What is a Subject Access Request?
Individuals have the right to access and receive a copy of their personal data, and other supplementary information held by Westmorland and Furness Council. This is commonly referred to as a subject access request or ‘SAR’.
Subject Access Requests can be made verbally or in writing, including via social media. Please see ‘Submitting Subject Access Requests’ below for information.
Data Subjects can make requests themselves, or ask another person to do it on their behalf i.e. child (under 12), attorney, litigation friend. In these circumstances the council will need to see evidence of permission to request the data of another person and it should be emailed at the same time as the request is submitted. Failure to provide evidence may result in delays with handling your request or it being declined.
In most cases the council does not charge a fee for handling Subject Access Requests, it can however charge a fee:
- where a request is repeated to cover administrative costs
- where a request is manifestly unfounded or excessive
In some circumstances, the council may refuse to handle Subject Access Requests where they are vexatious, manifestly unfounded or excessive.
Please be aware that the council may seek evidence of your identity and clarification of your request to assist with the identification of relevant information.
Once your request has been accepted, the council will:
- provide a response within one calendar month (where possible)
- inform you if your request cannot be responded to within one calendar month, as it is complex or you have submitted more than one request (the deadline for providing a response can be extended by up to a further two months)
- conduct reasonable searches for the requested information
- inform you if information is exempt from disclosure
- provide a response via secure email unless an alternative format has been requested
Submitting Subject Access Requests
If you would like to submit a request or you would like assistance with submitting a request, please contact us:
By post:
Westmorland and Furness Council,
South Lakeland House,
Lowther Street,
Kendal,
Cumbria
LA9 4DQ
By email: subjectaccess@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk
By telephone: 01539637437
Via social media:
- https://www.facebook.com/WestmorlandFurnessCouncil/
- https://twitter.com/wandfcouncil
- https://www.linkedin.com/company/westmorland-and-furness-council/
- https://www.instagram.com/wandfcouncil/
If you have any concerns about how your personal data is being used by the council please contact the Data Protection Officer by email dataprotection@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk