Agenda item

14.1

The Director of Public Health submitted a report requesting approval from Cabinet to enable the Local Authority to investigate the implications of water fluoridation in Sheffield, including feasibility, costs, plant location, coverage and the implications for other Local Authority areas.

14.2

RESOLVED: That Cabinet:- 

(a)

approves the Local Authority investigating the implications of water fluoridation in Sheffield, including feasibility, costs, plant location, coverage and the implications for other Local Authority areas;

(b)

emphasises that this is purely a fact-finding process to inform subsequent decision-making and that it does not represent a decision by the Local Authority to proceed with water fluoridation; and

(c)

approves that, following the outcome of this investigation, if the Local Authority takes the decision to proceed with the process set out in legislation, all the information gathered will be used as evidence in the formal feasibility report.

14.3

Reasons for Decision

14.3.1

We are asking for agreement to investigate the implications of water fluoridation for Sheffield because we need to understand the costs and extra work needed for the city should we proceed.

14.3.2

This first necessary step is to gain an understanding of the public water supply arrangements in the Sheffield area. Key initial questions to be answered by Yorkshire Water are:

• Is it technically practicable for the responsible water company to fluoridate the geographic area of Sheffield?

• Will doing so necessitate also fluoridating other adjacent localities and, if so, will this involve other local authority areas?

14.3.3

Depending on discussions with the water company this may be essentially a desk-top exercise, thereby minimising initial costs. It should be emphasised that this is purely a fact-finding process to support subsequent decision-making and that it does not represent a decision by the Local Authority to proceed with fluoridation.

14.3.4

Once the investigation has taken place and the full implications of the cost and infrastructure are available, further discussions will take place as to whether to progress to the legislative stage of the process. Should this be the case, a full report will be brought back to Cabinet for discussion and agreement made to progress further or not.

14.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

None

14.5

Any Interest Declared or Dispensation Granted

None

14.6

Reason for Exemption if Public/Press Excluded During Consideration

None

14.7

Respective Director Responsible for Implementation

Greg Fell, Director of Public Health

14.8

Relevant Scrutiny and Policy Development Committee If Decision Called In

Healthier Communities and Adult Social Care

14.1

The Director of Public Health submitted a report requesting approval from Cabinet to enable the Local Authority to investigate the implications of water fluoridation in Sheffield, including feasibility, costs, plant location, coverage and the implications for other Local Authority areas.

14.2

RESOLVED: That Cabinet:- 

(a)

approves the Local Authority investigating the implications of water fluoridation in Sheffield, including feasibility, costs, plant location, coverage and the implications for other Local Authority areas;

(b)

emphasises that this is purely a fact-finding process to inform subsequent decision-making and that it does not represent a decision by the Local Authority to proceed with water fluoridation; and

(c)

approves that, following the outcome of this investigation, if the Local Authority takes the decision to proceed with the process set out in legislation, all the information gathered will be used as evidence in the formal feasibility report.

14.3

Reasons for Decision

14.3.1

We are asking for agreement to investigate the implications of water fluoridation for Sheffield because we need to understand the costs and extra work needed for the city should we proceed.

14.3.2

This first necessary step is to gain an understanding of the public water supply arrangements in the Sheffield area. Key initial questions to be answered by Yorkshire Water are:

• Is it technically practicable for the responsible water company to fluoridate the geographic area of Sheffield?

• Will doing so necessitate also fluoridating other adjacent localities and, if so, will this involve other local authority areas?

14.3.3

Depending on discussions with the water company this may be essentially a desk-top exercise, thereby minimising initial costs. It should be emphasised that this is purely a fact-finding process to support subsequent decision-making and that it does not represent a decision by the Local Authority to proceed with fluoridation.

14.3.4

Once the investigation has taken place and the full implications of the cost and infrastructure are available, further discussions will take place as to whether to progress to the legislative stage of the process. Should this be the case, a full report will be brought back to Cabinet for discussion and agreement made to progress further or not.

14.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

None