Data protection act
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.
The council's Data Protection
Policy statement sets out how it will comply with the
Act. The council also has policies dealing with the
security of information:
- Information Security Policy
- IT Equipment Use and Security Policy
- Internet and E-Mail Policy.
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 may
be subject to an administration fee. The postal
address is as follows:
The Freedom of Information Officer
Maidstone Borough Council
DIP
PO BOX 524
King Street
Maidstone ME15 6JQ
DX: 4819 MAIDSTONE
National Fraud Initiative
Maidstone Borough Council is required by law to protect the
public funds it administers. It may share information provided to
it with other bodies responsible for auditing or administering
public funds, in order to prevent and detect fraud.
For more information please visit the National Fraud Initiative page.