Data Protection and Freedom Of Information

Data Protection Act

The Data Protection Act 1998 which replaced the 1984 Act received Royal assent on 16th July 1998 and came fully into force in 2000.

As with the 1984 Act, the Act gives legal rights to individuals (data subjects) in respect of personal data held about them. The Act gives effect in UK law to EC Directive 95/46/EC (the 'Directive).

The Council has 40 calendar days to respond to a valid Subject Access Request.

Freedom of Information Act

The Freedom of Information Act gives a general right of access to all types of recorded information held by public authorities. It sets out exemptions from that right and places a number of obligations on public authorities.

Three Rivers District Council strives to maintain a culture of honest, open decision making. The Council recognises the importance of public awareness of decisions made by the Council, and sees the Freedom of Information Act as a means of facilitating this awareness. The introduction of the Act is welcomed by the Council as an opportunity to improve the ways in which it both manages its information and informs the public.

The Council has 20 working days to provide information requested under the Freedom of Information Act.