Who we are and how to contact us
Portsmouth City Council is a joint data controller with the Joint Air Quality Unit (JAQU) for the operation of the Portsmouth Clean Air Zone.
Portsmouth City Council
- Data Controller: Portsmouth City Council (Registration Number Z5578313)
- Address: Civic Offices, Portsmouth, PO1 2AL
- Email: DataProtection@portsmouthcc.gov.uk
- Telephone: 023 9282 2251
Joint Air Quality Unit (JAQU)
Email: data.protection@defra.gov.uk
For general CAZ enquiries contact: CAZHelpDesk@portsmouthcc.gov.uk
Who this notice applies to
This notice applies to:
- vehicle owners and drivers travelling within the Portsmouth Clean Air Zone
- people checking whether a vehicle is subject to a CAZ charge
- people making CAZ payments
- people contacting the CAZ customer service centre
- businesses operating vehicles within the zone
About the Portsmouth Clean Air Zone
A Clean Air Zone (CAZ) is an area where action is taken to improve air quality by discouraging the use of the most polluting vehicles.
Portsmouth operates a Class B Clean Air Zone. Charges apply to certain non-compliant:
- heavy goods vehicles (HGVs)
- buses
- coaches
- taxis
- private hire vehicles
Private cars, motorcycles, vans and minibuses are not charged.
For further information visit Portsmouth Clean Air Zone.
The personal information we collect
Depending on how you use the service, we may collect:
Vehicle information
- vehicle registration number (VRN)
- vehicle emissions and compliance information
- vehicle movement information captured by ANPR cameras
Contact information
- name
- address
- email address
- telephone number
Payment information
- payment transaction details
- payment reference information
- Direct Debit information
- credit or debit card payment information (processed through approved payment providers)
Communications
- enquiries submitted to the CAZ customer service centre
- correspondence relating to charges, payments or appeals
Where we get your information from
We collect information from:
- you directly
- Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras
- the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA)
- JAQU
- payment service providers including GOV.UK Pay and GoCardless
- customer service systems used to support CAZ enquiries
Why we use your information and our lawful basis
We use personal information to:
- identify vehicles entering the Clean Air Zone
- determine whether a vehicle is compliant or chargeable
- collect and administer CAZ payments
- issue refunds where required
- investigate enquiries and resolve disputes
- support enforcement activities
- evaluate the effectiveness of the CAZ and wider air quality measures
Lawful basis
The Council and JAQU process personal data under:
Article 6(1)(e) UK GDPR
Processing is necessary for the performance of a task carried out in the public interest or in the exercise of official authority.
The operation of the Clean Air Zone is authorised under the Transport Act 2000 and related Road User Charging legislation.
Special category data
Where special category personal data is processed, the relevant condition is:
Article 9(2)(g) UK GDPR
Processing is necessary for reasons of substantial public interest and is authorised by law.
Who we share your information with
We may share information with:
- Joint Air Quality Unit (JAQU)
- Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA)
- Siemens Mobility Ltd (ANPR system provider acting as data processor)
- GOV.UK Pay
- GoCardless
- GOV.UK Notify
- Department for Transport (DfT)
- Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra)
- contracted research and evaluation partners
- police and law enforcement agencies where required by law
Information is only shared where there is a lawful basis to do so.
Evaluation and research
To assess the effectiveness of the Clean Air Zone, vehicle data may be used for research and evaluation activities.
Vehicle registration numbers may be provided to JAQU and DfT for analysis. Where possible, data will be anonymised or pseudonymised before being used for evaluation and reporting.
Research partners may include:
- Ricardo Energy & Environment
- Ipsos MORI
- other organisations commissioned to undertake evaluation work on behalf of the Council or Government
International transfers
Personal information processed as part of the Clean Air Zone is not transferred outside the United Kingdom or European Economic Area.
How long we keep your information
Retention periods vary depending on the type of information:
| Information | Retention period |
|---|---|
| Testing data used before go-live | Deleted once testing is complete |
| GOV.UK Notify email content | 7 days |
| Payment transaction records held by JAQU | 7 years |
| Business account payment history | Up to 18 months |
| Evaluation pseudonymised data held by DfT | Up to 12 months |
| Contact enquiries | Up to 1 year |
Records are retained only for as long as necessary and in accordance with legal and operational requirements.
How we keep your information secure
The Council and JAQU use appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect personal information, including:
- access controls
- staff training
- secure systems and networks
- contractual controls with suppliers
- security monitoring and auditing
Only authorised personnel can access personal data.
Joint controller arrangements
Portsmouth City Council and JAQU jointly determine how certain personal information is processed for the operation of the CAZ.
The organisations have agreed responsibilities for:
- responding to data subject rights requests
- handling data breaches
- maintaining data security
- providing privacy information
- cooperating with regulatory authorities
You may exercise your data protection rights with either joint controller.
Your data protection rights
You have the right to:
- access your personal information
- request correction of inaccurate information
- request erasure in certain circumstances
- restrict processing in certain circumstances
- object to processing carried out under public task
- request data portability where applicable
- challenge decisions made solely by automated means where applicable
How to exercise your rights
To exercise your rights, contact:
DataProtection@portsmouthcc.gov.uk
We may ask for proof of identity before responding to your request.
Complaints
If you are unhappy with how your personal information has been handled, contact:
DataProtection@portsmouthcc.gov.uk
You also have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO).
Visit the ICO website for more information.
Review of this notice
We review this privacy notice regularly to ensure it remains accurate and reflects any changes to how personal information is processed.