Data Protection

The Data Protection Act 1998 is designed to protect personal data about living individuals.  It sets rules and conditions which organisations must obey when gaining and using information about you, and gives you certain rights which must be respected.

Why does the Council keep personal information?

This is necessary so that the Council can provide you with the services you require. The type of information that is held may vary depending on the purpose for which it is being processed.  For example, anyone with whom the Council has contact may need to give some basic information about themselves; some may need to give information about their personal and family circumstances; and others may also have to give information about their financial situation.

What are your rights of access to your personal records?

You have the right to:

• ask the Council if it holds personal information about you;     
• request a copy of that information
• ask for incorrect personal information to be corrected
• be given details about the purposes for which the Council uses the information and of other organisations or persons to whom it is given.

Requesting your personal data

Requests must be in writing and a form and explanatory notes are provided to assist you, although use of the form is not compulsory.  Your request should be addressed to the Policy & Data Protection Officer, Town Hall, Alcester Street, Redditch, B98 8AH or by e-mail to pat.bellamy@redditchbc.gov.uk.  You may be asked to pay a fee of £10 unless you can demonstrate that you are in receipt of benefits (including Family Tax Credit).