Gateshead Energy Company - Council as a processor Privacy Notice
Who we are and what we do
Gateshead Energy Company (GEC) is a company whose shares are wholly owned by Gateshead Council. As such, the Council is a data processor for all data supplied to GEC in the course of its operations, including data about the users of its services, and GEC is the Data Controller.
This privacy notice provides you, as a user of GEC's services, with specific information about how Gateshead Council processes your personal data as a Data Processor acting on the instructions of Regent. You should refer to the data controller's own privacy information.
What type of information is collected about you
We collect personal information to understand your needs and provide services. This information may include:
- name
- address
- contact details
- if applicable, whether you are classed as vulnerable and the reasons for the vulnerability
- if applicable, household income information to confirm eligibility for our schemes
- if applicable, 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
GEC collects your information and we process it on the company's behalf by providing electronic storage systems and technical support for those systems.
Why we need your information
Our purpose for collecting your personal data and the lawful basis for our processing is determined by GEC as the Data Controller. The Controller's lawful basis for processing data is:
- performance of a contract to which data subject is party
- legitimate interests
The controller's lawful basis for processing of sensitive personal data is:
Reasons of substantial public interest (with a basis in law)
Who your information can be shared with
Where we are acting as a Data Processor we only share your information with third parties if it is instructed by the Data Controller.
How long we will keep your information
We keep your information for as long as we need in order to provide the services to the Data Controller. 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 have Record of Processing Activity (a requirement under the GDPR) which sets out the specific retention periods applicable in different circumstances. For more information about this please contact Anneliesehutchinson@gateshead.gov.uk
Where your information is held
Electronic records are held on Gateshead Council computer servers. We also use BACAS a cloud-based system in UK data centres provided by Clear Skies Software. No information is stored outside the UK data control area.
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 Bereavement Services at Gateshead Council on 0191 433 3000.
Your information rights
Please see the relevant section of our Corporate privacy notice.
Marketing and e-newsletters
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 (opens new window) 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