Data Protection and Freedom of Information

Requests under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and Data Protection Act 1998 should be directed to:

Information Management and Compliance Officer
Finance Service
Southampton Solent University
Southampton
SO14 0YN

Fax: 023 80 233475
E-mail: freedom.information@solent.ac.uk|

The University's Data Protection Procedures provides a form for external authority requests and data subject requests.

If you have not received confirmation of receipt by the University within 5 working days of sending your request, it is unlikely that your request has been received, and consequently you are advised to resubmit.

Data Protection Act 1998

On the 1 March 2000, the Data Protection Act 1998 came into effect.

The Data Protection Act 1998 |governs organisations on how personal data should be used, retained and to whom such data can be released.

Personal data provided to the University can be released when:

  • permission is given by the individual (data subject)
  • a valid exemption can be applied under Part IV of the Data Protection Act 1998 , by a valid third party (e.g. Hampshire Constabulary)
  • it is their own personal data that they are requesting (data subject request)  

Under the Data Protection Act 1998, all members of Southampton Solent University Staff have a duty to ensure that personal data is handled correctly.

The University's Data Protection Procedures| provide guidance on areas of responsibility for Data Controllers /Users, the handling of disclosure requests by Data Users, as well as providing current Data Protection forms.

The University's Data Protection Policy| sets out the general regulations which govern Southampton Solent University's compliance with the Data Protection Act 1998.

Freedom of Information 2000

The Freedom of Information Act 2000 |gives a general right of access to recorded non-personal information held by Public Authorities.

You can access the University's Publication Scheme|, for information on the following areas:

 What we are and what we do |

 What we spend and how we spend it|

 What are priorities are and how we are doing  |

 How we make decisions|

 Our policies and procedures|

 Lists and registers|

 Services we offer|

However, if the information you require is not available within the Publication Scheme or on the University's public website www.solent.ac.uk|, a request may be made under the Act.

Requests made under the Act will be subject to examination of both absolute and qualified exemptions, with qualified exemptions being further examined in the application of the public interest test.

A response to all requests will be given within the statutory time scale of 20 working days, unless otherwise notified to the contrary.

The University's documents on Freedom of Information include:

- Freedom of Information Policies|

- Freedom of Information Procedures|

- Freedom of Information Complaints Policy |