This privacy policy sets out how Gateshead Council uses and protects any information that you give us when you use this website.

Gateshead Council is committed to ensuring that your privacy is protected. Should we ask you to provide certain information by which you can be identified when using this website, then you can be assured that it will only be used in accordance with this privacy statement.

What we collect

Gateshead Council collects personal information when you register for ‘My Gateshead’, this may include:

• Contact details including your email address and mobile phone number
• Demographic details including your postcode, preferences and interests
• Personal information such as your date of birth and gender
• Your name

Your details will only be used for the purposes indicated and we will hold it securely.  It will not be used for other purposes without your permission and will not be kept longer than necessary.

How we use your information

• Your email address will be used to provide you with a secure and personal login for ‘My Gateshead’, and, where you have specifically consented, to contact you with information about improvements and additions to the Gateshead Council Website.
• Your demographic details and personal information will be used to tailor information about services to meet your needs.  For example your postcode may be used to display information on services that are near you.

In the future we will add more services and systems to ‘My Gateshead’ and you will be able to specifically consent to sharing your information with these systems.  

You can view and amend your details and preferences or opt out at any time.

Use of Cookies

A cookie is a small file which asks permission to be placed on your computer's hard drive. Once you agree, the file is added and the cookie helps analyse web traffic or lets you know when you visit a particular site.

• We use traffic log 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.
• We use session cookies to allow you to carry information across pages of the website.

By modifying your browser preferences, you have the choice to accept all cookies, to be notified when a cookie is set or to reject all cookies.

Links to external sites and external RSS feeds

Our website contains links to other websites and uses RSS feeds from other websites. However, once you have used these links or RSS feeds 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 the privacy statement applicable to the website in question.

Your Data and Further Information

You may write to the Information Rights Officer at Legal and Corporate Services, Gateshead Council, 1st Floor, Civic Centre, Gateshead NE8 1HH or email informationrights@gateshead.gov.uk| to ask for a copy of your information and we will respond within 40 days to requests sent by post or e-mail. There may be a charge of £10 to obtain your information or up to £50 if the information requested relates to educational records.

Gateshead Council tries to keep the information we have about you up to date. If however, you find errors or inaccuracies in your data, we may in certain circumstances erase, complete or amend that information upon receipt of a written request.

If you have any concerns about the processing of your personal data by Gateshead Council, you may contact the Information Rights Officer, Legal and Corporate Services, Gateshead Council, 1st Floor, Civic Centre, Gateshead, NE8 1HH or the Office of the Information Commissioner, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 5AF.