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Financial Management Privacy Notice

Who are we and what do we do  

Financial Management is part of Gateshead Council. We are based at the Civic Centre, Gateshead. Our service covers the financial reporting for the whole of the Council, including: 

  • receiving and making payments on behalf of the Council 
  • carrying out credit checks on companies we may award contracts to 

This privacy notice provides specific information about how we process your personal data. It is an addition to the information contained in our Corporate privacy notice.  

What type of information is collected about you  

We collect personal information to understand your needs and provide services. Information may include: 

  • name  
  • address  
  • date of birth  
  • email address  
  • telephone number  
  • occupation  
  • vehicle registration details  
  • company financials and credit limits  
  • bank account details  
  • debt details  

How we collect information about you  

We collect information from you in the following ways:  

  • by telephone 
  • from correspondence such as emails, letters, forms and applications from you, or others  
  • from credit searches provided by credit reference agencies (for example Creditsafe)  
  • through requests for information from other local authorities and public bodies  

Why we need your information

We need information to monitor and manage the Council's finances appropriately. Our purposes include:   

  • managing customer relationships, including making payments to individuals, monitoring and recovering debt 
  • managing supplier relationships, including credit checks, payments for goods and services, and the early payment scheme 
  • monitoring and managing the Council's accounting records  
  • providing exchequer services across the Council and for service users 
  • Reporting to HMRC  

The lawful basis for our processing is:  

  • performance of a contract to which data subject is party 
  • legal obligation to which the data controller is subject 
  • a task in the public interest 

The legislation the service is obliged to comply with includes:  

  • Local Government Act 2003  

Who we can share you information with 

Our Corporate Privacy notice explains information sharing the Council carries out. This sharing fulfils statutory obligations, legal requirements and service delivery.  
If we wish to share your information with other council services or third parties for purposes outside of those listed above, we will ask your permission.  

How long we will keep your information

We keep your information for as long as we need to provide services to you. This will differ depending on the services you receive. We may also need to keep your information in accordance with legal or other obligations. Where we have no need to keep your data it will be securely destroyed. We keep a Record of Processing Activity (a requirement under the GDPR). This sets out the specific retention periods applicable in different circumstances. For more information please contact: FinancialAppraisals@gateshead.gov.uk  

Where your information is held 

We hold personal information in secure electronic systems on Gateshead council servers and in secure cloud-based systems. 

Your information rights  

Please see the relevant section of our Corporate privacy notice.  

Protecting your information  

Please see the relevant section of our Corporate privacy notice.   

Data Protection Officer  

Data Protection Officer  

Civic Centre  

Regent Street  

Gateshead  

NE8 1HH  

DPOcouncil@gateshead.gov.uk  

0191 433 3000  

Information Commissioner's Office  

The Information Commissioner is the UK's independent body for upholding information rights. Visit their website to find out more about your rights under Data Protection law, and what to expect from us. For privacy practices or data protection rights concerns, contact the Information Commissioner's Office:  

Information Commissioner's Office 

Wycliffe House 

Water Lane 

Wilmslow 

Cheshire  

SK9 5AF  

0303 123 1113 or 01625 545 745  

casework@ico.org.uk