Disability Lived Experience Group

Contact Details

Inclusion & Equality Department

Mid and East Antrim Borough Council  

The Braid, 1-29 Bridge Street, Ballymena, BT43 5EJ

Phone Number: 0300 124 5000

E-mail: Consultationandengagement@midandeastantrim.gov.uk

What Personal Information We Collect

As part of the application process, we may collect:

• Name
• Age
• Postal address
• Telephone number
• Mobile number
• Email address
• Information provided in support of your application
• Information relating to any declared conflicts of interest
• Information about how you heard about the opportunity
• Information revealing disability status or lived experience
• Views, opinions, comments and feedback shared during participation
• Information relating to accessibility requirements, communication needs or reasonable adjustments.

The recruitment process may involve the processing of special category personal data relating to disability where this information is voluntarily provided as part of your application.

Why We Collect Your Personal Information

All of the personal information we process is provided directly by you through the application process or during your time as a member of the group.  

You are not under a statutory obligation to provide this information. However, the information requested within the application form is necessary for us to assess your eligibility and suitability for membership of the Disability Lived Experience Group. If you choose not to provide the information requested, we may be unable to consider your application.

How We Use Your Personal Information

We use your personal information for the following purposes:

• To complete the recruitment process for the Disability Lived Experience Group.
• To assess whether applicants meet the eligibility requirements.
• To assess applications against criteria.
• To communicate with applicants regarding the outcome of the recruitment process.
• To make reasonable adjustments and provide support where required
• To correspond with individuals throughout their participation with the Disability Lived in Experience Group.
• To gather feedback, views and lived experiences to help improve Council services, facilities, policies and initiatives. Feedback will be anonymised or presented in summary form unless there is a specific need to identify an individual and the individual has agreed to this.
• To maintain records relating to the Disability Lived in Experience Group.

Our Lawful Basis for Processing Your Personal Information

Under Article 6 of the UK GDPR, the lawful basis we rely on is:

• Article 6 (1) (e) – Public Task: Processing is necessary for the performance of a task carried out in the public interest and in the exercise of official authority vested in Mid and East Antrim Borough Council.

Where special category data relating to disability is processed, the Council relies upon:

• Article 9(2)(g) UK GDPR – Substantial Public Interest, together with the applicable condition under Schedule 1 of the Data Protection Act 2018 relating to equality of opportunity or treatment.

Council will not use your personal data for automated decision-making or profiling.

How We Store Your Personal Information

We store your information securely on Council’s electronic systems and, where required, in secure areas within Council buildings. The storage of your personal data is managed in line with our Records Management Policy and Retention and Disposal Schedule, which sets out how long we keep information and when it must be securely disposed of.

To protect your information, we use a range of robust security measures, including password protection, encryption, and departmental access controls limiting who can access your information. Council data is stored on servers located within the UK and EU.

Sharing Your Information

Your information will only be shared where necessary for the purposes described in this notice.

We may share your information with internal Council Officers such as:

• Members of the assessment panel involved with reviewing applications
• Relevant Council Officers responsible for the operation of the Disability Lived Experience Group.

• We will not share your information with third parties
• We will not disclose your personal information to any other organisation unless required by law
• Council do not transfer your personal data outside the EU.

Your Rights

Under the UK GDPR, you have the following rights regarding your personal data:

• Right of access - You can request copies of the personal information we hold about you (known as a Subject Access Request or SAR). To make a SAR, please contact us at dpo@midandeastantrim.gov.uk.
• Right to Rectification - You can ask us to correct information you believe is inaccurate or complete information you believe is incomplete.

• Right to Erasure - You can request that we delete your personal information.
• Right to Restrict Processing - You can ask us to limit how we use your personal information
• Right to Object - You can object to the processing of your personal information.
• Right to Data Portability - You can request that we transfer the personal information you provided to another organisation or to you.
• Right to Withdraw Consent - Where we rely on your consent to process your data, you can withdraw that consent at any time.

These rights may be subject to certain limitations and exceptions. You can find more information about your rights and how to exercise them via the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO)

If you make a request in respect of any of these data protection rights, we will aim to complete your request within one month. You do not have to pay a fee to exercise your rights.

How to Contact Us

If you have any concerns about how we use your personal information, or if you wish to make a complaint, please contact our Data Protection Officer (DPO):

Email: dpo@midandeastantrim.gov.uk

Postal address:

Data Protection Officer
Mid and East Antrim Borough Council
The Braid
1 – 29 Bridge Street
Co. Antrim
BT43 5EJ

Any complaints regarding the processing of your personal data will be managed in accordance with Council’s Complaints Policy.

You also have the right to complain directly to the ICO: 

• Website: Visit the Information Commissioner's Office website Make a Complaint section

• Telephone:             0303 123 1113

• Postal address: 
  
  Information Commissioner’s Office
  Wycliffe House
  Water Lane
  Wilmslow
  Cheshire
  SK9 5AF