Cookie Policy

UK GDPR & Data Protection Act 2018 Compliant · Last updated: June 2026

1. What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files stored on your device when you visit a website, whether that’s a computer, phone, or tablet.

They help a website run properly, remember preferences, support security, and show how visitors use the site.

Some cookies are necessary for the site to work at all. Others track performance or improve what’s offered to visitors over time.

2. Types of Cookies Used

Strictly Necessary Cookies

These cookies keep the website running and secure. They can’t be turned off through the preference centre, because the site wouldn’t function properly without them.

They’re used to:

  • Keep sessions secure
  • Remember cookie consent choices
  • Allow navigation around the site
  • Guard against security threats
  • Support general site administration

Analytics Cookies

Analytics cookies gather anonymous data about how people use the site, such as:

  • Which pages get visited
  • How long visitors stay on each page
  • The path visitors take through the site
  • Where traffic is coming from
  • Device and browser type
  • General site performance

These only switch on once consent has been given.

Functional Cookies

Functional cookies remember choices made on a previous visit, so the site works a bit better the next time around.

This can include things like:

  • Language preference
  • Accessibility settings
  • Form details already entered
  • Interface customisation

Marketing Cookies

Where used, marketing cookies help measure how well campaigns and communications are performing. As with analytics, these stay off until consent is given.

3. Cookie Audit Table

Here’s a breakdown of the cookies that may be used on this site.

Strictly Necessary Cookies

Cookie NameProviderPurposeDuration
cookie_consentNetwork ConsultancyStores cookie consent preferences12 months
PHPSESSIDNetwork ConsultancyMaintains session functionalitySession
csrf_tokenNetwork ConsultancySecurity and form protectionSession

Google Analytics Cookies

Cookie NameProviderPurposeDuration
_gaGoogle AnalyticsDistinguishes unique users2 years
_ga*Google AnalyticsMaintains session state and reporting2 years
_gidGoogle AnalyticsDistinguishes users24 hours
_gatGoogle AnalyticsThrottles request rate1 hours

Google Tag Manager Cookies

Cookie NameProviderPurposeDuration
gtm*Google Tag ManagerSupports tag deployment and tracking configurationVaries

Functional Cookies

Cookie NameProviderPurposeDuration
language_preferenceNetwork ConsultancyStores language preference12 months
accessibility_settingsNetwork ConsultancyStores language preference12 months
_gidGoogle AnalyticsDistinguishes users24 hours
_gatGoogle AnalyticsThrottles request rate1 hours

Marketing Cookies (If Enabled)

Cookie NameProviderPurposeDuration
_fbpMeta (Facebook)Tracks advertising performance90 days
frMeta (Facebook)Delivers and measures advertising90 days
_gcl_auGoogle AdsMeasures advertising effectiveness90 days

4. Analytics Providers

Google Analytics

Google Analytics builds a picture of how visitors move through the site, and where things could work better.

It can pick up on:

  • Pages visited
  • Time spent on each page
  • Device and browser details
  • Rough geographic location
  • Where the visit came from

It doesn’t hand over anything that identifies a visitor by name or personal detail.

Google Tag Manager

Google Tag Manager deploys tags and scripts across the site. On its own it doesn’t collect personal data, though it can trigger analytics or marketing tags that do, depending on consent given.

5. Consent

The first time you land on this site, a cookie banner appears with the choice to:

  • Accept everything
  • Reject anything non-essential
  • Pick and choose through custom settings

Cookies that aren’t strictly necessary, including analytics and marketing ones, stay switched off until you say otherwise.

You can change your mind at any point through the Cookie Preferences Centre.

6. Managing Cookies

Most browsers let you:

  • See what cookies are stored
  • Delete them
  • Block them outright
  • Limit cookies coming from third parties

This is all handled through your browser’s own settings.

Turning off certain cookies might mean parts of the site don’t work as expected.

7. Changes to This Cookie Policy

This policy gets updated occasionally, usually when something changes on the technology, legal, or functionality side. Updates will show here, with a revised date at the top of the page.

8. Contact

Got a question about this policy or how cookies are used here?

Reach out at:

info@network-consultancy.com