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Energy Services Privacy Notice

Who are we and what do we do 

Energy Services is part of Gateshead Council. We are based at Gateshead Civic Centre and provide the following services:   

  • delivery of decarbonisation projects including heat networks, solar farms and other technologies 
  • delivery of home energy efficiency projects 
  • secure funding to deliver major energy projects across the borough 
  • utility management across the council 
  • energy support and advice for council owned assets 
  • Building Management System (BMS) support for council owned assets 
  • customer support for residents and non-domestic customers who are connected to our heat networks 
  • project management services to deliver major energy projects 

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 
  • contact details  

If applicable the following information: 

  • whether you are classed as vulnerable and the reasons for the vulnerability 
  • household income information to confirm eligibility for our schemes  
  • proof of property ownership 

We collect the following types of special category data: 

  • health information, so that we can support you in cases of vulnerability where you are our energy customer. This information may also be collected to confirm your eligibility for one of our schemes 

How we collect information about you  

We collect information about you from various sources, including: 

  • when you complete either an application form for an energy scheme or when you fill out and agree to the terms in your heat and/or power supply agreement when you become a customer 
  • when we communicate with you via email or telephone  

Why we need your information  

Our purpose for collecting personal data is to: 

  • provide orders for work to be carried out 
  • confirm eligibility for an energy efficiency scheme 
  • provide billing information with regards to your heat and/or electricity usage 
  • in some cases to provide extra support to the vulnerable 

The lawful basis for our processing is: 

  • performance of a contract to which data subject is party 
  • legitimate interests 

Our lawful basis for processing of sensitive personal data is: 

  • substantial public interest 

Who your information can be shared with  

Our Corporate Privacy notice explains information sharing the Council carries out. This sharing fulfils statutory obligations, legal requirements and service delivery. Energy Services can share your information with: 

  • the funding provider for the energy efficiency scheme you have applied for, as applicable 
  • our agreed contractor who will be carrying out the works on behalf of the council 

Our lawful basis for this sharing is legitimate interests and your consent is not required.  

If we wish to share your information with other council services or third parties for purposes outside of those listed above we will ask for your permission. 

How long we will keep your information  

We keep your information for as long as we need to provide services to you. 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: energyservices@gateshead.gov.uk

Where your information is held 

Your data is stored on a database and password protected files.  

Information is kept on a secure (password) protected drive within our IT system. 

How you can update your information 

The accuracy of your information is important to us to be able to provide relevant services more quickly. If you change your address or email address, or if any of your circumstances change or any of the other information we hold is out of date, please contact energyservices@Gateshead.Gov.UK

Your information rights  

Please see the relevant section of our Corporate privacy notice

Marketing and e-newsletters  

We may write to existing customers to tell you about other energy services that we can offer to you. For further information please see our email marketing privacy notice. 

Business intelligence, profiling and automated-decision making  

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