Why we use your personal data
We generally use personal data so that we can provide public services and carry out our functions as a public authority. We therefore use your personal data because it is necessary for one or more of the following lawful reasons:
- to perform a contract which you have entered into, or intend to enter into, with us or with another organisation
- to comply with our general legal obligations (this includes an obligation to safeguard public funds, so we may use your personal data to help to ensure that all money which is owed to us is paid on time, and we may check your personal data for accuracy in order to detect and prevent fraud)
- to protect your vital interests, or someone else’s vital interests
- to perform a task carried out in the public interest or under our official authority as a local council
The categories of personal data which we hold are:
- Contact details (for contacting you in relation to services which we provide)
- Financial details (for example for administering payment of tax and benefits)
- Educational and training records
- Social care records
- Social work and criminal justice records
- Enquiries and applications (for example for transport, planning or grant-funding)
- Recruitment and employment records
- Trading standards and environmental health records
- Licensing applications
- Complaints
- Consultation responses
The law provides additional safeguards for personal data which relates to racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, religious or philosophical beliefs, trade union membership, genetic or biometric data, health, or sex life or sexual orientation. We will only use such personal data (for example for the purposes of occupational health) if you have given your consent or the law otherwise allows us to do so.
We may only use personal data relating to criminal convictions in limited situations where the law specifically allows us to.