and here.
Original report:
Fluoride debate hots up
The debate over whether to add fluoride to parts of the City’s water supply hots up this week: on Tuesday evening (Nov 18) there’s a ‘Question Time’ session at St Mary’s Stadium, and on Wednesday there’s a key City Council meeting about the issue.
Doors open at 6.30pm for Question Time at the Mike Channon Suite, St Mary's Stadium, which runs from 7pm until 9pm. Two pro fluoride speakers and two against will speak, with Professor Connett representing National Pure Water Association and John Spottiswoode speaking for Hampshire Against Fluoridation. Peter White of BBC Radio Four will be in the chair.
Then, on Wednesday 19, the Healthy City Scrutiny Panel, which has been examining the issue, will make a report and submit its recommendations to a meeting of the full Council. The Council’s inquiry will then be passed to the Strategic Health Authority which will make a decision next year, although the SHA isn't obligated to take the Council’s views on board.
Campaigners against fluoride plan to meet at the main entrance to the Civic Centre on Wednesday at 1.30pm for a lunchtime lobby untill 2pm, and then stay for the meeting itself “to make sure that the Southampton Councillors know the strength of opinion against fluoridation”.
* Those opposing water fluoridation say they’ve achieved a “landslide victory” in Test Valley: at a meeting on November 13, Test Valley Borough Council voted against fluoridation with a majority of 26 to 10. Hampshire County Council is also being recommended to oppose water fluoridation by its committee which investigated the subject.