Privacy statement and disclaimer

Having the confidence to impart any private information to the Countryside Council for Wales (“CCW”) via online forms, registrations or applications requires reassurance as does being a contributor to the CCW Blog.  It is important to us that, when you choose to do so, your privacy is not compromised and that we behave in a clear, responsible manner. We regard protecting your personal information as critically important.

This privacy statement sets out how we use and protect any personal information that you give us when you use http://www.ccw.gov.uk (the “CCW website”) or ‘The Welsh View’ (the “CCW Blog”).  Users of the CCW Blog are also subject to the terms of CCW’s Blog Terms and Conditions [click link to open].  If you have any questions about this statement or do not agree with it, please contact the head web editor via email at webeditor@ccw.gov.uk before using the CCW website, including the CCW Blog.

This privacy statement is subject to change at any time and CCW reserves the right to do so at its absolute discretion.  In the event of any changes to the privacy statement in any way, we will place an updated version of the privacy statement [click link to open] on this blog and the CCW website.  CCW recommends that you regularly review this statement to ensure that you are always aware of what information we collect and how this will be used by CCW and any third parties to whom which we are required to disclose subject to the terms of this statement.

This policy is effective from 3rd May 2010.

1. What information do we collect?
2. What do we do with the information we collect?
3. Who do we share this information with?
4. How to get copies of or amend the information we have collected
5. Security
6. Linking
7. Cookies

1.  What information do we collect?

1.1   In general, you can use this website without giving us any information.  However, additional services, such as use of the CCW Blog may only be available if we have certain information about you.

1.2   We may collect the following information:

• [your name and contact information, including email address [and company details];
• [information regarding your personal or professional interests, demographics, experiences with our products and contact preferences in order to provide you with further correspondence about our products and services.]

2.  What do we do with the information we collect?

2.1   All information and data housed by CCW will be stored in databases that belong solely to CCW and no other body.

2.2   We use this information to provide you with a better service, and in particular for the following reasons:

• internal record keeping;
• to improve our services and to plan for future site developments;
• to monitor website usage;
• to send to you, subject to CCW’s Blog Terms and Conditions of use, e-mails for the purpose of administering the CCW Blog; or
• to send to you copies of CCW’s electronic newsletter, subject to you opting in to receiving such newsletters if prompted to do so

2.3   We may contact you by e-mail, phone or mail

3.  Whom do we share this information with?

We will not transfer, disclose, sell, distribute or lease your personal information to any third parties unless we have your permission or are required by law.  We may release your personal information to our authorised direct marketing or other agents unless you tell us that you do not wish this to happen.

4.  How to get copies of or amend the information we have collected

4.1   You may request details of personal information which we hold about you under the Data Protection Act 1998.  A small fee will be payable.  If you would like a copy of the information held on you please write to our Data Protection Compliance Officer at :

Countryside Council for Wales
Maes-y-Ffynnon
Penrhosgarnedd
Bangor
Gwynedd LL57 2DW

Alternatively,  email enquiries@ccw.gov.uk with your request.

4.2    If you think any information we have about you is incorrect or incomplete, please write or e-mail us as soon as possible.  We will correct or update any information as soon as possible.

5.  Security

We are committed to ensuring that your information is secure.  In order to prevent unauthorised access or disclosure we have put in place suitable physical, electronic and managerial procedures to safeguard and secure the information we collect on line.

6.  Linking

We may link to other websites which are not within our control, such as within the articles and as resource at the end of many site pages and chapters.  Once you have left CCW’s website, CCW cannot be responsible for the protection and privacy of any information which you provide.  You should exercise caution and look at the privacy statement applicable to the website in question.

7.  What’s a cookie?
We use cookies on this website. A cookie is a small piece of text stored on your computer or whatever other device you use to surf the Internet. Cookies have many uses, but fundamentally they are used to store information about you on your computer.

We encourage you to accept the cookies our website uses as they help us to improve the user experience for you and many others.

7.1   When you visit our site – our web server talks directly to your web browser – to display and render information correctly. It also tags the browser with information about your visit and the browser in turn saves this information in a basic text file.

7.2   Any time you choose to return to http://www.thewelshview.co.uk the information is subsequently sent back to the CCW server each time your browser requests a page – and ‘talks’ to the server.

7.3    Cookies give us important generic information regarding the behaviour of our users within our site – what areas they enjoy visiting – what services they frequently use etc.

7.4    No sensitive information such as telephone numbers or email addresses are stored within these cookies.

7.5   Most web browsers accept cookies by default. However, if you are uncomfortable with cookies – you may well be able to set your web browser to refuse all cookies – or to let you know when a cookie is sent to your own computer – you can then choose whether to accept the cookie, or not.

7.6    CCW will update these terms as cookies policy changes and adapts. You should try and visit this page now and again, to review the standing terms because they are bound to you as a user.

7.7 The cookies we use are:

Session cookies

Session cookies are temporary cookie files, which are erased when you close your browser. When you restart your browser and go back to the site that created the cookie, the website will not recognize you. You will have to log back in (if login is required) or select your preferences/themes again if the site uses these features. A new session cookie will be generated, which will store your browsing information and will be active until you leave the site and close your browser.

Persistent cookies

Persistent cookies help websites remember your information and settings for any future visits. This will result in faster and more convenient access since, for example, you don’t have to login again.

Besides authentication, other website features made possible by persistent cookies include: language selection, theme selection, menu preferences, internal site bookmarks or favourites, among many others. On your first visit, the website is presented in default mode. During your visit, you select your preferences and these preferences are remembered, through the use of the persistent cookie, the next time you visit the site.

For example, a website may offer its contents in different languages. On your first visit, you may choose to have the content delivered in Welsh and the site may record that preference in a persistent cookie set on your browser. When you revisit that site it will use the cookie to ensure that the content is delivered in Welsh. A persistent cookie enables a website to remember you on subsequent visits, speeding up or enhancing your experience of services or functions offered.

7.8 To delete cookies or reject cookies

We recommend you allow the cookies we set by this website as they help us provide a better service.

If you do not want to receive cookies from this website, select 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.

Under settings you can also delete individual cookies or any cookies that your browser has stored.
You can find more information on how to delete and control cookies at AboutCookies.org If you set your browser to refuse cookies, please be aware that there may be functionality on various other websites that does not work.

7.9 Additional information on cookies is available at several sites:

• BBC – Webwise and ‘Ask Bruce’ (cookies)
• Microsoft cookie information
• The unofficial cookies FAQ
• Mozilla tutorial – setting up cookie options