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Member guidance on the Data Protection Act

Guidance on those parts of the Data Protection Act (DPA) 1998 which directly affect elected members.


Guidance on those parts of the Data Protection Act (DPA) 1998 which directly affect elected members. It covers:

  • What the DPA 1998 is about.
  • The definition of 'Personal Data'
  • Responsibilities for Processing Personal Data
  • Implications for Elected Members
  • Consequences of Unlawful Disclosure of Personal Data
  • The requirement to Notify the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO)
  • Notifying the Information Commissioner's Office as a Data Controller.

Data protection: guidance for local authority elected members

You can read further documentation such as the LGA Freedom of Information policy and the LGA Data Protection policy on our policies and procedures page.