Photo Competition Terms and Conditions

1. Eligibility

• The competition is open to:

• Residents of the local authority area OR

• Individuals working, studying, or volunteering within the area (as applicable)

• Employees of the organising authority may:

• Enter and will be eligible for prizes

2. Entry Requirements

• Entries must be submitted via:

• Official online form by the stated deadline

3. Photography-Specific Rules

• Photographs must:

• Be taken by the entrant

• Not infringe copyright, trademarks, or intellectual property rights

• Photographs must:

• Be taken in Mole Valley

• Not infringe copyright, trademarks, or intellectual property rights

• Basic editing is permitted (e.g. cropping, brightness/contrast), but:

• Heavily manipulated or AI-generated images are excluded

• Images must not:

• Contain offensive, discriminatory, or inappropriate content

• Breach privacy or depict individuals without appropriate consent

• If identifiable people appear:

• Entrants must have their permission (and parental consent for minors)

4. Judging and Awards

• Entries will be judged by:

• An independent panel appointed by the local authority

• Judging criteria for photography competition may include:

• Creativity

• Relevance to theme

• Technical quality

• The decision of the judging panel is:

• Final and not subject to appeal

• Winners will:

• Be notified by email or telephone

• Be announced publicly (e.g. event, website, social media)

5. Prizes

• Prizes may include:

• Certificates, vouchers, exhibition opportunities, or awards recognition

• No cash alternative will be offered

• The organiser reserves the right to:

• Substitute prizes of equal value if necessary

6. Use of Entries

• By entering, participants grant the local authority:

• A non-exclusive, royalty-free licence to use submitted entries for:

• Marketing and promotion

• Publications (print and digital)

• Social media, websites, exhibitions

• Credits will be given where reasonably practicable

• Entrants retain copyright of their work

7. Data Protection (UK GDPR Alignment)

• Personal data will be processed in accordance with:

• UK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018

• Information will be used only for:

• Administering the competition

• Contacting winners

• Promotional purposes (if consent is given)

• Data will not be shared with third parties without consent unless required by law

8. Publicity

• Winners may be required to:

• Participate in publicity (e.g. photographs, press releases)

• By entering, participants may:

• Consent to their name and entry being used in promotional materials

9. Disqualification

The organiser reserves the right to disqualify entries that:

• Are incomplete, late, or do not comply with the rules

• Contain inappropriate or unlawful content

• Are suspected of plagiarism or misuse of AI where prohibited

• Attempt to manipulate the competition process

10. Liability

• The organiser will not be liable for:

• Lost, late, or corrupted submissions

• Technical issues affecting entry

• Entrants are responsible for:

• Ensuring compliance with laws (copyright, privacy, etc.)

11. Cancellation or Changes

• The organiser reserves the right to:

• Amend, suspend, or cancel the competition where necessary

• Update terms and conditions (with notice where possible)

12. Acceptance of Terms

• Submission of an entry constitutes:

• Acceptance of these Terms and Conditions