Lowther Parish Council Privacy Policy

Last updated: Oct-25

Lowther Parish Council is committed to protecting and respecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and protect any personal information you provide when you contact us, visit our website, or interact with us in any other way.

1. Who We Are

Lowther Parish Council is the local authority serving the parish of Lowther, Cumbria. We act as a data controller, which means we decide how and why your personal data is used.

Our contact details are:
Clerk to the Council
Email: clerk@lowtherparishcouncil.gov.uk

2. What Information We Collect

We may collect and process the following personal data:

  • Contact details (name, address, telephone number, email address)

  • Correspondence (letters, emails, or messages you send us)

  • Participation details (e.g., if you take part in consultations, surveys, or parish meetings)

  • Website usage data (IP address, browser type, and cookie information – see Section 6)

We do not collect more information than necessary to carry out our lawful functions.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use your personal data to:

  • Respond to your queries, requests, or complaints

  • Carry out the Council’s statutory functions and public duties

  • Manage meetings, consultations, and community engagement

  • Maintain proper records as required by law

  • Improve our services and website

We will only use your personal information when the law allows us to, usually under one of the following legal bases:

  • To perform a task carried out in the public interest or in the exercise of official authority (Article 6(1)(e) UK GDPR)

  • To comply with a legal obligation (Article 6(1)(c))

  • With your consent, where this is required (Article 6(1)(a))

4. Sharing Your Information

We will never sell your personal information.
We may share your data only when necessary, for example:

  • With other local authorities or government bodies where required by law

  • With service providers or contractors working on our behalf (e.g., website hosting, email services)

  • If required to do so for safeguarding, law enforcement, or legal proceedings

5. How Long We Keep Your Information

We keep personal data only for as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes we collected it for, including satisfying legal, accounting, or reporting requirements. Retention periods are set in line with statutory obligations and best practice for parish councils.

6. Cookies and Website Usage

Our website may use cookies to improve functionality and monitor usage. Cookies are small files placed on your device. You can control or delete cookies through your browser settings. Disabling cookies may affect how our website functions.

7. Your Rights

Under UK data protection law, you have the following rights:

  • To be informed about how we use your data

  • To access a copy of your personal data

  • To request correction of inaccurate data

  • To request erasure of your data (where legally permitted)

  • To restrict or object to certain processing

  • To request data portability (where applicable)

If you wish to exercise any of these rights, please contact the Clerk (see Section 1).

8. Complaints

If you have any concerns about how we handle your personal data, please contact us first.
You also have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO):
Website: https://www.ico.org.uk
Telephone: 0303 123 1113

9. Updates to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The most recent version will always be published on our website.