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Southampton City Council and its partners use cookies on our web sites. These are small text files that are designed to enhance your visit to our site and also help us with analytical information. New legislation requires that we ask your permission before we download these cookies onto your computer. You may wish to decline but please be aware that some pages may not work correctly. Please make your selection to the right.
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Further information on our cookies

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.

Home | Skip to Content | Accessibility | Contact Us

Accessibility

How can I make the pages easier to access and view?
In most browsers there are options you can set to improve the accessibility of the web site you are viewing.

You can specify the text sizes, foreground and background colours of web pages displayed on your computer screen, even if the web designer has already specified these. You can also change the colour used to indicate links on the web pages, or a special colour for links that are used only when the mouse passes over the link.

This is useful if you have low vision, need larger text, or need high-contrast colours. You can set Internet Explorer to use the colours and text sizes you specify, your default Windows colours and text size, or you can create your own style sheets.

If you use Internet Explorer or the Netscape browser to view the Internet, the following guidelines will enable you to enlarge the size of text and control the colours on your screen:

Microsoft Internet Explorer for PC:
1. Open your Internet Explorer Web Browser
2. Select “Tools” from the menu
3. From the list of options that appear, select “Internet Options”
4. Click on the “General” tab
5. Click on the button labelled “Accessibility”
6. To change the text size, select the checkbox marked “Ignore font sizes specified on web pages”
7. To remove background and text colours, select the checkbox marked “Ignore colours specified in web pages”
8. Select “View” from the menu at the top of your screen
9. From the options which appear, select “Text size”
10. Select your desired text size.

Netscape Navigator:
Text:
1. Select “edit” from the menu at the top of the window and chose “Preferences”
2. Open the “Appearance” group and click the “Fonts” category
3. Next to “For the encoding” should read Western to tell the computer which types of letters and symbols to use. From “Size” select 18
4. Next to the “Variable width font” filed is a drop down box: select “Arial”. The “Fixed Width Font” box should already read “Courier New”; From “Size” select 18.
5. To override the text size used by the website designer, select “Use my default fonts overriding document specified fonts” and click “OK”

Colours:
1. Select “Edit” from the menu at the top of the Window and choose “Preferences”
2. Open the Appearance group and click on the “Colours” category
3. Select a colour button to change the colours of text, background, unvisited links and visited links.
4. To override the colours used by the website designer, select “Always use my colours, overriding document” and click “OK”.

Adobe Acrobat PDF documents:
Many documents and reports within the site are published in PDF (Portable Document Format), and usually in Microsoft Word format too.
Viewers with visual difficulties may find it useful to investigate services that improve the accessibility of Acrobat documents at http://www.adobe.com/accessibility/index.html.

Accessibility tests:
We are working hard to ensure all content conform to the highest standards, including web pages produced by supplier systems. With our new web site design our objective is to meet the highest web accessibility standards. The home page and most content pages now conform to WAI AAA accessibility standards; we are working to ensure that the remainder conform at least to WAI AA standards.

W3C WAI:
WAI, in co-ordination with organisations around the world, pursues accessibility of the Web through five primary areas of work: technology, guidelines, tools, education and outreach, and research and development.

WAI produces accessibility guidelines. Content providers can use these logos on their sites to indicate a claim of conformance to a specified level of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 1.0. More information on the accessibility guidelines can be found at the WAI website.