Data Protection Bill

Written evidence submitted by Stephen Rickitt, Clerk to Glanton, Meldon, Milfield, Mitford and Whalton Parish Councils (DPB08)

Data Protection Bill - Small Parish Councils - Data Protection Officer - Clauses 69-71

Sirs,

I clerk five small parish councils in Northumberland.

Their annual precepts range from £2195 to £8000 with very little (if any) additional income.

I am their sole employee, contracted for between 4 and 15 hours per month.

Those Councils have no objection to being subject to the provisions of the Data Protection Bill.

There is, however, concern if they have to employ a separate Data Protection Officer as figures being quoted range upwards from £300 per year.

There is some debate about whether the Council’s clerk can also be the data protection officer.

In order to avoid any doubt, and to keep Councils from having to raise their precepts by potentially large percentages, I request that consideration is given to amending clause 69 by adding a clause on the following lines please.

"For the avoidance of doubt, the clerk to a parish council may be appointed as that council’s data protection officer."

If I can give any more information, please do not hesitate to contact me.

I understand that the National Association of Local Councils have/are making submissions on this issue.

Yours faithfully,

March 2018