As the editorial team behind mellsparishcouncil.org.uk, we are committed to protecting your personal data in line with UK data protection laws.
What Data We Collect and Why
We collect data when you contact us, comment on our blog, or participate in community events like our village lottery or bingo nights. This may include names, email addresses, and payment details for Small Society Lottery tickets, processed in accordance with UK Gambling Commission rules.
Information You Provide Directly
You directly provide data when interacting with our site or community activities. This includes submitting contact forms, commenting on editorial content, or purchasing tickets for fundraising events in Mells, Somerset.
Automatically Collected Information
Our systems automatically gather technical data such as IP addresses, browser types, and access times. This information helps us maintain site security and ensure smooth operation for all visitors.
Data for Community Events
When you join our village lottery fundraising or community bingo in Somerset, we collect necessary details to administer these activities. For our Small Society Lottery, this includes contact and payment information, handled under UK Gambling Commission guidelines.
How We Use Cookies and Tracking Technologies
Our site uses cookies to improve your experience, remember preferences, and analyze traffic, complying with the UK’s Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR). We detail the types of cookies, including those for our community bingo event pages.
Essential Cookies
These cookies are strictly necessary for core functions, such as navigating our pages or accessing secure areas. They do not collect personal data and are typically session-based.
Performance and Analytics Cookies
These cookies help us analyze how visitors use our site, which pages are popular, and how we can improve content about Mells parish and local events. They collect aggregated, anonymous data.
Managing Your Cookie Preferences
You can control cookie settings via your browser. Most browsers allow you to block or delete cookies, though this may limit functionality. Our site provides clear options to manage preferences during your visit.
Analytics and Site Performance
We use Google Analytics to understand how visitors interact with our content about Mells parish and community events. Data is anonymized where possible, with IP addresses shortened to protect your identity.
Google Analytics Implementation
Google Analytics is configured to track page views, engagement metrics, and traffic sources. This helps us tailor our editorial coverage and event information to community interests in Somerset.
Data Anonymization
We enforce IP anonymization within Google Analytics, meaning your full IP address is not stored. This aligns with UK data protection best practices to safeguard your privacy.
Opting Out of Analytics Tracking
To opt out of Google Analytics tracking across all websites, you can install the official browser add-on. Alternatively, adjusting your cookie preferences as described above will prevent analytics data collection.
Third-Party Services and Data Sharing
We may use trusted third-party services like payment processors for lottery ticket sales or email platforms for event updates. These partners, selected for their compliance with UK data protection standards, only receive data necessary for their specific functions.
Payment Processing Partners
For secure transactions, such as Small Society Lottery ticket sales, we employ reputable payment processors. These entities handle financial data under strict contracts and in line with UK GDPR requirements.
Email and Communication Services
We may use email services to distribute updates about community bingo in Somerset or other village events. These providers are bound by data processing agreements that ensure your information is protected.
Social Media and Embeddings
Our site may feature embedded content from social media platforms. Interacting with such content may allow those third parties to collect data about you, governed by their own privacy policies.
Your Data Protection Rights Under UK GDPR
Under the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR), you have rights including access, correction, erasure, and objection to how we process your data. We explain how you can exercise these rights in relation to your involvement with our village activities.
Right of Access and Portability
You can request a copy of your personal data held by us. Where applicable, we will provide it in a structured, commonly used format for portability.
Right to Rectification and Erasure
If your data is inaccurate, you may request corrections. You also have the right to request deletion, subject to legal obligations such as record-keeping for the UK Gambling Commission.
Right to Object and Restrict Processing
You may object to processing based on legitimate interests, such as direct marketing for community events. You can also request restriction of processing while we verify data accuracy or address your concerns.
How Long We Keep Your Data
We retain personal data only as long as necessary for the purposes collected, such as maintaining records for our Small Society Lottery as required by the UK Gambling Commission, or for active community bingo participation.
Retention for Legal and Regulatory Obligations
We are obliged to keep certain records, like lottery transaction details, for periods mandated by the UK Gambling Commission and other United Kingdom authorities.
Retention for Active Engagement
Data for active participants in events like our Somerset bingo nights is retained while engagement continues. Inactive records are reviewed and purged regularly.
Data Deletion and Anonymization
Upon expiry of retention periods, data is securely deleted or anonymized. Anonymized data may be used for statistical analysis without identifying individuals.
Contact Us About Your Privacy
For any questions about this policy or your data, please contact our data protection lead via the provided details for Mells Parish Council in Somerset. We aim to respond promptly to all inquiries.
Contact Details for Data Inquiries
Please direct privacy requests to [email protected]. You may also write to Mells Parish Council at its official address in Somerset, United Kingdom.
Complaints to the Information Commissioner’s Office
If you have concerns about our data handling, you can lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), the UK’s independent regulator for data protection issues.
Policy Updates and Notifications
This policy may be updated to reflect changes in law or practice. Significant revisions will be highlighted on our website, mellsparishcouncil.org.uk.
We regularly review this privacy policy to ensure it reflects our ongoing commitment to data protection and the values of our Somerset community.