Fair Processing Notice
What is Personal Data?
Basic Personal Data
Under the Data Protection Act 1998, Personal Data is defined as
data that relates to a living individual who can be identified:
- from the data, or
- from the data and other information which is in the possession
of, or likely to come into the possession of, the data
controller,
and includes any expression of opinion about the individual, and
any indication of the intentions of the data controller or any
other person in respect of the individual.
Personal data will therefore include basic details such as name,
address, telephone number, and Date of Birth.
Sensitive Personal Data
Certain data is classified under the Act as 'sensitive personal
data', for example:
- Racial or ethnic origin
- Religious or other beliefs of a similar nature
- Physical or mental health or condition
- Sexual life
- Offences (including alleged offences)
Where we are asking you for sensitive personal data, we will
always tell you why and how the information will be used.
The Data Protection Act 1998 is available to view here.
Why Does the Council Need to Collect and Store Personal
Data?
For some of our services, we need to collect personal data so we
can get in touch, or provide the service. For example, we can't
come to your house if we don't know your address. We always try to
make sure the information we collect is correct and isn't an
invasion of your privacy.
We may pass your personal data on to the people who provide the
service. These providers are obliged to keep your details securely
and use them only to fulfil your request.
How the Council Uses Your Information
The Council will process (that means collect, store and use) the
information you provide in a manner that is compatible with the
Data Protection Act. We will endeavour to keep your information
accurate and up to date and not keep it for longer than is
necessary. In some instances the law sets the length of time
information has to be kept, but in most cases the Council will use
its discretion to ensure that we do not keep records outside of our
normal business requirements - i.e. providing a service to you.
Our aim is not to be intrusive, and we won't ask irrelevant or
unnecessary questions. Moreover, the information you provide will
be subject to rigorous measures and procedures to make sure it
can't be seen, accessed or disclosed to anyone who shouldn't see
it.
Using Your Personal Data
We will use the information you provide for the following
purposes:
- Regulatory, Licensing and Enforcement functions, which the
Council is obliged to undertake.
- All financial transactions to and from the Council, including
payments, grants and benefits. Where monies are due or outstanding
the Council reserves the right to use all the available information
at its disposal to protect public funds.
- Where you have agreed for the purpose of consulting, informing
and gauging your opinion about our products and services
- To ensure the Council meets its statutory obligations,
including those related to diversity and equal opportunity.
Joined Up Services - Sharing Basic Details across Council
Services
The Council want to provide appropriate, timely and effective
services - it is important to us that we co-ordinate what we do for
you properly. To do this, we have to make sure information is
stored in a way which is as effective as possible. This means, for
example, that the system will report any change of address to as
many services as possible so you won't have to repeat it every time
you phone up the Council.
You always have the right to opt out of this or any other data
sharing initiative - by not providing the information. But please
remember, we won't use your information for third party marketing
purposes, or pass it on to third parties, other than those who
either process information on our behalf or because of a legal
requirement.
Joined Up Services – Sharing With Partner Organisations
Where the Council is asked to share your personal or sensitive
information with partner organisations the Council will ensure that
there is sufficient reason for the sharing to take place. Some
sharing of personal information will be for purposes such as for
the prevention of criminal activities and fraud which are allowed
under the Data Protection Act.
If you would like to know more about Data Protection and your
rights under the Data Protection Act, informative information may
be found on the Information Commissioner’s website – www.ico.org.uk