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The Data Protection Act of 1998 gives eight basic principles, which all organisations in the UK must comply with. The principles state that:
- Personal Data shall be processed fairly and lawfully
- Personal Data shall only be obtained for one or more specified and lawful purposes, and shall not be used further in any manner that is not compatible with that purpose or those purposes.
- Personal Data shall be adequate, relevant, and not excessive in relation to the purpose (or purposes) for which they are processed.
- Personal Data processed shall be accurate and where necessary, kept up to date.
- Personal Data processed for any purpose or purposes shall not be kept for longer than is necessary for the purposes(s).
- Personal Data shall be processed in accordance with the rights of data subjects under this Act.
- The appropriate measures (technical and organisational) shall be taken against unauthorised or unlawful processing of personal data, and against accidental loss or destruction of, or damage to, personal data.
- Personal Data shall not be transferred to a country or territory outside the European Economic Areas unless that country or territory ensures an adequate level of protection for the rights and freedoms of data subjects in relation to the processing of personal data.
Like most organisations, South Essex Homes holds a lot of information, and much of this is confidential. This might be information about our Residents, Leaseholders, Board Members, Employees, Contractors and other Business Partners.
Why we collect information
We collect information to allow us to carry out our business of managing and maintaining Southend Borough Council’s properties in an efficient and proper manner, and to provide you with information about what we do. When you provide us with personal information – either through this website or by any other means – it will be treated in the strictest confidence, and in line with the eight principles above.
How we keep information
We will keep your information secure and only for as long as necessary. When we no longer need the information, we will dispose of it properly and in a secure manner, but while we are holding your information, it will be protected against loss, damage or theft.
If we share information
Sometimes we have to share information with other organisations, for example our Repairs Contractors, as a necessary part of our activities. We will agree with the other organisation what the data can be used for and we will also expect them to comply with the Data Protection Act.
We will also transfer part (or all) of the information we hold to third parties, if we are required to do so by operation of law (e.g. Revenue and Customs).
Right of Subject Access
As an individual, you have a right under the Data Protection Act of 1998 to ask us what information or data we hold on you. This is called a Subject Access Request. If you wish us to provide you with this information, we will charge you £10.00, and before we release it, we will ask you to prove your identity. We will accept the below items as acceptable proof of your identification:
- Passport
- Driving Licence
- Bus Pass if issued by Southend Borough Council
- Pension Book
- UB40 card
- Identify card – i.e. Police, Armed Forces etc
- Family Allowance book
- National Health card
Once we receive a request and have proof of ID and payment, we will acknowledge the request within 2 working days. We will then provide the information within 40 days.
You should note that we will not provide you with information or data about other people.
For further information, please contact our Data Protection Officers as below:
Data Protection Officers,
South Essex Homes,
PO Box 5817,
Southend on Sea,
SS1 9EL
Or e-mail dpo@seh.southend.gov.uk
Or telephone 01702 236100
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