Council tax recovery privacy statement

Why we collect information about you

We collect information for the billing and collection of council tax in line with the Local Government Finance Act 1992 and subsequent legislation.

What information do we collect about you?

We collect information about:

  • Your name, address, contact details
  • The people in your household to establish correct council tax charge and eligibility for discounts and exemptions
  • Bank details if you pay by direct debit
  • Your employer
  • If you cannot pay and need to enter into a special payment arrangement we will ask for details about your financial situation.
  • If you cannot pay and need to enter into a special payment arrangement we will ask for details about your household income.

Who do we share the information with?

The Council may share your personal data with partner authorities and service providers for the purpose of administering and collecting council tax. We have a duty to protect public funds and may use your information to perform statutory enforcement duties and data matching for the prevention and detection of fraud and/or crime.

  • The council has a legal duty to submit information to the government as part of the National Fraud Initiative (NFI).You can read about the type of information we have to disclose to the NFI on their website.
  • We may also share your data with other agencies or organisations where the law allows us to do so and for the prevention and detection of fraud and/or crime. This includes:
    • Other departments within the council
    • Other local authorities
    • Her Majesty’s Courts and Tribunal Service
    • Department for Work and Pensions
    • Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs

Is any information transferred to or stored on servers based outside the European Economic Area?

No

How long do we keep your information?

Your data will be held for as long as your account is open or has a remaining balance payable. Once your account is closed and payments have been made in full your data will be held for six years plus current.

Who do we collect information from?

  • You
  • Other occupiers
  • Other departments within the council
  • Other local authorities, organisations and agencies
  • Service providers administering and collecting the council tax on the council’s behalf
  • Property letting agents
  • Landlords
  • Previous or future occupiers of the property
  • Estate agents
  • Solicitors and other parties authuorised to act on your behalf

What are the consequences if we do not collect the data?

Council Tax is a statutory tax levied by central government on those responsible for domestic property and is collected locally by the council. If we do not collect data, the council will be unable to fulfil its statutory obligations to collect council tax.

Are any decisions about you made by automatic means?

No