals
The City of Doncaster Council’s carbon reduction targets are under threat due to “a lack of finance, skills and supply chain, new and existing legislation”, papers reveal.
www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk
January 30, 2026 at 4:07 PM
Doncaster Council's 2030 & 2040 climate targets "threatened" by lack of funds, skills and support, report reveals
Doncaster Sheffield Airport, a site which this authority is committing hundreds of millions of public funds to reopening in the near future, is not mentioned once in the report
Doncaster Sheffield Airport, a site which this authority is committing hundreds of millions of public funds to reopening in the near future, is not mentioned once in the report