Harry Harrison
@hharrisonjourno.bsky.social
Local Democracy Reporter for Doncaster
Views my own/RTs ≠ endorsements | Direct messages are open
Email: harry.harrison@nationalworld.com
Views my own/RTs ≠ endorsements | Direct messages are open
Email: harry.harrison@nationalworld.com
Spent Thurs/Fri in Salford for the Local Democracy Reporting Service conference - very, very cool
Delighted to be runner-up for The George Makin Award as well for the top new LDRs 😁
Delighted to be runner-up for The George Makin Award as well for the top new LDRs 😁
November 15, 2025 at 3:27 PM
Spent Thurs/Fri in Salford for the Local Democracy Reporting Service conference - very, very cool
Delighted to be runner-up for The George Makin Award as well for the top new LDRs 😁
Delighted to be runner-up for The George Makin Award as well for the top new LDRs 😁
BREAKING: Former Doncaster Labour councillor Dave Shaw has been charged with assault occassioning actual bodily harm
South Yorkshire Police confirm Shaw will appear in court in December
South Yorkshire Police confirm Shaw will appear in court in December
Former Doncaster Labour councillor charged with assult
A former Labour councillor on the City of Doncaster Council has been charged with assault following an incident in July 2025.
www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk
November 13, 2025 at 1:03 PM
BREAKING: Former Doncaster Labour councillor Dave Shaw has been charged with assault occassioning actual bodily harm
South Yorkshire Police confirm Shaw will appear in court in December
South Yorkshire Police confirm Shaw will appear in court in December
BREAKING: The consortium offering private investment in Doncaster Airport has accused the council of "suppressing" its offer in a letter to the Prime Minister
Investors say their offer included around half-a-billion pounds of investment
Investors say their offer included around half-a-billion pounds of investment
Doncaster Council "suppressed" offer of private investment in DSA, PM told in letter
The City of Doncaster Council has “delayed, suppressed and frustrated” an offer of private investment into Doncaster Sheffield Airport, the consortium behind the offer has told the Prime Minister in a...
www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk
November 13, 2025 at 12:38 PM
BREAKING: The consortium offering private investment in Doncaster Airport has accused the council of "suppressing" its offer in a letter to the Prime Minister
Investors say their offer included around half-a-billion pounds of investment
Investors say their offer included around half-a-billion pounds of investment
The new Mayor of Hatfield says there is work to be done to bring the council back from the "disruption" of the last six months
Cllr James Hart was appointed mayor at a meeting last night
www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk/news/politic...
Cllr James Hart was appointed mayor at a meeting last night
www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk/news/politic...
New mayor will work to get Hatfield "back on an even footing"
Members of Hatfield Town Council in Doncaster have appointed a new Town Mayor after its previous leader resigned last week.
www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk
November 11, 2025 at 11:31 AM
The new Mayor of Hatfield says there is work to be done to bring the council back from the "disruption" of the last six months
Cllr James Hart was appointed mayor at a meeting last night
www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk/news/politic...
Cllr James Hart was appointed mayor at a meeting last night
www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk/news/politic...
Being the partner of a charity fundraiser means you’re often called in for “compulsory volunteering”
Another very warm stint under the belt as Westie 💜
Another very warm stint under the belt as Westie 💜
November 7, 2025 at 8:18 PM
Being the partner of a charity fundraiser means you’re often called in for “compulsory volunteering”
Another very warm stint under the belt as Westie 💜
Another very warm stint under the belt as Westie 💜
The controversial Mick Glynn has resigned as the Mayor of Hatfield Town Council, bringing his short, chaotic tenure in charge to an end
Read the news of his standing down and a brief overview of how we got here 🗞️
Read the news of his standing down and a brief overview of how we got here 🗞️
Hatfield's Mick Glynn resigns as mayor of town council
A controversial town councillor has resigned as Mayor of Hatfield Town Council (HTC) ending his short period leading the authority.
www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk
November 7, 2025 at 12:56 PM
The controversial Mick Glynn has resigned as the Mayor of Hatfield Town Council, bringing his short, chaotic tenure in charge to an end
Read the news of his standing down and a brief overview of how we got here 🗞️
Read the news of his standing down and a brief overview of how we got here 🗞️
REPORT: Transport officials are “exploring” whether the £1.5b Transport for City Regions settlement could be used to upgrade the M18 J3
Doncaster Council CEO Damian Allen reckons £650m of it is still available
Doncaster Council CEO Damian Allen reckons £650m of it is still available
Officials 'exploring' if M18 J3 could be upgraded using £1.5b transport funding
Regional transport officials are “exploring” whether to fund crucial upgrades to the M18 junction three using part of a £1.5billion funding pot from the Government.
