Data protection

We collect information from you in different ways, by:

• Letter.

• Email.

• Face-to-face.

• Telephone.

• Online forms.

• ‘Cookies’ on our website.

We use information about you to carry out our functions as a council. We also use it to deliver public services. This includes but is not limited to:

• Assessing benefit claims.

• Council Tax and business rates collection.

• Providing social services and education.

• Providing commercial services. As well as enforcement of parking rules.

• Providing non-commercial services such as waste collection.

• Local and national fraud initiatives.

• Preventing and detecting fraud or crime. This includes the use of CCTV.

• Providing leisure and cultural services.

• Carrying out health and public awareness campaign.

• Managing our property.

• Keeping our own accounts and records up-to-date.

• Promoting the services we provide.

• Marketing our local tourism.

• Carrying out surveys.

• Carrying out research. Including research relating to health.

• Internal financial support and corporate functions.

• Managing records for historical and research reasons.

• The activities we need to carry out as a data controller and public authority.

We collect the following types of information:

• Personal and family details.

• Lifestyle and social circumstances.

• Financial details.

• Employment and education details.

• Housing needs.

• Visual images, personal appearance, and behaviour.

• Licences or permits held.

• Student and pupil records.

• Business activities.

• Case file information.

• Goods and services.

We may also collect categories of personal information. These include:

• Racial or ethnic origin.

• Political opinions.

• Religious or philosophical beliefs.

• Trade union membership.

• Genetic data, biometric data (to identify a person).

• Data about health.

• Data about a person’s sex life or sexual orientation.

We will only collect this data for the intended purpose. If we use it for any other purpose, we will normally ask you first. In some cases, we may use your information for another purpose if we have a legal duty to do so.

We may also use your information:

• To provide a complete service to you.

• To prevent and detect fraud.

• If there is a risk of serious harm or threat to life.

We will sometimes need to share your information. This is with other organisations and departments within the council. There may include:

• Educational establishments.

• Housing associations and landlords.

• Health and social care organisations.

• The police.

• Government bodies.

• Third-party contractors.

We will only share your information where it is appropriate and legal to do so.

We may also share information:

• If there is a risk of serious harm or threat to life.

• For the prevention and detection of fraud or crime.

• Assessment of any tax or duty.

• If we need to do so by any court or law.

Where this is necessary, we will follow all aspects of the GDPR.

We may need to transfer your personal information overseas. If we do transfer any information, we will follow all aspects of Data Protection Law.

We will only keep your information for as long as the law states we need to. We will also keep your information to provide the needed services. You can ask to see what information we hold about you. See our Subject access page.

We may anonymise some personal data you provide. This is to ensure you cannot be identified. We will use this data to effectively target and plan the provision of services.

You have the right to request a copy of the information that we hold about you.

The GDPR gives you more rights about the information we hold about you and how we use it. This includes the right to:

• Withdraw consent. You also have the right to object to and restrict further processing of your data. This may affect the service we provide to you.

• Request to have your data deleted where there is no reason for us to continue to use it. This is if there is no legitimate reason for keeping it.

• Request your data to be corrected if it is inaccurate or incomplete.

• Have your data transferred or copied. This is if you move to another authority.

• Not be subject to automated decision-making. This also includes profiling.

You must let us know immediately if there are any changes in your personal details. This is so we can maintain an accurate and up-to-date record of your information. Please contact the relevant service to inform them of the change.

You have a right to complain to us. This is if you think we mishandled your personal information. See our Compliments and complaints page. If you are not satisfied with our response, you can complain to the ICO.

As we create new services, we may need to amend the privacy notice. We will inform you of any changes on this page.