Leader of the opposition at Coventry City Council John Blundell has issued a statment regarding the Ricoh Arena and the statement made by Council Leader Ann Lucas,
The statement reads as follows:
"Members of the Conservative Group have been closely monitoring developments in relation to Coventry City Football Club and the Ricoh Arena, as the citizens of Coventry would expect from a responsible Opposition Group on the City Council.
We have, to date, been fully supportive of the position taken by the Council's leadership regarding the Ricoh Arena and Coventry City Football Club.
I recognise the level of public concern about the future of both the football club and the Arena, evidenced by the recent protest outside the Council House by supporters of the club. Both I and my Deputy took the time to meet and talk with those taking part in the protest. I want to stress that it is the desire of Conservative Councillors to see the football club return to the Ricoh Arena.
With regard to the recent developments, we have read both the latest statement from the football club published by the Coventry Telegraph and the detailed response from the Leader of the Council. We fully support the response from Cllr Lucas and would urge Ms Seppala to make contact with the Council so that constructive dialogue can commence.
As members of the ACL Shareholders Panel, made up of leading Councillors from both political parties on the Council, I and the Deputy Leader of the Conservative Group will seek to support any process which ensures the best possible outcome for the people of Coventry and the Ricoh Arena."