IN light of last year's �250,000 penalty for dumping employee bank records in a skip, Scottish Borders Council have further shown their commitment to protecting information.

And it's not just about staying tight-lipped. Last week the local authority launched a new campaign to raise awareness of looking after information.

Think Information is part of a council project to improve and strengthen the safeguards it has around the information it collects, holds and uses.

Chief Executive Tracey Logan told us: "Data security and accurate information are key principles of our approach to information management.

"To ensure we follow these principles we have a range of policies and strategies in place. Through this project, we aim to ensure these principles are applied diligently throughout the organisation in an efficient way and with customer service, effective governance and transparency at their core.

"We are rolling out a series of additional training programmes, materials and activities which aim to give staff the information and knowledge they require as part of their role as an employee of the Council." The chief executive along with leader David Parker signed up to a Personal Information Promise with the Information Commissioner's Office.

The document outlines ten promises which Scottish Borders Council has shown it is committed to keeping as part of its role as a public authority.

The campaign has five strands - Think Privacy, Security, Accuracy, Transparency and Efficiency. The first strand of the campaign is 'Think Privacy' and aims to raise awareness of the Data Protection Act.

And a series of awareness raising activities will take place across SBC over the coming months.

Mr Parker added: "This promise we have signed today is our way of showing the people of the Borders that we are absolutely committed to ensuring we protect their information.

"Through this project, we want to ensure all SBC staff are fully aware of their legal responsibilities for making sure information is looked after correctly." Scottish Borders Council are currently appealing against the �250,000 fine they were given last year for the data breach.