Information & Data Protection Policy

Introduction

In order to conduct its business, services and duties, Nutfield Parish Council processes a
wide range of data, relating to its own operations and some which it handles on behalf of
partners. In broad terms, this data can be classified as:

  • Data shared in the public arena about the services it offers, its mode of operations and other information it is required to make available to the public.
  • Confidential information and data not yet in the public arena such as ideas or policies that are being worked up.
  • Confidential information about other organisations because of commercial sensitivity.
  • Personal data concerning its current, past and potential employees, Councillors, and volunteers.
  • Personal data concerning individuals who contact it for information, to access its services or facilities or to make a complaint.

Nutfield Parish Council will adopt procedures and manage responsibly, all data which it handles and will respect the confidentiality of both its own data and that belonging to partner organisations it works with and members of the public. In some cases, it will have contractual obligations towards confidential data, but in addition will have specific legal responsibilities for personal and sensitive information under data protection legislation.

The Council will periodically review and revise this policy in the light of experience, comments from data subjects and guidance from the Information Commissioners Office.

The Council will be as transparent as possible about its operations and will work closely with public, community and voluntary organisations. Therefore, in the case of all information which is not personal or confidential, it will be prepared to make it available to partners and members of the community. Details of information which is routinely available is contained in the Council’s Publication Scheme which is based on the statutory model publication scheme for local councils.

Protecting Confidential or Sensitive Information

Nutfield Parish Council recognises it must at times, keep and process sensitive and personal information about both employees and the public, it has therefore adopted this policy not only to meet its legal obligations but to ensure high standards.

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) seeks to strike a balance between the rights of individuals and the sometimes, competing interests of those such as the Council with legitimate reasons for using personal information.

The policy is based on the premise that Personal Data must be:

  • Processed fairly, lawfully and in a transparent manner in relation to the data subject.
  • Collected for specified, explicit and legitimate purposes and not further processed in a manner that is incompatible with those purposes.
  • Adequate, relevant and limited to what is necessary in relation to the purposes for which they are processed.
  • Accurate and, where necessary, kept up to date.
  • Kept in a form that permits identification of data subjects for no longer than is necessary for the purposes for which the personal data are processed.
  • Processed in a manner that ensures appropriate security of the personal data including protection against unauthorised or unlawful processing and against accidental loss, destruction or damage, using appropriate technical or organisational measures.

Nutfield Parish Council processes personal data in order to:

  • fulfil its duties as an employer by complying with the terms of contracts of employment, safeguarding the employee and maintaining information required by law.
  • pursue the legitimate interests of its business and its duties as a public body, by fulfilling contractual terms with other organisations, and maintaining information required by law.
  • monitor its activities including the equality and diversity of its activities
  • fulfil its duties in operating the business premises including security
  • assist regulatory and law enforcement agencies
  • process information including the recording and updating details about its Councillors, employees, partners and volunteers.
  • process information including the recording and updating details about individuals who contact it for information, or to access a service, or make a complaint.
  • undertake surveys, censuses and questionnaires to fulfil the objectives and purposes of the Council.
  • undertake research, audit and quality improvement work to fulfil its objects and purposes.
  • carry out Council administration.

Where appropriate and governed by necessary safeguards we will carry out the above processing jointly with other appropriate bodies from time to time.

The Council will ensure that at least one of the following conditions is met for personal information to be considered fairly processed:

  • The individual has consented to the processing
  • Processing is necessary for the performance of a contract or agreement with the individual
  • Processing is required under a legal obligation
  • Processing is necessary to protect the vital interests of the individual
  • Processing is necessary to carry out public functions
  • Processing is necessary in order to pursue the legitimate interests of the data controller or third parties.

Particular attention is paid to the processing of any sensitive personal information and the Council will ensure that at least one of the following conditions is met:

  • Explicit consent of the individual
  • Required by law to process the data for employment purposes
  • A requirement in order to protect the vital interests of the individual or another person

Who is responsible for protecting a person’s personal data?

