Privacy Policy

Benefice of Linton, Burnsall & Rylstone
Website: https://linton-burnsall-rylstone.com/
Last updated: November 2025

The Benefice of Linton, Burnsall & Rylstone (“we”, “us”, “our”) is committed to protecting your personal data and respecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, how we use it, and your rights under UK data protection law, including the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.

We are part of the Church of England and follow its national guidance on data protection. Further details can be found at https://www.churchofengland.org/

1. Who We Are

The Benefice of Linton, Burnsall & Rylstone includes:

  • St Michael & All Angel, Linton
  • St Wilfrid, Burnsall
  • St Peter, Rylstone
  • St Peter Hebdon
  • Fountain’s Chaple, Linton
  • St John the Baptist, Appletreewick

Data Controller: The Parochial Church Council (PCC) of each church within the Benefice
Contact Email: {{add parish/benefice admin email}}
Address: {{add benefice office/church address}}

2. What Personal Data We Collect
a) Information you give us directly

  • This may include:
  • Contact details (name, email address, phone number)
  • Information submitted via contact forms
  • Newsletter sign-up information
  • Requests for baptisms, weddings, funerals or pastoral support
  • Volunteer information
  • Donations (we do not store payment details)

b) Information collected automatically: Google Analytics

Our website uses Google Analytics to help us understand how visitors use the site.
Google Analytics collects:

  • IP address (anonymised)
  • Browser type and device information
  • Pages visited and time spent on the site
  • General location (not precise address)

We use this data to improve our website and ensure it meets the needs of our community.
Google Analytics uses cookies. You can refuse cookies via your browser settings.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use your personal data to:

  • Respond to your enquiries
  • Provide information about services, events, and activities
  • Administer pastoral and church-related requests
  • Manage safeguarding, volunteers, and parish administration
  • Improve our website through analytics
  • Comply with legal obligations (e.g., church registers)

We do not use your data for commercial marketing.

4. Legal Basis for Processing

We process personal data under one or more of the following lawful bases:

  • Consent – e.g., signing up for newsletters
  • Legitimate interests – e.g., managing events or parish activities
  • Legal obligation – e.g., maintaining statutory church records
  • Public task – work carried out as part of the Church of England’s mission

5. Sharing Your Data

We only share personal data when necessary, and only with:

  • Clergy, PCC members, or authorised church officers
  • Third-party providers (e.g., secure email or website hosting services)
  • Statutory bodies (e.g., safeguarding authorities) when legally required

We never sell your data.

Google Analytics data may be processed outside the UK in accordance with Google’s privacy practices.

6. How Long We Keep Data

We keep personal information only as long as necessary for the purpose it was collected. Retention times follow Church of England and legal guidance — for example:

  • Church registers (baptisms, weddings, funerals) are kept permanently
  • General enquiries are retained only as long as needed
  • Mailing list data is kept until you unsubscribe

7. Your Rights

You have the right to:

  • Access the personal data we hold about you
  • Request correction or deletion
  • Withdraw consent at any time
  • Object to processing under certain circumstances
  • Ask us to restrict how we use your data
  • To exercise your rights, contact us using the details above.

You also have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO): https://ico.org.uk/

8. Security

We take appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect your information from loss, misuse, unauthorised access or disclosure.

9. Links to External Sites

Our website may link to third-party sites (e.g., Church of England resources). We are not responsible for their privacy practices.

10. Updates to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The latest version will always be available on our website.