What information do we need?
Argyll and Bute Council will act as the ‘Data Controller’ for the personal data you provide to us. The Data Protection Officer who is responsible for ensuring personal data is managed in accordance with data protection legislation, can be contacted as follows:
Address: Argyll and Bute Council, Legal and Regulatory Support, Kilmory, Lochgilphead PA31 8RT.
Email: data.protection@argyll-bute.gov.uk
Telephone: 01546 605522
The information we collect from you will include details such as your name, address, e-mail address and telephone number.
Some of the personal information that the Council processes when assessing and providing advice, income maximisation and representation – such as information about health – is known as special category data. In the case of benefits advice and representation the Council is allowed to process this information under the terms of the current Data Protection legislation.
Why do we need this information?
Your information is being collected to allow Argyll and Bute Council to provide impartial welfare benefits advice and appeals representation at welfare benefit appeals. If you do not provide this information then we will be unable to provide this service to you. We will not collect any personal data from you that isn’t needed for delivery of those services.
Article 6(1)(e) Public Task - The Council is permitted to process your personal data in this way because it is necessary for the performance of a task carried out in the public interest or in the exercise of official authority vested in the Council.
In addition, the Local Government in Scotland Act 2003 gives local authorities the power to do anything which they consider is likely to improve its area and persons within that area; the service provided by Welfare Rights falls within the scope of this Power to Advance Well-Being.
Article 9(2)(g) - Special Category data is collected for reasons of substantial public interest for aims that are proportionate and which contain appropriate safeguarding measures
What will we do with your information?
Your personal information will be shared with third parties acting in your interests and with third parties if we are required to do so by law. This will involve sharing your information as shown in the table below.
| Partner Organisation | Reason for Sharing Information |
|---|---|
| HOME Argyll partners: Argyll Community Housing Association Dunbritton Housing Association Fyne Homes West Highland Housing Association |
The management and operation of the common housing register for the allocation of social housing including statutory duties under homeless legislation. |
| Housing Support Providers (currently CARR GOM AND HELP – updated information will be issued at contract renewal) | The provision of housing support as requested by individuals, homeless or threatened with homelessness. |
| Temporary Accommodation Providers (currently Blue Triangle Housing Association, Women’s Aid, Ardmore House and Kilmun Properties Ltd – updated information will be issued at contract renewal) |
The provision of temporary accommodation for individuals, homeless or threatened with homeless. |
| Argyll and Bute Care & Repair Argyll and Bute Health & Social Care Partnership |
The provision of advice and assistance including financial assistance for major adaptations to suit disabled people in private housing. |
| Home Energy Scotland Procured Insulation Contractor (currently BCA Insulation Ltd – updated information will be issued at contract renewal) |
The provision of advice and assistance including financial assistance for improvements to the home energy efficiency of private housing. |
| Family Mediation – Argyll and Bute Argyll and Bute Council Departments |
Referral to other agencies or council departments, with the consent of the individual unless there are statutory duties to do so. |
| Statutory Agencies | Referral to other agencies, with consent of the individual unless there are statutory duties to do so. |
| Scottish Legal Aid Board | Un-redacted case notes to allow peer review of our procedures to improve service provided to individuals. |
When you do not provide information directly to us, we may receive it from any of the above partner organisations.
You should also be aware that your data will be stored on servers located within the United Kingdom. We will take all reasonable steps to ensure that your data is kept secure and more information on how we do this can be provided by contacting the Data Protection Officer.
How long will we keep your information?
We will keep your information for the length of time specified within our document retention schedules, and after this period it will be destroyed under secure arrangements. Information in relation to Welfare Rights is kept for 2 years (paper records) and 7 years (electronic records). More information on our retention policy and procedure can be obtained from the Data Protection Officer if required.
Automated Decision Making
No automated decision making will take place.
Your Rights
When you provide information to the Council, you will have the following rights:
- to withdraw consent at any time, where the legal basis specified above is consent (not applicable)
- to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner’s Office – see below for details
- to request access to your personal data – please contact the Data Protection Officer if you wish to submit a request.
- to data portability, where the Legal basis specified above is i) consent or ii) performance of a contract (not applicable)
- to request rectification or erasure of your personal data, as far as the legislation permits – please contact the Data Protection Officer and provide details of what data you wish to be rectified or erased.
You can find out more about your rights in relation to data protection here: www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/data-protection or from the Data Protection Officer by telephone or in writing, as detailed above.
Information Commissioner’s Office
The ICO is the UK’s independent body set up to uphold information rights.
Information Commissioner’s Office
Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 5AF
Telephone: 0303 123 1113
Email: casework@ico.org.uk
The Information Commissioner’s Office – Scotland
45 Melville Street, Edinburgh, EH3 7HL
Telephone: 0303 123 1115
Email: Scotland@ico.org.uk