Tel: 01702  219343
Email: enquiries@greatwakering-pc.gov.uk


Privacy Policy

Great Wakering Parish Council – Website Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

Great Wakering Parish Council (“the Council”, “we”, “our”, “us”) is committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring your personal data is handled in a safe, fair, and transparent manner.
This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store and protect personal information when you visit our website or contact the Council.

We comply with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.


2. Who We Are

Great Wakering Parish Council
Council Offices, Council Office Address 
The Parish Clerk
Council Offices
Little Wakering Hall Lane
Great Wakering
Essex SS3 0HH
Email: enquiries@greatwakering-pc.gov.uk
Telephone: 01702  219343

The Parish Clerk is the data controller for the information we collect.


3. What Personal Data We Collect

We may collect and process the following information when you interact with our website:

3.1 Information you provide directly

  • Your name and contact details when you email the Council or use an online form

  • Information provided when submitting a complaint, enquiry, or request

  • Details you provide when responding to consultations or surveys

3.2 Information collected automatically

When you visit our website, certain technical information is collected automatically, such as:

  • IP address

  • Browser type and version

  • Pages viewed and time spent on the site

  • Device type and operating system

This information helps us improve the website and does not identify you personally.

3.3 Cookies

Our website does not use tracking cookies. We only use essential "session" cookies, used for the functionality of the website.


4. How We Use Your Information

We use personal data only when we have a lawful basis.
Typical uses include:

  • Responding to enquiries, requests and correspondence

  • Managing council services, bookings, or applications

  • Supporting legal, statutory or regulatory obligations

  • Ensuring website security and improving user experience

  • Communicating important council updates or notices

  • Handling complaints or freedom of information requests

  • Maintaining statutory records as required by law


5. Lawful Bases for Processing

We process personal data under one or more of the following lawful bases:

  • Public Task – performing tasks carried out in the public interest

  • Legal Obligation – complying with legislation

  • Consent – where you have clearly agreed to us processing your data

  • Legitimate Interests – improving our website or services (where appropriate)


6. How We Store and Protect Your Data

Your information is stored securely and only accessed by staff or councillors who need it to carry out their duties.
We use appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect your data from loss, misuse, or unauthorised access.

We do not sell or rent personal data.


7. Sharing Your Information

We may share your information only when necessary and lawful, for example:

  • With government bodies or agencies when legally required

  • With service providers who support council operations (e.g., IT support), under strict confidentiality agreements

  • With other authorities when dealing with joint matters affecting the parish

We never share your information for marketing purposes.


8. Data Retention

We keep personal data only for as long as necessary to fulfil the purpose for which it was collected and to meet statutory requirements.

For details, please refer to our Data Retention Policy.


9. Your Rights

Under UK GDPR, you have the following rights:

  • Right to access your personal data

  • Right to rectification of inaccurate information

  • Right to erasure (“right to be forgotten”)

  • Right to restriction of processing

  • Right to object to certain processing

  • Right to data portability

  • Right to withdraw consent, where consent is relied on

  • Right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO)

To make a request, please use our Subject Access Request Form or contact the Council directly.


10. Contacting Us About Your Data

If you have any questions or wish to exercise your rights, please contact:

Clerk to Great Wakering Parish Council
Email: enquiries@greatwakering-pc.gov.uk
Phone: 01702  219343


11. Complaints

If you are unhappy with how your data has been handled, you can raise a concern with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO):
www.ico.org.uk


12. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this policy from time to time to reflect changes in legislation or council practices. The latest version will always be published on this website.

Contact the Parish Council

Get in touch