Cookie Policy

We use cookies to personalise content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyse our traffic. 

Document Author Ross Clare, Digital Marketing Officer 
Josh Marshall, Digital Marketing Manager
Abimbola Sonibare, Information Governance Officer
Document Owner Richard Eden – Assistant Director of Communications, Marketing & Brand
Legal Advice N/A
Consultation This policy was reviewed with support of the Risk and Assurance Team and the DPO and Information Governance Officer have provided support and guidance during its review.
Approved By Leadership Team
Approved Date 29 September 2026
Review Date To be reviewed annually or sooner as required by legislation or ICO guidance.
Corporate Plan Aim People – Inclusion & accessibility; Customer Voice
Prosperity – Efficient, viable and well-governed
Equality Analysis An EQIA assessment was completed on 11 September 2026.
Key changes made

The following key changes have been made during the review of this policy: 

  • Template format has been updated
  • Update to role titles
  • Review of previous policy
  • Incorporation of legislative changes (Data Use and Access Act 2025)

 

 

1. POLICY PURPOSE

1.1    The cookies policy aims to provide clear and transparent information about how and why cookies are used on our website. It explains what cookies are, the types of cookies we use, how they support the functionality and performance of the website, and how users can manage or control their cookie preference.

1.2    The policy is intended to ensure users are informed about how their information may be collected through cookies and how this aligns with relevant data protection and privacy legislation.


2. POLICY SCOPE

2.1    This applies to the use of cookies on One Manchester’s website. It outlines how cookies are used, the types of cookies that may be place on users’ devices, and how users can manager their cookie preference. This policy covers cookies used to support website functionality, performance, analytics and user experience. 

2.2    This policy applies to all users of One Manchester’s website, including customers, residents, stakeholder and members of the public who access the website.


3. RELEVANT LEGISLATION & REGULATION

3.1    This policy has been developed in accordance with relevant data protection and privacy legislation and regulatory requirements that govern the use of cookies. 

3.2    For clarity, a cookie is defined by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) as “a small file of letters and numbers that is downloaded on to a computer when visiting a website. Cookies are used by many websites and can do a number of things, eg remembering user preferences, recording settings users have previously stored ie basket contents, and counting the number of people looking at a website.”

3.3    One Manchester will ensure that its use of cookies aligns with applicable legal requirements and regulatory guidance. Where legislation or regulatory expectations change, the organisation will review and update this policy to ensure continued compliance. 

3.4    This Policy is informed by the following legislation and regulatory guidance:

  • Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations 2003 (PECR)
  • UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR)
  • Data Protection Act 2018
  • Data Use and Access Act 2025

3.5    The Data Use and Access Act 2025 (DUAA) provides limited exemptions to consent requirements for certain low-risk storage and access technologies. One Manchester will only rely on such exemptions where it is lawful and appropriate to do so.

3.6    Any personal data collected or processed through the use of cookies will be handled in accordance with the UK GDPR, the Data Protection Act 2018, and One Manchester's Privacy Policy. Further information regarding the processing of personal data is available in One Manchester's Privacy Policy and Data Protection Policy.


4. LAWFUL BASIS

4.1    One Manchester ensures that the use of cookies complies with relevant data protection legislation including the UK GDPR, Data Protection Act 2018 and Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR). 

4.2    Strictly necessary cookies are used because they are essential to provide the website and services requested by users. These cookies do not require consent under the PECR. Any personal data processed through such cookies will be handled in accordance with UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018.

4.3    Non-essential cookies, including those used for analytics performance and marketing purposes, will only be placed on a user’s device where the user has provided clear and informed consent.


5. TYPES OF COOKIES

5.1    Below are the types of cookies One Manchester may use during a user’s journey on the One Manchester website. The cookies stored are based on individual user selection. All visitors to the website can access the details of all cookies in use. To do so, you can click ‘Show Details’ on the Cookiebot pop-up.

