Local Democracy Reporter

Newsquest; Halifax; Hybrid; GBP 28,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days holiday

Holiday buy scheme

Structured career progression

Pension plan

Employee helpline counselling

Gym membership

Cycle to Work scheme

Eye care

Retail discounts

Team building days

Volunteer charity day

Job summary

Newsquest is seeking a Local Democracy Reporter to cover the Calderdale patch for the Local Democracy Reporting Service. The role involves reporting on democratic bodies, including Calderdale Council, with stories that inform on local decisions and their impact on communities.

You will work primarily from home, attend meetings in person/online, and report for a network of partner publishers. A driving licence and vehicle access are essential to fulfil duties.

Qualifications

• A strong interest in local politics, democracy and public affairs.
• The ability to uncover engaging stories and communicate them clearly to readers.
• A proactive, self-motivated approach to journalism.
• An eye for detail and a commitment to accurate reporting.
• Comfortable attending and reporting on meetings, including occasional evening commitments.
• Able to work independently while contributing to an experienced team.
• A go-getter mentality with a passion for serving local audiences through high-quality journalism.
• A driving licence and access to a vehicle are essential.

Responsibilities

• Cover democratic bodies across Calderdale, including Calderdale Council.
• Attend and report on council meetings and other local democratic forums.
• Hold councils and local democratic institutions to account through accurate, engaging reporting.
• Identify and deliver stories that affect local communities.
• Set the local news agenda across the Calderdale patch.
• Work flexibly from home while attending meetings in person and online as required.
• Produce content that can be shared across the Local Democracy Reporting Service network and partner publishers.

Skills

Local politics

Public affairs

Journalism

Self-motivated

Independent work

Job description

Local Democracy Reporter

Application Deadline: 9 October 2026

Department: Editorial

Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: Bradford

Reporting To: Nigel Burton

Description

An opportunity has arisen for a reporter to cover the Calderdale patch for the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Reporting to Newsquest's West Yorkshire team, the reporter will be responsible for covering democratic bodies in the Halifax district, including Calderdale Council.

From potholes to bin collections, local schools and new business development initiatives, every one of us is affected by the decisions that councils make. As the Local Democracy Reporter, your job will be to hold councils and other local democratic institutions to account.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service is a partnership between major news publishers and the BBC, meaning that your stories will be seen on a variety of sites.

You will have the opportunity to set the local news agenda and report on a thriving, growing district set against the rural beauty of the Yorkshire Dales.

The role is principally home-based, alongside attending meetings in person and online. The team you will report to is friendly and experienced. A driving licence and access to a vehicle are essential

Key Responsibilities

• Cover democratic bodies across Calderdale, including Calderdale Council.
• Attend and report on council meetings and other local democratic forums.
• Hold councils and local democratic institutions to account through accurate, engaging reporting.
• Identify and deliver stories that affect local communities.
• Set the local news agenda across the Calderdale patch.
Work flexibly from home while attending meetings in person and online as required.
• Produce content that can be shared across the Local Democracy Reporting Service network and partner publishers.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

• A strong interest in local politics, democracy and public affairs.
• The ability to uncover engaging stories and communicate them clearly to readers.
• A proactive, self-motivated approach to journalism.
• An eye for detail and a commitment to accurate reporting.
• Comfortable attending and reporting on meetings, including occasional evening commitments.
• Able to work independently while contributing to an experienced team.
• A go-getter mentality with a passion for serving local audiences through high-quality journalism.
• A driving licence and access to a vehicle are essential.

Benefits

• 25 days holiday + bank holidays + your birthday off
• Holiday buy scheme for extra flexibility
• Structured career progression & ongoing training
• Pension plan
• Employee Helpline counselling and advice
• Perks & discounts including:
  • Gym membership
  • Cycle to Work scheme
  • Eye care
  • Retail discounts
• Team building days & annual volunteer charity day