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
From: Enquiries
New Plymouth District Council
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From: Mark Hall
New Plymouth District Council
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
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Sign up now at [10]www.npdc.govt.nz/home-and-property/rates-information/
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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
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.
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From: Mark Hall
New Plymouth District Council
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
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From: OIA Requests
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
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Ngā mihi
OIA Services Team
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From: Mark Hall
New Plymouth District Council
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?
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From: OIA Requests
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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