Your data
Under data protection legislation, we have a legal requirement to ensure that all personal information is kept secure, accurate, up to date, and is only used for the purposes it was collected.
You can find out more by reading our Data Protection Policy (incorporating Data Breach Plan) (PDF).
Personal data is information that identifies you. It can be anything from your contact details, to details of when you contacted the council.
Bedford Borough Council regards the lawful and correct treatment of personal data it holds as essential to successful operations, and to maintaining confidence between those with whom it deals and itself.
The Council fully endorses and adheres to the principles of data protection, as detailed in the General Data Protection Regulation and the Data Protection Act 2018 and ensures that it treats personal information lawfully and correctly.
See our access your information webpage for more information about making a subject access request or data subject rights request.
Council data
Please view our transparency pages to find out information such as:
- how we have been spending local money
- how we have been delivering services
- who does what
- how much they are paid
The Freedom of Information Act 2000 gives you the right to ask in writing for any information held by any public authority.
How do I request information?
Requesting a copy of your personal information is easy. Here's how to do it:
- Choose the way you want to submit your request by reading the information on our personal information and your rights page
What happens after I request access to my information?
We will work with you to make the request reasonable so you can access the information which is most important to you. We will ask questions to identify what information you require and what your working and business connections are to it.
We may also ask you to provide further proof of identification. It is important that we do not send personal data to someone pretending to be you, so please do not be offended if we ask for ID. It means we are looking after your data carefully and checking it goes to the right person.
In all cases, we are required to respond within one month of receiving your full request, either with the information required, or with an explanation of any delays.
What can you tell me?
You are entitled to be told whether we are using your personal data, or someone is doing so on our behalf.
You can then be given a description of the data involved; why it is being processed; who it may be disclosed to; the source of the information and the logic behind processing the information.
If no data is held, or the data falls into a category which is exempt from disclosure, you will be notified in writing.
What can’t you tell me?
We may not be able to release some data to you, such as personal data which could prejudice the prevention or detection of crime; legal advice we have been given, or personal data identifying another person without their permission.
We’re not obliged to comply with a request which simply states "I want everything the council holds on me.”
We will also not discuss other people’s details with you, without written and signed authorisation from that person if they are not present.
To discuss someone else's details with you, we will need this signed permission, or a valid legal document such as a power of attorney.
How to report a data breach
To report a data breach, please email us at dpo@bedford.gov.uk or write to Bedford Borough Council, Information Governance, 6th Floor, Borough Hall, Cauldwell Street, Bedford, MK42 9AP.
Your rights
We will only hold your personal information for as long as necessary for business purposes or if we are required to keep it by law. You can ask to see what data we hold of you and ask to be sent a copy. You can also ask us to correct, erase, stop using, or transfer the information you gave us.
You can find out more on our personal information and your rights page.
Times we may give your information away
Sometimes we can, or have, to release information about you to our partners, or other professional organisations. Solicitors may request information for legal proceedings, or the police may make a request to prevent or detect crime.
You can find out how we process personal data by reading our privacy notice page.
Access to CCTV footage
You can apply for CCTV footage of you to be released under the Data Protection Act. Reasons for footage to be released include to assist with criminal proceedings, or to resolve insurance claims after road accidents.
Data protection queries
If you have further queries not answered on this page or its links please email: dpo@bedford.gov.uk.