Privacy Policy

1. About this website

This website is operated by Public Health South Tees, a partnership between Middlesbrough Council and Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council. The website provides information about local public health services and support.

Any personal information you send to us through this website – for example, by completing an online form, signing up to receive updates, or contacting us – will be handled in accordance with data protection law and this Privacy Policy.

We are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring that your personal data is handled fairly, lawfully, and securely.

2. What information we collect

We may collect and process the following information when you use this website:

  • Information you provide voluntarily, such as when you complete a contact form or request a service.

  • Technical data automatically collected when you browse the site, such as IP address, browser type, and device information.

  • Cookie data to help us analyse and improve website performance (see “Use of cookies” below).

We only collect information necessary to provide or improve our services.

3. How we use your information

We use your information only for the purpose for which it was provided, including:

  • Responding to your enquiry or request.

  • Improving the design and performance of our website.

  • Producing anonymised statistical reports about how the site is used.

We do not share your personal data with third parties unless this is clearly stated or required by law.

4. Legal basis for processing

We process personal data under the lawful bases outlined in Article 6 of the UK GDPR, primarily:

  • Consent – where you have given clear permission for us to process your data.

  • Public task – where processing is necessary for the performance of a task carried out in the public interest or in the exercise of official authority.

If consent is required for any specific service, we will ask for it explicitly and explain how it will be used.

5. How long we keep your information

We only keep your personal information for as long as necessary to fulfil the purpose it was collected for, including any legal, accounting, or reporting requirements.

Retention periods vary depending on the service you use.

6. Use of cookies

This website uses Squarespace cookies and, if enabled, Google Analytics cookies to help us understand how visitors use our site and to improve user experience.

When you first visit the site, you’ll be asked whether you consent to non-essential cookies. You can change your preferences at any time by clearing your browser cookies or adjusting settings.

Find out more about Squarespace cookies.

7. Payment information

This website does not currently process payments directly.

If payment functionality is introduced in the future, it will use a secure, PCI-compliant processor, and users will be notified before entering any payment details.

8. Security of your information

Our website uses HTTPS encryption to ensure that any data transmitted between your browser and our servers is secure. Access to personal data is restricted to authorised personnel only and managed in accordance with council information governance procedures.

9. Your data rights

Under the UK GDPR, you have the following rights:

  • To request access to information we hold about you.

  • To request correction of inaccurate information.

  • To request erasure (“the right to be forgotten”).

  • To restrict or object to processing in certain circumstances.

  • To withdraw consent (where applicable).

To make a request, please contact Middlesbrough Council’s Information Governance Team:

Email: dataprotection@middlesbrough.gov.uk

Phone: 01642 729165

You can also find more information or raise a concern with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).

10. Links to other websites

This website may contain links to external websites. We are not responsible for the content or privacy practices of these websites and recommend you check their privacy policies before providing any personal information.

11. Copyright and terms of use

All text, images, and content on this website are protected by copyright.

Unless stated otherwise, copyright belongs to Middlesbrough Council or Public Health South Tees.

You may copy text for personal use, but reproduction or republication for commercial purposes is prohibited without prior written consent.

12. Updates to this policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time.

The “Last updated” date will be shown at the bottom of this page.

Last updated: October 2025