Local goverment implementation of water fluoridation

SPENCER JONES made this Official Information request to New Plymouth District Council

The request was successful.

From: SPENCER JONES

Dear New Plymouth District Council (NPDC),

I am writing to request all information to which I am entitled under section 12 of the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA) (The Act).

Please find my OIA request below, which relates to NPDC's implementation of water fluoridation. I'm aware that all local government/council authorities have recently received communications from Dr. Bloomfield advising that he intends to direct them to implement water fluoridation.

1). Please provide copies of the advice you have received regarding this from Dr. Bloomfield, the Director of Public Health or MoH, and any analysis of that advice, as required under section 116E(2) of the Health Act 1956.

2). Please confirm the method you are using to assess cost vs benefit on a community by community basis as required under subsection 116E(3) of the Act. In particular, please provide the data you are using to determine the difference, if any, in tooth decay rates between fluoridated and unfluoridated residents in the communities under consideration for directing implementation of water fluoridation.

3). Please provide all information you have considered in relation to the potential adverse health effects of water fluoridation (as required to protect the public health under section 3A of the Act).

4). Please provide list of all controlled documents relating to fluoride and community water fluoridation.

5). Please disclose all submissions assessing risk hazardous substances Re fluoride and community water fluoridation.

6). Please disclose what specific studies does NPDC rely on for it's current determination on community water fluoridation.

7). Please disclose what type of fluoride is currently being put in the water supply now and for the past 3 years (example sodium fluorosilicate, sodium silicofluoride, sodium hexafluorosilicate).

8). Please clarify that NPDC understands that it has been proven medically (Peer reviewed), scientifically (peer reviewed) and legally (case law) that unlike other substances fluoride is a cumulative toxin which means it accumulates in the body.

This request also includes any contractors, or any other third parties who have been engaged by NPDC to provide reports, assessments regards any matters to do with any matters of water fluoridation.

Yours faithfully,

SPENCER JONES

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From: Enquiries
New Plymouth District Council

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From: Mark Hall
New Plymouth District Council


Attachment ECM 8760832 v1 Community Water Fluoridation next steps letter NPDC May 2022.pdf
329K Download View as HTML

Attachment ECM 8800727 v1 Letter to local authority CEs re fluoride from Dr Bloomfield.pdf
135K Download View as HTML

Attachment ECM 8800729 v1 Appendix One to ECM 8800727 Community Water Fluoridation Dr Bloomfield letter.pdf
51K Download View as HTML


Kia ora Spencer

 

Thank you for your email request for official information dated 6 July
below for information on New Plymouth District Council’s (NPDC)
implementation of water fluoridation.

 

We have considered your request under the Local Government Official
Information and Meetings Act 1987 (LGOIMA) and respond using your
numbering below:

 

1.       Please find attached two letters from Dr Bloomfield.

2.       We do not hold the information requested.

3.       We do not hold the information requested.

4.       We do not hold the information requested.

5.       We do not hold the information requested.

6.       We do not hold the information requested.

7.       We use none of the chemicals listed. Fluoridation has not been
undertaken by NPDC over the last 3 years.

8.       It is considered that this question does not constitute a request
for information under the LGOIMA, but is rather in the nature of a
question. The Council is therefore not obliged to answer the question
under the Act.  However, the Council has treated this request for
confirmation as a request for information under the LGOIMA and has
considered your request accordingly.

 

In relation to your questions numbered 2-6 and 8, the information you are
seeking is not held by NPDC but would need to be created in order to
respond to your request. We are therefore refusing your request under
section 17(g) of the LGOIMA, because NPDC does not hold any official
information.

 

You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of
this decision. Information about how to make a complaint is available at
[1]www.ombudsman.parliament.nz

 

Regards

 

 

Mark Hall

Three Waters Manager

 

New Plymouth District Council | Liardet St | Private Bag 2025 | New
Plymouth 4340

Phone: 06-759 6060 | [mobile number]

[2]www.newplymouthnz.com | [3]Facebook | [4]Twitter

 

 

Official Information request - Local goverment implementation of water
fluoridation

 

Dear New Plymouth District Council (NPDC),

 

I am writing to request all information to which I am entitled under
section 12 of the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA) (The Act).

 

Please find my OIA request below, which relates to NPDC's implementation
of water fluoridation. I'm aware that all local government/council
authorities have recently received communications from Dr. Bloomfield
advising that he intends to direct them to implement water fluoridation.

 

1). Please provide copies of the advice you have received regarding this
from Dr. Bloomfield, the Director of Public Health or MoH, and any
analysis of that advice, as required under section 116E(2) of the Health
Act 1956.

