UK Press Release

Embargo Date : 10.7.12

Two Pronged Attack

A leading campaigner against fluoridation of water supplies has initiated a two pronged attack, aimed at sinking the plans before the chemical is added to thousands of homes in the area.

County Councillor David Harrison, a member of Hampshire's Health Overview & Scrutiny Committee, has welcomed the actions of Councillor Ken Thornber, Leader of Hampshire County Council, in writing to the Secretary of State for Health, asking that new laws be implemented right away to stop the Strategic Health Authority from forcing through plans to fluoridate water supplies, before it is abolished next year.

Councillor Harrison says “ I have been working cross-party on Hampshire County Council to try and stop local people from being medicated against their will, via our tap water. I asked that we write to the Secretary of State, reminding him that there is no democratic mandate to force these plans through and asking that he use the new legislation that will put a stop to this once and for all”.

In a second move, Councillor Harrison has revived a joint complaint he has made, along with local MP, Dr Julian Lewis, against the Strategic Health Authority and the failure to carry out a fair and proper consultation. The complaint is being considered by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman.

Councillor Harrison adds “ One way or another, I'm hoping that the Strategic Health Authority will get the message that the public money they plan to spend forcing through these unwanted plans would be better directed elsewhere”.

ENDS

Copy Letter from Cllr. Thornber :

H1.2/hg/0748 2 July 2012
Rt Hon Andrew Lansley Secretary of State for Health Richmond House 79 Whitehall
London SW1A 2NL

Dear Secretary of State

Fluoridation of Water Supplies

As you are no doubt aware, the South Central Strategic Health Authority (SHA) took a decision in February 2009 to go ahead with adding fluoride to the water supply covering parts of Southampton and Hampshire. You may also be aware that Hampshire County Council, having given in-depth consideration to the issues through the Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee (HOSC), took the view that fluoride should not be added to the drinking water, and responded to the consultation undertaken on the subject to that effect (following an almost unanimous [one abstention] vote at full council).
We are pleased to note that the Health and Social Care Act 2012 will instigate a change to the Water Industry Act 1991 (as amended by the Water Act 2003) and in future will place the responsibility for considering fluoridation proposals with democratically elected Local Authorities. I understand that the commencement of the relevant sections (35 to 37) of the Health and Social Care Act 2012 is ‘on such day as the [Secretary of State] may by order appoint’. May I respectfully request that this part of the Act be brought into force as soon as possible.
Implementation of the proposals to fluoridate the water in parts of Hampshire was delayed by a Judicial Review challenge. The high court ruled that the decision of the SHA was lawful in February 2011. From the Hampshire HOSC’s most recent communications with the SHA (September 2011), I am given to understand that the details of the scheme were yet to be confirmed and the proposals have yet to be implemented.
Once the Health and Social Care Act 2012 provisions are in force, I anticipate that Hampshire County Council would seek to submit a termination proposal in relation to the scheme affecting Hampshire residents (subject to approval through full County Council), in recognition of the 72% of respondents who were against the proposal
Cont’d2
during the Strategic Health Authorities consultation, and our own assessment of the case. If the powers to do so are implemented forthwith, this could avoid any further expense from the public purse being expended on this scheme which does not enjoy local support. It would clearly be most ‘reasonably practicable’ to terminate a scheme prior to implementation.
I have copied this letter to colleagues in the other Local Authorities affected by the fluoridation scheme in question. I look forward to receiving confirmation of when you anticipate the relevant legislation will come in to force.

Yours sincerely

Ken Thornber Leader

cc. Leader, Southampton City Council Leader, Eastleigh Borough Council Leader, New Forest District Council Leader, Test Valley Borough Council Chief Executive, South Central Strategic Health Authority Cllr Pat West, Chairman Hampshire Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee Chairman, Hampshire Local Involvement Network


From : Councillor David Harrison, 25 Rushington Avenue, Totton, Hants S040 9DD
Telephone 02380 864500 E-Mail : dharrison100@aol.com
Website : www.dharrison.co.uk