Catherine,

I would suggest a trawl through the JISC archives as this was discussed at length about 18-24 months ago. The DWP issued extensive guidance on the topic in collaboration with the LGA.

I sent in some questions to the DWP solicitors, but as it was just after the major benefits shakeup was announced, they explained they were unable to answer and would respond in the future.  (I am still waiting. J)

If I can find my notes, I will send them. The short answer was that it will depend on what you said when you collected the CT information. They were suggesting a wider privacy notice, or even a separate one, to allow wider sharing.  If my memory serves (willing to be corrected) the short answer was no sharing allowed if a strict privacy notice was used to collect the CT information. Thus, the work was encouraged to widen the privacy notice and to find a variety of ways to do this, such as with the annual CT bills/updates.

If the trawl through the archives does not work, I can try to track down what notes I have and send them to you directly.

Best,

Lawrence

Hi all

Can't see the wood for the trees. Can anyone provide advice/clarification on the re-use of Council Tax data please?

My understanding is that Council Tax data cannot be used for other purposes, and that this is a restriction laid down in the local government finance act 1992, although I can't seem to find evidence of the specific piece in the legislation.

The Council, and I'm sure others have come across this, have received funding from central government as part of the Community Energy Saving Programme (CESP) to undertake works to improve the fuel efficiency of solid wall properties. British Gas have won the national contract to undertake the works, but require permission of homeowners to carry works out free of charge. Rather than share personal data with British Gas, our Regeneration department want to access Council Tax data to contact home owners to let them know about the scheme and it's benefits, asking that they contact British Gas if they're interested and want to be involved.

I would normally be happy with this, as it's clear that the scheme is of benefit to the homeowners, helps to assist with the issue of fuel poverty etc, and I don't think contacting individuals negatively impacts their privacy in any way, but I'm concerned whether even this internal re-use of Council Tax data is not permitted?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated, especially if anyone is able to point me to the specific restriction on the use of Council Tax data?

Kind regards
Catherine

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Catherine Hanley
Data Protection Officer
Middlesbrough Council Members' Office
PO Box 503
Town Hall
Middlesbrough
TS1 9FX (for directions please use TS1 2RT)
01642 729686

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