Privacy Notice

Privacy and Data Protection

Privacy Notice

Seale and Sands Parish Council is committed to protecting your personal data and respecting your privacy. This privacy notice explains how we collect, use and protect your information in accordance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR), the Data Protection Act 2018, and other applicable legislation.

Who we are

Seale and Sands Parish Council is the data controller for the personal information we collect. You can contact us at:

Email: clerk@saspc.info
Website: www.saspc.info

What information we collect

We may collect and process the following types of personal data:

  • Name

  • Address

  • Email address

  • Telephone number

  • Survey responses and other communications

Why we collect your data

We collect personal data to carry out our public duties and provide services to the local community. This includes:

  • Responding to enquiries and correspondence

  • Conducting consultations and surveys

  • Administering Council services and events

  • Complying with legal obligations

Lawful basis for processing

We process personal data under the following legal bases:

  • Public task: to carry out tasks in the public interest or in the exercise of official authority

  • Legal obligation: to comply with applicable laws and regulations

  • Consent: where you have given clear permission for us to do so (e.g. newsletter sign-ups)

How your data is used

We will only use your data for the purpose for which it was collected. We do not sell your data or share it with third parties unless required by law or necessary for service delivery (e.g. our website hosting provider).

Anonymised data from surveys may be published in public reports or meeting minutes.

How long we keep your data

We retain personal data only for as long as necessary to fulfil the purpose it was collected for and to comply with legal and audit requirements. Data is securely deleted when no longer required.

Your rights

Under UK GDPR, you have the right to:

  • Access your data

  • Request correction of inaccurate data

  • Request erasure of your data (in certain cases)

  • Object to or restrict processing

  • Lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO)

More information about your rights is available from the ICO website.

Cookies

Our website uses cookies — small text files placed on your device — to support essential site functionality and help us improve our services.

Types of cookies we use

  • Essential cookies: These are necessary for the website to function properly and cannot be switched off in our systems. They include features like page navigation and access to secure areas of the site.

  • Analytics cookies (if enabled): These help us understand how visitors interact with the site by collecting and reporting information anonymously. We only use these where appropriate consent has been given.

Managing cookies

You can control or disable cookies at any time through your browser settings. Please note that blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience on our site.

If we implement analytics or other optional cookies, we will request your consent via a cookie banner before setting them.

Contact us

If you have any concerns or questions about how your data is handled, please contact the Clerk at clerk@saspc.info.

Use of WhatsApp for Council Updates

Seale and Sands Parish Council operates a broadcast-only WhatsApp group to share official Council updates with residents who wish to receive them. This is an optional service and is provided for information purposes only.

How we collect and use your data:

  • When you choose to join the WhatsApp group, your phone number is visible to the Council as the group administrator.

  • The Council does not record or use your number for any other purpose.

  • We do not share your number with anyone or add it to any contact lists or databases.

  • You may leave the group at any time via WhatsApp’s settings.

Lawful basis for processing:

  • The lawful basis for using your phone number in this context is consent, as you are choosing to join the group and receive updates.

Important note about WhatsApp:

  • WhatsApp is a third-party platform and processes your data under its own privacy policy. By joining the group, you should be aware that other group members may be able to see your name and profile photo, depending on your personal privacy settings within WhatsApp.

  • We recommend you review your WhatsApp privacy settings if you have concerns about what other participants may see.

If the group is ever restructured to include discussion or two-way messaging, we will update this privacy policy and seek fresh consent from participants.