Getting information from us

Information we hold: what we have and how to see it

You have a legal right to see all types of information held by public organisations, including Your Homes Newcastle.

We will:

• make sure any personal information we keep is accurate, and that we remove it when we no longer need it
• deal with requests for information and queries promptly 
• advise and assist you with making requests for information
• help you understand any information we provide

There are two types of information:

• Information produced by Your Homes Newcastle (covered by 'Freedom of Information' laws)
• Information we hold about you (covered by 'Data Protection' laws)

Find out more about how businesses keep and use your personal information, or how to get hold of information about public organisations on the Information Commission website (external website).

How to report a fraud

Your Homes Newcastle is committed to deterring fraud and corruption. However, where it does take place we will investigate it fully and take the appropriate action.

If you suspect fraud is taking place that affects Your Homes Newcatle there are a number of ways you can report it.

• If you think that it is a benefit fraud you can report it via the Council's benefit fraud website.
• If you think it is some other type of fraud you can complete an online reporting form

Click here to report a fraud on-line.

You do not need to give your details unless you wish to do so.

National Fraud Initiative

We are required by law to protect public funds. We may share information provided with other bodies responsible for auditing or administering public funds, in order to prevent and detect fraud.

The Audit Commission appoints the auditor to audit the accounts of the Newcastle City Council. It is also responsible for carrying out data matching exercises.

Data matching involves comparing computer records held by one body against other computer records held by the same or another body to see how far they match. This is usually personal information. Computerised data matching allows fraudulent claims and payments to be identified. Where a match is found it indicates that there is an inconsistency which requires further investigation. No assumption can be made as to whether there is fraud, error or other explanation until an investigation is carried out.

The Audit Commission currently requires us to participate in a data matching exercise to assist in the prevention and detection of fraud, The Audit Commission requires the Council to provide information it holds for this purpose. We are required to provide particular sets of data to the Audit Commission for matching for each exercise, and these are set out in the Audit commission’s guidance, which can be found at
www.audit-commission.gov.uk/nfi

The use of data by the Audit Commission in a data matching exercise is carried out with statutory authority under its powers in Part 2A of the Audit Commission Act 1998. It does not require the consent of the individuals concerned under the Data Protection Act 1998.

Data matching by the Audit Commission is subject to a Code of Practice. This may be found at www.audit-commission.gov.uk/nfi

For further information on the Audit Commission’s legal powers and the reasons why it matches particular information, see http://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/nfi/fptext.asp