Cookies
Cookies are small text files that are placed on your computer, smartphone, tablet or smart TV when you access a website. They are widely used to make websites work, or work more efficiently, by allowing the website to recognise your device and store information about past actions or preferences.
For example, for internet banking, where your device may recognise and populate previously entered login details.
Our websites use cookies to provide a better service and experience to the citizens of Birmingham and other website users.
Types of cookies
There are 2 types of cookies:
- session cookies – these are short-term cookies that auto-delete after a few minutes or when you close your browser
- persistent cookies – these are longer-term cookies that may be used to store previously entered information on forms or gather analytics about how you interact with the website
Find out more about cookies.
Cookies used on this website (bebirmingham.co.uk)
Strictly necessary cookies
Some cookies we use are essential for the website to run properly (these are called ‘strictly necessary’ cookies). They always need to be on.
|
Cookie name |
Purpose |
Expiry |
|---|---|---|
|
PHPSESSID |
A technical and strictly necessary cookie containing the ID of the session. |
When the browser is closed |
Analytics cookies (to measure website use)
We use Google Analytics and Siteimprove to measure how you use the website. This helps us improve the website by making it easier to browse, navigate and use.
The data collected is completely anonymous and does not store any personal details. The information is used to analyse how visitors make use of our website and allows us to gather information such as:
- website activity
- visitor numbers
- popular pages
- customer journeys
|
Cookie name |
Purpose |
Expiry |
|---|---|---|
|
_gid |
Used by Google Analytics to distinguish visitors to the website. |
24 hours |
|
_ga |
Used by Google Analytics to distinguish visitors to the website. |
2 years |
|
_ga_<container-id> |
Used by Google Analytics to identify and track your session. |
1 minute |
|
_gat_gtag_<container-id> |
Used by Google Analytics to limit requests to its service. |
1 minute |
How to manage cookies
If you do not wish to allow the use of cookies for our website, you can block them using your browser preferences (for example by amending your cookie settings on Google settings).
However, if you do this you may not be able to use the full functionality of the website.
Find out how to manage cookies on popular browsers:
Elsewhere on the web
Information Commissioner's Office: cookies
Page last updated: 5 October 2023