How To Access Your Records

You have a right under the Data Protection Act to ask for confirmation that an organisation is processing your data and to see information held on you by that organisation.

You also have the right to be told:

  • the purposes of and legal basis for the processing;
  • the categories of personal data concerned;
  • the recipients or categories of recipients to whom the personal data has
    been disclosed;
  • the period for which the personal data is to be held;
  • that you have rights to rectification and erasure of personal data where, for
    example, factual information has been recorded incorrectly;
  • that you have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner’s
    Office and the contact details of the Commissioner;
  • any information about the origin of the personal data concerned.
  • This guide is designed to help you to access the information held on you by Callington Town Council.

How do I get to see my records?

You make requests for records under the Data Protection Act. The Act requires you to put your request in writing, and show proof of identity. We can’t ask you why you want the information, however it’s helpful to include in your request what you are looking for so that we can process your request more quickly.

To help you to formulate your request, you can use our form on the web site: http://www.callington-tc.gov.uk

Proof of identity is an official document with a photograph, such as a driving licence or a passport.

You can then post/email/take your letter or the form requesting your information and the proof of identity to Callington Town Council, Town Hall, New Road, Callington PL17 7BD. You will receive an acknowledgement within 10 working days.

Is there a fee?

The information is provided free of charge, however the Town Council charges a fee for further copies of the same information provided based on a standard charge per page. If you need extra copies please let us know and we will calculate the cost.

Can my request be refused?

We can refuse your request if it is manifestly unfounded or excessive. We will explain why we consider your request to be manifestly unfounded or excessive if we do refuse it.

The Town council’s criteria for refusing a request include:

  • If the requester has made numerous requests for their information and been
    provided with the same information over a short period of time (within one year);
  • If the Town council has taken all reasonable steps to locate and provide subject
    to exemptions all of the information held about an individual so nothing further
    can be provided;
  • If the Town council would need to process an unreasonable amount of personal
    data of other individuals to locate information about a particular individual, such as carrying out an email search of all email records.

How long does it take for me to receive a copy of my records?

Under the Data Protection Act your request must be completed within 30 days of the written request and proof of identity being received by the council.

How is the information provided?

Wherever possible, we will provide the information in electronic format. If you wish to have a paper copy instead, please let us know when you make your request.

Will I see everything in my records?

Usually, you will see all of the information about yourself contained in your file. There are exemptions in the Data Protection Act and other legislation that mean that some things have to be redacted (blanked out) or withheld. These things can include: Information given in confidence

Legal advice

Information about other people (“third party data”)

Can I change anything in my records?

If there are inaccuracies in your records, you can raise them and depending on what the information is, it will be changed or a note will be kept with the record to show your disagreement with what has been recorded.

Can I request information on behalf of other people?

If you are making the request on behalf of another individual to access their information, we will need written consent from the individual to whom the data relates as well as their proof of identity. If you have legal authorisation to act on behalf of an individual, such as if you act with power of attorney or as a litigation friend, you will need to provide a copy of that authorisation to evidence it.

Further information

For further information, speak to the relevant Head of Service, Callington Town Council, Bank House, The Strand, Callington, Town Hall, New Road, Callington PL17 7BD, Telephone 01579 384039.

There is also further information about making requests for information about yourself from the Information Commissioner’s Office. Write to the Information Commissioner’s Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 5AF, telephone: 01625 545 745, or use the Information Commissioner’s Office web site.