 

2). Please confirm the method you are using to assess cost vs benefit on a
community by community basis as required under subsection 116E(3) of the
Act. In particular, please provide the data you are using to determine the
difference, if any, in tooth decay rates between fluoridated and
unfluoridated residents in the communities under consideration for
directing implementation of water fluoridation.

 

3). Please provide all information you have considered in relation to the
potential adverse health effects of water fluoridation (as required to
protect the public health under section 3A of the Act).

 

4). Please provide list of all controlled documents relating to fluoride
and community water fluoridation.

 

5). Please disclose all submissions assessing risk hazardous substances Re
fluoride and community water fluoridation.

 

6). Please disclose what specific studies does NPDC rely on for it's
current determination on community water fluoridation.

 

7). Please disclose what type of fluoride is currently being put in the
water supply now and for the past 3 years (example sodium fluorosilicate,
sodium silicofluoride, sodium hexafluorosilicate).

 

8). Please clarify that NPDC understands that it has been proven medically
(Peer reviewed), scientifically (peer reviewed) and legally (case law)
that unlike other substances fluoride is a cumulative toxin which means it
accumulates in the body.

 

This request also includes any contractors, or any other third parties who
have been engaged by NPDC to provide reports, assessments regards any
matters to do with any matters of water fluoridation.

 

Yours faithfully,

 

SPENCER JONES

 

show quoted sections

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From: SPENCER JONES

Three Waters Manager –Questions-on-Notice following reply to OIA Re Community water fluoridation.

Dear Mark Hall,

Thank you for the prompt reply, it is greatly appreciated.

I acknowledge receipt of your reply of 12 July 2022 and the two attached letters from Dr Bloomfield dated 15 December 2021 and 3rd May 2022.

After reviewing the reply and documentation it raises further questions and need for clarification.

Regards NPDC reply to question number-1 you have provided two letters from the Ministry of health (MoH). These both show and demonstrate that communications between MoH and NPDC on the subject of community water fluoridation has been an ongoing process. It is of the public interest disclosure that i’m asking for all internal and external NPDC communication, discussions or opinions expressed between NPDC and MoH on the subject matter between 1st January 2019 and 21st July 2022.

I should make it clear that this request should also cover all or any other information you may hold. I anticipate that you will be able to comprehensively search all NPDC records. This request should therefore cover any internal/external memos, emails, faxes and any other correspondence or readily accessible data held on computer by NPDC. This covers both manual and electronic data.

Regards NPDC replies to questions 2 to 6 you have stated “We do not hold the information requested” Please provide an explanation why NPDC does not hold in its capacity as local government and under its duty of care, environmental health, health and safety responsibilities’ any of the requested information as this is also within the public interest for disclosure as councils are responsible for environmental protection, and for ensuring healthy living conditions for their citizens.

Regards NPDC reply to question 2-6 and 8 if NPDC does not hold this information, please confirm who does and point of contact so this can be followed up.

Please clarify why no information regards any contractors, or any other third parties who have been engaged by NPDC to provide reports, assessments regard any matters to do with any matters of water fluoridation has been referred to or provided.

Further questions following reviewing MoH correspondence;

1. Confirm what capital works have been raised, approved, completed between 1st January 2019 – 21st July 2022 in relation to Community water fluoridation.
2. Confirm what funding applications have been either raised, submitted by NPDC Re all matters relating to Community water fluoridation.
3. Confirm what NPDC meetings have taken place regards all matters relating to Community water fluoridation.
4. Confirm what public engagement and announcements has occurred by NPDC between 1st January 2019 – 21st July 2022 in relation to Community water fluoridation.
5. Confirm what risk assessments have been carried out by NPDC regards Community water fluoridation.
6. Confirm all third-party involvement regards all matters Re Community water fluoridation.
7. Confirm all water infrastructure within NPDC business areas.
8. Provide financial budgets regards all water and waste water management. Approved budgets to be compared with actual budgets (funds expanded) for 2020 to present.

Yours sincerely,
SPENCER JONES

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From: Mark Hall
New Plymouth District Council

Hi, I'm out of the office returning on Monday 25 July. I will respond to
your email when I return. If it is an urgent matter, please call Henry
Claasen on 06 759 6060.

 

Regards

Mark.

 

The content of this email is confidential and may contain copyright
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If this email is not intended for you, you must not use, read, distribute
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Statements in this email and any attachments do not necessarily reflect
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From: Mark Hall
New Plymouth District Council


Attachment image001.png
46K Download

Attachment ECM 8812319 v2 LGOIMA letter to Spencer Jones regarding Fluoridation of water.pdf
506K Download View as HTML


Dear Sir

 

Please see attached letter.

