Cookies on our website

Cookies are files saved on your smartphone, tablet or computer when you visit a website. We use cookies to collect and store information about how you use the website to improve your experience.

They improve things by:

  • remembering the things you've chosen while on our website, so you don't have to keep re-entering them whenever you visit a new webpage
  • remembering data you've given (for example, your address) so you don't need to keep entering it
  • measuring how you use the website so we can make sure it meets your needs

By using our website, you agree that we can place these types of cookies on your device. However, you can manage and/or delete these cookies using our cookie control or you can block cookies in your browser.

We do not use cookies on this website that:

  • collect information about what other websites you visit (often referred to as privacy intrusive cookies)
  • are used to identify you personally

Cookies in use on Swindon.gov.uk

We are legally obliged to provide you with clear information about how our website uses cookies and how to disable them if you wish.

To make it clearer for you, we’ve divided how we use cookies into four different categories:

  • Settings-based - this type of cookie is used to remember a setting or preference, such as a colour or the size of text on a webpage
  • Feature-based - this type of cookie is used to remember information about a feature on a webpage, such as the fact that you’ve watched a video clip or listened to an audio file previously
  • Function-based - this type of cookie is used to remember information about how you used the website and provide analytical information to website administrators
  • Third-party - this type of cookie is created by a third-party and can also fall under the categories of ‘setting’, ‘feature’ and ‘functional’. Where third-party cookies are present on our website, we will attempt to be as upfront and clear as possible about their intended purpose.

The list below shows cookies currently in use on Swindon.gov.uk. You can select a cookie to find out the following information about it:

  • Category
  • What the purpose is
  • How to block
  • What would happen if you chose to block

Category
Settings-based, function-based
Purpose
On some webpages we use cookies to remember your preferences and offer you personalised services. For example, when you choose to view the website in high contrast, it will remember your choice for the next time you visit.
How to block
Block cookies in your browser
What would happen if you chose to block
Blocking our preference cookies may result in a reduced service if you wish to personalise some of our services.

Category
Function-based
Purpose
In some areas of our website, we use session cookies to ensure persistent connections to our servers.
How to block
Block cookies in your browser
What would happen if you chose to block
Blocking our session cookies may result in you being unable to log in to some of our services via secure HTTPS links. Because of this, we strongly recommend that you don’t block these types of cookies.

Category
Function-based, third party
Purpose
We use Google Analytics to get a better understanding of how users use the website. We take actions based on these insights, with the aim of improving the experience of using the website. More information: Google website - Google Analytics cookie usage on websites.
How to block
You can use the cookie control on the website to switch this cookie on or off by toggling 'Analytical cookies' or block cookies in your browser.
What would happen if you chose to block
Nothing you would notice. Your session on the website would be disregarded from the insights we get from Google Analytics.

Category
Function-based, third party
Purpose
Google captures some information when you view a map on their servers. The purpose is to remember options and preferences (such as location, zoom level, or type of map), but also to transfer some analytical information about usage.
How to block
Block cookies in your browser
What would happen if you chose to block
Some maps on our website may stop working correctly.

Category
Feature-based, third party
Purpose
On certain, very specific webpages, we use a DoubleClick cookie in order to target advertising based on a user's visit to improve reporting on campaign performance and to avoid showing ads the user has already seen.
How to block
Block cookies in your browser
What would happen if you chose to block
Nothing. You would not receive any targeted advertising in the unlikely event that your visit to the website would have otherwise triggered that advertising.

Category
Settings-based, third party
Purpose
We use a company called Mailerlite to send newsletters to users who sign up for them. Mailerlite's cookie remembers your preferences for signing up for newsletters, so that you can change your preferences in future visits. 
How to block
Block cookies in your browser
What would happen if you chose to block
Your newsletter preferences would still be retained, but you wouldn't be able to change them on the website.

Category
Function-based, third party
Purpose
Similar to Google Analytics, Siteimprove helps us understand how people use our website so that we can make decisions to improve the experience.
How to block
Block cookies in your browser
What would happen if you chose to block
Nothing you would notice. We would simply lose any insights that might be gained by your visits to the website.

Category
Function-based, third party
Purpose
Similar to Google Analytics, Microsoft Clarity helps us understand how people use our website so that we can make decisions to improve the experience.
How to block
You can use the cookie control on the website to switch this cookie on or off by toggling 'User experience' or block cookies in your browser.
What would happen if you chose to block
Nothing you would notice. We would simply lose any insights that might be gained by your visits to the website.

Category
Feature-based, third party
Purpose
Some webpages include embedded YouTube videos. Where this occurs, YouTube can drop cookies to collect analytical information, such as recording a 'view' of the video.
How to block
Block cookies in your browser
What would happen if you chose to block
Blocking YouTube cookies may prevent some videos from playing properly.

Blocking cookies in your browser

Use the following links to read more about blocking cookies in your browser:

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