A cookie is a means for your web browser to hold a small amount of information, either in memory or on your hard disk, for use during your website visit. They provide a better browsing experience by offering the ability to remember user settings or preferences when visiting a site.
Cookies are not viruses - they cannot damage your computer, find out information about you or read any personal material kept on your hard drive.
Like most websites, North Hertfordshire District Council makes use of cookies. They are only used where they are genuinely necessary (e.g. as part of our online forms or payments), offer a significantly better user experience, or help us to improve our website.
Some cookies are set when you first visit the site, others are set when you visit a specific page or service.
Types of cookies we use
Measuring website usage - Google Analytics
Our website uses Google Analytics, a web analytics service provided by Google. It uses cookies to help monitor use of the website. It reports trends without identifying individual visitors.
The information generated by the cookie about your use of the website (including your IP address) will be transmitted to and stored by Google. This information is used to evaluate visitors' use of the website and to compile statistical reports on website activity for site operators.
We will not use Google Analytics to track or collect any personally identifiable information about visitors to our site. We will not use Google Analytics data with any other personally identifying information from any other source. We do not allow Google to use or share our analytics data in anonymous form as part of their benchmarking service.
Find out more about Google’s privacy policy relating to Google Analytics or to opt out of being tracked by Google Analytics across all websites.
| Cookie used | Description |
| _ga | Used to distinguish users |
| _gid | Used to distinguish users |
| _gat | Used to throttle request rate |
Necessary cookies
We use other cookies in order to deliver essential information and services on the website. Without them you may not be able to make use of our services or content.
| Cookie used | Description |
| has_js | Required to enable the website to deliver content |
| north-hertfordshire-district-council_cookiecontrol | Records whether the user has agreed to accept cookies from the website |
| AWSALB | Enables load balancing on servers to deliver content |
| AWSALBCORS | Enables load balancing on servers to deliver content |
Preventing cookies from being set
Most web browsers will allow you to prevent cookies being set on your device, but doing this may mean you are unable to use some parts of our website. Consult the Help section of your browser to find out how to change the cookie settings.
If you follow any external links from North Hertfordshire District Council to visit another website, you might encounter the use of cookies there. These websites and their associated cookies are beyond our control.
The website All About Cookies has more information about cookies, including how to control and delete them.