These guidelines highlight recognised best practice in secure data handling, provides local authorities with a key checklist of actions, and sets the standard for local government going forward.
Recent losses of personal information require that all public bodies act to bolster public trust and confidence in the way personal information is handled and kept safe.
The LGA and WLGA, working closely with the Society of Information Technology Management (Socitm) and with central and local government, has prepared these guidelines.
They set out the fundamental steps that every council should take to mitigate against the ever present risk that personal information is lost or that data protection systems fail.
They provide chief executives, senior managers and elected members with a vital aid in discharging their responsibilities and accountability for secure and effective handling of personal information
The core of this report is aimed at highlighting best practice and providing reference to useful resources structured around four headings:
People - developing a culture that properly values, protects and uses information for the public good.
Places – ensuring the security of information through the physical security of buildings, premises and systems.
Processes – checking that there are proper document systems in place and that their suppliers and contractors, when handling their information, work to the same standards.
Procedures – implementing the measures in this document, as well as produce policies for risk reporting and risk recovery. Ensuring that mechanisms are in place to test, monitor and audit the policies and procedures of the council.
This report recognises councils are best placed to assess their own risk and put in the necessary safeguards. It is designed to complement councils own standards which may be equivalent to, or exceed, those in the document.
Data handling guidelines for local government (PDF, 12 pages, 315KB)
For more information please contact: research@lga.gov.uk
Copyright © 2025 · All Rights Reserved · Institute of Revenues Rating and Valuation
Warning: Undefined array key "User_id" in /home/irrvnet/public_html/forumalert/inc_footer.php on line 4