• What is the Data Protection Act?
• The Data Protection principles
• Accessing your information
• Timescales
• For further help and contact details
  

The Data Protection Act protects an individual's privacy and ensures that personal data is processed responsibly and in accordance with the law. Personal data refers to information that can be used to identify an individual.

The Data Protection principles

We must make sure that all personal data is processed in line with the eight data protection principles.  These principles ensure that personal data shall be: -

1. Processed fairly and lawfully
2. Processed for specified purposes
3. Adequate, relevant and not excessive in relation to the purposes for which they are held.
4. Accurate and where necessary kept up to date
5. Retained for no longer than necessary
6. Processed in accordance with the rights of Data Subjects under the Act 
7. Kept secure 
8. Not transferred to other countries without adequate protection.

Some exemptions may apply, for example where processing is necessary for the prevention or detection of crime.

Accessing your information

The Data Protection Act 1998 provides an individual a right of access to their personal data.

You can obtain the information by writing (letter/email/fax) to Wandsworth Council at the address below: -

Corporate Information Management Team
Room 162, Wandsworth Town Hall
Wandsworth High Street
London, SW18 2PU

A request for personal information must include: -

* Name and address
* Proof of identity
* The personal data required
* £10 fee

Copies of driving license and passport are accepted as proof of identity. The proof of identity may also need to be verified by a Council Officer.

In order for us to be able to process a request efficiently the request should include details of the information required, for example services received and departments which may hold the information.

A fee of £10 is payable for each request for personal information.  Cheques should be made payable to 'Wandsworth Borough Council'. 

The fee may be waived under certain circumstances by the Adult Social Services Department subject to an applicants status. Where a request for information comprises of a single document or similar the fee may also be waived. 

If a fee is required, but has not been provided, we will contact the applicant to advise in order to progress the request.

Where information is requested by a third party, authorisation must be provided by the person who the information relates to.  We will need to verify the third party's status.

Timescales

Applications will be processed promptly, but in any event a response will be made within 40 calendar days from the date that we receive the request, proof of identity and fee.

For further help and contact details

Data Protection Officer
Room 162 The Town Hall
Wandsworth High Street
London SW18 2PU

Tel: - 020 8871 7202/4
Fax – 020 8871 7321
Email – dpa@wandsworth.gov.uk