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# Investigation launched after personal data is made available on Lichfield District Council’s website
- URL: https://lichfieldlive.co.uk/investigation-launched-after-personal-data-is-made-available-on-lichfield-district-councils-website/
- Published: 2023-03-15T10:59:26.000Z
- Updated: 2023-03-15T10:59:38.000Z
- Description: An investigation has been launched at Lichfield District Council after redacted personal data of some local residents was made available online.
- Author: Lichfield Live
- Tags: Politics, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-07-22 19:01, News

An investigation has been launched at Lichfield District Council after redacted personal data of some local residents was made available online.

It comes after *Lichfield Live* was able to access email and home addresses of people whose objections were being discussed by the local authority’s licensing and consents committee.

The views of concerned residents over [plans to permit Lichfield Sports Club to sell alcohol and play music outdoors until 11pm](https://lichfieldlive.co.uk/councillors-to-decide-whether-to-allow-lichfield-sports-club-to-play-music-at-outdoor-events/) were contained in documents published on the council’s website ahead of a meeting next week.

But despite the personal details of those submitting objections being blacked out, highlighting the section and then cutting and pasting it meant the information was still accessible.

After *Lichfield Live* highlighted the issue to Lichfield District Council, a spokesperson confirmed steps were being taken to identify why it had happened.

> “We take the safe handling of our residents’ personal data very seriously.  
>  
> “We are investigating this report as a priority at the highest level and our officers are contacting the individuals affected.”  
>  
> Lichfield District Council spokesperson

As well as objectors, the personal email of Cllr Jamie Checkland was also available after he liaised with officers in his role as chair of the sports club applying for the licence variation.

But the issue is not an isolated one. Further checks by *Lichfield Live* identified that a similar situation had occurred at a previous meeting of the same committee in September, where information and addresses of objectors had been made available through the same method.

Documents from the committee have now been removed from the Lichfield District Council’s website after being contacted by *Lichfield Live*.

### “You should ensure you have robust breach detection”

Such data breaches are covered by GDPR regulation in the UK.

[The Information Commissioner’s Office website](https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/guide-to-data-protection/guide-to-the-general-data-protection-regulation-gdpr/personal-data-breaches/?ref=lichfieldlive.co.uk#whatbreachesdo) highlights the responsibilities organisations have in handling personal data related to individuals.

> “GDPR introduces a duty on all organisations to report certain personal data breaches to the relevant supervisory authority. You must do this within 72 hours of becoming aware of the breach, where feasible.  
>  
> “If the breach is likely to result in a high risk of adversely affecting individuals’ rights and freedoms, you must also inform those individuals without undue delay.  
>  
> “You should ensure you have robust breach detection, investigation and internal reporting procedures in place. This will facilitate decision-making about whether or not you need to notify the relevant supervisory authority or the affected individuals, or both.  
>  
> “When a personal data breach has occurred, you need to establish the likelihood of the risk to people’s rights and freedoms. If a risk is likely, you must notify the ICO.  
>  
> “If a risk is unlikely, you don’t have to report it. However, if you decide you don’t need to report the breach, you need to be able to justify this decision, so you should document it.”   
>  
> Information Commissioner’s Office website