Data Protection Complaints 

The Council processes a large amount of personal data and we are committed to using this information fairly and keeping it safe and secure.

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is a European regulation which came into force on 25 May 2018. The Data Protection Act is the UK's law that implements the EU GDPR.

You can complain to us about our handling of yours, or other people's information if you believe:

• we have not properly responded to your request for your personal information;
• we are not keeping information secure;
• we hold inaccurate information about you;
• we have disclosed information about you;
• we are keeping information about you longer than is necessary;
• we have collected information for one reason but are using it for something else; or
• we have not upheld any of your data rights

Ways to Complain

• You can use this online form
• You can email your complaint to information@fareham.gov.uk
• You can write to the Data Protection Officer at:

Data Protection Officer
Fareham Borough Council
Civic Offices
Civic Way
Fareham
PO16 7AZ

We would ask that you explain clearly what has happened and how this has affected you.  If you have already spoken to an officer about this matter, please tell us who you have spoken to and what the outcome of that conversation was.

If you have documents to evidence your complaint, it will help us to have sight of them and please only submit documentation relevant to your complaint.  If you are contacting us in writing, please do not send us original documents.

Timescales

We will acknowledge receipt of your complaint and will respond within 30 days.  If we are unable to respond within this timescale, we will advise you why and when you can expect a response.

The 30 days commences the day after your complaint is received (even if this falls on a weekend of public holiday).  If day 30 (the deadline) falls on a weekend or public holiday, we do not have to respond until the next working day.

Further action

If you remain dissatisfied with a complaint response, you have the option to make a complaint to the Information Commission's office (ICO) .  This information will also be provided in our response to your complaint.

We would ask that you give us the opportunity to investigate and respond to your complaint before contacting the ICO.