East and West Runton Data Protection (GDPR)

General Data Protection Regulation Policy

Adopted: May 2018
To be reviewed annually – next review May 2019

Purpose of the policy and background to the General Data Protection Regulation
This policy explains to councillors, staff and the public about GDPR. Personal data must be processed lawfully, fairly and transparently; collected for specified, explicit and legitimate purposes; be adequate, relevant and limited to what is necessary for processing; be accurate and kept up to date; be kept only for as long as is necessary for processing and be processed in a manner that ensures its security. This policy updates any previous data protection policy and procedures to include the additional requirements of GDPR which apply in the UK from May 2018. The Government have confirmed that despite the UK leaving the EU, GDPR will still be a legal requirement. This policy explains the duties and responsibilities of the council and it identifies the means by which the council will meet its obligations.

Identifying the roles and minimising risk
GDPR requires that everyone within the council must understand the implications of GDPR and that roles and duties must be assigned. The Council is the data controller and the clerk /RFO is the Data Protection Officer (DPO). It is the DPO’s duty to undertake an information audit and to manage the information collected by the council, the issuing of privacy statements, dealing with requests and complaints raised and also the safe disposal of information. This will be included in the Job Description of the clerk / RFO/DPO.

Appointing the Clerk as the DPO must avoid a conflict of interests, in that the DPO should not determine the purposes or manner of processing personal data.
GDPR requires continued care by everyone within the council, councillors and staff, in the sharing of information about individuals, whether as a hard copy or electronically. A breach of the regulations could result in the council facing a fine from the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) for the breach itself and also to compensate the individual(s) who could be adversely affected. Therefore, the handling of information is seen as high / medium risk to the council (both financially and reputationally) and one which must be included in the Risk Management Policy of the council. Such risk can be minimised by undertaking an information audit, issuing privacy statements, maintaining privacy impact assessments (an audit of potential data protection risks with new projects), minimising who holds data protected information and the council undertaking training in data protection awareness.

Data breaches
One of the duties assigned to the DPO is the investigation of any breaches. Personal data breaches should be reported to the DPO for investigation. The DPO will conduct this with the support of the Council. Investigations must be undertaken within one month of the report of a breach. Procedures are in place to detect, report and investigate a personal data breach. The ICO will be advised of a breach (within 3 days) where it is likely to result in a risk to the rights and freedoms of individuals – if, for example, it could result in discrimination, damage to reputation, financial loss, loss of confidentiality, or any other significant economic or social disadvantage. Where a breach is likely to result in a high risk to the rights and freedoms of individuals, the DPO will also have to notify those concerned directly.

It is unacceptable for non-authorised users to access IT using employees’ log-in passwords or to use equipment while logged on. It is unacceptable for employees, volunteers and members to use IT in any way that may cause problems for the Council, for example the discussion of internal council matters on social media sites could result in reputational damage for the Council and to individuals.

Privacy Notices
Being transparent and providing accessible information to individuals about how the Council uses personal data is a key element of the Data Protection Act 1998 (DPA) and the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The most common way to provide this information is in a privacy notice. This is a notice to inform individuals about what a council does with their personal information. A privacy notice will contain the name and contact details of the data controller and Data Protection Officer, the purpose for which the information is to be used and the length of time for its use. It should be written clearly and should advise the individual that they can, at any time, withdraw their agreement for the use of this information. Issuing of a privacy notice must be detailed on the Information Audit kept by the council. The council will adopt a privacy notice to use, although some changes could be needed depending on the situation, for example where children are involved. All privacy notices must be verifiable.

Information Audit
The DPO must undertake an information audit which details the personal data held, where it came from, the purpose for holding that information and with whom the council will share that information. This will include information held electronically or as a hard copy. Information held could change from year to year with different activities, and so the information audit will be reviewed at least annually or when the council undertakes a new activity. The information audit review should be conducted ahead of the review of this policy and the reviews should be minuted.

