Data Subject Access under the Data Protection Act
Bridgend County Borough Council needs to collect and use certain types of information about people with whom it deals. These include current, past and prospective employees, suppliers, clients/customers. In addition, it may occasionally be required by law to collect and use certain types of information to comply with the requirements of government departments, for example business data. This personal information is dealt with according to the principles as detailed in the Data Protection Act 1998.
The Act gives certain rights to people whose data is held by the Authority. One of these is the right of subject access. This allows people to find out what is being held about them and if it is incorrect to have it amended.
Data subject access requests must be in writing: - letter, e-mail or fax and should give any details that would help the Authority to locate the information requested; e.g. name and address, whether you are an employee or client, any valid reference number etc.
A standard data subject access form is available here
A reply to a subject access request is normally made within 40 days. The Authority may ask for a fee which is usually £10, but different fees apply to health and educational records. Once the Authority receives the fee (if required), proof of ID and any information needed to locate the information, the request will be actioned. This usually means the provision of a copy of the information held. However there might be some restrictions under the Act on an individual’s right to see all personal data held about them. If restrictions apply to you, you will be informed of this.
- Last Updated: 17/09/2009
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