ICO warns unregistered councillors are risking fines

Councillors must register with the ICO where they are representing residents or acting as independents

Councillors may risk a fine of up to £5,000 if they are not registered as data controllers with the Information Commissioner's Office, according to a report from the ICO.

Only 6,000 councillors in the UK are currently registered with the ICO, but a further 13,000 may need to do so.

Failure to register is a criminal offence, and if convicted defendants can be fined up to £5,000 in the Magistrates Court, or see an unlimited fine in the Crown Court.

The councillors that will need to register their work include those acting as representatives for residents in a ward, or those working independently of a political party.

People who are working as a member of the council or representative of a major political party will not normally need to register.