Newbattle: St Nicholas Buccleuch Parish Church (the “Congregation”) Scottish Charity Number SC035087 DATA RETENTION POLICY
- Introduction
- Church of Scotland congregations gather personal information from individuals and external organisations as well as generating a wide range of personal data, all of which is recorded in documents and records, both in hard copy and electronic form.
- Examples of the types of information accumulated and generated are set out in Appendix 1 of this policy and include but are not limited to minutes of Kirk Session meetings; membership rolls; baptismal information; employment records; newsletters and other communications such as letters and emails.
- In certain circumstances it will be necessary to retain documents to meet legal requirements and for operational needs. Document retention is also required to evidence agreements or events and to preserve information.
- It is however not practical or appropriate for congregations to retain all records. Additionally, data protection principles require information to be as up to date and accurate as possible. It is therefore important that congregations have in place systems for the timely and secure disposal of documents that are no longer required.
- This Data Retention Policy was adopted by the Congregation on 22 June 2025 and will be implemented on a day to day basis.
2. Roles and Responsibilities
- Congregational office bearers and those involved with safeguarding will adopt the retention and disposal guidance at Appendix 1 of this policy and strive to keep records up to date.
- Advice will be obtained from the Law Department or Safeguarding Department of the Church Office at 121 George Street if there is uncertainty about retention periods.
3. Retention and Disposal Policy
3.1. Decisions relating to the retention and disposal of data should be guided by:-
- Appendix 1 – Document Retention Schedule – Guidance on the recommended and statutory minimum retention periods for specific types of documents and records.
- Appendix 2 – Quick Guide to document retention.
- In circumstances where the retention period for a specific document or category of documents has expired, a review should be carried out prior to disposal and consideration should be given to the method of disposal.
4. Disposal
- Documents containing confidential or personal information should be disposed of either by shredding or by using confidential waste bins or sacks. Such documentation is likely to include financial details, contact lists with names and addresses and pastoral information.
- Documents other than those containing confidential or personal information may be disposed of by recycling or binning.
- Electronic communications including email, Facebook pages, twitter accounts etc and all information stored digitally should also be reviewed and if no longer required, closed and/or deleted so as to be put beyond use. This should not be done simply by archiving, which is not the same as deletion. It will often be sufficient simply to delete the information, with no intention of ever using or accessing it again, despite the fact that it may still exist in the electronic ether. Information will be deemed to be put beyond use if the Congregation is not able, or will not attempt, to use it to inform any decision in respect of any individual or in a manner that affects the individual in any way and does not give any other organisation access to it.
- Deletion can also be effected by using one of the following methods of disposal:-
- Using secure deletion software which can overwrite data;
- Using the function of “restore to factory settings” (where information is not stored in a removeable format);
- Sending the device to a specialist who will securely delete the data.
Appendix 1
Illustrative Data Retention Schedule
RECORD
RETENTION PERIOD
Minutes of meetings 6 years
50 years – permanent. After 50 years pass the minutes to the principal
Kirk Session meetings
clerk’s office, who then liaise with the National Records of Scotland for archiving.
Pre-employment enquiries/applications/notes/letters/references 6 months after completion of recruitment (unless data to be retained
for a future similar opportunity, in which case 1 year)
Safeguarding – Service confirmation of advice, emails, letters 100 years Safeguarding – Confidentiality Agreements 100 years
Safeguarding – Covenants of Responsibility (managing those who pose a risk)
100 years
Safeguarding – Risk Assessments 100 years
Safeguarding – Complaints concerning people 100 years Safeguarding – Audit for Congregations and Presbyteries 100 years Congregational Roll 100 years
Certificates of Transference/Lines 100 years Employee/appointments records including: contracts, time records etc Duration of employment + 7 years Volunteer records Duration of placement + 7 years
Databases for mailing lists/distribution Reviewed annually, delete out of date information
Miscellaneous contact information Delete once there is no longer a requirement to hold such information Arranged accommodation/placements (e.g. overseas visitors) 3 years following end of event/placement
Documents relating to litigation or potential litigation Until matter is concluded plus 7 years Hazardous material exposures 30 years
Injury and Illness Incident Reports (RIDDOR) 5 years
Pension plans and retirement records Permanent
Salary schedules; ranges for each job description 2 years
Payroll Records Minimum, 7 years. No maximum
Contracts 7 years following expiration
Construction documents Permanent
Fixed Asset Records Permanent
Application for charitable and/or tax-exempt status Permanent
Sales and purchase records 5 years
Resolutions Permanent
Audit and review workpapers 5 years from the end of the period in which the audit or review was concluded
OSCR filings 5 years from date of filing
Records of financial donations 7 years
Accounts Payable and Receivables ledgers and schedules 7 years Annual audit reports and financial statements Permanent
Annual plans and budgets 2 years
Bank statements, cancelled cheques, deposit slips Minimum of 7 years
Business expense records 7 years
Cash/cheque receipts 7 years
Electronic fund transfer documents 7 years
Employee expense reports 7 years
General ledgers Permanent
Journal entries 7 years
Invoices 7 years
Petty cash vouchers 7 years
Tax records Minimum 7 years
Filings of fees paid to professionals 7 years
Environmental studies Permanent
Insurance claims/ applications Permanent
Insurance disbursements and denials Permanent
Insurance contracts and policies (Directors and Officers, General Liability, Property, Workers’ Compensation)
Permanent
Leases 7 years after expiration
Property/buildings documentation (including loan and mortgage contracts, title deeds)
Permanent
Warranties Duration of warranty + 7 years
Records relating to potential, or actual, legal proceedings Conclusion of any tribunal or litigation proceedings + 7 years