The personal data we collect
Your privacy is important to us and we are committed to handling your personal data in line with both the General Data Protection Regulation and Data Protection Act. We collect, store and use your personal data in many different ways. This depends on how you interact with the council.
What is personal data?
Personal data can be anything that identifies and relates to a living person, including separate pieces of information that, when put together, can identify a person.
Some information is categorised as ‘special’ and needs more protection due to its sensitivity.
It’s often information you would not want widely known and is very personal to you. This includes information relating to:
- Sexuality and sexual health.
- Religious or philosophical beliefs.
- Ethnicity.
- Physical or mental health.
- Trade union membership.
- Political opinion.
- Genetic and biometric data.
- Criminal history.
Why we collect this data
We collect and use your personal data in many different ways, depending on how you interact with the council.
Each council service area may collect, share and store your information in a unique way in order to best deliver a service to you.
Legal reasons for collecting personal data
There are a number of legal reasons why we need to collect and process your data. These include:
- Performing our public functions as a local authority.
- Assisting other government organisations with performing their public functions.
- Carrying out our legal and contractual obligations, and continuously improve the quality of our services.
- Providing health and social care services.
- Carrying out our employment obligations.
- Protecting public health.
- Protecting the vital interests of individuals such as the safeguarding of adults or children.
If you, or your legal representative have given consent, we can also collect and process your data.