1. Who we are
This project is led by Cambridge City Council, working in partnership with local voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations.
Cambridge City Council is the data controller, which means it decides why and how personal data is used. The VCSE organisations supporting this project act as data processors, following the council’s instructions.
2. What this project is about
We are working together to design and deliver engagement activities with local communities.
The aim is to help the council develop its Equity Strategy in order for it to meet the requirements of the Public Sector Equality Duty under the Equality Act 2010, and to improve services and decision-making for all communities.
3. What information we collect
We will collect responses to some discussion questions about community and belonging. We will collect demographic information via a written questionnaire. We do not link any responses to individuals.
We will only collect your personal information if you choose to join a mailing list to hear about the changes made as a result of this project or to enter a prize draw for taking part in public engagement events.
4. Why we collect this information
We collect anonymous feedback to:
- understand community experiences and needs
- assess whether the council is meeting its equality responsibilities
- improve services and decision-making
- strengthen relationships between the council and local communities
Your email address (if provided) is used only to send updates about the project or to inform the winner of the prize draw.
5. Lawful basis for processing
For mailing list sign‑ups, the lawful basis is consent. You can withdraw your consent at any time.
For face-to-face engagement where you do not opt into the prize draw or mailing list sign-up, no personal data is collected, so UK GDPR does not apply.
To ensure people can participate in a range of ways in the project, you may have an option to answer questions on belonging and community and the demographic questions via a survey. The lawful basis for processing this data is the Equality Act 2010 to improve services and decision making for all communities.
6. How your information is used and protected
- All responses that we capture face to face or in writing are anonymous and cannot be traced back to you.
- VCSE partners process data securely on behalf of Cambridge City Council.
- Personal data like your name and email address (if provided) are stored securely and used only for project updates.
- Your information is never shared with third parties for marketing or unrelated purposes.
- When responses are analysed, they will not be traceable to individuals.
7. How long we keep your information
- Anonymous questionnaire data and anonymised responses around questions on community and belonging may be kept for research and reporting purposes. This is because it cannot identify individuals.
- If you provide responses to us on questions relating to community and belonging and demographic information in a survey, this will only be kept until the council has made anonymised notes on your response.
- Email addresses for the mailing list are kept until you unsubscribe or until the project ends.
8. Your rights
If you provide your email address, you have the right to:
- ask to have your email address removed from the mailing list
- ask how your information is being used
When questions you answer on community and belonging are analysed, these are also captured anonymously, so your responses cannot be altered or withdrawn once submitted. You can always withdraw your consent during or directly after we have collected your information.
If you no longer want us to hold your contact information or need to ask how your information is being used, contact equalities@cambridge.gov.uk.
9. Contact
For questions about how your information is used, you can contact Cambridge City Council’s Data Protection Officer using the details provided in the council’s privacy notice.
