Ealing Council processes your personal data in respect of enforcement activity because we have a statutory duty to enforce regulatory and environmental legislation.
What kind of information does Ealing Council have about me?
Personal data is collected by Ealing Council in order to investigate offences, issue Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs), pursue enforcement action and recover unpaid penalties. This includes enforcement under environmental, waste, highways and related legislation. Your personal data may be collected, processed, shared and retained in order to carry out the performance of a public task and to fulfil our legal obligations.
Your personal information may include, but is not limited to:
- personal details such as name and address obtained directly from you, from the DVLA, or from other lawful sources
- details of your vehicle where relevant, such as vehicle registration number, vehicle make and model
- contact we have had with you, such as correspondence via email, online forms and post
- images or video recordings captured by council enforcement officers, body-worn cameras, CCTV, or automatic number plate recognition (ANPR), where applicable
- call recordings and notes or transcripts of telephone calls made to the council
- some transaction information if you have paid an FPN or associated fee by credit or debit card
- contact details you have supplied, such as email address and telephone number
What do you do with information about me?
Ealing Council will use the data collected for the following purposes:
- the investigation of alleged offences and the issuance and administration of Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs)
- enforcement action in cases where FPNs remain unpaid, including progression to prosecution where appropriate
- the prevention and detection of crime and fraud, and where otherwise legally required
- the administration of regulatory and enforcement functions
- the production of statistical reports
Who might my information be shared with?
Your information may be shared:
- with third parties involved in the prosecution, recovery or appeal of enforcement cases, such as the Magistrates’ Courts
- with other local authorities or government bodies where lawfully required
- within departments of the council where essential to carry out statutory functions
- with council contractors who support enforcement activity, including providers of enforcement services, IT systems, body-worn video systems, payment processing, print and scanning services
- with the police and other law enforcement agencies
The council does not use or share your personal data with third parties for marketing purposes.
How do I know the information about me is kept safely?
All information collected by the council is stored securely on our IT systems and, where applicable, manual filing systems. We have strict procedures governing how information is stored, accessed and shared. All personal data is treated confidentially and with respect. Information sharing is taken very seriously. Relevant council staff are Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checked and receive data protection training. Any breach of policy is dealt with through appropriate disciplinary procedures.
Are the records confidential?
All Ealing Council employees have a duty of care in accordance with our data protection policy. This includes respecting that right to confidentiality.
For how long are records held?
Different types of records are held for different periods, in line with legal requirements and the council’s retention schedules. Enforcement and FPN records are normally retained for a period of up to two years following case closure, or longer where cases remain outstanding or are subject to legal proceedings.
Don't you need my permission to keep and share information about me?
We would need your consent if the council’s legal basis for collecting and processing your personal information is consent. Although your information is confidential, we may have to share information about you or your family without your permission. These reasons are:
- to prevent or detect a crime
- to comply with a legal obligation
Are there any laws applicable in the processing and protection of my information?
Relevant legislation includes, but is not limited to:
- UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and Data Protection Act 2018
- Human Rights Act 1998
- Environmental Protection Act 1990
- Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005
- Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014
- Other legislation relevant to local authority enforcement activities
Can I see the information you have collected about me?
Yes, you can request a copy of the information held. This is called a subject access request under the Data Protection Bill 2018 and General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) which contain certain rights of individuals and their personal data. For more information regarding your rights, please see the council's corporate privacy statement
Who should I contact for further information or to complain?
Please see the council's corporate privacy statement for more information on how we use your personal data. The council's data protection officer is Mrs L Cox, whom you can contact on dataprotection@ealing.gov.uk or telephone 020 8825 5124 during office hours.