Cookie Policy
What are website cookies?
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.
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:
Use of cookies by Worcester City Council
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:
| Type | Name | Description | Further Info |
|---|---|---|---|
|
User session |
PHPSESSID |
This is a session cookie generated by PHP, the main technology we use to code and build this website. |
It is essential for our site to know what actions you have performed on previous pages so we do not ask you to enter the same information twice. This cookie expires when you close your browser. |
|
Google Analytics |
_utma |
We use Google Analytics to monitor traffic levels, search queries, visits to this website and to see how visitors move around the site when they are using it. |
These cookies help us to improve the way our website works (for example by ensuring that users are finding what they are looking for easily). |
|
Cookie Policy |
civicShowCookieIcon |
Cookie Control: When you click "I'm happy with this..." on the Cookie Control user interface overlay, a cookie is set in order to remember your preference. |
These cookies are set only after the user has clicked 'I am happy with this...' on the Cookie Control user interface overlay |