The Data Protection Act 1998 gives you the right to know what information is held about you.
How do I request a copy of my personal information?
You will need to make a Subject Access Request asking for the information that is held about you. Requests must be in writing. You will receive an acknowledgement within 5 working days and, once you have paid the fee and provided all the necessary details, we will reply to your request within 40 days.
You need to provide your name, address, details of any services you are receiving and any other information that will help us find your information. It will help us if you can be as specific as possible about the information you require.
How much does it cost?
There is a fee of £10 for each request, which is set by law. Information cannot be provided until the fee is paid.
How to make a Subject Access Request
Use the online Data Protection Subject Access Request form, complete the form available at the bottom of this page or contact us to make a Subject Access Request.
Requests must be submitted in writing but we can make reasonable adjustments to help you if you have a disability that prevents you from making your request in writing.
What will be sent to me?
You will be told if any personal information is held about you and, if it is, you will be given:
- A copy of the information in permanent form
- An explanation of any technical or complicated terms
- Any information we have about the source of your information
- A description of the information, the purposes for processing the information, and who the information is shared with
What do I do if the information held about me is incorrect?
You must write and tell us what information is incorrect and tell us what needs correcting. We will tell you what we have done within 21 days of receiving your request. If we do not agree the information is incorrect, you can ask us to record your disagreement on your records.
Can the council withhold any information?
Yes. There may be some circumstances where the information you have asked for contains information that relates to another person including a member of your family. Unless the other person gives their permission, or it is reasonable in all the circumstances to provide the information without permission, we can withhold this information. There are other circumstances where we can withhold information under the act. To find out more about exempt information under the Data Protection act see the Information Commissioner's Office website.
What can I do if I am unhappy with the information I receive?
If you're unhappy with your information please contact us.
