Somerset Council grants privacy notice
Somerset Council – Grants and Funding Programmes
Privacy Summary
Last updated: 20 July 2026
This summary explains how Somerset Council uses personal data when you apply for or receive grant funding. It should be read alongside the Council’s full Privacy Notice here: https://www.somerset.gov.uk/finance-performance-and-legal/privacy-notices/
Who we are
Somerset Council is the data controller for personal data processed through its grants and funding programmes.
Contact details
Address: Somerset Council, County Hall, Taunton TA1 4DY
Phone: 0300 123 2224
Data Protection Officers: Lucy Wilkins and James Elllis
What personal data we use
We may collect and use:
- Names, roles, and responsibilities of people involved in grant applications
- Contact details such as email address, phone number, and postal address
- Information about your organisation or community group
- Grant application, monitoring, and reporting information
- Bank account details for paying grants
- Equality monitoring information (optional)
- Basic governance information about your group
Other data we collect
Grant and project information
- Details provided in your application
- Monitoring and reporting information
- Updates on project progress and outcomes
Financial information
- Bank account details to enable payment of grants
- Basic financial monitoring or evidence of spend
Governance information
This may include the following:
- Data protection policy
- Safeguarding policy
Communications
- Emails, letters, meeting notes, and other correspondence
Why we use it
We use personal data to:
- Assess and award grants
- Enter into and manage funding agreements
- Pay grant funding
- Monitor delivery and outcomes
- Evaluate grant programmes
- Meet legal, audit, and transparency requirements
Legal basis for processing
Somerset Council processes personal data because:
- It is necessary to carry out our public duties as a local authority
- We have legal obligations, including audit and safeguarding
- We have legitimate interests such as learning, improvement, and accountability
- You have given consent where required (for example, case studies or publicity)
These relate to:
Article 6(1)(e) – processing is necessary for the performance of a task carried out in the public
Sharing and publication
We may share personal data with:
- Other Somerset Council services
- Independent assessors, evaluators, or auditors
- Partners who help manage or deliver grants
We may publish limited information about funded projects, such as:
- Name of the organisation or group
- Project title
- Funding amount
We do not publish personal contact details or sensitive personal data.
How long we keep data
We keep grant related personal data only for as long as necessary, normally in line with statutory, audit, and financial requirements.
Your rights
You have the right to:
- Access your personal data
- Ask for corrections
- Object to or restrict some processing
- Withdraw consent where it applies
If you are concerned about how your data is used, you can contact Somerset Council – ICO Registration Z5957592 or the Information Commissioner’s Office (www.ico.org.uk).