The Council and democracy A simple guide to how we look after your information

Your information

We collect information about people. This is so we can help them and learn about the services they need.

The information we collect includes people’s:

  • name
  • age
  • address
  • phone number

We also keep more sensitive information about, for example:

  • ethnic group
  • gender
  • religious beliefs
  • health

Collecting information

We get information about people when they, for example:

  • use a council service
  • are born, get married or die
  • use our website
  • apply for a job with us

Your rights

You can ask us to:

  • give you a copy of the information we keep about you
  • stop using the information
  • delete the information (we can't always do this, but we will explain why)
  • change information we have got wrong

When we can keep information

We keep information about people when, for example:

  • it helps us to do our work
  • the law says we must
  • it keeps someone safe, or protects people’s health
  • you have given us permission

Using your personal information

Here are some of the reasons why we need people’s information:

  • to collect council tax
  • pay benefits
  • caring for and supporting people
  • to employ, train and manage staff
  • make sure we treat people fairly
  • to give you the correct services, products, help and guidance
  • to look after your health and safety

Sharing your personal information

Your information is shared between people who work for the Council.

Our staff can only see the information if they need it to do their job.

Sharing information means we can help you more easily.

We always follow the law when we share people’s information.

Sharing information

We share information with health services, so we can work together to help you.

We follow strict rules about the information we can share, and who we share it with.

They must also follow the law when collecting, storing, or sharing information about you.

We may also have to share information if we think you are at serious risk of being harmed.

We sometimes have to share information with local groups or organisations that offer services you have asked for.

Some organisations may want to send you information about things they sell. This is called marketing.

We never share your information for marketing, unless you tell us this is ok.

We may also share your personal data if the law says we need to. For example, if there is a court order or to prevent fraud or crime.

Storing information

People’s information is stored on secure computer systems.

  • Most of the information stays in the UK.
  • Sometimes it is in Europe.
  • Occasionally it is stored somewhere else.

We always follow the law and keep your information safe, wherever it is stored.

Help and advice

Contact us if you have questions or concerns about how we look after your information.

Call our Data Protection Officer on 0161 234 3653.

Email: informationcompliance@manchester.gov.uk

Post:

Manchester City Council
PO Box 532
Town Hall
Manchester, M60 2LA

Information Commissioners Office - ICO

If you feel we have not complied with your data protection rights, you can complain to the Information Commissioner.

Phone: 0303 123 1113

Email: casework@ico.org.uk

Website: https://www.ico.org.uk

Post:

Information Commissioner’s Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire, SK9 5AF

This guide is reviewed regularly as part of our Data Protection Policies.

Date of last review: May 2025

Please get in touch if you would like to request this document in an alternative language or alternative format. Email dpo@manchester.gov.uk