A cookie is a way for your web browser to hold a small amount of information, either in memory or on your hard disk, for use during your website visit. They provide a better browsing experience by offering the ability to remember user settings or preferences when visiting a site. Cookies are not viruses: they cannot damage your computer, find out information about you or read any personal material kept on your hard drive.
Like most other websites, Plymouth City Council makes use of cookies. They are only used where they are genuinely necessary (e.g. as part of our online forms or payments), offer a significantly better user experience, or help us to improve our website. Some cookies are set when you first visit any page on the site, others are set only when you visit a specific part of it.
Google Analytics
Our website uses Google Analytics, a web analytics service provided by Google. It uses cookies to help monitor use of the website. It reports trends without identifying individual visitors. The information generated by the cookie about your use of the website (including your IP address) will be transmitted to and stored by Google.
This information is used for the purpose of evaluating visitors' use of the website and to compile statistical reports on website activity for site operators. Google may transfer this information to third parties where required to do so by law, or where such third parties process the information on Google's behalf. Google will not associate your IP address with any other data held by Google.
Plymouth City Council will not use Google Analytics to track or to collect any personally identifiable information about visitors to our site. We will not use Google Analytics data with any other personally identifying information from any other source. We do not allow Google to use our analytics data in anonymous form as part of their benchmarking service.
By using this website, you consent to the processing of data about you by us and by Google in the manner and for the purposes set out above.
Vist the relevant Google page for more information about Google’s privacy policy relating to Google Analytics or to opt out of being tracked by Google Analytics across all websites.
We also use anonymised demographic data to help us deliver services better. To do so we have enabled the GA Advertising cookie but we do not use any information for advertising purposes, for more information read the Google policy on advertising cookies.
GovMetric website feedback
We use GovMetric to get feedback on our website so that we can make improvements. You need to enable cookies to leave us feedback via GovMetric.
GovMetric collects information about what pages users visit. Information is never passed on to third parties.
For more information read the GovMetric privacy policy.
We embed some Twitter feeds on our pages. Twitter then use cookies to determine who follows the various links contained in these embedded feeds. For more information read the Twitter privacy policy.
We embed some Facebook feeds on our pages. Facebook then use cookies to determine who follows the various links contained in these embedded feeds. For more information read the Facebook privacy policy.
External cookies
Many sites we refer you to will immediately set session cookies. We cannot audit the use of cookies by these external sites so you should be aware of their use and be prepared to manage them if you follow links to other sites from this website.
If you have any questions about our use of cookies please email digital@plymouth.gov.uk
Preventing cookies from being set
Most web browsers will allow you to prevent cookies being set on your device, but doing this may mean you are unable to use some parts of our website. Consult the Help section of your browser to find out how to change the cookie settings.
If you follow any external links from Plymouth City Council to visit another website, you might encounter the use of cookies there. These websites and their associated cookies are beyond our control.
The website All About Cookies has more information about cookies, including how to control and delete them.