The notion of democracy is very simple. Power rests with the people, they elect public representatives, and those set direction in government.

Except in Ceredigion.

This publication spent three months investigating the county council’s action in buying and setting up a farm school just outside Lampeter.

In agricultural terms, the bovine excrement is enough to fill the slurry pits at Llettytwppa Farm - shady hiring decisions, cronyism and a general failure of oversight.

Family members and friends have all profited from the project that is estimated to have cost £2.45m so far – for a school with just two full-time students.

Ceredigion officials have been lean with answers, both to the publication and, more importantly, your elected councillors.

Councillor after councillor who spoke with us – all off the record because they fear retribution from Ceredigion Chief Executive Officer Eifion Evans and Executive Director Barry Rees – used the word “scrutiny” time and time again.

Cambrian News Lettytwppa Farm investigation
Cambrian News spent three months investigating Ceredigion's actions in buying and setting up Llwttytwppa as a farm school. (Cambrian News)

There has been none, their questions have gone mostly unanswered, and they have largely been kept in the dark.

Mushrooms.

Until now.

Mr Evans’ own daughter has been hired by Ceredigion as a lecturer at Llettytwppa and Tregaron. His son too has landed a position, first in Finance, now in IT at the local authority where his father calls the shots. And call the shots he does, along with Mr Rees.

Most damning of all, the highest level of administration at Ceredigion County Council had - without the general knowledge or majority approval of the elected members who represent the taxpayers of the county – organised a loan to purchase Llettytwppa months before they asked councillors to approve the purchase of the asset.

Freedom of Information documents show CEO Evans was told by the Welsh Government on 14 March 2025 that a £2m loan, over seven years, at 2.15 per cent interest - costing you £43,000 every year – was approved. And it had to be drawn down by Ceredigion by 21 March. Councillors were only consulted on June 3, long after the deal was done and money was borrowed in your name.

Mr Evans has shown nothing but contempt for councillors, for taxpayers and for the democratic process.

He needs to go. Now