www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk
November 6, 2025 at 8:03 PM
REPORT: Transport officials are “exploring” whether the £1.5b Transport for City Regions settlement could be used to upgrade the M18 J3
Doncaster Council CEO Damian Allen reckons £650m of it is still available
Doncaster Council CEO Damian Allen reckons £650m of it is still available
BREAKING 🚨: I understand Councillor Mick Glynn has resigned as Mayor of Hatfield Town Council
Verified with separate sources. Glynn’s resignation has been accepted by the proper officer - his successor will be elected on Monday
Verified with separate sources. Glynn’s resignation has been accepted by the proper officer - his successor will be elected on Monday
November 6, 2025 at 3:30 PM
BREAKING 🚨: I understand Councillor Mick Glynn has resigned as Mayor of Hatfield Town Council
Verified with separate sources. Glynn’s resignation has been accepted by the proper officer - his successor will be elected on Monday
Verified with separate sources. Glynn’s resignation has been accepted by the proper officer - his successor will be elected on Monday
BREAKING: Mayor Jones and cabinet accept £175m grant to reopen Doncaster Sheffield Airport 🛫
One final legislative hurdle remains
One final legislative hurdle remains
Airport faces one final hurdle as cabinet accepts £175m in grant funding
Political leadership of the City of Doncaster Council have voted to accept hundreds of millions in public funds to reopen Doncaster Sheffield Airport (DSA).
www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk
November 5, 2025 at 12:41 PM
BREAKING: Mayor Jones and cabinet accept £175m grant to reopen Doncaster Sheffield Airport 🛫
One final legislative hurdle remains
One final legislative hurdle remains
NEW: A Reform UK councillor in #Doncaster has been forced to apologise over post shared to Facebook following the attack about a train in Cambridgeshire over the weekend
Alexander Jones deleted the post less than a day after initially posting it.
Alexander Jones deleted the post less than a day after initially posting it.
Reform UK councillor apologises over Facebook post after train attack
A Doncaster Reform UK councillor has apologised for a social media post following a knife attack onboard a train in Cambridgeshire on Saturday night (November 1, 2025), which had begun its journey in ...
www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk
November 5, 2025 at 12:20 PM
NEW: A Reform UK councillor in #Doncaster has been forced to apologise over post shared to Facebook following the attack about a train in Cambridgeshire over the weekend
Alexander Jones deleted the post less than a day after initially posting it.
Alexander Jones deleted the post less than a day after initially posting it.
REPORT: Officials have told councillors reopening #Doncaster Sheffield Airport is not "about profitability"
They say the measure of success is different for a public sector organisation
They say the measure of success is different for a public sector organisation
Reopening DSA is "not about profitability", council officials say
Reopening Doncaster Sheffield Airport (DSA) is not “about profitability”, according to officials.
www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk
November 5, 2025 at 11:59 AM
REPORT: Officials have told councillors reopening #Doncaster Sheffield Airport is not "about profitability"
They say the measure of success is different for a public sector organisation
They say the measure of success is different for a public sector organisation
A public FYI
Reform DO NOT control Doncaster Council
It is a directly elected mayor system, pretty much presidential
The mayor is Labour. She chose a Labour cabinet
Mayor & cabinet make ~95% of key decisions
END
Reform DO NOT control Doncaster Council
It is a directly elected mayor system, pretty much presidential
The mayor is Labour. She chose a Labour cabinet
Mayor & cabinet make ~95% of key decisions
END
November 4, 2025 at 5:41 PM
A public FYI
Reform DO NOT control Doncaster Council
It is a directly elected mayor system, pretty much presidential
The mayor is Labour. She chose a Labour cabinet
Mayor & cabinet make ~95% of key decisions
END
Reform DO NOT control Doncaster Council
It is a directly elected mayor system, pretty much presidential
The mayor is Labour. She chose a Labour cabinet
Mayor & cabinet make ~95% of key decisions
END
#Doncaster Council's scrutiny committee meets today 12.30pm to review the DSA proposals going to cabinet on Wednesday
It is the first OSMC meeting since Reform UK's chairs reshuffle. Cllr Karl Hughes will lead the meeting, Cllr Steve Cox (Cons) will vice-chair.