 

Regards

 

 

Mark Hall

Three Waters Manager

 

New Plymouth District Council | Liardet St | Private Bag 2025 | New
Plymouth 4340

Phone: 06-759 6060 | [mobile number]

[1]www.newplymouthnz.com | [2]Facebook | [3]Twitter

 

[4]cid:image001.png@01D4F6E9.D14F6040

 

The content of this email is confidential and may contain copyright
information and/or be legally privileged. The information contained in
this email is intended only for the recipient named in the email message.
If this email is not intended for you, you must not use, read, distribute
or copy it. If you have received this email message in error please notify
the sender immediately and erase the original message and any attachments
from your system. Thank you.

Statements in this email and any attachments do not necessarily reflect
the views of New Plymouth District Council.

For more information about New Plymouth District Council, visit our
website at [5]www.npdc.govt.nz

Are you a ratepayer? Did you know you can get your rates notices by email?
Sign up now at [6]www.npdc.govt.nz/home-and-property/rates-information/

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From: OIA Requests


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Kia ora Spencer,

 

Thank you for your request for official information which was partially
transferred from New Plymouth District Council and received by the
Ministry of Health on 4 August 2022. The Ministry’s reference number for
your request is H2022009423.    

 

As required under the Official Information Act 1982, the Ministry will
endeavour to respond to your request no later than 20 working days after
the day your request was received. If you'd like to calculate the
timeframe, you can use the Ombudsman's online calculator
here: [1]http://www.ombudsman.parliament.nz/ 

 

If you have any queries related to this request, please do not hesitate to
get in touch. 

 

Ngā mihi 

  

OIA Services Team 

M[2]inistry of Health information releases 
U[3]nite against COVID-19 

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From: Mark Hall
New Plymouth District Council


Attachment image001.png
46K Download

Attachment ECM 8824532 v2 LGOIMA CSM22 504492 Spencer Jones fluoridation.pdf
195K Download View as HTML

Attachment ECM 8690871 v1 Dr Ashley Bloomfield Planning for community water fluoridation.pdf
5.5M Download View as HTML

Attachment ECM 8733871 v1 Community Water Fluoridation questionaire.pdf
511K Download View as HTML

Attachment ECM 8733872 v2 Response to MoH Fluoridation Questionaire Planning for Community Water fluoridation.pdf
293K Download View as HTML

Attachment ECM 8760832 v1 Community Water Fluoridation next steps letter NPDC May 2022.pdf
329K Download View as HTML

Attachment ECM 8791861 v1 RE Community Water Fluoridation next steps letter NPDC May 2022.pdf
291K Download View as HTML

Attachment ECM 8800727 v1 Letter to local authority CEs re fluoride from Dr Bloomfield.pdf
135K Download View as HTML

Attachment ECM 8800729 v1 Appendix One to ECM 8800727 Community Water Fluoridation Dr Bloomfield letter.pdf
51K Download View as HTML

Attachment Fluroride costs estimates attachment to email 2 12 2021.pdf
197K Download View as HTML

Attachment LGOIMA CSM22 504492 Water Flouridation Documents Redacted.pdf
8.3M Download View as HTML

Attachment RE Letter to Ministry of Health re Community Water Fluoridation.pdf
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Kia ora Spencer Jones

 

Please refer to letter and information attached.

 

Regards

 

 

Mark Hall

Three Waters Manager

 

New Plymouth District Council | Liardet St | Private Bag 2025 | New
Plymouth 4340

Phone: 06-759 6060 | [mobile number]

[1]www.newplymouthnz.com | [2]Facebook | [3]Twitter

 

[4]cid:image001.png@01D4F6E9.D14F6040

 

The content of this email is confidential and may contain copyright
information and/or be legally privileged. The information contained in
this email is intended only for the recipient named in the email message.
If this email is not intended for you, you must not use, read, distribute
or copy it. If you have received this email message in error please notify
the sender immediately and erase the original message and any attachments
from your system. Thank you.

Statements in this email and any attachments do not necessarily reflect
the views of New Plymouth District Council.

For more information about New Plymouth District Council, visit our
website at [5]www.npdc.govt.nz

Are you a ratepayer? Did you know you can get your rates notices by email?
Sign up now at [6]www.npdc.govt.nz/home-and-property/rates-information/

References

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2. http://www.facebook.com/#!/NewPlymouthDi...
3. http://twitter.com/#!/NPDCouncil
4. https://www.newplymouthnz.com/Residents/...
5. file:///tmp/www.npdc.govt.nz
6. file:///tmp/www.npdc.govt.nz/home-and-property/rates-information/

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From: OIA Requests


Attachment Outlook lro1ktwj.png
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Attachment OIA H2022009423 Response.pdf
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Kia ora Spencer,

Please find attached the response for your request for official
information.

Ngā mihi 

  

OIA Services Team 

M[1]inistry of Health information releases 
U[2]nite against COVID-19 

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