We collect your information to:

  • calculate, bill and collect Council Tax
  • manage Council Tax accounts, including changes in circumstances
  • recover debts owed to the Council
  • prevent and detect fraud and protect public funds
  • contact you regarding your account, including payment reminders by letter, email or text message
  • carry out service improvement, research and analysis

What type(s) of information do we use?

  • name, address, telephone number and email address
  • date of birth
  • household composition and family details
  • Council Tax reference numbers and identifiers
  • financial information (such as payment details, arrears, benefits)
  • employment information where relevant
  • property and tenancy details

What is the legal basis for using your information?

  • Article 6(1)(c) – Processing is necessary to comply with a legal obligation
  • Article 6(1)(e) – Processing is necessary for the performance of a task carried out in the public interest or in the exercise of official authority

We may also process information to prevent and detect fraud and protect public funds in line with statutory requirements. Relevant legislation includes (but is not limited to):

  • Local Government Finance Act 1992
  • Council Tax (Administration and Enforcement) Regulations 1992

In some circumstances, we may process special category data (such as health information) where this is necessary to provide services, assess eligibility, or support individuals. This is processed in accordance with:

  • Article 9(2)(g) – Substantial Public Interest
  • Data Protection Act 2018 (Schedule 1)

Where necessary, we may process information relating to criminal offences or legal proceedings in connection with fraud prevention, enforcement, or prosecution activities.

This processing is carried out in accordance with the Data Protection Act 2018, Schedule 1 conditions.

Where do we get your information?

  • you directly (for example via forms, phone calls or online services)
  • central government departments (such as DWP or HMRC)
  • other local authorities
  • credit reference agencies
  • landlords, employers or agents (where relevant)
  • enforcement agents and debt recovery agencies

Who do we share your information with?

We may share your information where necessary with:

  • central government departments
  • other local authorities
  • the Electoral Registration Office
  • the Office for National Statistics
  • credit reference agencies for fraud prevention
  • enforcement agents and debt collection agencies
  • the police and fraud investigation bodies
  • organisations who provide services on our behalf (e.g. payment providers, IT systems)

We only share the minimum information required and ensure appropriate safeguards are in place.

How long will we keep your information?

Personal information collected is subject to Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council’s records management policies and procedures and will be held in accordance with the council’s records retention schedule.

Transferring your information outside of the European Union (EU)

We will not transfer your information outside of the EU.

Automated decisions using your information?

For this service all the decisions we make about you involve human intervention.

Your rights

In our guide on exercising your rights you can find information about how to:

  • exercise your rights
  • contact our Data Protection Officer
  • raise a concern with us
  • make a complaint to the Information Commissioner

You can find out what information we hold about you, and ask us not to use any of the information we collect.

Further information

If you would like further information about this privacy notice, please email dpa.officer@stockport.gov.uk

Updates (notice)

Our core data protection obligations and commitments are set out in our primary privacy notice.

We may update or revise this privacy notice at any time. If you are reading this as a printed copy please refer to www.stockport.gov.uk for the most up to date version.