It is the first OSMC meeting since Reform UK's chairs reshuffle. Cllr Karl Hughes will lead the meeting, Cllr Steve Cox (Cons) will vice-chair.
November 3, 2025 at 10:43 AM
#Doncaster Council's scrutiny committee meets today 12.30pm to review the DSA proposals going to cabinet on Wednesday
It is the first OSMC meeting since Reform UK's chairs reshuffle. Cllr Karl Hughes will lead the meeting, Cllr Steve Cox (Cons) will vice-chair.
It is the first OSMC meeting since Reform UK's chairs reshuffle. Cllr Karl Hughes will lead the meeting, Cllr Steve Cox (Cons) will vice-chair.
NEW: Major changes to a busy road through a #Doncaster town will improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists
Cabinet needs to approve £10million of funding for the project, which would reduce the lanes to one in each direction and add cycleways and footpaths
Cabinet needs to approve £10million of funding for the project, which would reduce the lanes to one in each direction and add cycleways and footpaths
Approval needed for £10m funding for major road changes near rail station
Big changes to a main road through Mexborough town centre will improve safety and accessibility to local shops, according to City of Doncaster Council cabinet papers.
www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk
October 31, 2025 at 1:49 PM
NEW: Major changes to a busy road through a #Doncaster town will improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists
Cabinet needs to approve £10million of funding for the project, which would reduce the lanes to one in each direction and add cycleways and footpaths
Cabinet needs to approve £10million of funding for the project, which would reduce the lanes to one in each direction and add cycleways and footpaths
NEW: The total cost of the by-election in Bentley was more than expected
#Doncaster Council have released the total cost to the LDRS in the "interests of openness and transparency"
#Doncaster Council have released the total cost to the LDRS in the "interests of openness and transparency"
Total cost of by-election won by Reform UK more than projected
The by-election held in Bentley ward in August 2025 cost the City of Doncaster Council more than £28,000, it has been revealed.
www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk
October 30, 2025 at 1:43 PM
NEW: The total cost of the by-election in Bentley was more than expected
#Doncaster Council have released the total cost to the LDRS in the "interests of openness and transparency"
#Doncaster Council have released the total cost to the LDRS in the "interests of openness and transparency"
I've had the chance to take in the #Doncaster Sheffield Airport cabinet papers now
A thread 🧵 for anyone who doesn't have time to read it all
A thread 🧵 for anyone who doesn't have time to read it all
an airplane is taking off from a runway with a red light on the tail
ALT: an airplane is taking off from a runway with a red light on the tail
media.tenor.com
October 30, 2025 at 1:18 PM
I've had the chance to take in the #Doncaster Sheffield Airport cabinet papers now
A thread 🧵 for anyone who doesn't have time to read it all
A thread 🧵 for anyone who doesn't have time to read it all
Back at the desk today.
Rummaging through DSA cabinet papers today. The week's headlines don't paint a great picture 😕
Rummaging through DSA cabinet papers today. The week's headlines don't paint a great picture 😕
October 30, 2025 at 9:13 AM
Back at the desk today.
Rummaging through DSA cabinet papers today. The week's headlines don't paint a great picture 😕
Rummaging through DSA cabinet papers today. The week's headlines don't paint a great picture 😕
I’ve seemingly entered the weddings period of my life.
Off until Thursday. DMs still open, but you’ll not get an email or text reply (work phone is at home)
Off until Thursday. DMs still open, but you’ll not get an email or text reply (work phone is at home)
October 28, 2025 at 7:29 AM
I’ve seemingly entered the weddings period of my life.
Off until Thursday. DMs still open, but you’ll not get an email or text reply (work phone is at home)
Off until Thursday. DMs still open, but you’ll not get an email or text reply (work phone is at home)
REPORT: Reform UK will lead key scrutiny committees after re-appointing chairs and vice-chairs in an extraordinary meeting yesterday
Reform UK lead on key scrutiny committee after extraordinary meeting
Doncaster Reform UK have successfully removed Labour councillors as chairs and vice-chairs of key council committees.
www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk
October 24, 2025 at 9:23 AM
REPORT: Reform UK will lead key scrutiny committees after re-appointing chairs and vice-chairs in an extraordinary meeting yesterday
NEW: #Doncaster Council has accepted £25k of government funding similar to that awarded to Rotherham after riots in Manvers in August 2024
The 'Community Resilience Fund' will go towards projects promoting unity and reducing community tensions
The 'Community Resilience Fund' will go towards projects promoting unity and reducing community tensions
Resilience fund awards £25k to Doncaster to prevent community tensions
The City of Doncaster Council has accepted £25,000 from the government intended to build “resilience against community tensions and strengthen cohesion”.
www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk
October 23, 2025 at 2:26 PM
NEW: #Doncaster Council has accepted £25k of government funding similar to that awarded to Rotherham after riots in Manvers in August 2024
The 'Community Resilience Fund' will go towards projects promoting unity and reducing community tensions
The 'Community Resilience Fund' will go towards projects promoting unity and reducing community tensions
REPORT: Planning committee defer decisions on two PEEL Group applications to build 1,200+ homes at Gateway East
Concerns aired over schools and highways
🗞️
Concerns aired over schools and highways
🗞️
Peel Group proposals for 1,200+ homes near Doncaster Sheffield Airport are deferred
Decisions on planning permission for two housing estates submitted by the Peel Group have been deferred.
www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk
October 22, 2025 at 8:02 PM
REPORT: Planning committee defer decisions on two PEEL Group applications to build 1,200+ homes at Gateway East
Concerns aired over schools and highways
🗞️
Concerns aired over schools and highways
🗞️
REPORT: The Defence Secretary has written to the developers of a major solar farm proposed for rural Doncaster and Rotherham to inform them of his opposition to their plans
John Healey MP, Rawmarsh & Conisbrough, shared the letter yesterday
www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk/news/environ...
John Healey MP, Rawmarsh & Conisbrough, shared the letter yesterday
www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk/news/environ...
Labour Defence Secretary comes out against major solar farm project
The Secretary of State for Defence and local MP, John Healey, has publicly come out against a solar farm planned for greenbelt land in his constituency.
www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk
October 21, 2025 at 10:25 AM
REPORT: The Defence Secretary has written to the developers of a major solar farm proposed for rural Doncaster and Rotherham to inform them of his opposition to their plans
John Healey MP, Rawmarsh & Conisbrough, shared the letter yesterday
www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk/news/environ...
John Healey MP, Rawmarsh & Conisbrough, shared the letter yesterday
www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk/news/environ...
NEW: Rawmarsh & Conisbrough MP John Healey comes out in opposition of the Whitestones Solar Farm project planned in his constituency
The final decision on approving the project rests with fellow Doncaster MP (and fellow Secretary of State) Ed Miliband
The final decision on approving the project rests with fellow Doncaster MP (and fellow Secretary of State) Ed Miliband
October 20, 2025 at 12:46 PM
NEW: Rawmarsh & Conisbrough MP John Healey comes out in opposition of the Whitestones Solar Farm project planned in his constituency
The final decision on approving the project rests with fellow Doncaster MP (and fellow Secretary of State) Ed Miliband
The final decision on approving the project rests with fellow Doncaster MP (and fellow Secretary of State) Ed Miliband
A “state-of-the-art” football training centre proposed for greenbelt near Bawtry, #Doncaster will generate up to £35m in annual revenue
Planning decision still not made, but the business case attempts to show any greenbelt harms are outweighed
Planning decision still not made, but the business case attempts to show any greenbelt harms are outweighed
'Elite' football facility on Doncaster greenbelt could generate £35m annual revenue
An elite training centre for Premier League and international football clubs could earn up to £35.5million-per-year, according to the applicant’s business case.
www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk
October 18, 2025 at 2:08 PM
A “state-of-the-art” football training centre proposed for greenbelt near Bawtry, #Doncaster will generate up to £35m in annual revenue
Planning decision still not made, but the business case attempts to show any greenbelt harms are outweighed
Planning decision still not made, but the business case attempts to show any greenbelt harms are outweighed
Pressure from the private sector to upgrade J3 of the M18 as CEOs of local chambers of commerce have written to the Transport Secretary
Dan Fell MBE, Louisa Harrison-Walker OBE and Carrie Sudbury tell Heidi Alexander the junction is a "transport bottleneck"
Dan Fell MBE, Louisa Harrison-Walker OBE and Carrie Sudbury tell Heidi Alexander the junction is a "transport bottleneck"
October 16, 2025 at 12:24 PM
Pressure from the private sector to upgrade J3 of the M18 as CEOs of local chambers of commerce have written to the Transport Secretary
Dan Fell MBE, Louisa Harrison-Walker OBE and Carrie Sudbury tell Heidi Alexander the junction is a "transport bottleneck"
Dan Fell MBE, Louisa Harrison-Walker OBE and Carrie Sudbury tell Heidi Alexander the junction is a "transport bottleneck"