Dear all
I have been asked if there are any DP issues involved in using other data
sources within the Council (eg Council Tenants, Council Tax) to supplement
the annual canvass and help keep the Electoral Register up to date, the
argument in favour being that this would be part of joined-up government, ie
a resident notifies a change of address once (eg to Council Tax), and the
information is then passed on to other relevant parts of the organisation
(eg electoral registration).
I raised this issue several years ago with the ODPR, who were opposed to the
idea for various reasons. The clincher was that the Electoral Registration
Officer is required under legislation to take "reasonable steps" to ensure
the accuracy of the electoral register. The ODPR's interpretation of
"reasonable steps" was that such steps covered the normal round of
canvassing, visits, etc. Use of other Council data sources could not be
considered "reasonable steps".
Has anyone else dealt with this issue? Any advice/comment would be
gratefully received.
Regards
Stuart Lynch
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