The Data Protection Act 2018

 Data Protection

As we are a non-profit making organization we are exempt but the idea of a Data Protection Officer makes sense and responsibility would fall to the secretary. Bearing this in mind,  please read the following which applies ethically if not legally.

We at the Midsomer Norton Allotments Association are committed to:

  • ensuring that we comply with the eight data protection principles, as listed below
  • meeting our legal obligations as laid down by the Data Protection Act 2018
  • ensuring that data is collected and used fairly and lawfully
  • processing personal data only in order to meet our operational needs or fulfill legal requirements
  • taking steps to ensure that personal data is up to date and accurate
  • establishing appropriate retention periods for personal data
  • ensuring that data subjects’ rights can be appropriately exercised
  • providing adequate security measures to protect personal data
  • ensuring that a nominated officer is responsible for data protection compliance and provides a point of contact for all data protection issues
  • ensuring that all members of the committee are made aware of good practice in data protection
  • providing adequate training for all members of the committee responsible for personal data
  • ensuring that everyone handling personal data knows where to find further guidance
  • ensuring that queries about data protection, internal and external to the organisation, is dealt with effectively and promptly
  • regularly reviewing data protection procedures and guidelines within the organisation.

Data protection principles

  1. Personal data shall be processed fairly and lawfully.
  2. Personal data shall be obtained for one or more specified and lawful purposes, and shall not be further processed in any manner incompatible with that purpose or those purposes.
  3. Personal data shall be adequate, relevant and not excessive in relation to the purpose or purposes for which they are processed.
  4. Personal data shall be accurate and, where necessary, kept up to date.
  5. Personal data processed for any purpose or purposes shall not be kept for longer than is necessary for that purpose or those purposes.
  6. Personal data shall be processed in accordance with the rights of data subjects under the Data Protection Act 2018.
  7. Appropriate technical and organisational measures shall be taken against unauthorised and unlawful processing of personal data and against accidental loss or destruction of, or damage to, personal data.
  8. Personal data shall not be transferred to a country or territory outside the European Economic Area unless that country or territory ensures an adequate level of protection for the rights and freedoms of data subjects in relation to the processing of personal data.

Data use in practise

1. Data sharing will be limited to names and email addresses.
2. Newsletters will be circulated within the membership and will not contain personal details except when a particular member requests contact.
3. Details are only shared via emails between small named cohorts of members who have an focus in common, for example committee members
4. The name of an allotment holder can be seen on the members section of the website. Anyone not wishing to have their name listed can request its removal.
5. If members want their email kept secret i.e. it will not be used under any circumstances then the office should be contacted.