Individuals’ Rights
GDPR gives individuals rights with some enhancements to those rights already in place:
* the right to be informed
* the right of access
* the right to rectification
* the right to erasure
* the right to restrict processing
* right to data portability
* the right to object
* the right not to be subject to automated decision-making including profiling.

The two enhancements of GDPR are that individuals now have a right to have their personal data erased (sometime known as the ‘right to be forgotten’) where their personal data is no longer necessary in relation to the purpose for which it was originally collected and data portability must be done free of charge. Data portability refers to the ability to move, copy or transfer data easily between different computers.

If a request is received to delete information, then the DPO must respond to this request within a month. The DPO has the delegated authority from the Council to delete information.

If a request is considered to be manifestly unfounded then the request could be refused or a charge may apply. The charge will be as detailed in the Council’s Freedom of Information Publication Scheme. The Personnel /XXX Committee will be informed of such requests.

Children
There is special protection for the personal data of a child. The age when a child can give their own consent is 13. If the council requires consent from young people under 13, the council must obtain a parent or guardian’s consent in order to process the personal data lawfully. Consent forms for children age 13 plus, must be written in language that they will understand.

Summary
The main actions arising from this policy are:

* The Council must be registered with the ICO.
* A copy of this policy will be available on the Council’s website. The policy will be considered as a core policy for the Council.
* The Clerk’s Contract and Job Description (if appointed as DPO) will be amended to include additional responsibilities relating to data protection.
* An information audit will be conducted and reviewed at least annually or when projects and services change.
* Privacy notices must be issued.
* Data Protection will be included on the Council’s Risk Management Policy.
* A Committee, with Terms of Reference, will be set up to manage the process.

This policy document is written with current information and advice. It will be reviewed at least annually or when further advice is issued by the ICO.
All employees, volunteers and councillors are expected to comply with this policy at all times to protect privacy, confidentiality and the interests of the Council.

This Policy is supported by the Terms of Reference for the Council as the Data protection controller.

Privacy Notice

When you contact us
The information you provide (personal information such as name, address, email address, phone number, organisation) will be processed and stored to enable us to contact you and respond to your correspondence, provide information and/or access our facilities and services. Your personal information will be not shared or provided to any other third party.

The Councils Right to Process Information
General Data Protection Regulations 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 performance of a task carried out in the public interest or in the exercise of official authority vested in the controller

Information Security
Runton Parish Council has a duty 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. Copies of these policies can be requested.

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. (You many request the deletion of your data held by Runton Parish Council at any time).

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

Access to Information
You have the right to request access to the information we have on you. You can do this by contacting our Data Protection Officer: The Clerk Barbara Emery at Runton Parish Council (details above)

Information Correction
If you believe that the information we have about you is incorrect, you may contact us so that we can update it and keep your data accurate. Please contact: Runton Parish Council to request this.

Information Deletion
If you wish Runton Parish Council to delete the information about you please contact: Runton Parish Council, (details above) to request this.

Right to Object
If you believe that your data is not being processed for the purpose it has been collected for, you may object: Please contact Runton Parish Council to object.

Rights Related to Automated Decision Making and Profiling
Runton Parish Council does not use any form of automated decision making or the profiling of individual personal data.

Complaints
If you have a complaint regarding the way your personal data has been processed you may make a complaint to Runton Parish Council Data Protection Officer: Barbara Emery Runton Parish Council (details above) and the Information Commissioners Office casework@ico.org.uk Tel: 0303 123 1113

Summary: In accordance with the law, Runton Parish Councilonly collect a limited amount of information about you that is necessary for correspondence, information and service provision. Runton Parish Council do not use profiling, we do not sell or pass your data to third parties. Runton Parish Council do not use your data for purposes other than those specified. Runton Parish Council make sure your data is stored securely. Runton Parish Council delete all information deemed to be no longer necessary. Runton Parish Council constantly review our Privacy Policy to keep it up to date in protecting your data. (You can request a copy of our policy at any time).