5.2    One Manchester uses different types of cookies on its website to support functionality and improve user experience. The categories of cookies used on the website include: 

  • Necessary
  • Preferences
  • Statistics
  • Marketing
  • Unclassified


5.3    Necessary cookies - Necessary cookies help make a website usable by enabling basic functions like page navigation and access to secure areas of the website. The website cannot function properly without these cookies.

5.4    Preference cookies enable a website to remember information that changes the way the website behaves or looks, like your preferred language or the region that you are in.

5.5    Statistics cookies – Statistic cookies help website owners to understand how visitors interact with websites by collecting and reporting information anonymously.

5.6    Marketing cookies are used to track visitors across websites. The intention is to display ads that are relevant and engaging for the individual user and thereby more valuable for publishers and third-party advertisers.

5.7    Unclassified cookies – These are cookies that have been identified but not assigned to a specific category are under review. One Manchester does not use this type of cookies.

5.8    This list of cookies can be added to depending on new platforms adopted by One Manchester. Users can see the most up-to-date list on the website via the Cookiebot tool.

5.9    Cookies may be stored for the duration of a browsing session or for a longer period, depending on their purpose. Information regarding cookie duration is available through the Cookiebot cookie declaration on the website.


6. COOKIE CONTROLS

6.1    Users can control cookies with their web browsers using various methods:

  • Deleting all cookies 
  • Blocking all cookies 
  • Allowing all cookies 
  • Blocking third-party cookies (i.e., cookies set by online services other than the one being visited).
  • Clearing all cookies when the browser is being closed by the user.
  • Opening a private browsing / incognito session which allows users to browse the web without recording browsing history or storing local data such as cookies.
  • Installing add-ons and plugins that extend browser functionality. 

6.2    One Manchester provides users with a cookie consent mechanism on their first visit to the website. This allows users to:

  • Allow all cookies
  • Allow only selected cookies
  • Deny non-essential cookies

6.3    Users can withdraw or amend their preference at any time through the cookie management tool available on the website.


7. EQUALITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION STATEMENT

7.1    One Manchester promotes a diverse and inclusive environment for our customers and colleagues to thrive. We are committed to enhancing a culture that respects individuals, appreciates difference and allows everyone regardless of background  to reach their full potential.  

7.2    We accept our responsibility to comply with equalities legislation and regulatory requirements and aim to do more. We believe everyone requires access to the same opportunities. Through our behaviours, we aim to challenge and remove systemic barriers to equal opportunities and reduce the likelihood of all forms of discrimination, harassment, and victimisation within our organisation and our communities.  
 
7.3    We are committed to providing excellent customer services, which are fair, equitable and inclusive. As such, we will endeavour to understand and make any reasonable adjustments required for customers in line with One Manchester’s Reasonable Adjustment Statement, and Reasonable Adjustment Policy and the Equality Act 2010.


8. EQUALITY IMPACT ASSESSMENT

8.1    An Equality Impact Assessment (EQIA) has been completed and assessed.

8.2    The EIA found that there is no risk of direct or indirect discrimination to colleagues, customers and other stakeholders.


9. MONITORING AND REVIEW

9.1    Compliance with this policy shall be monitored by the Assistant Director of Communications, Marketing & Brand and the Communications team in conjunction with the Risk and Assurance Team.

9.2    This policy shall be reviewed annually or sooner in accordance with changes and updates in legislation and ICO guidance.  

9.3    The Assistant Director of Communications, Marketing & Brand will be responsible for initiating a review of this policy and shall report to Leadership Team with any recommendations for all improvements required.


10. CONTACT PERSON

10.1    The Assistant Director of Communications, Marketing & Brand with support of the Communications Team has responsibility for the effective delivery of this policy.


11. ASSOCIATED POLICIES AND DOCUMENTS

11.1    Internal Documents:

  • Data Breach Policy
  • Data Protection Policy
  • Data Destruction & Retention Policy
  • IT Usage Policy
  • Information Security Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Communications, Marketing and Brand Strategy
  • Customer Experience Strategy

11.2    External Links: