Southampton City Council and its partner sites all place cookies onto your computer for the purpose of making your visits to our sites more friendly and efficient. New legislation requires we tell you about this and to give you the option to decline these cookies if you so wish. Southampton City Council makes every effort to maintain the accuracy of the information on this web site and this privacy statement applies to this entire website – www.southampton.gov.uk (and other associated websites eg Children’s Trust etc?) it does not apply to linked external websites. When linking to another web site, Southampton City Council recommends that you read their privacy statement on cookies.
No name, address or specific user details are recorded from site visits and we will not attempt to identify individuals from such information unless necessary to investigate a breach of law or regulation. Any personal information that we do collect from you, will be legally protected under the Data Protection Act 1998, we have a duty to protect any personal information. We do not pass on your details to any third party or government department unless you give us the permission to do so or the law requires/permits it.
Cookie security and privacy issues
Cookies are not intended to store any information that could otherwise identify the user / user identity – they only store information on user preferences. Due to their flexibility and the fact that many of the largest and most-visited websites use cookies by default, cookies are almost unavoidable. Disabling cookies will lock a user out of many of the most widely-used sites on the Internet like Youtube, Gmail, Yahoo mail, and others. Even search settings require cookies for language settings. Therefore you should be aware that by declining cookies on our site – you may find from time to time some pages will not respond as you anticipate.
Also known as browser cookies or tracking cookies, cookies are small, often encrypted text files, located in browser directories. They are automatically installed onto your computer when you visit our site. (or partner sites) Cookies are created when a user’s browser (Internet Explorer, Safari Chrome etc) loads a particular website. The website sends information to the browser which then creates a small text file. Every time the user goes back to the same website, the browser retrieves and sends this file to the website's server. By doing this it can store certain elements of your browsing preferences and present them to you quicker next time you visit.
These small text files (cookies) are used to improve services for you through, for example:
• enabling a service to recognise your device so you don’t have to give the same information several times during one task
• recognising that you may already have given a username and password, so you don’t need to do it for every web page requested
• measuring how many people are using services, so they can be made easier to use and there’s enough capacity to ensure they are fast.
Use the link in the left hand navigation to visit the ‘Cookie used' page, for details of the cookies used on this website and if you agree with them then we would be grateful if you give your consent for their use in the popup box you will see when you next visit our site.
If you do not consent then you are still welcome to browse our pages but please be aware that some information may not present properly or you may be asked again to give consent. This may seem a little of an annoyance for which we apologise but in order to record your choice of not giving permission we would otherwise have to install a cookie – which would contravene the legislation.
Southampton City Council and partner sites use 2-3 different types of cookies. That’s why you see them listed in the pop up box that brought you to this page. Lets discuss these three types of cookies so you are better informed when you make a choice as to allow them onto your computer or not.
Session Cookies
Web pages have no memories. A user going from page to page will be treated by the website as a completely new visitor. Session cookies enable the website you are visiting to keep track of your movement from page to page so you don't get asked for the same information you've already given to the site. Cookies allow you to proceed through many pages of a site quickly and easily without having to authenticate or reprocess each new area you visit. However as you exit the browser this cookie is also deleted requiring your consent again upon your next visit.
Persistent cookies, includes Third Party cookies (or tracking cookies)
These help websites remember your information and settings when you visit them in the future. This results in faster and more convenient access since, for example, you don't have to login again. Persistent cookies enable a website to remember you on subsequent visits, speeding up or enhancing your experience of services or functions offered. You only have to agree to this cookie once and we store the cookie for 12 months onto your computer. (After which time it automatically removes itself and you will be asked for consent again.) You also have the option of declining only certain cookies and accepting others. This is explained in more detail – see ‘Withdrawing Consent’.
Strictly necessary Cookies
There are some cookies which are exempt from the legislation as these are identified as being strictly necessary and do not require your consent. They are typically required to ensure your preferences are retained when using online shopping carts, payment systems or when for example loaning books from our library.
Persistent cookies found on our site
Google Maps and Youtube
Originator: google.co.uk
1. Cookie Name: PREF,NID, SNID, MPRF
Purpose: A unique reference is given to each computer to allow analysis of requests to Google Maps. Data is only used for overall visitor analysis. Cookies remain for up to two years when they expire. They are then deleted. These cookies can also be deleted by the user.
Originator: google.com
2. Cookie Name: PREF
Purpose: A cookie used to remember your previous selections or preferred settings made when looking at information or using a service. Cookies remain for up to 2 years when they expire. They are then deleted. These cookies can also be deleted by the user.
Originator: youtube.com
3. Cookie Name: VISITOR_INFO1_LIVE
Purpose: A cookie used to remember your previous selections or preferred settings made when looking at information or using a service. Cookies remain for up to eight months when they expire. They are then deleted. These cookies can also be deleted by the user.
Google Analytics
Originator: google.com
4. Cookie Name: _utma
Purpose: Companies providing analysis of visitors using services such as Google Analytics, set cookies to help accurately estimate the number of visitors to the website and volumes of use. Cookies remain for up to 2 years when they expire. They are then deleted. These cookies can also be deleted by the user.
Originator: google.com
5. Cookie Name: _utmb
Purpose: Companies providing analysis of visitors using services such as Google Analytics, set cookies to help accurately estimate the number of visitors to the website and volumes of use. Cookies remain for up to 30 minutes when they expire. They are then deleted. These cookies can also be deleted by the user.
Originator: google.com
6. Cookie Name: _utmc
Purpose: Companies providing analysis of visitors using services such as Google Analytics, set cookies to help accurately estimate the number of visitors to the website and volumes of use. Cookies remain until the browser exits. They are then deleted. These cookies can also be deleted by the user.
Originator: google.com
7. Cookie Name: _utmz
Purpose: Companies providing analysis of visitors using services such as Google Analytics, set cookies to help accurately estimate the number of visitors to the website and volumes of use. Cookies remain for up to 6 months when they expire. They are then deleted. These cookies can also be deleted by the user.
Session cookies found on our site
Originator: bacas.southampton.gov.uk
1. Cookie Name: BIGipServerCityWeb-IIS
Purpose: Stores a randomly generated unique reference that is used for managing requests. This ensures users are directed to the same web server during their browsing session. This cookie is erased when you close your browser
Originator: www.southampton.gov.uk
2. Cookie Name: ASP.NET_SessionId
Purpose: Stores a randomly generated unique reference which allows our web applications to identify visitors. This ensures continuity between each page requested during your visit. This cookie is erased when you close your browser.
Originator: www.southampton.gov.uk
3. Cookie Name: ASPSESSIONIDACSCSQDB
Purpose: Stores a randomly generated unique reference which allows our web applications to identify visitors. This ensures continuity between each page requested during your visit. This cookie is erased when you close your browser.
Originator: www.southampton.gov.uk
4. Cookie Name: BIGipServerCityWeb-IIS
Purpose: Stores a randomly generated unique reference that is used for managing requests. This ensures users are directed to the same web server during their browsing session. This cookie is erased when you close your browser.
Originator: www.southampton.gov.uk
5. Cookie Name: firmstep2server
Purpose: A temporary cookie which allows our online forms to identify visitors between pages and ensures continuity between each page requested. This cookie is erased when you close your browser.
Originator: www.southampton.gov.uk
6. Cookie Name: firmstep2session
Purpose: A temporary cookie which allows our online forms to identify visitors between pages and ensures continuity between each page requested. This cookie is erased when you close your browser.
Originator: www.civicaepay.co.uk
7. Cookie Name: ASP.NET_SessionId
Purpose: Stores a randomly generated unique reference which allows our online payments system to identify visitors. This ensures continuity between each page requested during your visit. This cookie is erased when you close your browser
Originator: www.civicaepay.co.uk
8.Cookie Name: TS1dc04e
Purpose: A temporary cookie which allows our online payment system to identify visitors between pages and ensures continuity between each page requested. This cookie is erased when you close your browser.
If you have given your consent for cookies on our site then we hope you will see their advantage as you navigate our pages. If for any reason you decide you wish to withdraw consent then please following these steps.
1. Select the cookie settings under the privacy settings in your browser options, then add our domain to the list of websites you do not want to accept cookies from.
2. Under settings you can also delete individual cookies or any cookies that your browser has stored. If you set your browser to refuse cookies, please be aware that there may be functionality on various websites that does not work.
You can of course re-establish consent at any time you wish.
If you have any concerns or questions relating to this privacy statement then please contact: The Information Compliance Officer on 023 8083 2676
The BBC’s Webwise site provides further reading should you wish an independent explanation of cookies and there is more information from both the Directgov and All about Cookies websites shown below.