Privacy notice and cookie policy

The personal information we collect is that which data subjects provide to the organisation via direct engagement. This includes, but is not limited to information provided via:

• consultation responses
• complaints and feedback
• survey responses
• applications for travel passes
• job applications and employee information
• applications for employment and skills related programmes.

We also collect information via CCTV. CCTV is used for maintaining the security of property and premises and for preventing and investigating crime, it may also be used to monitor staff when carrying out work duties. For these reasons the information processed may include visual images, personal appearance and behaviours. This information may be about employees, customers and clients, offenders and suspected offenders, members of the public and those inside, entering or in the immediate vicinity of the area under surveillance. In addition, there may instances where our staff use body-worn video (BWV) technology in specific locations. Where BWV is used, this will be clearly sign-posted within the vicinity of the relevant area(s).

Cookie policy 

We use cookies on our websites to provide you with better services and user experience. If you wish to reject cookies, please see the information at the bottom of this section. 

Cookies are small text files that are placed on your computer by websites that you visit. They are widely used to help website's function, enhance the users experience, share statistical information to the owners of the site and support advertising and marketing activities.  

How we use cookies 

Necessary cookies 

Necessary cookies are needed for the basic functionality of a website. They enable core features such as traffic distribution, access to secure areas of the website, and other essential functionalities that make the website usable. Without these cookies, the website cannot function properly, and certain services or features may not be available to the user.  

Examples of necessary cookies include: 

• Session cookies: These cookies store temporary information and are deleted once you close your browser. They are used to maintain the state of your session, such as keeping you logged in while you navigate through the site. 

• Authentication cookies: These cookies help identify and authenticate users, ensuring that only authorised individuals can access specific areas of the website. 

• Security cookies: These cookies are used to prevent fraud and protect your data, such as detecting and mitigating malicious activities. 

Essential cookies do not collect any personal data for marketing purposes and are typically essential for the website to function optimally. 

Statistics cookies

Statistics cookies are used to collect information about how visitors interact with a website. These cookies help website owners understand and analyse website traffic and user behaviour, enabling them to improve the functionality and performance of the site. The information gathered is aggregated and anonymised, meaning it does not personally identify individual visitors. 

Examples of how we use statistics and analytics cookies include: 

• Performance cookies: These cookies collect information about how visitors use the website, such as which pages are visited most often and any error messages users may encounter. This helps website owners identify and fix issues and improve the user experience. 

• Analytics cookies: These cookies are used to gather data on user interactions with the website, such as the number of visitors, the time spent on the site, sources of traffic and user behaviours. Tools like Google Analytics or Microsoft Clarity use these cookies to provide insights into website performance and user engagement. 

By using statistics cookies, website owners can make data-driven decisions to enhance the overall functionality and user experience of their site, ensuring it meets the needs and preferences of its visitors. 

Marketing cookies 

Marketing cookies are used to track visitors across websites with the goal of displaying ads that are relevant and engaging to individual users. These cookies help in collecting data about users browsing habits and behaviours, which is then used to build a profile of their interests. This information is essential for targeted advertising and marketing efforts. 

Examples of how we use marketing cookies include: 

• Personalised advertising: Marketing cookies help deliver ads that are tailored to your interests based on your browsing history, this may include retargeting adverts for websites you have previously visited. 

• Tracking advertising performance: Marketing cookies help measure the effectiveness of marketing campaigns by tracking actions such as clicks, conversions, and sales generated from specific ads. 

• Social media integrations: Marketing cookies enable the integration of social media functionalities, such as sharing buttons or embedded content. 

By using marketing cookies, we can ensure that our ads are shown to the right audience, improving the relevance of the ads and the likelihood of engagement and conversion. This targeted approach benefits both the advertiser and user by delivering more relevant and useful advertisements. 

Third-party cookies in embedded content 

Embedded content from other websites such as videos and maps can also set cookies on your device. These third-party cookies may be used for a variety of purposes, including tracking user interactions, collecting usage data, and delivering personalised content or advertisements. 

We capture Youtube cookies, but you are able to reject them.  

The Combined Authority does not control the dissemination of any other third-party cookies. You should check the third-party websites for more information about these. This privacy policy only applies to The West Yorkshire Combined Authority website and does not cover other websites or services that we may link. 

Third-party embedded content on our websites include: 

YouTube videos: YouTube uses cookies on videos embedded on our website to enhance user experience by tracking video performance and player preferences.

View cookies or update your preferences 

You are able to review all the cookies used on the site and full details about their use. You can also update your preferences, if you wish to permit or deny different cookies. 

Do both by clicking the 'Cookie preferences' link in the footer area on any page of the website. 

Personal information is processed for the following specified purposes:

• processing your requests and delivering services you request from us
• sending you information which you have requested
• auditing the usage of our websites
• monitoring the usage of our websites to enable the us to update and tailor our websites to meet the needs of users
• sending marketing information only where a person has specifically consented to this
• to comply with our legal obligations including fraud protection and crime prevention
• performing our statutory functions in relation to transport planning, service improvement and economic regeneration of the region.

We may keep a record of those weblinks which are most regularly used, thus enabling us to provide the most helpful information to users on our websites. Such information is held anonymously and you will not be personally identifiable from this information.

City Connect users

We would also like to:

• send you information about cycling-related services offered by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority
• share your contact details with other organisations which provide cycling-related services, namely Cycling UK, Living Street, Sustrans, Cycle Leeds and BikeRight! only so that they may communicate with you about cycling-related services.

We will retain your information in line with the period outlined at the time the data is collected and only for as long as it is necessary to do so.

In the event that we need to transfer personal information outside of the United Kingdom, we will take all steps reasonably necessary to ensure that the appropriate safeguards are in place and that your information is processed securely.

Any changes we make to this privacy statement will be posted on this page and where appropriate, will be notified to you by e-mail or post.

We will only disclose your information to third parties when:

• there is a business need to do so as we may use third parties to process data on our behalf or run projects in conjunction with other organisations. Should we anticipate such activity we will inform you at the point we collect information from you or at the nearest possible opportunity
• we are under a duty to do so in order to comply with a legal obligation, or we are permitted to do so to protect the rights, property or safety of others; this includes, but is not limited to exchanging information with other organisations for the purposes of fraud protection and crime prevention. Should you wish to make a request for disclosure of third party data for crime or legal proceedings, where we are under a duty or are permitted to do so, please complete a request form for crime or legal proceedings and email it to RBrookesDPO@westyorks-ca.gov.uk.

You have the right to request us to stop processing your data. Please note this may result in the withdrawal of particular services you have requested from us where the processing of your data is necessary for the delivery of said services. Opting out of marketing communications will not affect your entitlement to receive services from us.

You have the right to request the information we hold about you. This is known as a Subject Access Request (SAR). To make a SAR, please complete our SAR form.

If you are ever unhappy with how we have dealt with your request or the use of your personal data, you can contact the Information Commissioner’s Office at:

The Office of the Information Commissioner
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AX

Website: www.ico.org.uk
Email: casework@ico.org.uk