Council Tax and Benefits Privacy Notice

Privacy notice name
Council Tax and Benefits Privacy Notice
Last updated
Wednesday, 26 July 2023
Introduction

Council Tax is paid to us based on the estimated value of a property and the number of people living in it. We've a duty to protect public funds and may use information held about you for lawful purposes. These include but are not limited to:

  • Preventing and detecting fraud.
  • Matching Council Tax data with electoral registration records.
  • Protecting public funds in investigating misuse of public money.
  • Administering Council Tax liability and recovery work.
  • Ensuring properties are billed or exempted from billing.
  • Ensuring discounts awarded where appropriate.
  • Ensuring non-payment is pursued and debt recovered.
  • Undertaking research to inform decision making.
What personal information we collect

We collect personal information to make sure that we can carry out our work. The personal information we collect includes:

  • Names.
  • Address and contact details, including mobile numbers
  • Age and date of birth.
  • Telephone number.
  • Marital status.
  • Financial, for example, bank details.
  • Health or medical records, including disabilities.
Who we collect personal information about

When we collect personal information it may be about:

  • Homeowners.
  • Individuals.
  • Complainants.
How we use personal information

We use your personal information to:

  • Maintain accounts and records.
  • Administer the collection or payment of taxes, benefits and other revenues.
  • Process applications, requests and appeals.
  • Undertake investigations and audits.
  • Enable the prevention and prosecution of crime.
  • Send you text messages when you are behind with your Council Tax instalments.
Why we use your personal information

We're required by law to provide a Council Tax and benefits services. This is detailed in legislation and guidance including:

  • Local Government Finance Act 1992
  • Local Security Contributions and Benefits Acts 1992
  • Local Government Act 2003
  • The Housing Benefit Regulations 2006
  • Local Government Finance Act 2012
  • Social Security Administration Act 1992
  • Council Tax Reduction Schemes (Detection of Fraud and Enforcement) (England) Regulations 2013
Who we share your personal information with

We collect information from and disclose information to individuals and organisations that can support our work including:

  • Affected parties.
  • Council departments.
  • Law enforcement and prosecuting agencies.
  • Other public bodies and authorities, for example the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
  • Ombudsman and regulatory bodies.
Automated decision about your personal information
This service doesn't make any decisions using computers or programmes that don't involve a human being when using your personal information.
How long we keep your personal information
We keep personal information collected as part of this process for a minimum of 6 years from the date of collection, or for an additional length of time if necessary.
Transferring personal information beyond the EEA
This service doesn't transfer your information outside the European Economic Area (EEA).

We do not routinely share data with any organisation outside the UK, but our website is available across the internet and we communicate with applicants and stakeholders wherever they are.
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Contact

Contact the team