Authority investigates possible data breach

CAERPHILLY council is investigating a possible data breach after publishing a traveller family’s personal information.

A written statement in favour of a permanent gypsy and traveller site included the full names and ages of all family members – including young children.

The family’s occupations, previous travelling locations, and their preferred home base were also alluded to.

Such details have remained publicly available since October 18, but the application has been with the council since April 11.

The original document has since been removed, with a redacted version uploaded on Tuesday.

A council spokeswoman said: “A full investigation is being carried out in line with council procedures and appropriate action will be taken to ensure that a similar incident does not happen again in the future.

“If our investigation finds that there is a significant risk of emotional distress or physical or material damage, we will notify the Information Commissioner’s Office as required by legislation.”

The application relates to plans to establish the first permanent Gypsy and Traveller site in Caerphilly county borough.

Under the proposals the family would have a two pitches with room for static and touring caravans, and a shared amenity building.

The statement says the site, near the Ynysddu Hotel, would offer the families convenient access to public transport and the local primary school.

“The site is already reasonably well screened from the north, west and east by existing woodland,” says the report.

“Clearly the object of landscaping is not to hide traveller site from public view, and thereby isolate their residents, but to soften their appearance.”

If given planning approval, the families would use a “very lightly used lane” near the hotel to access the site.

The report adds: “The two-pitch traveller site would generate relatively little traffic. The potential for conflict between existing and proposed users of the land is consequently very low.”

Caerphilly and Denbighshire were the only two authorities in Wales to report having no traveller sites, or caravans, as of July this year.

There have been 21 encampments recorded since 2011. unauthorised in Caerphilly