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
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