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
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
More great work from @chrisburn.bsky.social
The lease for DSA (which the council stress to me is being renegotiated) capped power on site at 1MVA
With Gateway East, plans for rail and other DSA dreams. It’s seems unlikely 1MVA will be enough long term
The lease for DSA (which the council stress to me is being renegotiated) capped power on site at 1MVA
With Gateway East, plans for rail and other DSA dreams. It’s seems unlikely 1MVA will be enough long term
Doncaster Sheffield Airport: Higher power requirements needed as electricity cap revealed
Higher power requirements will be needed at Doncaster Sheffield Airport to fulfil future ambitions for the reopening project after it emerged the current lease contains a cap on peak electricity usage...
www.yorkshirepost.co.uk
January 31, 2026 at 4:22 PM
More great work from @chrisburn.bsky.social
The lease for DSA (which the council stress to me is being renegotiated) capped power on site at 1MVA
With Gateway East, plans for rail and other DSA dreams. It’s seems unlikely 1MVA will be enough long term
The lease for DSA (which the council stress to me is being renegotiated) capped power on site at 1MVA
With Gateway East, plans for rail and other DSA dreams. It’s seems unlikely 1MVA will be enough long term
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
Mayor Ros Jones accused her political opponents of driving a "political narrative" surrounding Doncaster Sheffield Airport in full council last week
She and Cllr Jane Cox clashed over timelines with the Civil Aviation Authority published by the LDRS
She and Cllr Jane Cox clashed over timelines with the Civil Aviation Authority published by the LDRS
Mayor accuses opponents of driving 'political narrative' over DSA timelines
The Mayor of Doncaster batted away questions over inconsistent timelines regarding approval for Doncaster Sheffield Airport (DSA)’s airspace as fitting a “political narrative” during a full council me...
www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk
January 29, 2026 at 11:34 AM
Mayor Ros Jones accused her political opponents of driving a "political narrative" surrounding Doncaster Sheffield Airport in full council last week
She and Cllr Jane Cox clashed over timelines with the Civil Aviation Authority published by the LDRS
She and Cllr Jane Cox clashed over timelines with the Civil Aviation Authority published by the LDRS
'Scandal' - Councillors slam Doncaster Sheffield Airport lease ‘gag order’
My story in the @yorkshirepost.co.uk
My story in the @yorkshirepost.co.uk
'Scandal' - Councillors slam Doncaster Sheffield Airport lease ‘gag order’
Councillors in Doncaster will have to sign an agreement vowing never to share or comment on the Doncaster Sheffield Airport (DSA) lease, in what opposition councillors have called a “gag order”.
www.yorkshirepost.co.uk
January 29, 2026 at 10:27 AM
'Scandal' - Councillors slam Doncaster Sheffield Airport lease ‘gag order’
My story in the @yorkshirepost.co.uk
My story in the @yorkshirepost.co.uk
Putting this question in written form wouldn't have done it justice
WATCH: Reform UK councillor applauded for "wonderful" computer-themed DSA question
A Reform UK councillor in Doncaster received a round-of-applause after a “wonderful piece of theatre” to challenge Mayor Ros Jones over ongoing transparency concerns surrounding Doncaster Sheffield Ai...
www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk
January 28, 2026 at 2:55 PM
Putting this question in written form wouldn't have done it justice
NEW: 'Tenant' Doncaster Council agreed not to object to housing planning applications in the Doncaster Sheffield Airport lease, the LDRS can reveal
The previously unnoticed clause is further to 'approve housing or lose lease' revelations published last week
The previously unnoticed clause is further to 'approve housing or lose lease' revelations published last week
'Tenant' Doncaster Council agreed not to object to planning applications in DSA lease
The City of Doncaster Council were prohibited from objecting to planning applications for over 1,000 homes from Peel as the tenant of the Doncaster Sheffield Airport lease, the Local Democracy Reporti...
www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk
January 28, 2026 at 2:44 PM
NEW: 'Tenant' Doncaster Council agreed not to object to housing planning applications in the Doncaster Sheffield Airport lease, the LDRS can reveal
The previously unnoticed clause is further to 'approve housing or lose lease' revelations published last week
The previously unnoticed clause is further to 'approve housing or lose lease' revelations published last week