New Stadium - Freedom of Information update
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In January, we reported on replies to questions sent in November, under the Freedom of Information Act and the Environmental Information Regulations, to all the local authorities in and around Coventry about discussions with Coventry City, its owners and/or their representatives, about a possible new stadium. The background to this was the following:
On 30th October 2013 Tim Fisher reported to a Supporters Consultative Group meeting that the Club were currently in discussions with two other councils and presenting the benefits and economic impact of a multi-purpose stadium. "Both those councils instantly see the benefits.”
In his Sky TV interview on 20 December, Mark Labovitch said: “There are two local authorities involved. They each want an economic impact assessment to show the benefits that the stadium will bring to the area.”
In January we reported that only Nuneaton and Bedworth Council had been "approached by a developer to discuss the possibility of locating a sports stadium in the borough.” None of the other Councils had held any such discussions with the Club although Rugby had discussed with them proposals for an Academy.
The Trust has now received replies to similar questions, sent out in March, seeking information about the up to date position. The following Councils say they have had no discussions with the Club etc about a new stadium:
Coventry, Solihull, North Warwickshire, Hinckley & Bosworth, Rugby, Warwick, Warwickshire and Daventry.
Nuneaton and Bedworth have just replied as follows: "In this case the weight of the public interest lies in withholding the information. This conclusion not only applies to withholding information provided through pre application discussion, but also extends to withholding information about whether or not pre application discussion had happened at all.”
The full reply is attached at the end of this article.
They are therefore relying on exemptions in the regulations to justify not only refusing to give details of any discussions etc but also refusing do what they did back in January, when they did acknowledge that an “approach” had been made.
In addition, the Trust had heard a rumour that the Club may be contemplating a move to Nene Park, to the East of Northampton in Irthlingborough. In March therefore, similar FOI requests were sent to East Northamptonshire District Council, Northamptonshire County Council and Northamptonshire Police. They all report that they have held no discussions etc with the Club or its representatives.
We will continue to press for full disclosure of the Club’s intentions.
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 Nuneaton & Bedworth FoI |
News Update
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One of the concerns many City fans have over our exile in Northampton is the effect it is having on the young supporters of the club. By not being able to watch their team play in Coventry their interest may well ebb away and we will lose a generation of supporters for ever. In an attempt to reignite their passion the Sky Blue Trust are running an initiative for the away match at Peterborough on Saturday 12th April. In co-operation with Peterborough the Trust has put together a very special offer - every under 16 who takes up this initiative gets a free ticket to the match and free coach travel, they must be accompanied by a full paying responsible adult. Cost for the adult will be £35 which includes their ticket (£25) and coach travel. The Trust will cover the cost of the youngsters ticket and coach and each adult can bring up to three U16’s with them. Places are limited and we have to give Peterborough numbers by the end of this week so please e-mail your interest to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by mid-day Friday 28th March or if you have any questions please use that e-mail address as well. We will come back to you about booking, payment and travel details.
E-Mail Communication
It has been brought to our attention that some people are not getting e-mails from the Trust. Apologies to anyone who hasn't been getting these. We send out regular bulletins often weekly so if you are not receiving them and would like to, please send your details to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and we will ensure your existing details are amended or you are added to the database.
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Trust Statement On Recent Events
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The Sky Blue Trust will remain open to discussing, in a transparent and constructive manner, a solution to the problems at Coventry City FC. As has always been the case the Trust will seek to engage with all stakeholders in the dispute.
Allegations of conspiracy directed at the Trust are untrue, scurrilous and extremely unhelpful, serving only to deflect attention from the real issues at the Club.
Trust members and the fans in general require answers to many questions regarding the finances, the future of CCFC and a return to Coventry. We all eagerly await a full, clear and proper response to those concerns.
For clarity the aims of The Sky Blue Trust remain:
- To build and maintain membership of the Trust.
- To return the team to playing in Coventry.
- To secure supporter involvement in the ownership and management of the club
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