Why Data Hygiene Should Be a Top Priority for Local Councils

By |2025-03-03T11:15:34+00:00March 3rd, 2025|

Local councils handle vast amounts of personal data, from council tax records to voter registration and social services. Yet, poor data hygiene remains a widespread issue, leading to inefficiencies, wasted resources, and non-compliance with data protection laws. Only recently one local council hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons - mistakenly telling one of their constituents that he was dead! Mistakes happen, but at a time when public sector budgets are stretched, councils simply cannot afford to overlook data accuracy. Every inaccurate record comes at a cost, whether through: Wasted communications – Sending letters to people who have moved or passed away is not just inefficient, it reflects poorly on the council’s ability to manage records. Delayed services – [...]

Why Data Hygiene for Councils is Key: Lessons from a Family’s Grieving Experience

By |2024-01-18T12:13:41+00:00January 18th, 2024|

In the wake of a family's distressing experience with Wirral Council, the importance of data hygiene in local council operations has come into sharp focus. Richard Sefton-Durrant's story about his late mother, Jane Durrant, underscores the emotional and administrative challenges posed by outdated or inaccurate data handling by councils. Jane Durrant, who passed away at 63 after a battle with bone cancer, continued to receive council tax bills at her previous address, despite having moved into supported living. This situation persisted even after her death, with her family receiving multiple letters and emails regarding her council tax obligations. This not only caused emotional distress to the family but also highlighted significant flaws in the council's data management systems. The issue [...]

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