Cookie Notice
What are website cookies?
When someone visits our website, we log information and details of visitor behaviour patterns.
A cookie is a small file, typically of letters and numbers, downloaded on to a device when the user accesses certain websites. Cookies allow a website to recognise a user's device. Cookies can expire at the end of a browser session (from when a user opens the browser window to when they exit the browser) or they can be stored for longer.
We do this to find out things such as the number of visitors to the various parts of the site, but:
- We collect this information in a way which does not identify anyone.
- We do not make any attempt to find out the identities of those visiting our website.
- We will not associate any data gathered from this site with any personally identifying information from any source.
If we do want to collect personally identifiable information through our website (in a form, for example), we will be up front about this.
We will make it clear when we collect personal information and will explain what we intend to do with it.
Video explaining why government websites may use cookies
Most web browsers allow some control of most cookies through the browser settings. Find out how government websites use cookies, and how to control which cookies get set on your computer or smartphone.
Different types of cookies
Session cookies
Session cookies allow websites to link the actions of a user during a browser session. They may be used for a variety of purposes such as remembering what a user has put in their shopping basket as they browse around a site. They could also be used for security when a user is accessing internet banking or to facilitate use of webmail. These session cookies expire after a browser session so would not be stored longer term. For this reason, session cookies may sometimes be considered less privacy intrusive than persistent cookies.
Persistent cookies
Persistent cookies are stored on a users' device in between browser sessions which allows the preferences or actions of the user across a site (or in some cases across different websites) to be remembered. Persistent cookies may be used for a variety of purposes including remembering users' preferences and choices when using a site or to target advertising.
First and third-party cookies
Whether a cookie is ‘first' or ‘third' party refers to the website or domain placing the cookie. First party cookies in basic terms are cookies set by a website visited by the user - the website displayed in the URL window. Third party cookies are cookies that are set by a domain other than the one being visited by the user. If a user visits a website and a separate company sets a cookie through that website this would be a third-party cookie.
Cookies and the law
The EU law states that we must-
- tell you that the cookies are there
- explain to you what the cookies do
You can find more information about cookies and the law on these websites:
- Most web browsers allow some control of most cookies through the browser settings. To find out more about cookies, including how to see what cookies have been set and how to manage and delete them, visit the All About The Cookies website (opens in new window).
- Opt out of being tracked by Google Analytics across all websites (opens in new window)
Use of cookies by SWDPR
You may delete and block all cookies from our website(s) using your web browser settings, however blocking or restricting cookies may affect the functionality of our website and parts of it may not work as intended or as you would expect. The following table shows you which cookies we currently use. We are continuously reviewing the cookies we use and will be updating this list when necessary.
Cookies used by our website
A list of all cookies used by our website and its purpose.
|
Cookie |
Name |
Purpose |
|
Cookie alert |
acceptCookies |
This cookie stores whether the user has accepted the cookie notice to prevent the user being prompted more than once in a 30-day period. |
|
Current page |
rl_modals |
This cookie stores the ID of the current page so that the user can be returned to this page if required they are required to log in. This cookie is not essential for any user that will not log into the website. |
|
General |
_hjid Random alphanumeric code |
These cookies are created by default and are not required to use the site. They create non-essential session IDs. |
|
Google Analytics |
_ga _gat _gid _utma _utmb _utmc _utmz |
These cookies are used to collect information about how visitors use our site. We use the information to compile reports and to help us improve the site. The cookies collect information in an anonymous form, including the number of visitors to the site, where visitor have come to the site from and the pages they visited. |
|
Logged in |
joomla_user_state |
This cookie stores the login status for a session. |