The Council as a corporate body has ultimate responsibility for ensuring compliance with the Data Protection legislation.

The Council will always give guidance on personnel data to employees, Councillors, partners and volunteers through a Privacy Notice and ensure that individuals on whom personal information is kept are aware of their rights and have easy access to that information on request.

Appropriate technical and organisational measures will be taken against unauthorised or unlawful processing of personal data and against accidental loss or destruction of, or damage to, personal data.

Personal data shall not be transferred to a country or territory outside the European Economic Areas unless that country or territory ensures an adequate level of protection for the rights and freedoms of data subjects in relation to the processing of personal data.

Information provided to us

The information provided (personal information such as name, address, email address, phone number) will be processed and stored so that it is possible for us to contact, respond to or conduct the transaction requested by the individual. By transacting with Nutfield Parish Council, individuals are deemed to be giving consent for their personal data provided to be used and transferred in accordance with this policy, however where ever possible specific written consent will be sought.

It is the responsibility of those individuals to ensure that the Council is able to keep their personal data accurate and up-to-date. The personal information will be not shared or provided to any other third party or be used for any purpose other than that for which it was provided.

The Council's Right to Process Information

Under the terms of the General Data Protection Regulations (and Data Protection Act) Article 6 (1) (a) (b) and (e) processing is with consent of the data subject or processing is necessary for compliance with a legal obligation or processing is necessary for the
legitimate interests of the Council.

Information Security

The Council cares to ensure the security of personal data. We make sure that your information is protected from unauthorised access, loss, manipulation, falsification, destruction or unauthorised disclosure. This is done through appropriate technical measures and appropriate policies. We will only keep your data for the purpose it was collected for and only for as long as is necessary, after which it will be deleted.

Children

We will not process any data relating to a child (under 13) without the express parental/guardian consent of the child concerned.

Rights of a Data Subject:

Access to Information:
an individual has the right to request access to the information we have on them. They can do this by contacting our Clerk.
Information Correction:
If they believe that the information we have about them is incorrect, they may contact us so that we can update it and keep their data accurate. Please contact the Clerk.
Information Deletion:
If the individual wishes the Council to delete the information about them, they can do so by contacting the Clerk.
Right to Object:
If an individual believes their data is not being processed for the purpose it has been collected for, they may object by contacting the Clerk.

The Council does not use automated decision making or profiling of individual personal data.

Complaints:

If an individual has a complaint regarding the way their personal data has been processed, they may make a complaint to the Clerk or the Information Commissioners Office casework@ico.org.uk Tel: 0303 123 1113.

Disclosure Information

The Council will as necessary undertake checks on both staff and Members with the Disclosure and Barring Service and will comply with their Code of Conduct relating to the secure storage, handling, use, retention and disposal of Disclosures and Disclosure Information. It will include an appropriate operating procedure in its integrated quality management system.

Data Transparency

The Council has resolved to act in accordance with the Code of Recommended Practice for Local Authorities on Data Transparency (September 2011). This sets out the key principles for local authorities in creating greater transparency through the publication of public data and is intended to help them meet obligations of the legislative framework concerning information.

“Public data” means the objective, factual data on which policy decisions are based and on which public services are assessed, or which is collected or generated in the course of public service delivery.

The Code will therefore underpin the Council’s decisions on the release of public data and ensure it is proactive in pursuing higher standards and responding to best practice as it develops.

The principles of the Code are:

Demand led:
new technologies and publication of data should support transparency and accountability
Open:
the provision of public data will be integral to the Council’s engagement with residents so that it drives accountability to them.
Timely:
data will be published as soon as possible following production.

Contact Details

Please contact us if you have any questions about this Privacy Notice or the personal data we hold about you or to exercise all relevant rights, queries or complaints at:

The Clerk
Nutfield Parish Council
Email: parishclerk@nutfieldpc.com

Policy Dated: May 2018

Scheduled Review Date: (April 2019)