West Lothian Council delivers

Data protection and freedom of information

 

West Lothan Council is committed to being open, honest and accountable.  We have produced a Publication Scheme which shows what types of information we routinely publish or make available. 

In addition to this, the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002,  the Data Protection Act 1998, and the Environmental Information (Scotland) Regulations 2004 provide you with rights to access the information we hold.  These rights are subject to certain exemptions or exceptions. 

Data Protection Act (DPA)
The DPA came into force on 1 March 2000.  It applies throughout the UK, and is regulated by the UK Information Commissioner.The DPA sets out rules for processing personal data and applies to paper records as well as those held on computer.

The Act is intended to help to secure an individuals right to privacy by protecting the information that is held about them. Under the DPA, the person to whom the personal data relates is known as a data subject.

The Act applies to all personal data (no matter when compiled), and anyone can make a subject access request to ascertain what information (if any) the Council holds about them.

Environmental Information (Scotland) Regulations
These regulations provide a right of access to the environmental information which the council holds. 

Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act (FOI)
Anyone - from anywhere in the world - has a right to see almost any kind of recorded information held by West Lothian Council, however old the information is.  You do not have to say why you want the information or what you want it for and we are obliged to respond to all information requests we receive within 20 working days of receipt