What is a cookie?

Cookies are small files that ask permission to be stored in your web browser. The cookie is then recognised by the website during your visit and if you visit again.

Cookies do not contain any personal information and do not contain any harmful programmes or virus.

The aim of using cookies is to enhance the user experience on websites, and make things as efficient and easy as possible for users. Cookies are useful because they allow a website to recognise the device you are using and provide you with a better website experience.

The lifespan of a cookie is dependent on the system and type of cookie used.

Our website may contain links to other websites of interest. However, once you have used these links to leave our site, you should note that we do not have any control over that other website. Therefore, we cannot be responsible for the protection and privacy of any information which you provide whilst visiting such sites and such sites are not governed by this privacy statement. You should exercise caution and look at our Group Privacy Statement applicable to the website in question.

 

What cookies do we use, and how we use them?

There are a range of software programmes used by large and small businesses. Please find below an example of all available cookies and their purpose.

 

Cookie Name Purpose
Squiz matrix session SQ_SYSTEM_SESSION These session cookies allow the site to identify a unique user visit. These do not contain any human readable personal data and are used for website functionality. They expire after a browser session.
Google Analytics Google Analytics _ga This third party cookie helps us count how many people visit the website by tracking if you’ve visited the site before. It expires after 2 years.
Google Analytics Google Analytics _gat This third party cookie is used to manage the rate at which page view requests are made. It expires after 10 minutes.
Google Maps Google Maps APISID, GMAIL_RTT, HSID, NID, PREF, SAPISID, SID, SSID These cookies are used by Google wherever Google Maps is embedded on our website

 

We use cookies to identify which pages are being used. This helps us analyse data about web page traffic and improve our website in order to tailor it to customer needs. We only use this information for statistical analysis purposes and then the data is removed from the system.

Overall, cookies help us provide you with a better website, by enabling us to monitor which pages you find useful and which you do not. A cookie in no way gives us access to your computer or any information about you, other than the data you choose to share with us.

You can choose to accept or decline cookies. Most web browsers automatically accept cookies but you can usually modify your browser setting to decline cookies if you prefer. This may prevent you from taking full advantage of the website.

 

How to delete / disable cookies?

All recent versions of popular web browsers give users some control over cookies.

You can amend the settings in your browsers so that they accept all cookies, reject all cookies or accept/reject cookies for certain sites. You can also delete cookies once you have left a site.

Note: By deleting cookies from your web browser you will not just be deleting ours, but all other sites as well.

Our website can be viewed without using cookies and you can prevent their automatic receipt by activating your browser’s anonymous usage settings (called “Incognito” in Chrome, “InPrivate” for Internet Explorer, “Private Browsing” in Firefox and Safari).

 

For comprehensive information on cookies, or how to control or delete them, please visit www.aboutcookies.org.

https://ico.org.uk/global/cookies/

 

Data Protection Act 2018 - The information you have supplied to us will be used by Barrhead Housing Association to process your enquiry or comments. We may also use your information to verify your identity where required, contact you by post, email or telephone and to maintain our records. Barrhead Housing Association will use this information because we need to do so to perform a task carried out. You can find out more about how we handle this information and your rights in respect of it by going to www.barrheadha.org.uk/usefuldocuments where our Data Protection Statement and Privacy Policy are available. If you do not have access to a computer and wish a paper copy please let us know by contacting us at or by telephone at 0141 881 0638.