Calls are growing for an independent review into the handling of the purchase and running of a farm by Ceredigion County Council.

Politicians are calling for an independent review into how the purchase and running of a Lampeter farm has been dealt with by officers at Ceredigion County Council.

Ceredigion councillors approved buying the 129-acre property in June 2025 for £1.85m.

Llettytwppa Farm
Llettytwppa Farm was bought for £1.85 million by Ceredigion County Council (Cambrian News)

But they never knew top staff had already arranged a £2m loan, which was approved three months before — long drawn down before they were told anything about the project. Ceredigion has allocated another £600,000 of its funds for the farm school.

Despite the massive outlay, the farm college has only attracted two full time students and one is leaving.

The daughter of Ceredigion CEO Eifion Evans has been hired as a lecturer at the facility and her husband has been employed at the farm school through a zero-hours contract.

New farm manager Prys Lewis is a close friend of Council Leader Bryan Davies and the county council is paying Mr Lewis’ £1,000-a-month rent on another Lampeter-area home

Our investigation also revealed that family members of Elen James, the council’s education lead, have profited from the school.

Following the revelations, Senedd members representing Ceredigion are calling for an independent review.

Paul Marr MS, Reform UK Member of the Senedd for Ceredigion & Penfro, has called for independent scrutiny of the spending, recruitment and decision-making surrounding Llettytwppa Farm near Lampeter.

He says the Cambrian News investigation raises concerns about value for money, democratic oversight and potential conflicts of interest.

Paul Marr MS said: “Taxpayers deserve to know exactly how their money is being spent, who authorised that spending and what they are getting in return.

“Agricultural training matters enormously to our rural communities. Investment must be supported by a credible business case, clear demand and proper scrutiny.

“The report of just two full-time students raises serious questions. The council points to 47 learners on linked courses, but it must explain how many actually use the farm, how regularly, and whether recruitment is meeting its original targets.

“The allegations surrounding appointments also require clear answers.

Personal connections alone do not establish wrongdoing. The council says vacancies were advertised and its Plaid Cymru group maintains recruitment was fair.

They should now provide evidence explaining the selection process and how potential conflicts were managed, while protecting applicants’ personal information.

“I am calling for an independent review, publication of the business case and full project costs, and a clear account of when borrowing and expenditure were authorised.

“The Welsh Government must also explain what checks it undertook before approving the loan and how repayment will be funded.

“Reform UK’s position is straightforward: public money must serve the public. Jobs should be awarded on merit, spending must deliver value, and elected councillors must have the information they need to hold decision-makers accountable.

“Plaid Cymru’s council leadership should welcome that scrutiny. Residents deserve evidence and answers.”

Conservative MS for Ceredigion Penfro, Paul Davies, said: “The allegations surrounding the purchase and operation of Llettytwppa Farm raises serious questions about Ceredigion County Council’s financial management and due diligence processes.

“Millions of pounds of taxpayers' money has been spent on this project and local people rightly deserve full transparency, proper scrutiny and some accountability from the council.

“There must now be an urgent independent investigation so that everyone can be assured that the appropriate processes have been followed and due diligence has been done.”

Claire Archibald MS said: “The issues raised are undoubtedly serious and will be of concern to many residents across Ceredigion.

“Whenever significant sums of public money are invested in a project, there is a legitimate expectation that such expenditure will be subject to rigorous scrutiny and deliver clear, measurable benefits for the communities it is intended to serve.

“The reported £2 million purchase of the farm using Welsh Government loan funding, coupled with questions surrounding student numbers and the overall viability of the project, has deeply alarmed constituents and myself regarding value for money.

“Taxpayers who essentially fund these projects have every right to expect transparency about how public funds are being spent, what outcomes were anticipated when the investment was approved and whether those outcomes are now being achieved, which is clearly not happening in this case.

“I am equally concerned by the governance issues raised within your investigation. While it would be inappropriate of me to make definitive judgments before all relevant facts have been fully established, any suggestion that recruitment processes may not have been conducted transparently or that appointments were made without appropriate competition is bound to undermine public confidence in the institutions responsible.

“Public bodies must not only act properly, they must be seen by the general public to act properly. Maintaining trust requires openness and a willingness to answer legitimate questions when they arise, something that I have been told by constituents in areas such as Aberystwyth has felt practically absent in recent years when it comes to Ceredigion County Council.

“For that reason, I believe it is essential that Ceredigion County Council is able to demonstrate clearly the basis upon which key decisions like the purchase of the farm were made, what scrutiny was undertaken throughout the process, how conflicts of interest were identified and managed where necessary, and what safeguards were put in place to protect public funds.

“The public deserves reassurance and evidence that robust governance procedures were followed at every stage.

“Investigative journalism plays a vital role in a democratic society.

“Reports such as yours bring issues into the public domain and allow residents to ask informed questions about decisions being taken on their behalf.

“Where concerns are raised about major public investments, the appropriate response should always be transparency and engagement rather than defensiveness or reluctance to provide information.

“Ultimately, the focus must remain on accountability.

“Residents deserve clear answers about whether this project represents good value for money, whether due process was followed, and whether the anticipated educational and economic benefits are being delivered adequately.

“Public confidence depends on a willingness to submit major spending decisions to proper scrutiny.

“During the cost-of-living crisis we find ourselves in where every public pound counts, local people are entitled to expect the highest standards of governance, and transparency from those entrusted with managing public resources.

“I therefore hope that the Council and all relevant parties will engage constructively with the concerns raised and provide the clarity and reassurance that the public is entitled to receive.”

The Cambrian News reached out to Ben Lake MP for a comment, but none was received at the time of publication.