Catherine,
I found my notes and I have sent them through.

 

For those on the list, one of the guidance documents that may help is

Guidance for local authorities on the use of social security data Housing Benefit Strategy Division August 2010

 

Another was DWP guide: Data sharing to tackle worklessness Jobseekers and Skills Directorate February 2010

 

The then IDeA published A series of ‘how to’ guides for councils and their partners Tackling worklessness Good Practice in Data Sharing.

 

I think that most of these set out the issues. I would start with the first one, sorry I do not have the links, as it was from the DWP for Local Authorities.

 

I hope these help.

 

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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